[ToddRGuy]

I've been reading all the excitement behind the impending arrival of the 550e and am really curious what motivates different people to order that over the 540 or the i5.

I can understand not being ready to commit to a full EV due to infrastructure concerns in various parts of the world but wonder about selecting the 550 vs the 540 for people in the States.

I'm assuming it has to be performance for most? While appealing, the PHEV isn't going to save the majority of people money.

With a base price difference over the 540 of $7,500 some basic math tells me that this buys roughly 1,667 gallons of gasoline in my State, which equates to 43,342 miles driven (assuming a mixed mileage average of 27 miles)

That's a LOT of EV-only miles needed to hit the breakeven point. So, is it the performance that drives your decision or something else altogether?

[jha96]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

I've been reading all the excitement behind the impending arrival of the 550e and am really curious what motivates different people to order that over the 540 or the i5.

I can understand not being ready to commit to a full EV due to infrastructure concerns in various parts of the world but wonder about selecting the 550 vs the 540 for people in the States.

I'm assuming it has to be performance for most? While appealing, the PHEV isn't going to save the majority of people money.

With a base price difference over the 540 of $7,500 some basic math tells me that this buys roughly 1,667 gallons of gasoline in my State, which equates to 43,342 miles driven (assuming a mixed mileage average of 27 miles)

That's a LOT of EV-only miles needed to hit the breakeven point. So, is it the performance that drives your decision or something else altogether?

Not even about saving money – the convenience of electric for everyday driving is undefeated. That, and the PHEV doesn't have the downsides of a full EV.

[havenyoung]

If configuring to the same spec, the price difference is actually much smaller
550e has M sport standard for example.

[Deho]

We're in a special time now as BMW is offering G60 models for almost every needs.

Here are, in my opinion, the use cases for each model:

- 520i, 530i or 540i for people with no easy access to charging and people who drive long distances on roads with poor charging infrastructure
- 530e or 550e for people who can charge on a regular basis but mostly drive local or drive a mix of local and long distances on roads with poor charging infrastructure
- i5 for people who can charge on a regular basis and drive long distances but on roads with good charging infrastructure

The best use case for a PHEV is for drivers who drive a lot locally on electric power but who also want to have an ICE when travelling long distances.
I would never ever consider a pure ICE vehicle for local drives; that's where they are less efficient and most polluting.

My use case makes me hesitate between the 550e and i5 xDrive40, which are the same price in Canada...

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by havenyoung

If configuring to the same spec, the price difference is actually much smaller
550e has M sport standard for example.

That's good to know, I wasn't aware of the included M Sport package as standard equipment. That does make it more attractive.

When I option a 550e like my ordered 540 config, it comes out to $83,675 with destination vs. $79,350. That's an easier sell.

The only thing that would hold me back is the unknown, regarding reliability. I've read they've had a number of problems with the PHEV X5 technology and as far as I'm aware this is the same architecture. For a lease, likely not a concern. For a purchase, you'd need to really weigh out the pros and cons.

[grumpysysad]

Originally Posted by Deho

- 520i, 530i or 540i for people with no easy access to charging and people who drive long distances on roads with poor charging infrastructure

What about people that doesn't want to deal with electric cars?

[RichardInCA]

[detour]

It’ll be very interesting to see how the M5 sells now as well. On the one hand it looks like an amazing machine with some nice additional touches over and above the 550 and the i5M60, but the complexity of the drivetrain has me scratching my head a bit. For real world use, I feel pretty good about my M60 now.

[end of detour]

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by grumpysysad

What about people that doesn't want to deal with electric cars?

Isn’t that deho’s point? The main complaint I hear about EV’s is charging infrastructure/range (two sides of the same coin), everything else seems like less hassle to be honest.

[grumpysysad]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Isn’t that deho’s point? The main complaint I hear about EV’s is charging infrastructure/range (two sides of the same coin), everything else seems like less hassle to be honest.

I have both, easy to install a charger in the garage, I guess available chargers on the road. But I didn't want an electric vehicle.

Just saying, that access to charging infrastructure doesn't mean you will end up buying an electric car.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by grumpysysad

I have both, easy to install a charger in the garage, I guess available chargers on the road. But I didn't want an electric vehicle.

Just saying, that access to charging infrastructure doesn't mean you will end up buying an electric car.

Got it. And agreed - it was the “deal with” part that threw me off. My i5 has been the lowest maintenance/easiest vehicle I’ve ever owned.

[grumpysysad]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Got it. And agreed - it was the “deal with” part that threw me off. My i5 has been the lowest maintenance/easiest vehicle I’ve ever owned.

Sorry about that. Don't disagree, less moving parts. But I just don't want to deal with range, installing a charger etc. ICE works for me

[robfen]

I think the 550e might suit the EU more
It's an EV most of the time for journeys up to 90km
and this suits the car when commuting etc as it's smooth and quiet.
Very relaxing and luxurious.
On the other hand it goes like hell with at a great sound if you want to let rip!
We also have an i4 and pure EVs are great but make longer journeys a bit of a lottery due to charging issues.

