Another 1200 mile 550 Sport review
10-03-2007, 01:18 PM
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Ok here are my thoughts...
Suspension
This more than I expected. After coming from an E46 330 with coilovers, thicker sway bars, strut braces, etc. I was fearing that this car, being a lot bigger and stock, would not handle as well. The ARS must be doing some magical things because the car has handled everything I have thrown at it so far. I am actually looking forward to getting the car on the track someday.
Sport Auto Transmission
Incredible in sport manual mode in terms of quickness of shifting. To redline through the gears is an absolute thrill. However, there are some shortcomings. When in just SD (gearshift to left), the transmission is hyperactive, constantly shifting from gear to gear. For example, in just a short stretch of road near my house where 2nd gear would be fine throughout, the transission goes to 3rd to 4th and then all the way back to 2nd. Like an overactive child, the transmission just can't seem to stay in one place. This bothers me so much that I usually either drive in D or manual mode. In my 330 I always drove in SD, the intuitiveness in that car was far superior.
HD Radio
Love it when it works, and here in LA we have a lot of stations to choose from, but it can be annoying as teh signal goes in and out of HD and you have to hear about 5 seconds of the previous signal again. Still glad I got it.
Comfort Access
Seems to have some bugs. Not always as responsive as I think it should be. Sometimes I have to fondle the handle more than I would like just to get it to open or to lock it. Also, if I leave teh car I get teh huge warning sign, but when I return, it doesn't resense that the key is back and remove the warning sign. Still glad I got it.... I think.
A few things things I acutally really dislike about the car...
Throtte Response
This is very poor. With my 330 I could pump/tap teh throttle in second or third and my head would go back in rythm as the car instantly responded. With the 550, this is not the case. Car just does not respond as I wish it would.
Seat Belt Chime
There has to be a way to turn it off... so freaking annoying.
Gas Milege
I knew this going in, but... don't let anyone fool you to think this car is fuel miser by any stretch of the imagination.
SD Mode
See above.
Suspension
This more than I expected. After coming from an E46 330 with coilovers, thicker sway bars, strut braces, etc. I was fearing that this car, being a lot bigger and stock, would not handle as well. The ARS must be doing some magical things because the car has handled everything I have thrown at it so far. I am actually looking forward to getting the car on the track someday.
Sport Auto Transmission
Incredible in sport manual mode in terms of quickness of shifting. To redline through the gears is an absolute thrill. However, there are some shortcomings. When in just SD (gearshift to left), the transmission is hyperactive, constantly shifting from gear to gear. For example, in just a short stretch of road near my house where 2nd gear would be fine throughout, the transission goes to 3rd to 4th and then all the way back to 2nd. Like an overactive child, the transmission just can't seem to stay in one place. This bothers me so much that I usually either drive in D or manual mode. In my 330 I always drove in SD, the intuitiveness in that car was far superior.
HD Radio
Love it when it works, and here in LA we have a lot of stations to choose from, but it can be annoying as teh signal goes in and out of HD and you have to hear about 5 seconds of the previous signal again. Still glad I got it.
Comfort Access
Seems to have some bugs. Not always as responsive as I think it should be. Sometimes I have to fondle the handle more than I would like just to get it to open or to lock it. Also, if I leave teh car I get teh huge warning sign, but when I return, it doesn't resense that the key is back and remove the warning sign. Still glad I got it.... I think.
A few things things I acutally really dislike about the car...
Throtte Response
This is very poor. With my 330 I could pump/tap teh throttle in second or third and my head would go back in rythm as the car instantly responded. With the 550, this is not the case. Car just does not respond as I wish it would.
Seat Belt Chime
There has to be a way to turn it off... so freaking annoying.
Gas Milege
I knew this going in, but... don't let anyone fool you to think this car is fuel miser by any stretch of the imagination.
SD Mode
See above.
10-03-2007, 01:32 PM
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Same for me on the HD radio. The sound is great when it gets good reception, but it seems that the reception is constantly fading in and out. It is almost like an AM station to me.
Many have agreed on the throttle response. I may try a sprint booster with mine.
On my C/A the warning sign does go away, so I'm not sure about yours. It does get picky on the locking part at times. I have found that using just my thumb on the front edge of the lock works great. I have had no issues with the un-locking part.
Fuel economy is my fault, as I just can't seem to drive in anything other than sport mode. It is just too much fun. I love the growl of the sport exhaust.
The best part about my car---THE CHICKS DIG IT!!!!!!!!! LMAO!!!
Many have agreed on the throttle response. I may try a sprint booster with mine.
On my C/A the warning sign does go away, so I'm not sure about yours. It does get picky on the locking part at times. I have found that using just my thumb on the front edge of the lock works great. I have had no issues with the un-locking part.
Fuel economy is my fault, as I just can't seem to drive in anything other than sport mode. It is just too much fun. I love the growl of the sport exhaust.
The best part about my car---THE CHICKS DIG IT!!!!!!!!! LMAO!!!
10-03-2007, 06:07 PM
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My Ride: 11 550i Sophisto Gray/Oyster Black/Anthracite, Sprt Trns, DHP, IAS, SP, PP1, PP2, CWP, HUD, DAP, AVSP, SF RS, CA, ACC - Euro Del
On my 550 Sport the Comfort Access works quite well. I like it a lot. This is a wonderful option.
10-04-2007, 04:01 AM
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My Ride: 520d SE
Jet black / anthracite
Advanced air con
Sun protection glass
USB
Style 244 wheels
Originally Posted by italia550i' post='477614' date='Oct 3 2007, 10:18 PM
Sometimes I have to fondle the handle more than I would like just to get it to open
10-04-2007, 07:30 AM
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My Ride: E39 540iA Sport TiSilver/Bleack Leather
NAV, PDC, DSP, Shades, CWP
E60 550 6 Speed 2008 MY
Euro Del (Thanksgiving 2007, Munich Germany)
Quote of the Week.... 
Originally Posted by Lord Monkey' post='477845' date='Oct 4 2007, 05:01 AM
I have the same experience with my wife...
10-04-2007, 07:38 AM
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My Ride: 2010 M5 alpine white, black full leather, etc.
No throttle response, are you kidding? This thing, with 360 foot pounds of torque, is as responsive as 95% of us could ever handle.
10-04-2007, 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by 1600' post='477936' date='Oct 4 2007, 10:38 AM
No throttle response, are you kidding? This thing, with 360 foot pounds of torque, is as responsive as 95% of us could ever handle.
I sent an email to Sprint Booster to possibly help this, but have not heard anything back yet.
10-04-2007, 09:07 AM
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My Ride: 2010 M5 alpine white, black full leather, etc.
You still have very few miles, however, I only have 4,500 and throttle is super quick. Maybe a computer adjustment is slightly off, or a gasoline issue, or something else. Your SA should definitely have look see.
10-04-2007, 09:17 AM
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Everyone is saying the Sprint Booster makes a very noticeable difference in "seat of your pants" acceleration from a stop...is there any quantifiable data that reflects the impact it actually has on performance?say in faster 0-60 and ? mile times? 
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