[PeterC4]

The car I ordered was finally delivered to the dealer today and after some back and forth I'm close to a financially acceptable deal. Seems the lease rates moved in the right direction amongst a number of other things. I drove it and here is a first hand comparison from an M550 driver. The car I ordered has virtually every option.

It's not that bad looking in real life. In my view, the black skirts look good in some colours, not so good in others. Mine is Oxide II Metallic and my wife gave me the nod when she saw it. It feels like a bigger car inside than the M550.

From a trim, interior perspective, like most newer cars, there is noticeably less switch gear, and the trim like the dash seems a little less opulent. The lack of real exhaust ports, a lack of light strips and no keyless access for rear doors exaggerates the point. There are no M emblems for the Canadian cars even equipped with MSport Pro.

The ride is quite good. The 550e is optioned with Msport Pro and Adaptive Suspension Professional with Rear Wheel Steering riding on 20 inch wheels. The car is surprisingly responsive and the added weight does not seem to hinder the handling. The car is better able to cope with irregular roads than the M550, but still maintains a sporting performance feel. I was pleasantly surprised and happy with the steering feel, but that was at modest speeds.

Now for the drivetrain. Its definitely different. When I started the car it was quiet, I drove off and my wife and I were impressed with how quiet it was. I think it was in fully electric mode. It seemed reasonably responsive, but not like the confident abundance of torque in the V8 of the M550. I have no idea as to longevity of the battery but it was depleting as we were driving. We didn't drive more than 8 KMS or so.

In sport mode it feels reasonbly comparable to the M550, but I didn't test it on the highway. You would have to get out a stop watch to understand the differences in city driving. I did not press it too much but it was nicely responsive once the car was rolling, which I understand is a big plus related to the drivetrain. Overall, in sport mode, it has noticeable torque at low speeds.

You don't notice the added weight. The car is quiet.

Overall, the car seems pretty good. Its different. It is not the M550. I would strongly recommend the Adaptive Suspension Professional with Rear Wheel Steering. As to whether it really a worthwhile trade-off for fuel efficiency - time will tell.

[RichardInCA]

Great observations - there’s only so much that forums and online reading can do without sitting in the car and working out of the experience is what you’re looking for.

[SkykingUSA]

Thanks for the insight. I believe it's the electric part of the drivetrain that is giving you that torque at the low speeds. At high speeds too, but the engine can also provide torque at high speeds, but not so nicely at low speed.

Sounds like you are "sold" on it! Congratulations and I hope you get the deal you want and enjoy your ride!

[nacs]

I’ll add my thoughts in the coming days as I pickup my 550e on Friday.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Thanks for the insight. I believe it's the electric part of the drivetrain that is giving you that torque at the low speeds. At high speeds too, but the engine can also provide torque at high speeds, but not so nicely at low speed.

Sounds like you are "sold" on it! Congratulations and I hope you get the deal you want and enjoy your ride!

I have been ruminating for a few hours as these financial deals are never perfect (from the buyers perspective) LOL.

My wife liked the 550e very much. Her view was, it felt the same as the M550 without the drama when you went over a manhole cover that had dipped asphalt around it, making it like a hidden crater in the road. The M550 could not adapt to our roadways very well and you had to be "on guard" all the time.

I would say that the most surprising thing about the 550e is the suspension. Like the modern Porsches, its is a big leap forward.

If you are a car buyer now, you have to come to grips with the fact that ICE options are few and far between. No 540i for us here in Canada and the 4 cyl options are not for me. Even moving to the M5, or the E53 which I have been contemplating for weeks, will get you a hybrid. I think I might wait to see how all this plays out before I go that far. We seem to be back to the early days of adoption when personal computer technology changed so frequently that 5 years would result in real obsolescence. I can't help but get in the car and think we are re-living the widespread adoption of Windows.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

The car I ordered was finally delivered to the dealer today and after some back and forth I'm close to a financially acceptable deal. Seems the lease rates moved in the right direction amongst a number of other things. I drove it and here is a first hand comparison from an M550 driver. The car I ordered has virtually every option.

