[PeterC4]

After finally getting a test drive, a thorough look at the 550e inside and out, I cancelled my order, placed about 9 months ago. Thanks to many who provide valuable input on this forum. The 550e is not a bad car. Ride quality is decent and in sport mode the car seems reasonably motivated. Congrats to those that purchased them. It is built around BMW's reliable B58 motor. For me the main issues are:

The smooth and confident performance of the M550 I have now, and the driver customizable M tuned suspension options, are hard to beat. For a car with over 500 hp The M550's fuel economy is quite remarkable.

The actual electric only range of the 550e here in North America was a significant reduction from that first advertised when the car was launched in Europe. Cold weather is undoubtedly going to reduce the usable range further.

The G30's driver assistance technology still seems very relevant and the interior finishings and options of the G30 feel more upscale to me. With time, this may all change.

[SkykingUSA]

Congratulations on making a decision! You probably made the most economical decision of us all! The least expensive car is the car you already own, after all. :-)

Do check in every now and again and update us if you ever decide to swap out your M550 for something else.

[MikeElmendorf]

My M550 was in many ways by far the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. I am really enjoying the i5 M60 that replaced it, but I would absolutely have gotten another M550 if it was available.

BMW would be well served to bring it back in some form—with an interior that is on par with the G30, as it has been significantly downgraded. That’s probably my biggest disappointment about the M60.

[rgw]

My feel is that the 550e is not really the successor to the M550 despite the model number. I think they’re trying to shepherd M550 buyers to the i5 M60 as the successor vehicle. However, I think what a G30 M550 buyer realistically wants is a detuned G90 M5 powertrain in a G60 body. They probably really want the S68 minus the Li Ion battery and motors but that is not a commercially viable product in Europe anymore.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

After finally getting a test drive, a thorough look at the 550e inside and out, I cancelled my order, placed about 9 months ago. Thanks to many who provide valuable input on this forum. The 550e is not a bad car. Ride quality is decent and in sport mode the car seems reasonably motivated. Congrats to those that purchased them. It is built around BMW's reliable B58 motor. For me the main issues are:

The smooth and confident performance of the M550 I have now, and the driver customizable M tuned suspension options, are hard to beat. For a car with over 500 hp The M550's fuel economy is quite remarkable.

The actual electric only range of the 550e here in North America was a significant reduction from that first advertised when the car was launched in Europe. Cold weather is undoubtedly going to reduce the usable range further.

The G30's driver assistance technology still seems very relevant and the interior finishings and options of the G30 feel more upscale to me. With time, this may all change.

Really impressed with the ability to take a step back and not just jump into the new and shiny object. Congrats on the decision. I think the m550 is a phenomenal car and, without factoring in EV commuting benefits, better than any g60 car out there. The i5 m60 picks up some pts not having to go to the gas station, but at the EOD I’d still much rather be driving an m550.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by rgw

My feel is that the 550e is not really the successor to the M550 despite the model number. I think they’re trying to shepherd M550 buyers to the i5 M60 as the successor vehicle. However, I think what a G30 M550 buyer realistically wants is a detuned G90 M5 powertrain in a G60 body. They probably really want the S68 minus the Li Ion battery and motors but that is not a commercially viable product in Europe anymore.

I think that's it exactly. The M550 is gone... at least for now, but maybe forever.

The other issue is managing the expectations for long-time BMW owners as to how they expect the car to be appointed, look and feel. Having very recently looked at the 2025 Audi S7 and the MB E450, the interior finishings of the BMW seem less than comparable.

I think these new BMW models, (and many other brands), are in a period of transition and consumers are beginning to have limited choices. There will be numerous changes in my view. If you're leasing the car, it's probably less of a concern, although I always want to be in a car I would ultimately feel comfortable buying. Not sure about the life of hybrid production if the limitations on selling ICE powered cars of any sort are strictly adhered to in 2030 and then finally in 2035 in countries around the world.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Really impressed with the ability to take a step back and not just jump into the new and shiny object. Congrats on the decision. I think the m550 is a phenomenal car and, without factoring in EV commuting benefits, better than any g60 car out there. The i5 m60 picks up some pts not having to go to the gas station, but at the EOD I’d still much rather be driving an m550.

I thought about commuting benefits. Electricity isn't free particularly if you commute or spend time in a rural area for part of the year. I have not taken the time to understand how much it costs to charge your car at a super charging station, but inevitably, there will be a tangible cost to this form of energy.

