FOLLOW UP REVIEW: 2006 BMW 550i

Look at the price, it is in the S6 territory. Plusm they didn't give numbers for the A6. And the MB was quicker.

Actually, the 550i is quikcer than the GS450h, by about a two tenths, the thing is that Edmunds can't really shift a manual very fast. Road & Track got the 550i in 5.1 seconds and the GS450h in 5.3 seconds IIRC.

We need to compare a BMW/MB V8 against the GS450h, the Lexus doesn't compete with these big V8 cars. Wait for the GS460 then compare. Again I'll remind you of this, that one time the 2004 LS430 was compared against the S430 and 740i, and it came in 1st place, the article (I think MotorTrend) said, the two (S430, 740i) saw only the tail lights of the LS430. lol

to: BMWexpert, can you submit few photos of your 550i with the close up on the wheels. i am considering to do the same to my 2007 550i. i wasnt able to find your exect wheels online. how much $$$ were they? were you able to use the original tyers from the sport package? thanks in advance. NYC

just gorgeous

I optioned out both the A6 4.2 and the 550i with similar options and there is about 6,000 dollars in between the two. I bet the S6 will cost a similar amount above the 550i and it will be better.

i hate aftermarket rims.
they're not for me.
but obviously you like them bmw expert, so you keep driving it.

BMWexpert:

NICE RIDE!!! Love the 5 Series. (but I like stock wheels better, no offense) I have a 03 X5 3.0i now, and have had a 97' 528i. When the X5 was getting tuned up, they gave me a brand new 530i loaner. (Patrick BMW, Schaumburg, IL) It was in the middle of the winter. First, the 530 was sooo much quicker. I don't see the need for a 535. This is quick. (but who dosen't want more power?) Second, it had great handling, even in the snow w/o x-drive. (The stability control light was flashing like crazy, though) I thought the interior was very nice, and didn't have a problem with I-Drive. I didn't like how the radio didn't have a dedicated on/off switch. As far as I know it only has a mute button. Overall, it's a great car.

Someone I know got a 450h, and said it blew the doors off his old 911. But he sold it and got a FJ Crusier, NO KIDDING. (said the 450h wasn't good for the city, got dinged up)

Who cares if it is slower than car A or B?

The BMW 5-Series is BALANCED as a sports sedan and does a reasonably good job of being a luxury car. Balance is the important issue here: not 0-60. Driving pleasure is important according to BMW, and driving pleasure comes from handling and power in most cases. The 550i has both.

You think someone driving a 550i will notice that it's slower to 60 by 0.4 seconds compared to a competitor!? Hell no.

bmwexpert,
no i'm from britain, and my image of after market rims is tainted by honda civics with 20 inchers.
i prefer stock rims
but if your rims are the af 120, that looks alright.(looked on asanti site)
don't they ruin the ride? and they tramline more and the tires burst more easily.

The BMW 550i looks remarkable. Luv the 18" rims.

BMWexpert, I'm interested in possibly getting a BMW in the future and I'd like your opinion on something. The BMW M5 really sparks my interest, but the price range is kind of high for me. Is a BMW 550i loaded with everything (including the M package) comparable? What is the M package? Is active steering(not available in the M5) as bad as magazine writers make it to be? Is I-drive easier to use than before? What is the price difference between a loaded 550i and an M5?

Dave......the 550i is an awesome car, although when I had one for a weekend I managed to blow out the clutch on it :) It doesn't compare to the current M5...think last gen M5, but a little less. Price for the 550i I had for a weekend was at about 66k. I actually love active steering, once you have it you wonder how you lived without it before. I-Drive is easy yet a little annoying at times, but it's nothing that would hinder my decision to buy the car. If you can afford the M5 go for it, if not the 550 is the next best thing.

ah, no run flats.
i have not driven a bmw with active steering, but i wouldn't say no!
it sounds good.

75000 dollars!
i hate it that things are so cheap in america.
i know ikeep going on about it, but 75000 dollars will buy you a 530i, with very little change.

BMWexpert.......are you talking about the Drive Program? It's an awesome deal, I can't even believe some of the lease prices that come through on those deals, crazy. To my knowledge it's only a 12 month program though......

no taxes?
that does change things...
ours are an otr 9on the road) price, which means tax, tax and more tax. (vat at 17.5 %, road tax based on your CO2 emissons and some other tax for driving)
why do you not quote with tax, surely that's a bit misleading?
but yes, that makes me feel a little better for living in what is probably the most expensive country in the world (bar iceland)

cars are the number one enemy in the uk, but there's a catch 22, if they tax us too much, we stop driving and start using public transport, which is finanaced by...taxes from cars.

you know ken livingstone, mayor of london? he basically wants to ban cars from london.
he can't even drive.
and he wants to extend the congestion charge zone to west kensington, which is ridiculous as it's residential there.
and it's far too close to my house.

But dad, it's still ugly!

39000 will get you a 530i with an auto tranny and the m-sport kit.

39000 pounds that is.

Maybe a used one
for a 535d M-Sport fullly Loaded your lookin at £54,995 which is approx $103,450

And the 550i. Boy!!!!