[thinker]

I'm still waiting for the EPA range and to get more feedback. I have a few general "qualms" about pulling the 550e trigger. BUT, I keep going back to the car again and again as I'm shopping ( and shopping )....

1. I've not had a car w/o an air suspension in a long time. I tend to like to be able to adjust my ride height and I'm not sure if I'll miss it.

2. I keep looking at the back seat. My car is frequently the "go to dinner" or "drive into the city" car. Not long trips and my Tesla Model S is just fine for this. Although the specs appear the same w/my model S ( passing on the transmission hump), the 5 series seems tighter. But that might just be me.

[nacs]

I can’t comment on option 1 but being 6 ft I set the drivers seat to where I was comfortable and then moved to the back seats and found the leg room fine for another couple to join us for dinner…Interestingly this too was one of my criteria for buying the car.

[thinker]

Originally Posted by nacs

I can’t comment on option 1 but being 6 ft I set the drivers seat to where I was comfortable and then moved to the back seats and found the leg room fine for another couple to join us for dinner…Interestingly this too was one of my criteria for buying the car.

nacs - You're actually answering my question perfectly. I'm also 6' tall with a tall seating position - in my Tesla it is workable, but hard to squeeze in behind me. Knowing the BMW did "fine" for the seat behind you tells me a lot.

[aherman18]

We all have 2025 5 series in various stages of "stuck".

Is there anyone at BMW that can give us a clue of what is happening.

I would feel much better if I knew that my car is waiting on a part, EPA certification or maybe a booking on a ship.

Dealer, Genius and Reps don't appear to have any idea.

Somebody, somewhere must have an idea. We just have to find the right person.

[thinker]

Can I ask a potentially idiotic question t - can I order an M5 w/all season tires. While waiting for a 550e to show up at my dealership to test ( looks like 2 more weeks or so ), I drove an i5 M6 and was so impressed by the M interior and all that 'oomph'. The made me think about that other PHEV - the M5, which is so cool. BUT, as my daily driver, I'm not coasting around in the snow on those performance tires. Stupid to even consider?

[nacs]

Originally Posted by thinker

Can I ask a potentially idiotic question t - can I order an M5 w/all season tires. While waiting for a 550e to show up at my dealership to test ( looks like 2 more weeks or so ), i5 M60, was so impressed by the M interior and all that 'oomph'. The made me think about the other PHEV - M5, which is so cool. BUT, as my daily driver, I'm not coasting around in the snow on those performance tires. Stupid to even consider?

All options indicate performance only tires. Presumably you could buy another set of wheels and then mount snow tires to them.

[thinker]

Originally Posted by nacs

All options indicate performance only tires. Presumably you could buy another set of wheels and then mount snow tires to them.

But is this a really bad idea to take a "rocket" and pop on run flats for most of the year?

[nacs]

Admittedly the weather here in the PNW routed me to the 550 vs m5 and all season tires. I guess it just depends on your climate and weather is more of a sunny skies or daily driver.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by thinker

Can I ask a potentially idiotic question t - can I order an M5 w/all season tires. While waiting for a 550e to show up at my dealership to test ( looks like 2 more weeks or so ), I drove an i5 M6 and was so impressed by the M interior and all that 'oomph'. The made me think about that other PHEV - the M5, which is so cool. BUT, as my daily driver, I'm not coasting around in the snow on those performance tires. Stupid to even consider?

[flamesuit - on] did you consider whether the M60 might work for your needs too? To me it all depends upon your regular routine and how far you need to drive. Time and again I see range anxiety come up with all sorts of justifications why not to go EV, but my 1yr ownership experience of an M60 has been a game changer. Home charging for me (and office charging) has meant I almost never need to find DC fast charging (2x in 1 yr? Electrify America made out on that deal with BMW….)

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by thinker

But is this a really bad idea to take a "rocket" and pop on run flats for most of the year?

Run flats? Seriously?!? Have you not used proper good non run flats lately? They are massively better than run flats in 99.9% of situations.

