sdg1871

Well, I had my first real car problem this morning with my 550. The battery was dead and the car would not start. So I called BMW Roadside Assistance and they showed up in 10 minutes. My battery was so dead that it would not start when they tried to jump it from the terminals under the hood. Rather, they popped out the side interior trunk panel and charged the battery directly for about 25 minutes before it finally started.

After that, I drove my car to Circle BMW in Eatontown, NJ and picked up a 2010 528i loaner. The 528 is perfectly nice but feels oh so slow compared to a 550.

I have a good idea why my battery died only 6 months into the car's life. My doors do not close all the way when gently closed. Rather, you have to slam them for them to close. Do you E60's have the same problem?? I park my car in a garage so the attendants park it. I have no doubt that on many occassions, they did not slam the driver's side door to close it, meaning that the courtesy light stayed on and drained the battery.

So while it is in for service, I am going to have them:

1. Replace the drained battery.

2. See if there is anything they can do to make the doors close easier (I have had a car when you had to slam the door to close it all the way.

3. Fix the window seal creaking (I understand that there is a Service Bulletin on it).

4. Fix the rattling/noises from the upper cushion in the passenger side front seat which, just as in my E39 540, ratlles back and forth a little when no occupied.

In the meanwhile, my new 528 and I will become best buddies. The difference in acceleration between 528 and 550 is really shocking. And I will miss the use of all the fly lighting upgrades that John put in.

And, of course, the first thing the service techs noticed when I brought it in is that the rear spoiler was not installed properly. I get that fixed next Friday with Bruce at TT Motorsports.

luigi524td

Your signature reports full LED interior lamps - IMHO they shouldn't kill your battery even if left on for months! I suspect the other electronics didn't go to sleep OR your driving patterns include an "undesirable profile" - like less than 10 miles / day! Battery issues are known. As for the door slam to close - that is an easy adjustment I'd think!

sdg1871

Well after driving the 528i non-sport I now understand just how big the gulf in performance is between it and the 550i Sport. The gulf is not just in acceleration but in grip. I took an off ramp at speed to see the difference and it just like night and day. The 528, going around the ramp, began to lose grip rapidly at a speed much lower than the 550. It did not feel like driving a BMW (or at least what I think of one) at all. For this kind of dough, I'd get the Infiniti M35 in a second over the 528. Having driven the M45 for 3 years and having rented the M35 repeatedly, the M35 just handles the turns better and has more grip. I am sure that would change if the 528 I am driving had a sport package. But I am astonished at how low the handling thresholds are.

I want my 550 back. Now.

Richard in NC

The problem could also be the alternator. My 550i had an issue when it was < 1 year old with the battery dying after sitting for 3 days. Even after a re-charge, it would have issues a few days later. They replaced the alternator and I've had no problems since.

sdg1871

My BMW dealer is going to do a stem to stern exam of the electrical system so we will see. But the door not closing properly without being slammed is a real problem because parking attendants park it. And I have found the door only partially closed the next morning.

Kzang

I was always told BMW's handle the best by just about everyone.. but what they forgot to mention is that it must have a sports package
I bought my old 2007 525i without a sports package assuming it would handle very well... oh how wrong I was... I'm glad I have the sports package in my new car.

IMO, any car will handle great as long as it is lowered and the suspension is tuned to sports... of course the weight distribution also make a difference.

I wonder what your impression would be versus a 2010 535i with a sports package

Brit_in_NJ

Well at least they sound like minor problems! Had my door seals replaced last year and not a creak since, I'm surprised its still an issue on 2009s. i kinda slam my doors anyway so got used to it, other people tend to leave my doors ajar. I had some creaking in the back i could not really locate but the dealership seemed to find it and fix it.

Are you sure the 528 was loosing grip or was it just excessive roll? I noticed the same thing before I added my anti sway bars it feels like its loosing it but it doesn't...with the changes I made you can really push it a lot further before it slips out. Once you get used to the handling and acceleration it's really noticable when you downgrade. at least you got a 528 I only ever get a 328xi

Da_Meister_22

big gap between 528i and 550i, easy to notice the difference.

sdg1871

Yes the 535 sport v 550 sport compro would be interesting. If anyone with a 535i sport wants to swap cars for a few days, I'd be game.

Yes as far as handling went my 2006 Infiniti M45 Sport had tons of grip and little body roll. It put this 528i nonsport to shame.

To me, the essence of BMW is the sport package with the sport tuned suspension and summer performance tires.

sdg1871

The gap was much much bigger than I thought it would be.