[promee]

i will like to go for a PHEV if it could go 200KM with a single charge.
with current range, I have to charge it daily.
if I could charge it daily, i could just go for pure EVs.
that's how I end up with a i5. lol

[Kennethjk]

Originally Posted by grumpysysad

Sorry about that. Don't disagree, less moving parts. But I just don't want to deal with range, installing a charger etc. ICE works for me

Do you drive long distances a lot that range would be an issue? Installing a charger isn’t a big deal and many utilities offer discounts and rebates.
Don’t know about infrastructure where you live.

[grumpysysad]

Originally Posted by Kennethjk

Do you drive long distances a lot that range would be an issue? Installing a charger isn’t a big deal and many utilities offer discounts and rebates.
Don’t know about infrastructure where you live.

That's my point, why having access to charging infrastructure implies you need to buy an electric car? Same as having bike lanes where you live doesn't implies you need to ride a bike.

[Kennethjk]

Originally Posted by grumpysysad

That's my point, why having access to charging infrastructure implies you need to buy an electric car? Same as having bike lanes where you live doesn't implies you need to ride a bike.

You don’t need to do anything but if you drive long distances in an EV having an infrastructure is helpful.

Other than extremely long trips that I take from time to time I don’t need an infrastructure. I just charge at home, easier than stoping at a gas station.

To each their own.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by Deho

We're in a special time now as BMW is offering G60 models for almost every needs.

Here are, in my opinion, the use cases for each model:

- 520i, 530i or 540i for people with no easy access to charging and people who drive long distances on roads with poor charging infrastructure
- 530e or 550e for people who can charge on a regular basis but mostly drive local or drive a mix of local and long distances on roads with poor charging infrastructure
- i5 for people who can charge on a regular basis and drive long distances but on roads with good charging infrastructure

The best use case for a PHEV is for drivers who drive a lot locally on electric power but who also want to have an ICE when travelling long distances.
I would never ever consider a pure ICE vehicle for local drives; that's where they are less efficient and most polluting.

My use case makes me hesitate between the 550e and i5 xDrive40, which are the same price in Canada...

I don't think the illusion of decreasing pollution is a proper excuse for an EV. The Strip-Mining and Chemical processes used in making the batteries for an EV is just as damaging, if not more than a lifetime of pollution for an ICE vehicle. I was going to order a G30 530e a couple years ago. Then I started doing research and changed my mind. And I recently saw an article in Australia where a Tesla was recharging in the outback with the charger station run by a Diesel Generator.

If you want an Electric, in all reality it's because that's your own personal preference. I can stand behind that and respect your preference. I will stay ICE as long as I can because I do like to take long drives without worrying if there is a proper charging station on the way. I don't like to have to plan my route and charging layovers based on the availability of a charging station within my range. Please respect that as well.

[RichardInCA]

These are two different kinds of environmental damage. Pollution is not just one thing; CO2 emissions affect the global environment - reducing them is not an illusion. Arguably we are trading one kind of pollution for another here, but most of the hit pieces on EV conflate the two. Bimmerpost is littered with this point and a variety of rebuttals.

[saw1]

OP, you bring up a great discussion point with your question regarding the motivation for the 550e. I will offer a different perspective. I had an m550 for almost 6 years and couldn't find a equal replacement for it. I decided to go in a different direction and bought a G83. The M4 is a completely different beast than the m550. I can't wait to drive the 550e to see if it is a worthy replacement for the m550. There may be others that feel the same way.

I have driven the i5 M60 and it was great. It felt much closer to the m550.

The m550 was the best car I have ever owned. The M4 is great but in a very different way. There really is no replacement for displacement!! I hope the 550e is the m550 we have been looking for.

[BMW5151]

Originally Posted by saw1

OP, you bring up a great discussion point with your question regarding the motivation for the 550e. I will offer a different perspective. I had an m550 for almost 6 years and couldn't find a equal replacement for it. I decided to go in a different direction and bought a G83. The M4 is a completely different beast than the m550. I can't wait to drive the 550e to see if it is a worthy replacement for the m550. There may be others that feel the same way.

I have driven the i5 M60 and it was great. It felt much closer to the m550.

The m550 was the best car I have ever owned. The M4 is great but in a very different way. There really is no replacement for displacement!! I hope the 550e is the m550 we have been looking for.

Pretty much in the same boat here. Sadly, the 550e is not the direct successor of the M550ix. That was the now-cancelled M560e. The 550e doesn't even off any of the components the the DHP in the US. IAS, Adaptive Dampers, etc. Everywhere else the DHP is either standard or an option, even Canada. But nothing for the US. Only the i5 M60 has that package in the US. Plus, of course, every 7 series.

And remember the M on the M550i was not just decoration. The M team touched the engine, transmission, etc.