It's not that bad looking in real life. In my view, the black skirts look good in some colours, not so good in others. Mine is Oxide II Metallic and my wife gave me the nod when she saw it. It feels like a bigger car inside than the M550.

From a trim, interior perspective, like most newer cars, there is noticeably less switch gear, and the trim like the dash seems a little less opulent. The lack of real exhaust ports, a lack of light strips and no keyless access for rear doors exaggerates the point. There are no M emblems for the Canadian cars even equipped with MSport Pro.

The ride is quite good. The 550e is optioned with Msport Pro and Adaptive Suspension Professional with Rear Wheel Steering riding on 20 inch wheels. The car is surprisingly responsive and the added weight does not seem to hinder the handling. The car is better able to cope with irregular roads than the M550, but still maintains a sporting performance feel. I was pleasantly surprised and happy with the steering feel.

Now for the drivetrain. Its definitely different. When I started the car it was quiet, I drove off and my wife and I were impressed with how quiet it was. I think it was in fully electric mode. It seemed reasonably responsive, but not [...]

I drove a 550e and G90 M5 back to back to at my dealer. I think your impression of the 550e is spot on.

It starts in electric mode and will continue that way until you switch into sport mode forcing the B58 to come alive. I drove it for a few miles in electric mode and told my CA it was “nice” but my G30 with Dinan tune felt livelier. Power to weight should be the same. Then he switched it to sport mode and I suddenly felt what I expected. Not M550i boatloads of torque and instant power but certainly much, much more enjoyable to drive. Moreso than the G60 540i Xdrive. I was not inclined to like it before the test drive but when it was over I found myself looking much closer at this car as if maybe I should just get one. That surprised me.

Then the M5. Hmmm. Well it’s an M5 and I knew in the first mile of driving it, and in busy traffic, that it was well controlled and loads of untapped power available. But I don’t think I could live with it 7 days a week…maybe 2-3 days. It’s very much on edge as all M cars are. It’s not bad, just not right for me at this stage of my life. I had an E90 M3 for 7 years from new as a year round daily driver, even in snow and on track. The M5 looks badass though. Honestly wasn’t impressed by the quality of the interior.

If BMW made the 550e more of an M550e in the spirit of the M550i, I would probably be convinced. Even though the PHEV thing really doesn’t work for me where I live 4 months a year. My search for a low mileage ‘23 M550i not in black/black continues but if I don’t find one I like, the 550e is now a stronger candidate.

[tsbrown]

Couple other things from the test drive.

Once the B58 is running the engine sounds from the ASD are more prominent than the 540i. They make it sound like a V8. Not sure if that’s adjustable or simply on/off.

When I told the CA of my reluctance to get a hybrid due to complexity vs just the ICE 540i he mentioned all the PHEVs have 8 year 80k mile warranty on the hybrid system where the bumper to bumper warranty ends at 4/50. This isn’t marketed very well as I was totally unaware of it.

[MiGs550e]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Couple other things from the test drive.

Once the B58 is running the engine sounds from the ASD are more prominent than the 540i. They make it sound like a V8. Not sure if that’s adjustable or simply on/off.

When I told the CA of my reluctance to get a hybrid due to complexity vs just the ICE 540i he mentioned all the PHEVs have 8 year 80k mile warranty on the hybrid system where the bumper to bumper warranty ends at 4/50. This isn’t marketed very well as I was totally unaware of it.

Has anyone found that documented somewhere for the PHEV 8 year/80K warranty?

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

Has anyone found that documented somewhere for the PHEV 8 year/80K warranty?

From the Canadian Web Site: (note the amount of Kms)

Extensive Battery Warranty

Every BMW plug-in hybrid comes with an 8-year/160,000-kilometre battery warranty. The initial battery warranty transfers to the new owner.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

From the Canadian Web Site: (note the amount of Kms)

Extensive Battery Warranty

Every BMW plug-in hybrid comes with an 8-year/160,000-kilometre battery warranty. The initial battery warranty transfers to the new owner.

