Pondering letting go of my new 550i
#1
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 Mercedes Benz e63 AMG
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So, I picked up my new '07 550i on February 14th and have put about 4600 miles on it since then. Its a marvelous car in every respect. The 6-speed manual transmission is a blast, and I couldnt be happier with the logic 7 stereo.
However, I came from a 7 series sedan and honestly, after nearly 3 months, I really miss driving a full size sedan. I've got 3 kids and two chubby law partners, and its just not as easy to get folks in and out of the car as I'd hoped. I'm also traveling more and more these days for work, and with more interstate highway miles (and less time on the fun & twisty roads), a full size "cruise mobile" might have been a better option for me than a performance sedan.
I leased the car for 36 months, so I'm still 34 months to go...yikes. I might just buy the car and trade it in. The lease terms were great - I put $5k down and the monthly is only $701. I feel a little crazy for even considering letting it go so soon, but I wondered if it would easier to find someone that wanted it now with less than 5k miles on it, rather than a few more months when its closer to 10k miles.
Any thoughts to help me snap out of the headworms I'm experiencing?
However, I came from a 7 series sedan and honestly, after nearly 3 months, I really miss driving a full size sedan. I've got 3 kids and two chubby law partners, and its just not as easy to get folks in and out of the car as I'd hoped. I'm also traveling more and more these days for work, and with more interstate highway miles (and less time on the fun & twisty roads), a full size "cruise mobile" might have been a better option for me than a performance sedan.
I leased the car for 36 months, so I'm still 34 months to go...yikes. I might just buy the car and trade it in. The lease terms were great - I put $5k down and the monthly is only $701. I feel a little crazy for even considering letting it go so soon, but I wondered if it would easier to find someone that wanted it now with less than 5k miles on it, rather than a few more months when its closer to 10k miles.
Any thoughts to help me snap out of the headworms I'm experiencing?
#2
Members
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Western Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 05 545i Sport, Man, Cold WX Pkg, Black Sapphire Met on Black
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The fact that you are even asking about it, I think answers your own question. Unfortunate that you do not get to enjoy the sport sedan in lieu of your heavy highway travels with or without your chubby partners. Seems as if at the mo, you're more inclined to get more enjoyment out of a 7. Maybe get an M5 when you win that big case!
#3
Members
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550iReno, NV
Model Year: 2008
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have to agree with Spyder, if you having serious doubts go for the 7. I know that you can find several 760's on eBay in the 70 to 80 grand range.
#4
Contributors
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#5
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 Mercedes Benz e63 AMG
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by tachyon' post='425255' date='May 16 2007, 07:48 PM
I'll check out the swapalease site - cant imagine they have many low mileage 550s....
#6
Senior Members
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 550i, Alpine White, Beige Ltr, Sport Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Steptronic, Nav, Satellite Radio, Split Fold Rear Seats, V1
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Apples vs. Oranges
It sounds like the verdict is in and you really want the 7. Your milage is high and will hit about 30K in a year at your current rate. If you are making a move I recommend sooner rather than later.
I smile every day when I am behind the wheel of my 550. I have been in the 7 and it is an impressive ride but not a sport sedan. Perhaps the diet (five to seven) should also be applied to the partners?
Good luck!
It sounds like the verdict is in and you really want the 7. Your milage is high and will hit about 30K in a year at your current rate. If you are making a move I recommend sooner rather than later.
I smile every day when I am behind the wheel of my 550. I have been in the 7 and it is an impressive ride but not a sport sedan. Perhaps the diet (five to seven) should also be applied to the partners?
Good luck!
#7
Contributors
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Riverdale, New York
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535xi / Platinum Grey / Black leather / Step Auto / Sport / Premium / Cold weather / 18" wheels / Logic 7 / Comfort / ipod / Navigation / Fold Down Rear Seats / Rear Airbags / Sirius SAT / Spoiler / Extended Clear bra / Bluetooth. (Previously owned a 2002 sport 525I Loaded).
On order: 535xi Platnium Grey with Black interior, Step Auto, Sports package, Premium package, Cold weather package, 18" wheels, Logic 7, Comfort access, ipod adapt, Navigation, Sat radio, Rear spoiler, Extended Clear coat bra.
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif)
Did you buy this car for you or your partners? Don't worry about our partners and worry about you. Do you enjoy the car when your alone cruising? Good. Snap out of it and live it up.
#8
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Scania, Scandinavia
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: F11 -14
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Try to stick to your current car another year, the new 7 series is soon to be revealed which will make the current E65 quite cold on the market.
#9
Senior Members
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 07' 550i sport; Sapphire Black/Auburn; sport package; steptronic; navigation with R.T.T.I.; heads up; cold weather package; Logic-7; BMW MOST ipod kit; Motorola V3 snap-in adapter; rear heated seats and rear shades; anthracite headliner; sirrius sat. radio; M-aero kit; OEM style 166 Wheels with 245/35-19 front and 285/30-19 rear Michelin PS2s.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I sold my 740i sport for a 550 last year. I wanted to the like the 745/750, but it is a rather disconnected driving experience, certainly relative to a 5. Although its beyond my price range and wasn't available last year, a B7 Alpina would have met my needs perfectly. In essence, cost issues aside the handling is the only compelling reason to get a 5 over a 7. If your preference for comfort is stronger than your preference for handling, then the quesion is answered. Naturally there is the status benefit of driving a 7 as well. I can't tell you how many times I bite my lip when any of my clients ask why I 'downgraded' rom a 7 to a 5 (even though the sticker on my 550 was $2,500 higher than my 2001 740). The 7 is more of an attorney's car.
Best of luck,
David R. Peck, Esq.
Best of luck,
David R. Peck, Esq.
#10
Contributors
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think you should keep the 550i. It's such a magnifcent driving machine.
If you look at the interior dimensions of the E60 versus an E38 (not the longer wheelbase), the E60 is almost within 1/2" in legroom and shoulder/hip room - and the E60 has better headroom than the old 7er. The main difference between your old 740iL and the new 550 is rear legroom. So I don't think you really lost that much room going from the E38 to the E60.
But if you want a 7 series ... consider that the new 2009 model (F01) should be available next year. At that time you could get a really good deal on a 2008 model or pony up for the big new 2009 ride (it's going to be longer and wider than the current E65).
Good luck with your decision.
![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
If you look at the interior dimensions of the E60 versus an E38 (not the longer wheelbase), the E60 is almost within 1/2" in legroom and shoulder/hip room - and the E60 has better headroom than the old 7er. The main difference between your old 740iL and the new 550 is rear legroom. So I don't think you really lost that much room going from the E38 to the E60.
But if you want a 7 series ... consider that the new 2009 model (F01) should be available next year. At that time you could get a really good deal on a 2008 model or pony up for the big new 2009 ride (it's going to be longer and wider than the current E65).
Good luck with your decision.
![Think](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/think.gif)