[Maverick241]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

I thought about commuting benefits. Electricity isn't free particularly if you commute or spend time in a rural area for part of the year. I have not taken the time to understand how much it costs to charge your car at a super charging station, but inevitably, there will be a tangible cost to this form of energy.

Most charge 95% of the time at home which is a fraction of what fuel costs. Supercharging (or DC fast charging) isn't much cheaper than gas but is really only needed for road trips.

[Maverick241]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Really impressed with the ability to take a step back and not just jump into the new and shiny object. Congrats on the decision. I think the m550 is a phenomenal car and, without factoring in EV commuting benefits, better than any g60 car out there. The i5 m60 picks up some pts not having to go to the gas station, but at the EOD I’d still much rather be driving an m550.

You aren't liking the M60?

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by Maverick241

You aren't liking the M60?

I like it. My comments were more in support of the m550 than a knock on the i5 m60.

It’s a great car, but EV powertrains don’t hit on the emotional side for me. I also do think that the g30 had a more luxurious build quality to it and Idrive in the g60 is not my cup of tea. I don’t like my modes and I hate this thin Idrive controller. I find myself just not doing much in the car but getting behind the wheel. Lack of buttons isn’t really a big deal bc I just don’t do anything lol. I’ve found the software to also be a bit more buggy.

Now, all that being said, I don’t know if I could ever go back to ICE bc of the convenience factor and it’s still a pretty sweet car lol.

If the i5 m60 is an 8.5/10, maybe the m550 is a 9.5/10 but when you take into account a weekly gas station stop - I don’t know the final calculus just yet haha. TBD

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

I like it. My comments were more in support of the m550 than a knock on the i5 m60.

It’s a great car, but EV powertrains don’t hit on the emotional side for me. I also do think that the g30 had a more luxurious build quality to it and Idrive in the g60 is not my cup of tea. I don’t like my modes and I hate this thin Idrive controller. I find myself just not doing much in the car but getting behind the wheel. Lack of buttons isn’t really a big deal bc I just don’t do anything lol. I’ve found the software to also be a bit more buggy.

Now, all that being said, I don’t know if I could ever go back to ICE bc of the convenience factor and it’s still a pretty sweet car lol.

If the i5 m60 is an 8.5/10, maybe the m550 is a 9.5/10 but when you take into account a weekly gas station stop - I don’t know the final calculus just yet haha. TBD

I've been on this G60 forum for at least 18 months if not more, mainly to see if the new 540i or 550e is the right replacement for my now 6 year old G30 540i. I've read many i5 owners here talk about the convenience of not stopping for gas by charging at home. Kudos to all those that have this option and like it. But I honestly just don't get it. It takes me 3-5 minutes to refill at any gas station, anywhere (most pumps run at 6 GPM and my tank takes ~16gal). That's far from any inconvenience for me, especially considering the stories many owners here have shared about charging on a road trip...yikes! I know...unpopular opinion in these parts. Congrats to Peter for making the decision. If you're a G30 owner, like many here are/were, and aren't pressed to replace it, it's a tough act to follow.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I've been on this G60 forum for at least 18 months if not more, mainly to see if the new 540i or 550e is the right replacement for my now 6 year old G30 540i. I've read many i5 owners here talk about the convenience of not stopping for gas by charging at home. Kudos to all those that have this option and like it. But I honestly just don't get it. It takes me 3-5 minutes to refill at any gas station, anywhere (most pumps run at 6 GPM and my tank takes ~16gal). That's far from any inconvenience for me, especially considering the stories many owners here have shared about charging on a road trip...yikes! I know...unpopular opinion in these parts. Congrats to Peter for making the decision. If you're a G30 owner, like many here are/were, and aren't pressed to replace it, it's a tough act to follow.

I’ll just say this..
I used to feel like you do. I have 20 gas stations on my morning commute. Pulling over could not be any easier for me. I even debated if the 5 minute gas station stop was actually worse than having to plug and unplug daily outside in my driveway in the elements. I can say confidently now the electric gas station at home is more of a convenience than i expected. However, a LARGE part of this convenience is the scheduled preconditioning. Having my car ready for me every morning at my time in the winter is a huge benefit. It is far better than remote start that I’d often forget to do while getting rdy. Without this the EV is far less appealing. 20 degree day im taking my jacket off as I enter my car and drive off for the first time. It’s as warm as if I was driving an ICE for an hour.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

I’ll just say this..
I used to feel like you do. I have 20 gas stations on my morning commute. Pulling over could not be any easier for me. I even debated if the 5 minute gas station stop was actually worse than having to plug and unplug daily outside in my driveway in the elements. I can say confidently now the electric gas station at home is more of a convenience than i expected. However, a LARGE part of this convenience is the scheduled preconditioning. Having my car ready for me every morning at my time in the winter is a huge benefit. It is far better than remote start that I’d often forget to do while getting rdy. Without this the EV is far less appealing. 20 degree day im taking my jacket off as I enter my car and drive off for the first time. It’s as warm as if I was driving an ICE for an hour.

