midwest bmw

What do you all think about this?

15.5 year old at home, and the lucky kid gets to learn to drive on daddy's 550 ...

Have really wanted to add a V1 and stealth box to the car, but I'm thinking that sets a really bad example for an adolescent learning to drive. Even if I don't have the V1 hooked-up when he is in the car -- he's wise enough to see the signs it's there, (including the stealth box).

I'm thinking I should wait a while, until maybe when he has his own car and won't be so liable to see my V1..

Any thoughts from the e60 world on this one?

sleeper50

you know your son better than we do...my oldest, I am not worried about him...our middle son, that's a different story. I am going to buy him a honda civic and remove one of the spark plug wires!

Do your driving habits imply a V1 might be of some benefit to you? If so, put it in!

pgetsch

im the wrong guy to ask, when i was learning to drive mom had just picked up a 1991 infiniti q45, at the time a hot car. dad had a brand new corvette (convertible C4). i practiced in the vette and took the q for the driving test. instructor was funny, he told me as long as i dont crash i would pass cause normally hes in a k-car with no AC.

MacoBMW4life

I don't think V1's are an issue - 550 has so much torque that it should scare him and be more cautious. Unless you're planning in getting him a bmw as his 1st car, then i'd be more concerned to make sure he knows and understands the value of money and these cars aren't cheap and not everyone can afford them, then again you know your son better than anyone else. Kids notice everything, so i'm sure he has seen your V1 or the stealth box. How do you drive when he is in the car w/u? he will try to do the same or try to impress his friends.
Good luck and have fun. I still remember when my dad tought me how to drive/park/etc...etc...your son will remember too.

mhs525

My son learned to drive in my 545i, I have had a V1 for years and he knows it's there. Kids are very perceptive. My son and I have done a lot of time together in the car and he knows I drive 80mph on the highway. I just tried to be honest and told him I have been driving for 30 years and he doesn't have the experience to drive like I do. Also in MA they are very strict with teen drivers. If he gets one speeding ticket he loses his license for a year, plus a $500 fine, plus the insurance hit (which I told him I won't pay for) and on and on.

Get the V1, it really doesn't change how you drive and may save you a ton of money. Most speeding tickets are just another form of taxation... my .02

C5driver

V1 is meaningless as a teaching tool for an adolescent. How you drive will serve as the model.

silvergray5456spd

I would say put it in. Also, explain to your son that the 550i has a lot of power and it is no joke to mess around with. Personally i would buy him his own car ASAP.

mhs525

Agree with that... My son has a hand me down 1999 caddy now that he has his license. A 545/550 is not a good car to send a teenager out alone in...

midwest bmw

We're all in agreement on that..If he stays on the straight & narrow, I see an Explorer/Taurus/Escape/Volvo or something like that in his future. Not a bimmer and I don't forsee a day tossing him the keys to 367 hp once he can drive on his own

At 15 in MN you just have your permit and cannot drive w/out adult in the car. I could tell he was a bit taken back by the torque in the car at first, but he's getting a little bit of a lead foot these days..I'm afraid he is as intoxicated with the 08 sport exhaust notes as his daddy..

Am also in agreement that my own driving sets the example - I've been pretty cognizant of that the last year or so.

Rated M

You worrying about it tells the story..... Install the V1 and buy a Hyundai and let him learn on that!