Battery warranty - but I think that’s very specific to the battery itself and if it suffers from massive degradation.
I did not think anything else was covered beyond the standard warranty.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Battery warranty - but I think that’s very specific to the battery itself and if it suffers from massive degradation.
I did not think anything else was covered beyond the standard warranty.

So battery only, nothing to do with the hybrid motor or components?

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

Has anyone found that documented somewhere for the PHEV 8 year/80K warranty?

I haven’t looked but I have no reason to doubt my CA. He may have said “battery” or “hybrid battery” and I heard it as “hybrid system”. He tends to be pretty precise with his words but my knowledge of the PHEV system is limited so I may have heard what I wanted to hear.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I haven’t looked but I have no reason to doubt my CA. He may have said “battery” or “hybrid battery” and I heard it as “hybrid system”. He tends to be pretty precise with his words but my knowledge of the PHEV system is limited so I may have heard what I wanted to hear.

I would imagine it has the same warranty as a x5 50e. I still think it’s battery only for the 8 years.
TurtleBoy - resident expert should be able to answer this one. Else I can pull in some 50e owners.

[Blue Sky]

Just look at specs/features for the 550e on the website:

Like EV’s, it’s only the HV battery that has 8 years.

[AiredaleDad]

I sounds like either you mis-heard, or your CA mis-spoke. Easily resolved. Just call him and say something like "Did I hear correctly that you said it has an 8 year warranty on the entire hybrid system? Or was it just the battery? I can't remember." If he says it's the whole system then he is either mis-informed, or trying to steer you to a higher $$ sale, and counting on your lack of knowledge on the subject, and trusting him and not researching yourself. He can always come back after you sign to pick up your car and apologize and say that he is so embarrassed, but he was mistaken and it's the battery and not the whole system. It's not like you are going to turn around and tell him to take the car back once you have it in your hands. I would go for the 540i then. I love mine.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

I would imagine it has the same warranty as a x5 50e. I still think it’s battery only for the 8 years.
TurtleBoy - resident expert should be able to answer this one. Else I can pull in some 50e owners.

I believe you are correct on this. He mentioned driving the X5 50e (same drivetrain) recently on a 200 mile trip mix of interstate and other roads and it handling every situation so well and getting ~60mpg in the process.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

I sounds like either you mis-heard, or your CA mis-spoke. Easily resolved. Just call him and say something like "Did I hear correctly that you said it has an 8 year warranty on the entire hybrid system? Or was it just the battery? I can't remember." If he says it's the whole system then he is either mis-informed, or trying to steer you to a higher $$ sale, and counting on your lack of knowledge on the subject, and trusting him and not researching yourself. He can always come back after you sign to pick up your car and apologize and say that he is so embarrassed, but he was mistaken and it's the battery and not the whole system. It's not like you are going to turn around and tell him to take the car back once you have it in your hands. I would go for the 540i then. I love mine.

I’m more inclined to get a 540i like you did, my current G30 540i is just such a great car.

Per the US configurator standard features for the 550e:
Warranty
Complete coverage and peace of mind.
BMW Ultimate Care (for complete details, visit click here)
4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks 2025 Models (valid only in the USA including Puerto Rico)
12-year Unlimited Mileage Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
4-year Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Program
8-year/100,000-mile High-Voltage Battery Warranty

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I believe you are correct on this. He mentioned driving the X5 50e (same drivetrain) recently on a 200 mile trip mix of interstate and other roads and it handling every situation so well and getting ~60mpg in the process.

Sounds like he’s a bit of salesman. Take things he says with a grain of salt. This forum will give you much more realistic experiences as we have nothing to gain.

It’s simple for you to refute his claims or call him out on his blatant exaggeration here.

If you gave him extremely optimistic numbers - you could say
50/200 miles were all electric
150/200 miles spent an average of 30mpg

That would mean 5 gallons of gas 150/30.