I get it. I was just up in Boston/north shore last weekend and it’s colder there, and our car was in our detached unheated garage. Still warmed up acceptably. But my winters are milder in KY. And with heated steering wheel and seats it’s max 5 minutes to warm up from 40 degrees in my garage here, usually less. Not a burden. It’s user specific. Helps you, doesn’t do much me. My point was that it’s not an inconvenience to stop 5 minutes a week for gas. Maybe it is for you. But YMMV.

[Maverick241]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I get it. I was just up in Boston/north shore last weekend and it’s colder there, and our car was in our detached unheated garage. Still warmed up acceptably. But my winters are milder in KY. And with heated steering wheel and seats it’s max 5 minutes to warm up from 40 degrees in my garage here, usually less. Not a burden. It’s user specific. Helps you, doesn’t do much me. My point was that it’s not an inconvenience to stop 5 minutes a week for gas. Maybe it is for you. But YMMV.

In the NE its beyond awesome to precondition in the winter (and can do in a closed garage). And even if you don't an EV with either a heat pump or resistive heat, heats way faster than an ICE engine takes to warm up in frigid temps. As for the fueling, like Matt said above ive gotten so used to the convenience of charging at home even a 5 min fueling trip seems like a pain (its also much cheaper and in my case pretty much free). Charging on road trips can certainly be a pain for sure (and absolutely takes longer than an ICE vehicle to travel) but that will improve quite a bit when BMW gets tesla access next year.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I get it. I was just up in Boston/north shore last weekend and it’s colder there, and our car was in our detached unheated garage. Still warmed up acceptably. But my winters are milder in KY. And with heated steering wheel and seats it’s max 5 minutes to warm up from 40 degrees in my garage here, usually less. Not a burden. It’s user specific. Helps you, doesn’t do much me. My point was that it’s not an inconvenience to stop 5 minutes a week for gas. Maybe it is for you. But YMMV.

Totally get it. I get why you feel that way now and even if you had an EV it might never change as you said YMMV and I respect that.
Maverick241 and I are just saying we were surprised at how much our perception of that minuscule 5 min gas station stop has changed since going EV. I was in your camp 4 months ago.

I also don’t road trip in my car. Have my wife’s for that. I’m still in the camp of never ever ever would I get an EV if it was my only car and I took roadtrips
But sticking with my open minded take here. I’ve never tried to roadtrip in my car. Maybe after the experience my perception would be better than I thought. ( probably not lol).

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I've been on this G60 forum for at least 18 months if not more, mainly to see if the new 540i or 550e is the right replacement for my now 6 year old G30 540i. I've read many i5 owners here talk about the convenience of not stopping for gas by charging at home. Kudos to all those that have this option and like it. But I honestly just don't get it. It takes me 3-5 minutes to refill at any gas station, anywhere (most pumps run at 6 GPM and my tank takes ~16gal). That's far from any inconvenience for me, especially considering the stories many owners here have shared about charging on a road trip...yikes! I know...unpopular opinion in these parts. Congrats to Peter for making the decision. If you're a G30 owner, like many here are/were, and aren't pressed to replace it, it's a tough act to follow.

That’s fine. I’ve had a commute in a high traffic area for more years than I care to admit. Getting onto the freeway later in the morning due to having to stop for gas makes that journey worse for me, either getting out the door, or being a little later home to my family. Having a ready charged car from work or home is just one more reduction of friction in my life. It’s a luxury I value. No-one *needs* a BMW, we could all drive entry level [insert preferred cheaper brand here]. I’ve come to really appreciate the convenience of an EV in a BMW package because I value removing those minor irritations in my life and there are no downsides for me.

You’re you, and I’m me. It still seems really odd to me why people feel that there’s an imperative to switch from the G30. If the car works for you, keep it.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

It still seems really odd to me why people feel that there’s an imperative to switch from the G30. If the car works for you, keep it.

