[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by Frupal

Perhaps a test drive is in order!

A truer phrase has never before been written! Definitely go for a test drive. While out there, try it in both modes and see how it feels.

[PeterC4]

If only we had a car in Canada we could test drive. Everyone who has ordered one has done it blind. Dealers started accepting orders in March of 2024. I have not seen any cars. It's getting very frustrating.

[Dragonfly Trumpeter]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

If I ever get my 550ex out of recall purgatory, I hope to use it as much like a normal ICE car as possible. Just have the battery to provide additional power, as this car is way down in power from my outgoing M550ix. Yeah, definitely a downgrade in so many ways. Most likely not drive in EV only mode at all. I had no idea one has to set up the charging patterns, limit to 80%, etc. This is a big negative if true. I plan to just plug it into the 110 household power and let it charge overnight until full. This will be a lease car for 36 months, so no concern about the battery degrading in long term.

I don't think you will be so heavily negative when you get the car. You only have to set the charging target to 100% once and never touch it again for your use. And drive it like an ice car, you push for the power and the ice is on anyway. The hybrid drive train is really very good. Or going by your plan, drive in sport mode all the time and you don't even need to plug it in at all.

And the power drop from the 550i is not so drastic. Bit of a difference 0-60 but mid range acceleration, not so much. I hope you will be pleasantly surprised. Your driving idea may even change, use the hybrid mode as designed, little reason not to. It is a fantastic cruiser in hybrid mode with the full power ready when you need it and a pretty awesome yet decent handling beast in sport mode.

Anyway, good luck and I hope you get better delivery news soon.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly Trumpeter

I don't think you will be so heavily negative when you get the car. You only have to set the charging target to 100% once and never touch it again for your use. And drive it like an ice car, you push for the power and the ice is on anyway. The hybrid drive train is really very good. Or going by your plan, drive in sport mode all the time and you don't even need to plug it in at all.

And the power drop from the 550i is not so drastic. Bit of a difference 0-60 but mid range acceleration, not so much. I hope you will be pleasantly surprised. Your driving idea may even change, use the hybrid mode as designed, little reason not to. It is a fantastic cruiser in hybrid mode with the full power ready when you need it and a pretty awesome yet decent handling beast in sport mode.

Anyway, good luck and I hope you get better delivery news soon.

I’’d be interested to know of you had an M550. I’m also having second thoughts on a new 550e coming from my M550. Mine has been stuck in QC at the factory for a month

[BMW5151]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly Trumpeter

I don't think you will be so heavily negative when you get the car. You only have to set the charging target to 100% once and never touch it again for your use. And drive it like an ice car, you push for the power and the ice is on anyway. The hybrid drive train is really very good. Or going by your plan, drive in sport mode all the time and you don't even need to plug it in at all.

And the power drop from the 550i is not so drastic. Bit of a difference 0-60 but mid range acceleration, not so much. I hope you will be pleasantly surprised. Your driving idea may even change, use the hybrid mode as designed, little reason not to. It is a fantastic cruiser in hybrid mode with the full power ready when you need it and a pretty awesome yet decent handling beast in sport mode.

Anyway, good luck and I hope you get better delivery news soon.

Dragonfly, thanks for the encouragement. Fingers crossed. Can we configure preferences in sport mode (such as sport+, leave the driver assist functions active)?

I am going to insist on good test drive in the car prior to turning in my M550i and signing the papers. In fact, I plan to park the M550i on the street and keep the keys! Usually when I come in for a new lease, first thing they do is whisk my car away. Not this time, still time to change my mind.

[Tortelli]

Drove a 550e demo car in March, range after unplugging was around 80km (50 miles) which seemed pretty reasonable after my drive with it.
Just configured my 550e touring, official stated range is 84km (~51-52 miles) because of the options (21” rims are not great for the range). More than sufficient for my usecase; work roundtrip in electric mode.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Dragonfly, thanks for the encouragement. Fingers crossed. Can we configure preferences in sport mode (such as sport+, leave the driver assist functions active)?

I am going to insist on good test drive in the car prior to turning in my M550i and signing the papers. In fact, I plan to park the M550i on the street and keep the keys! Usually when I come in for a new lease, first thing they do is whisk my car away. Not this time, still time to change my mind.

+1

I am of the same mind and in the same spot. For all M550 owners who don't have a newer option of an ICE car other than the M5, owners are facing something that is a lesser car on the spec sheet. Hopefully it's still fun to drive.