Or maybe you really meant non run flat all season tires. In that case, with the M5 in the NE I’d recommend a second set of proper winter performance tires depending on your location. Michelin and Continental make excellent all season high performance tires that can work great on any BMW, and I run Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+, now AS4 on my G30 year round in the Ohio River valley. But when I had the M3 I ran Michelin PS summer tires for 9 months and full winter performance tires (not all-season) for 3 winter months. That would be my recommendation for the northeast unless your winters are mild enough for all seasons. Since I live in MA for 4 months and know the road conditions, a higher profile tire for winter would also be good for the potholes.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

[flamesuit - on] did you consider whether the M60 might work for your needs too? To me it all depends upon your regular routine and how far you need to drive. Time and again I see range anxiety come up with all sorts of justifications why not to go EV, but my 1yr ownership experience of an M60 has been a game changer. Home charging for me (and office charging) has meant I almost never need to find DC fast charging (2x in 1 yr? Electrify America made out on that deal with BMW….)

I couldn't agree more about EA making out on that deal! Who wants to go to EA chargers once or twice a week (or more) when you can just plug in at home or at work? Probably only those who can't have a charger installed at home, which I suspect is very few i5 owners.

Same for me - charge at home all the time and only used public DC charging once so far in 7 months.

[thinker]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

[flamesuit - on] did you consider whether the M60 might work for your needs too? To me it all depends upon your regular routine and how far you need to drive. Time and again I see range anxiety come up with all sorts of justifications why not to go EV, but my 1yr ownership experience of an M60 has been a game changer. Home charging for me (and office charging) has meant I almost never need to find DC fast charging (2x in 1 yr? Electrify America made out on that deal with BMW….)

Hi - It's a good question. I've been thinking about it a lot - hence my overly long shopping process as I think about leaving a pure EV. I've been driving successive Tesla Model Ss for 9 years and have a pretty good sense of how I'll interact with the car. My current EV range of 400 miles ( really more like 350) works well enough for me WITH access to the entire Tesla charging network. With reduced range and limited access to the Tesla network - I might not be so content. I wish the M60 has a 300+range. Also, for me, most of my daily driving is really well covered by a 50-ish mile battery with limited ICE intervention! But, when I'm on my longer trips, I'm ready to try a PHEV for a few years until the charging network catches up.

I'd welcome any thoughts!

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by thinker

Hi - It's a good question. I've been thinking about it a lot - hence my overly long shopping process as I think about leaving a pure EV. I've been driving successive Tesla Model Ss for 9 years and have a pretty good sense of how I'll interact with the car. My current EV range of 400 miles ( really more like 350) works well enough for me WITH access to the entire Tesla charging network. With reduced range and limited access to the Tesla network - I might not be so content. I wish the M60 has a 300+range. Also, for me, most of my daily driving is really well covered by a 50-ish mile battery with limited ICE intervention! But, when I'm on my longer trips, I'm ready to try a PHEV for a few years until the charging network catches up.

I'd welcome any thoughts!

Maybe the 530e with the B48 I4 might work for you. I don't think you are going to get 50-ish range from a 550e. It's a heavier vehicle with the B58 I6. But I also think coming from a Tesla with a 350 mi. range and will likely have range anxiety driving in Electric only regardless, until you get used to having the engine kick on. Come back and embrace the Dark side of ICE.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by thinker

Hi - It's a good question. I've been thinking about it a lot - hence my overly long shopping process as I think about leaving a pure EV. I've been driving successive Tesla Model Ss for 9 years and have a pretty good sense of how I'll interact with the car. My current EV range of 400 miles ( really more like 350) works well enough for me WITH access to the entire Tesla charging network. With reduced range and limited access to the Tesla network - I might not be so content. I wish the M60 has a 300+range. Also, for me, most of my daily driving is really well covered by a 50-ish mile battery with limited ICE intervention! But, when I'm on my longer trips, I'm ready to try a PHEV for a few years until the charging network catches up.

I'd welcome any thoughts!

With my E90 M3 I had slight range anxiety since I could never get above 290 miles per tank, even on the highway, and refilling took under 10 minutes. Loved that car but not interested in returning to a limited range car. My G30 540i is good for 425+ miles which is great.

