Recommendations on 2010+ BMW 550i

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:13 pm

My mom and dad like their 2000 540i so much they have decided they want a newer 5 series to keep at their home in FLA. They want a 2010 or newer black (or dark exterior color) on black 550 with a 6 speed manual. Does anyone here own a 550 or have specific advice on what to look for with these cars?

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:21 am

Jordan,

I don't know much about the F10, but it did start with the 2011 model year. The 2010 would be the last year of the E60. The F10 550i has a twin turbo V8 and much higher long term costs I would bet (i.e. I've heard of the labor needed to clean intake valves of deposits for example needs an engine pull since this V8 turbo is a reverse flow design and clearance is super tight to get access). The F10 is a HUGE car too (i.e. wheelbase longer than a '77 Olds Delta 88 lol). Tell them to at least take a look at the F80 M3. It's essentially the same size as their E39 5-series. (or of course the F30 335i). I think 2016 will be the mid-cycle update on this new large 3-series where new engines arrive (i.e. 340i).

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2014 2:56 pm

Great info Chuck. I think you have convinced them to avoid the F10 (with good reason) They like the F80, but not the price. I seem to remember reading recently that you have been happy with the reliability of your M3. How does the interior space compare with the E39? I remember thinking it was an M5 when I first saw it :oops:

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2014 3:13 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

Great info Chuck. I think you have convinced them to avoid the F10 (with good reason) They like the F80, but not the price. I seem to remember reading recently that you have been happy with the reliability of your M3. How does the interior space compare with the E39? I remember thinking it was an M5 when I first saw it :oops:

The E90 M3 is smaller than the E39 by a bit up front and more so in the rear; trunk is smaller too, and it weighs about 400lbs less than the E39 M5. The F30 is almost the exactly the size of the E39 though hence the reason I mentioned it. Both our E90s have been profoundly reliable. The 330i will be nine years old in Feb and has about 125k miles, and it's a much more reliable platform than the E46 (however, the turbo versions, 335i, have been very troublesome for many). The M3 hasn't had any repairs since new, 4 years in service date coming up next week, 28k miles.

Rob Keehner · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2014 10:52 pm

I'd go for the E90 too, it a very nice road car. Honestly the suspension is VERY similar in the front to the E39 and adds a trick multilink rear suspension and newer diff. It's the same basic size as the E39. The 3 series is a large car now, up from there they are barges at this point.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Tue Oct 21, 2014 7:41 pm

My mom and dad asked me to express their thanks for the info and advice. I found a local E90 M3 for sale, so they plan to check it out for fit. Fingers crossed they get it, can't wait to autocross it.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:27 am

Are your parents interested in adopting a 40-something year old son? Instant granddaughter included...

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:45 am

Scott Johnson wrote:

Are your parents interested in adopting a 40-something year old son? Instant granddaughter included...

Are you saying your interested in a co-drive :wink:

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:47 pm

I have to say I'm pretty happy with e90 even though it has the n51 motor and I'm down to 215hp. I had mentioned before, this is one of the best driving cars I've owned. This one is sans sports package and seats, wanted for more of a driver than corner carver. Seating position is very good and the sport mode w/ the automatic is surprising as it changes the shift, throttle and rev points. Happy w/ the car so far.

It's interesting to hear all the servos and motors "activate" simply opening and closing the doors. I'll dread the day that stuff fails.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2014 1:29 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

It's interesting to hear all the servos and motors "activate" simply opening and closing the doors. I'll dread the day that stuff fails.

I noticed you used "when" instead of "if" there Rodney. At least you know it will fail ahead of time so there's that.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2014 1:53 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

I have to say I'm pretty happy with e90 even though it has the n51 motor and I'm down to 215hp. I had mentioned before, this is one of the best driving cars I've owned. This one is sans sports package and seats, wanted for more of a driver than corner carver. Seating position is very good and the sport mode w/ the automatic is surprising as it changes the shift, throttle and rev points. Happy w/ the car so far.

