Why the E60 550i is a dud....
06-18-2010, 02:18 PM
#41
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My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i
2006 BMW X3
The '08 550i with Sport Automatic has the sport button. It definitely sharpens throttle and steering response. It's plenty responsive for me, but not to the level of my '02 M5. Although, one can't expect a standard BMW series to be as responsive as an ///M or any car built for the track. They are specifically designed to be. However the newest standard BMWs are leaning towards having the multiple settings, such as the Z4 and F10 5 series.
06-18-2010, 07:03 PM
#42
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I have owned my 550i Sport Pkg / 6 Speed for about 6 months now and do enjoy the car but have found the drive train performance of this car to be lacking. My gripe is two fold. First the car's final drive is far to low. This is done by BMW to increase the MPG stats for the showroom sticker. The result is a sleepy car under 5k rpm. Secondly, the fact that my 550i Sport Pkg was not engineered with a OEM ECU "sport" button programing map is absolutely unacceptable. Climb into a 2010 5 or 7 and you have 4 adjustments to this effect. My E60 550i Sport Pkg has none. Throttle response is boring and sleepy at best. So, a very heavy flywheel, the wrong final drive ratio and absolutely no throttle response adjust-ability makes this car FAIL FAIL FAIL in my honest opinion. It's the nicest looking sedan on the road but the truth is, it's a boring pig to drive. Heavy, Slow & Uninspiring.
So I am at a cross roads with my 08 550i. Perhaps it's time to sell and get a M3 Sedan.
Very disappointing. Looks porn star sexy but kisses like a 80 year old librarian.
So I am at a cross roads with my 08 550i. Perhaps it's time to sell and get a M3 Sedan.
Very disappointing. Looks porn star sexy but kisses like a 80 year old librarian.
I love my 550's handling, especially in the twisties. It has absolutely tenacious grip and nothing in the class approaches its handling prowess (with Sport suspension and summer tires).
But I agree that the throttle response is disgraceful. There is a big time throttle lag delay. I have the SB. It does lessen the delay but it makes the gas pedal jumpy and not completely predictable. I also agree that the final drive is way too low. My prior BMW was a 2003 E39 540i Sport. That car had a far far superior response off the line -- instant and every fast. Not as much top end as my 550 but far more useable power in urban driving. But in the twisties and on the highway, my 550 is much faster and more capable than my 540 was. But the thottle in the 550 is just so crappy.
06-20-2010, 04:31 PM
#44
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Coming from more 'responsive' vehicle M3 I can empathize. Dinans offers a lightened flywheel as wheel as ECU and intake mods. Go to www.diffsonline.com if you want a LSD and final drive change. These mods will liven up your vehicle somewhat. Or if you don't mind go for an M5 if you don't mind the MPG penalty.
whats an M 3/4? almost an M1?
06-21-2010, 12:15 AM
#46
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Take my word for it and buy a Sprintbooster or Velosity unit for around 300$. And if you don't like it(which I very HIGHLY doubt that), you could sell it here with a loss of 50$ only. People will grab it FAST.
Or just check out the classified section. People who are selling their cars parted out their Sprint boosters.
Or just check out the classified section. People who are selling their cars parted out their Sprint boosters.
06-21-2010, 05:14 AM
#47
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My Ride: 2011, E90 M3 Sedan. Alpine White.Competition package, Keyhole cover, fender reflectors in Alpine white, RPI Exhaust, 19
I have an 08 550 and it has the sport button.. Im confused as to why his doesn't... 
I say buy a sprintbooster and try that out first as its one of the cheaper mods out there to help with that lag your speaking of. If thats not enough or doesnt solve your problem then you can either sell the car or try a different mod. 
I say buy a sprintbooster and try that out first as its one of the cheaper mods out there to help with that lag your speaking of. If thats not enough or doesnt solve your problem then you can either sell the car or try a different mod.
06-21-2010, 07:29 AM
#48
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My Ride: 08 550i, 6 Speed Manual w/Sport Pkg, Black
RPI Exhaust, Turner 15mm Rear Spacers, 20% Tint
I have an 08 550 and it has the sport button.. Im confused as to why his doesn't... I say buy a sprintbooster and try that out first as its one of the cheaper mods out there to help with that lag your speaking of. If thats not enough or doesnt solve your problem then you can either sell the car or try a different mod.
I say buy a sprintbooster and try that out first as its one of the cheaper mods out there to help with that lag your speaking of. If thats not enough or doesnt solve your problem then you can either sell the car or try a different mod. No tippy tap tap for me (thankfully).
06-21-2010, 09:16 AM
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I have already walked down the mod path RPI/M5 Spoiler/15mm Spacers so far. How much more do I have to invest to make this car what I know it could be? I would have to chip it, change the final drive and add an LSD, lighten up the flywheel and do the intake. That's going to be 4k? Maybe 5k? It would be a fun car with the right mods but why cant this car come from the factory done right? Those Germans are well aware....
Who wants to buy a 08 550i Sport 6-speed black on tan with 34,000 miles? LOL.
UGGG!
Who wants to buy a 08 550i Sport 6-speed black on tan with 34,000 miles? LOL.
UGGG!
Get yourself a Ferrari and be happy.