[BMW5151]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

+1

I am of the same mind and in the same spot. For all M550 owners who don't have a newer option of an ICE car other than the M5, owners are facing something that is a lesser car on the spec sheet. Hopefully it's still fun to drive.

Peter, the M5 is now also a PHEV, so really no non-electrified performance cars left in the 5 series. Noticed you are in Toronto, is your dealership BMW Toronto?

[Dragonfly Trumpeter]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Dragonfly, thanks for the encouragement. Fingers crossed. Can we configure preferences in sport mode (such as sport+, leave the driver assist functions active)?

I am going to insist on good test drive in the car prior to turning in my M550i and signing the papers. In fact, I plan to park the M550i on the street and keep the keys! Usually when I come in for a new lease, first thing they do is whisk my car away. Not this time, still time to change my mind.

When I configured my sport damper etc settings the driver assist functions were not listed as a change option so I assume they stay as configured in their own app. Most of my driver assist functions are off / at the minimum to be honest. The tech is comprehensive but driver friendly - once you get used to it and realise you do not need 90% of it. In the UK models at least! Your plan for a decent test drive is very sensible coming from your M550. You will not need long to make up your mind.

PeterC4 I only drove a M550 for a week when trying to make up my mind. I loved it, a stunning car. So I was wary going blind in to a new model and 550e but at the end of the day there was little choice. Take a similar new, powerful xdrive bmw that I knew what to expect or start from scratch with something else. For some reason I trust bmw and an even quicker 0-60 was not a consideration. And even the M5 is phev now so we can all see where this is going. Not great.

But like I said earlier, the cruising around in personal (hybrid) mode also suits a lot of the time and you know what you have. But the car is fun, tremendous on the open road, good mid range acceleration and feels very light / handles way better and sportier than expected for the weight. The IAS and adaptive do their job.

Hope your test drives are not far away and the 550e does not let you down - too much.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Peter, the M5 is now also a PHEV, so really no non-electrified performance cars left in the 5 series. Noticed you are in Toronto, is your dealership BMW Toronto?

Parkview. I know the M5 is also PHEV. My point is - it's hard to convince myself to get a new car that has an appreciable decrease in horsepower and maybe overall road performance. I have never done that in all the years I have purchased cars. I guess I associate progress with an improvement in horsepower and performance. Clearly the electric M60 is BMW's version of the replacement for the M550. Unfortunately not for me.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my M550. It is equipped with rear wheel steering and Anti-Roll Stabilization (I believe Anti-Roll, is NOT available on the 550e). The M550 is categorically one of the best cars I have owned and is well suited for where and how I drive it. I am not sure I can part with it for the 550e. In any event, the 550e has been stuck in the factory in QC for over a month now. My 2nd lease extension is up next month. I will re-evaluate then.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly Trumpeter

When I configured my sport damper etc settings the driver assist functions were not listed as a change option so I assume they stay as configured in their own app. Most of my driver assist functions are off / at the minimum to be honest. The tech is comprehensive but driver friendly - once you get used to it and realise you do not need 90% of it. In the UK models at least! Your plan for a decent test drive is very sensible coming from your M550. You will not need long to make up your mind.

PeterC4 I only drove a M550 for a week when trying to make up my mind. I loved it, a stunning car. So I was wary going blind in to a new model and 550e but at the end of the day there was little choice. Take a similar new, powerful xdrive bmw that I knew what to expect or start from scratch with something else. For some reason I trust bmw and an even quicker 0-60 was not a consideration. And even the M5 is phev now so we can all see where this is going. Not great.

But like I said earlier, the cruising around in personal (hybrid) mode also suits a lot of the time and you know what you have. But the car is fun, tremendous on the open road, good mid range acceleration and feels very light / handles way better and sportier than expected for the weight. The IAS and adaptive do their job.

Hope your test drives are not far away and the 550e does not let you down - too much.

I will have to see. There are no cars in sight and mine is stuck in QC at the factory. The problem is lead time. It's been exceptionally long and my current lease has been extended twice. I keep putting mileage on my car. I did drive a 750e. I was not impressed with the drivetrain at all. But it's a different car.

[robfen]

I think if you are coming from an m550 they only way to drive this car is to leave in sport mode so you always have the engine running.

A full charge will last for ages if it's only used to supplement the acceleration.

The 550e feels much more lively this way.

if you are happy to potter around with the electric motor for short journeys it's very comfortable but not exciting.

if you leave it in sport mode but set the drive train to comfort it will use the charge but the b58 will fire up with any real push on the throttle.