It's interesting to hear all the servos and motors "activate" simply opening and closing the doors. I'll dread the day that stuff fails.

Rodney,

The factory warranty ran out (one claim) on my wife's E90 330i way back in 2009 once it hit 50k miles. The only issues since then have been a door lock actuator, oil filter housing gasket leak, and a oil pan gasket leak and is now past 125k miles. Zero issues with any electronics (and her car is loaded but does have a 6MT). It's past 125k miles now and will be 9 in Feb. I wouldn't worry about that stuff. Also, if you need to replace a battery, I have the s/w to do the registration to reset the charging system. In fact (as long as you learn how to do it (and teach me)), I have NCSExpert s/w too that will allow you to "code" all manner of things.

Heck, for that matter the factory warranty on the M5 ran out in August 2005, and a whole host of people were telling me to buy an aftermarket warranty or "you'll regret it", etc. That would have been the biggest waste of money. The only non-maintenance issue on that car in the past NINE years has been an alternator (although I did wear out the LSD discs from too much R-comp usage I guess, but I can't blame that on the car

). It occurred to me the last time I drove it how powerful the A/C is in that car, and then I realized it's never been charged since new. Thinking back to the "old days", stuff like that still amazes me, but I'm easily amazed I suppose.

Chuck

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 10:10 am

Knew my "memory" (if you can call it that anymore) wasn't clicking on all cylinders, so I hunted back through my file on the M5 last night, hunting for non-maintenance stuff, and it comes down to this since warranty expired: thermostat, alternator, and one headlight (internal plastic piece failed preventing self-leveling). Now of course this is only over about 35k miles since then (car is up to 64k miles now), but Vincent will be glad to know the alternator was $700+, and the headlight was $700ish too (both discounted). It's definitely (E39) not as reliable of a platform as the E90s imo.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 10:44 am

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Knew my "memory" (if you can call it that anymore) wasn't clicking on all cylinders, so I hunted back through my file on the M5 last night, hunting for non-maintenance stuff, and it comes down to this since warranty expired: thermostat, alternator, and one headlight (internal plastic piece failed preventing self-leveling). Now of course this is only over about 35k miles since then (car is up to 64k miles now), but Vincent will be glad to know the alternator was $700+, and the headlight was $700ish too (both discounted). It's definitely (E39) not as reliable of a platform as the E90s imo.

64K shouldn't be a benchmark for reliability. My wife's Fusion has 150K now and to date I've replaced the thermostat, battery, idler pulley, and one inside door handle. The total for those parts was less than 1/3rd of your alternator cost alone.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 11:07 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Knew my "memory" (if you can call it that anymore) wasn't clicking on all cylinders, so I hunted back through my file on the M5 last night, hunting for non-maintenance stuff, and it comes down to this since warranty expired: thermostat, alternator, and one headlight (internal plastic piece failed preventing self-leveling). Now of course this is only over about 35k miles since then (car is up to 64k miles now), but Vincent will be glad to know the alternator was $700+, and the headlight was $700ish too (both discounted). It's definitely (E39) not as reliable of a platform as the E90s imo.

64K shouldn't be a benchmark for reliability. My wife's Fusion has 150K now and to date I've replaced the thermostat, battery, idler pulley, and one inside door handle. The total for those parts was less than 1/3rd of your alternator cost alone.

Well, if the S62 engine goes, it's "only" about $20k for a reman one.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 11:16 am

Get this, since it's been a number of years, I just looked up the price on a new alternator for an E39 M5. The BMWNA MSRP is $1,052.43. Now you can get this online from places like BMW Morristown online parts site for 25-30% off, but over $1k for...just an alternator. Of course $1k isn't worth what it used to be...by a long shot sadly. When I went to NCSU, $1k would pay for more than a year's tuition for example.

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Recommendations on 2010+ BMW 550i

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