I love the idea of an M5 as a performance car but don’t love the weight or hybrid, and I probably wouldn’t use that performance regularly. While I’m intrigued enough by the extra performance of the 550e, the complexity and reliability of the hybrid drivetrain puts me off. Thus I’m probably more likely to get the G60 540, but I’m following real world reviews of the 550e so as to not completely rule it out. As you can probably tell, EV is not a consideration for me for several reasons.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

With my E90 M3 I had slight range anxiety since I could never get above 290 miles per tank, even on the highway, and refilling took under 10 minutes. Loved that car but not interested in returning to a limited range car. My G30 540i is good for 425+ miles which is great.

I love the idea of an M5 as a performance car but don’t love the weight or hybrid, and I probably wouldn’t use that performance regularly. While I’m intrigued enough by the extra performance of the 550e, the complexity and reliability of the hybrid drivetrain puts me off. Thus I’m probably more likely to get the G60 540, but I’m following real world reviews of the 550e so as to not completely rule it out. As you can probably tell, EV is not a consideration for me for several reasons.

I agree. That's why I ordered a 2025 G60 540iX as well. It's sitting at the dealer now just waiting for the Spanish Registration to process (There is no such thing as a Temp Registration in Spain.) so I can take delivery. I'm hoping for Thursday Evening or Saturday (Friday is a Spanish Holiday and the dealer is Closed.

[thinker]

I've heard from my Dealer and the 550es are being held on the dock subject to some modification / update...whatever. Once cleared, I'll be able to test drive one. I've driven i5 and the M60 (which was amazing ) and I'll be excited to try the 550e.

[aherman18]

Originally Posted by thinker

I've heard from my Dealer and the 550es are being held on the dock subject to some modification / update...whatever. Once cleared, I'll be able to test drive one. I've driven i5 and the M60 (which was amazing ) and I'll be excited to try the 550e.

Are you in the dock in the US or in Germany? The holdup makes a bit of sense as to how slow they are moving.

[vadnart1]

Newbie here...i'm debating between 540xi and 550e. couple of questions on 550e.

1. does anyone have data on expected mpg when using just the ICE . i assume mpg would be a little less than 540xi due to additional weight?

2. i was following the X5 forum where owners reporting check engine light on the X5 50e. i assume this is the same B58 engine and hybrid system in the 550e, any idea on reliability or reports of CEL issues on the 550e?

thanks in advance for help. looking to pull trigger soon.

[MongoTom]

A couple of us have 550es on a ship now. In a month we’ll have hard numbers for you.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by vadnart1

Newbie here...i'm debating between 540xi and 550e. couple of questions on 550e.

1. does anyone have data on expected mpg when using just the ICE . i assume mpg would be a little less than 540xi due to additional weight?

2. i was following the X5 forum where owners reporting check engine light on the X5 50e. i assume this is the same B58 engine and hybrid system in the 550e, any idea on reliability or reports of CEL issues on the 550e?

thanks in advance for help. looking to pull trigger soon.

Best kept secrets. As noted, you will have feedback soon.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by 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.

Interesting. What is your frame of reference? Did you own a M550 or a 540 in the previous generation?

I am very interested to know for myself and I will find out soon. My view is the M550 was BMW's best 5 series ever. It combined many of the qualities of the M5 into an every day driver. The last generation V8 was the one of the best BMW manufactured. But alas, it is not widely available anymore. So hopefully the 550e provides us with a lot of that goodness with extraordinary fuel efficiency and better emission statistics. We will see.

[robfen]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

Interesting. What is your frame of reference? Did you own a M550 or a 540 in the previous generation?

I am very interested to know for myself and I will find out soon. My view is the M550 was BMW's best 5 series ever. It combined many of the qualities of the M5 into an every day driver. The last generation V8 was the one of the best BMW manufactured. But alas, it is not widely available anymore. So hopefully the 550e provides us with a lot of that goodness with extraordinary fuel efficiency and better emission statistics. We will see.

I have driven the g90 m5 across the UK and Europe on a road trip.
More recently ran the m340i for 6 months as a daily.

If you find the EV range useful you will love the 550e.
If not you still have a lot of performance!