In other modes you have to nail the throttle to engage the b58.

[MiGs550e]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

Parkview. I know the M5 is also PHEV. My point is - it's hard to convince myself to get a new car that has an appreciable decrease in horsepower and maybe overall road performance. I have never done that in all the years I have purchased cars. I guess I associate progress with an improvement in horsepower and performance. Clearly the electric M60 is BMW's version of the replacement for the M550. Unfortunately not for me.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my M550. It is equipped with rear wheel steering and Anti-Roll Stabilization (I believe Anti-Roll, is NOT available on the 550e). The M550 is categorically one of the best cars I have owned and is well suited for where and how I drive it. I am not sure I can part with it for the 550e. In any event, the 550e has been stuck in the factory in QC for over a month now. My 2nd lease extension is up next month. I will re-evaluate then.

What is Anti-Roll Stabilization? You mean Active roll stabilization (ARS)?

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

What is Anti-Roll Stabilization? You mean Active roll stabilization (ARS)?

Yes, Active Roll Stabilization. I don't think it's part of the Rear Wheel Steering option. You have to buy an M60 to get ARS. I think. Everything is a little sketchy with the 550e, and there are a number of other options that have been removed as noted elsewhere.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by robfen

I think if you are coming from an m550 they only way to drive this car is to leave in sport mode so you always have the engine running.

A full charge will last for ages if it's only used to supplement the acceleration.

The 550e feels much more lively this way.

if you are happy to potter around with the electric motor for short journeys it's very comfortable but not exciting.

if you leave it in sport mode but set the drive train to comfort it will use the charge but the b58 will fire up with any real push on the throttle.

In other modes you have to nail the throttle to engage the b58.

So when I drove the 750e in normal mode I did notice tip-in, or acceleration lag, until the B58 was engaged. I put it in sport mode and it was different, but felt like the calibration for acceleration was too abrupt. Meaning you got 3/4 of the effect from 1/4 depression of the accelerator. If that is the case with the 550e, I am going to have trouble with it.

[nacs]

Looks like more details have been announced/posted.

[MongoTom]

Don’t get overly excited once you get beyond the dreaded QC pause. After spending all of September in QC, our 550e has been sitting at the port for the first half of October.
Delay, delay, delay.

[aherman18]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

I will have to see. There are no cars in sight and mine is stuck in QC at the factory. The problem is lead time. It's been exceptionally long and my current lease has been extended twice. I keep putting mileage on my car. I did drive a 750e. I was not impressed with the drivetrain at all. But it's a different car.

They actually extended my lease further. A 12 mo early out extension, a bit more expensive. Had to wait till a few days before the end of my second extension.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by aherman18

They actually extended my lease further. A 12 mo early out extension, a bit more expensive. Had to wait till a few days before the end of my second extension.

Interesting. I have extended twice. The termination date is in a few weeks . My car, as of today, is still listed in QC so timely delivery is not possible, if the information is accurate.

I may opt for that kind of extension if it's available here. Otherwise I will seriously consider just buying the car, since the buy-back value keeps getting smaller. If I buy it I may look for a different car.

[aherman18]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

Interesting. I have extended twice. The termination date is in a few weeks . My car, as of today, is still listed in QC so timely delivery is not possible, if the information is accurate.

I may opt for that kind of extension if it's available here. Otherwise I will seriously consider just buying the car, since the buy-back value keeps getting smaller. If I buy it I may look for a different car.

Because you have a delayed car on order, BMWFS should do the extension. It is actually for 12 mo that can be terminated at any time.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by aherman18

Because you have a delayed car on order, BMWFS should do the extension. It is actually for 12 mo that can be terminated at any time.

It's an interesting dynamic. I keep paying down the residual value while putting mileage on. The residual value is heading downward so fast, I won't be giving up the car without some payment above the residual. If not, I will be motivated to buy it. The used car market has very few if any 2021 M550s in my area.

[robfen]

As a 550e owner it's hard to imagine being unhappy with the performance in sport mode.

it's such an unknown quantity as even in EU/UK there aren't many of these around but i really feel there will be lot of happy owners in the US/Canada once the car arrives.

The acceleration/handling is very enjoyable.

It's hard to see a case for the wider, heavier M5 in comparison, at least on Irish roads.

I do find myself switching modes a lot, depending on the mood I am in.

I prefer it to in ev mode when I am in traffic or on slow roads and sport mode I want to push on.