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YOUR RESEARCHFairwell traded for the new BMW 550
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Test drove the bmw 550 today and wow
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Suggestion · Original poster
After several enjoyable years visiting this board, 3 Boxsters and one 996 I have decided to go the more practical route and test drove the BMW 550 today and wow.
Leading evidence: 'Test drove the bmw 550 today and wow' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Test drove the bmw 550 today and wow' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
Instead, they give us this I-drive cr@p, where every time the screen malfunctions (which it will), you can't even use the radio.
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Test drove the bmw 550 today and wow
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Suggestion · Original poster
After several enjoyable years visiting this board, 3 Boxsters and one 996 I have decided to go the more practical route and test drove the BMW 550 today and wow.
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Well-
After several enjoyable years visiting this board, 3 Boxsters and one 996 I have decided to go the more practical route and test drove the BMW 550 today and wow. I had owned a 540 a few years back but am totally impressed with the 550. My 996 faithfully traveled from Boston to Florida and then to Chicago and left me today with over 80,000 miles on the odometer. Last oil change I noticed small metal flakes in the oil filter housing and odd noises coming from the engine shortly there after. I decided to move on before the worst happened and will miss the friendly advice that you all have given me over the years thanks again everyone. My old website
www.garagenut.com
Regards
Ben
I almost bought the 550 too, and probably would have but I came across a brand new 996 that ended up being the same cost as the 550. I too had the E39 540 prior to this, and it was such a great car the 550 was a natural upgrade. Great cars the 5 series. Enjoy it.
BMW has always been weak on instrumentation (they really need an oil pressure gauge), but the new models are absolutely pathetic--not even so much as a water temp. gauge. They've assumed that their current audience is clueless about what to do with any actual information about the operation of the car. What happened to being a "driver's car"? Instead, they give us this I-drive cr@p, where every time the screen malfunctions (which it will), you can't even use the radio. Even my last two SUVs have a better instrument cluster. Hey, even the Chrysler minivan I rented in Mexico recently has a better instrument cluster.
I've bought 6 BMW's new-- 3's, 5's, 7's, and wouldn't consider any of their non-M models currently.
Ben, this rant isn't directed against you (I hope your car serves you well); it's directed at the current BMW mentality. And since 2 out of my last 3 BMWs had overheating issues, I guess I'm kind of sensitive to manufacturers that want to leave me in the dark.
Dang Caf,
Sounds like your BMW ownership experience wasn't quite like mine. I do not like idrive and think it is a useless piece of equipment that really serves no purpose, but at the same time the market has spoken and says that what BMW is doing is exactly the right thing to do. They are now the number one luxury car maker in the world which is an extraordinary feat for a car company that is 46% family owned with no auto giant to back them in troubled times (i.e. Toyota - Lexus, Chrysler-Merc) etc. I am not that thrilled with styling and the oil temp thing is valid, but still they are hitting the mark as far as what their customers want.
I've owned 3 BMW's - '83 320i, '97 Z3 and an '04 325i. I didn't have a problem with any of them. I can't speak for the 2005 and above models but people I know who have them love them. I agree though, the idrive is about the worst thing they could have put in the car.
I'm going in the opposite direction... I'm trading my 02 M Roadster for a 03 or 04 911 tomorrow......... Therefore I'm leaving the dark side.... Good luck with your 550.
The 550 is a great car - I love the looks (it's nothing if not distinctive) and there's nothing even remotely close to it (unless you buy a used AMG E55)...
Good luck with the new ride, that 550 is a nice car. You'll be back here some day.
As far as BMW listening to is customers and the market, something must have been lost in translation with respect to the iDrive, because I have yet to meet an owner that liked it and know many people who have selected other vehicles just because of it. It does say alot for the rest of the car though that they can continue to sell so well in spite of the iDrive.
Kris
