New member, convert from Mercedes
12-20-2015 | 09:11 AM
#1
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New Members
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
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From: Tampa FL
My Ride: 2009 BMW 550i, Sport package, Premium package
New member, convert from Mercedes
Just picked up a 2009 550i with Sport package, Premium package and M Sport body. Very clean with low miles (less than 45,000) and seems like a great car so far.
I previously owned several Mercedes, including a CL500. This is my first BMW.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this forum. I like to research the issues before I buy something, and this forum has been very helpful.
Chris
I previously owned several Mercedes, including a CL500. This is my first BMW.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this forum. I like to research the issues before I buy something, and this forum has been very helpful.
Chris
12-21-2015 | 04:39 AM
#3
Administrator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 102
From: Fairfield County, CT
My Ride: 530xi
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N52
from "the dark side", Chris! We'd be interested in hearing your impressions of how your 550 compares to the Benzs you've owned and why you made the switch. What's better? What's not as good?
12-24-2015 | 02:29 PM
#5
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
My Ride: 2009 BMW 550i, Sport package, Premium package
My mechanic is a friend of mine. He's been telling me for years that BMW builds a better car than Mercedes. So far, I'd say a "different" car than the previous CL500. To put it in simple terms, the CL was more luxury, the 550 is more sports car.
The CL500 was an incredible car when I bought it (a 2002 model I bought in 2008 with 68k miles). Very solid car, felt great on the open road at high speed. But it was very expensive to maintain, especially anything related to ABC, which is Mercedes' version of an active suspension. And the electronics were as complicated (if not more so) than almost anything BMW puts out.
The 550i drives and feels more like a sports car in comparison. Quicker and more responsive on the road, and the suspension is top notch. I definitely feel the road more and this car rewards a more active driver.
My only 2 "complaints" thus far: (1) the cupholders - why is it the Germans (other than Audi) struggled for so long to get this right? (2) the iDrive - more of an acknowledgement of the learning curve than a complaint, as I don't know the system well enough to know the plus and minuses.
Happy to post more as I get to know this car. And thanks for the welcome. There were a couple of good forums for CL500 owners that I relied on heavily. Glad to see BMW has similar offerings.
The CL500 was an incredible car when I bought it (a 2002 model I bought in 2008 with 68k miles). Very solid car, felt great on the open road at high speed. But it was very expensive to maintain, especially anything related to ABC, which is Mercedes' version of an active suspension. And the electronics were as complicated (if not more so) than almost anything BMW puts out.
The 550i drives and feels more like a sports car in comparison. Quicker and more responsive on the road, and the suspension is top notch. I definitely feel the road more and this car rewards a more active driver.
My only 2 "complaints" thus far: (1) the cupholders - why is it the Germans (other than Audi) struggled for so long to get this right? (2) the iDrive - more of an acknowledgement of the learning curve than a complaint, as I don't know the system well enough to know the plus and minuses.
Happy to post more as I get to know this car. And thanks for the welcome. There were a couple of good forums for CL500 owners that I relied on heavily. Glad to see BMW has similar offerings.
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