5 gallons of gas average on the full 200 miles would mean 40mpge on the full 200 miles.

It is impossible for him to have got 60.

Even if the 50e got 40mpg over the 150 miles that’s still 3.75 gallons used and over 200 miles equates to 53 mpg. 40mpg is absolutely impossible tho.


Sooo long story short. This guy sounds more and more like your typical sales guy… be careful. These guys just want your money and are great at being your “friend”

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Sounds like he’s a bit of salesman. Take things he says with a grain of salt. This forum will give you much more realistic experiences as we have nothing to gain.

It’s simple for you to refute his claims or call him out on his blatant exaggeration here.

If you gave him extremely optimistic numbers - you could say
50/200 miles were all electric
150/200 miles spent an average of 30mpg

That would mean 5 gallons of gas 150/30.

5 gallons of gas average on the full 200 miles would mean 40mpge on the full 200 miles.

It is impossible for him to have got 60.

Even if the 50e got 40mpg over the 150 miles that’s still 3.75 gallons used and over 200 miles equates to 53 mpg. 40mpg is absolutely impossible tho.


Sooo long story short. This guy sounds more and more like your typical sales guy… be careful. These guys just want your money and are great at being your “friend”

I was more focused on how the car drove/felt than listening to exactly what he said. So I’m not going to nitpick.

For people that have the 50e, either X5 or 550e, what’s the daily experience like for keeping the battery charged enough to get the performance benefit? This is far more my interest in this car than better mileage/efficiency. Charging it would be a real PITA for me where we live in the summer.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I was more focused on how the car drove/felt than listening to exactly what he said. So I’m not going to nitpick.

For people that have the 50e, either X5 or 550e, what’s the daily experience like for keeping the battery charged enough to get the performance benefit? This is far more my interest in this car than better mileage/efficiency. Charging it would be a real PITA for me where we live in the summer.

Sorry but If you can’t charge the car I absolutely would not get the car. That is pretty much 100% the consensus of everyone on the forum. I really don’t get what the appeal would be if you’re not planning on charging it. Yes it has more combined HP but it’s 600 lbs heavier than a 40i. Get the m60, maybe a slightly used one if it’s out of budget new. But getting a 50e for purely the “performance” benefit does not make sense. Compared to a 40i, You get this car to run electric miles and have the added bonus of some quicker acceleration, and air suspension in an msport version.

[Dragonfly Trumpeter]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I was more focused on how the car drove/felt than listening to exactly what he said. So I’m not going to nitpick.

For people that have the 50e, either X5 or 550e, what’s the daily experience like for keeping the battery charged enough to get the performance benefit? This is far more my interest in this car than better mileage/efficiency. Charging it would be a real PITA for me where we live in the summer.

Charging being a problem where you live in the summer is not deal and obviously rules out an i5. Given how few options many markets have now for an ice bmw, buying a 550e may be the only serious option for some.

Drive it in sport mode all the time and plug it when possible / suitable. The ice will look after the battery and hybrid power. Just remember to put gas in the tank lol, that will ensure your performance. The drivetrain power warning only comes on when you are low on gas.

And if economy issues do creep in, the 550e mileage at speed limit levels is excellent on the B58 only. Regardless of the weight.

[Mattl0806]

Apologies - I confused myself with bringing up the x5 50e. We are talking g60 and therefore no ICE version of the m60 available for you.

It’s 540 or 550e.

The 550e has less electric only range which diminishes the arguement of get this car only if the electric makes sense. But I dont think it was tuned more aggressively than a 540 so I dont really know its purpose if its not the electric miles it gives you. I think the 540 is closer in performance to the 550e (Car and drive got low 4s 0-60 for the 540) - than the x5 50e is form the 40i. Getting an x5 50e separates itself more from the 40i in acceleration.

If it was me - I’d get the 540 unless the E miles were going to benefit me greatly. The 550e just doesn’t offer much else besides e miles over the 540 so why bother if you won’t charge.