Santa came early!
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 42
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I took delivery of my '07 Titaniun Gray 550 sport today from the dealer. What a beautiful car. Smooth, fast (I havent really stepped on it yet, as tonight it has just 17 miles on it) and solid. It feels great to be back to the nice, sharp and responsive BMW steering I have become accustomed to over the years. My '05 545 had the active steering, and after living with it I strongly feel that particular technology is botched. You wouldn't think so if you were coming out of a Mercedes, Lexus or Audi, but once you are used to the wonderful "feel" of a bimmer, the active setup feels numb, vague, lifeless.
While the 545 never seemed to need more speed, the additional hp in the 550 provides effortless acceleration. The steptronic shifts like butter, and the entire drive has a much more expensive feel about it.
Two options that may sound frivolous to some but transform the interior. The black Nasca leather makes the interior look fantastic, and the anthracite headliner is a big improvement. I like the new updated M steering wheel as well.
Is the 550 too soft? Not at all. It is the perfect balance between sport and luxury. The new M5 is far too "high strung", harsh, and to me has a bit of an identity crisis. If you want a race car, go buy a GT3, or even a C2S with the sports suspension. If you want an awesome everyday drive and are beyond having to show off, the new 550 sport is just about as good as it gets... even if money is no object.
Now I need to order a set of those 172 rims to switch over to in the spring. Do I go to the dealer for those? If anyone knows please fill me in. How much do they cost, and what is the best NON runflat tires to go with?
Thanks, and please enjoy the Season.
While the 545 never seemed to need more speed, the additional hp in the 550 provides effortless acceleration. The steptronic shifts like butter, and the entire drive has a much more expensive feel about it.
Two options that may sound frivolous to some but transform the interior. The black Nasca leather makes the interior look fantastic, and the anthracite headliner is a big improvement. I like the new updated M steering wheel as well.
Is the 550 too soft? Not at all. It is the perfect balance between sport and luxury. The new M5 is far too "high strung", harsh, and to me has a bit of an identity crisis. If you want a race car, go buy a GT3, or even a C2S with the sports suspension. If you want an awesome everyday drive and are beyond having to show off, the new 550 sport is just about as good as it gets... even if money is no object.
Now I need to order a set of those 172 rims to switch over to in the spring. Do I go to the dealer for those? If anyone knows please fill me in. How much do they cost, and what is the best NON runflat tires to go with?
Thanks, and please enjoy the Season.
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
My Ride: 2006 525i Silver Gray/Gray Dakota Leather | Steptronic | Cold Weather | Xenon | Premium Package
Modifications:
M Aero Kit | Carbon Fiber Kidney Grill | K&N Air Filter | Charcoal Filter Removed | Radenergie R10 Silver 20" soon | kW coilover V3 | SprintBooster soon | M5 trunk finisher
Next planned mods:
?Hamann quad exhaust + Hamann quad rear diffuser + Hamann Front Lip?
I'm so jealous 
but 
and congrats!
but and congrats!
Contributors
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 1
From: SoCal San Diego
My Ride: 545i Sport
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
and
to the forum.For your wheels pm Tony AKA quad_m for good deals on OEM wheels.
**Most Wanted E60 5er wheels by BMW OEM**
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
My Ride: 2006 525i Silver Gray/Gray Dakota Leather | Steptronic | Cold Weather | Xenon | Premium Package
Modifications:
M Aero Kit | Carbon Fiber Kidney Grill | K&N Air Filter | Charcoal Filter Removed | Radenergie R10 Silver 20" soon | kW coilover V3 | SprintBooster soon | M5 trunk finisher
Next planned mods:
?Hamann quad exhaust + Hamann quad rear diffuser + Hamann Front Lip?
Go crazy modding! 
Contributors
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,186
Likes: 2
From: UK
My Ride: Jan 2006 E63 650i Sport
.
Options:
Sport version (includes: sport-seats, sport-suspension, M-Sport steering wheel, Anthracite headliner, Shaddow Line), Saphire Black, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood trim, Steptronic Auto, Xenons, NAV-Professional with Voice Control, TV, CD-Changer, Bluetooth, Logic7, Head-up Display, Comfort Access, Seat Heating front, Auto Dimming & Folding Mirrors, Extended Auto Air Conditioning, PDC.
.
Mods:
Spacers 5mm front & 15mm rear
.
Wheels:
20" Alpina Softline (Classic) with Dunlop Sport Maxx non-RFT (255/35/20 & 285/30/20)
Originally Posted by FairfieldCT' post='365579' date='Dec 10 2006, 07:53 AM
What is the proper break in?
Thanks
Thanks
and congrats on the new ride!I was told by my dealer to take it easy for the first 2000km, and try to keep it below 3000rpm.
(The 520 diesel is only effective until around 4-4500rpm, so it wasn't a real problem.)
Enjoy...
Cheers
Contributors
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Congrats on the new 550i sport. 
Try Newport BMW (see sticky post in Parts forum), or quad_m for wheel prices.
Are you going to put on winter tires? The 550 is difficult to drive in the cold without proper rubber.
Michelin PS2s are very popular summer tires for many here. I put Bridgestone RE050 Pole Positions (non runflats) on for the summer and they have been outstanding.
Your comments on the 550 compared to the M5 are interesting. I keep drooling at the thought of trading in to get an M5, but every time I drive my 550 I never want any other car.
Try Newport BMW (see sticky post in Parts forum), or quad_m for wheel prices.
Are you going to put on winter tires? The 550 is difficult to drive in the cold without proper rubber.
Michelin PS2s are very popular summer tires for many here. I put Bridgestone RE050 Pole Positions (non runflats) on for the summer and they have been outstanding.
Your comments on the 550 compared to the M5 are interesting. I keep drooling at the thought of trading in to get an M5, but every time I drive my 550 I never want any other car.