Cheapo911

Hey everyone! I just picked up my first BMW product today. Its an 07 550i with 64k miles on it. So far the car has been great. I did have 2 questions though.

1. First is the transmission. It seems when I shift the car over to shift "manually", the car does nothing. It wont downshift when I tell it, it wont upshift when I tell it, it just drives like its in auto. The dash still has the D on it, where I would expect it to change to S or D1 or something. I do have a TPMS light on so not sure if that has anything to do with it. Any ideas what up here?

2. Are there any good livability mods I should be looking at? Im going to keep the mechanics of the car stock but what mods make the car feel newer than it is? I currently have a bluetooth audio adapter plugged into the rear aux so at least I have bluetooth streaming. Looks like there are a few ways to add Apple Car Play, whats been the most populate route?

Thanks everyone!

kd7iwp

The only way I am aware of to add CarPlay is with the Android head units. I got the Avin one and am quite happy with it. I use wireless CarPlay on it everyday and it works great with the idrive controller.

if you want it to feel newer I would imagine the best bang would be to refresh your dampers and some bushings, perhaps the front tension strut bushings.

neilv

LCI interior parts are pretty easy swap (Light switch, Leather center console) as well as a CIC system to update the screen/controls(Can also retrofit a combox for integraded bluetooth music). Door panels can be swapped to the facelift but they require an extension harness as well as the new switches. Could do an LM2 upgrade for more lighting features too.

I also agree with a suspension refresh; Itll make the car feel so much nicer and new again; Look into some M3/M5 sublte upgrades while you are at it (Still stock parts but will make a big difference)