I don't think most drivers feel there is an imperative to switch from the G30. Certain BMW drivers have been faced a timing issue in the termination of their lease. The G30 550e never made it here as a 2024. Cars were ordered without a first hand review until it arrived - in some cases almost a year after ordering it.

I think the G60 is a decent car, but the competition is stiff, and any long-term BMW owner can see and feel the de-contenting that has occured on the G60. Personally, I think BMW is making a mistake doing that.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

I don't think most drivers feel there is an imperative to switch from the G30. Certain BMW drivers have been faced a timing issue in the termination of their lease. The G30 5500 never made it here as a 2024. Cars were ordered without a first hand review until it arrived - in some cases almost a year after ordering it.

I think the G60 is a decent car, but the competition is stiff, and any long-term BMW owner can see and feel the de-contenting that has occured on the G60. Personally, I think BMW is making a mistake doing that.

There isn’t an imperative to switch unless your lease is up or your car is aging out. I’m more in the latter but at only 50k miles in 6 years it’s not a choice I have to make imminently. I want the G60 to be the right car but not compelled to jump yet.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

There isn’t an imperative to switch unless your lease is up or your car is aging out. I’m more in the latter but at only 50k miles in 6 years it’s not a choice I have to make imminently. I want the G60 to be the right car but not compelled to jump yet.

Even lessors are not necessarily compelled to switch. There are many affluent lessors who consider the opportunity cost of owning detrimental, and lease cars for the opportunity of moving to a more advanced and a newer piece of machinery that is unique. If they can't find that in a new car, they can buy what they lease, even if they use it as a daily driver and diminish the residual value. They have enough money to maintain what they like. I believe that is happening. Kind of like driving a 993 air cooled Porsche. The market is more sophisticated than it used to be.

Personally, I think the industry is going through massive change. There are many admirers and serious drivers that get visceral enjoyment from driving wonderful ICE cars and their intricate and often unique drivetrains. They don't have to buy what BMW or any other OEM is selling for that matter, if those OEM's can't meet their needs.

It looks like it's the end of an era. For now, drivetrains are moving to batteries with electric motors that seem, for the most part, relatively homogenous. At least for now. That disruptor has yet to play out. Can BMW still profess to be the ultimate driving machine? Maybe manufactures like Lucid have a different view on that.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

Even lessors are not necessarily compelled to switch. There are many affluent lessors who consider the opportunity cost of owning detrimental, and lease cars for the opportunity of moving to a more advanced and a newer piece of machinery that is unique. If they can't find that in a new car, they can buy what they lease, even if they use it as a daily driver and diminish the residual value. They have enough money to maintain what they like. I believe that is happening. Kind of like driving a 993 air cooled Porsche. The market is more sophisticated than it used to be.

Personally, I think the industry is going through massive change. There are many admirers and serious drivers that get visceral enjoyment from driving wonderful ICE cars and their intricate and often unique drivetrains. They don't have to buy what BMW or any other OEM is selling for that matter, if those OEM's can't meet their needs.

It looks like it's the end of an era. For now, drivetrains are moving to batteries with electric motors that seem, for the most part, relatively homogenous. At least for now. That disruptor has yet to play out. Can BMW still profess to be the ultimate driving machine? Maybe manufactures like Lucid have a different view on that.

I agree with this. Before the i5 m60, I felt one of the main reasons I chose bmw was bc of the legendary motor / tranny combinations. Now that I’m in an EV and the stupid POS model 3 is still faster than me, which is still the case for the ICE BMWs, it just makes me think I am driving nothing proprietary to bmw anymore…. At least with the ICE car I could say other ICE cars can’t match this tuning, performance, acceleration and mpg all in one package.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

I agree with this. Before the i5 m60, I felt one of the main reasons I chose bmw was bc of the legendary motor / tranny combinations. Now that I’m in an EV and the stupid POS model 3 is still faster than me, which is still the case for the ICE BMWs, it just makes me think I am driving nothing proprietary to bmw anymore…. At least with the ICE car I could say other ICE cars can’t match this tuning, performance, acceleration and mpg all in one package.

I think that's it in a nutshell.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

I agree with this. Before the i5 m60, I felt one of the main reasons I chose bmw was bc of the legendary motor / tranny combinations. Now that I’m in an EV and the stupid POS model 3 is still faster than me, which is still the case for the ICE BMWs, it just makes me think I am driving nothing proprietary to bmw anymore…. At least with the ICE car I could say other ICE cars can’t match this tuning, performance, acceleration and mpg all in one package.

I don’t know if you’ve sat in other EV’s but there’s a lot more to the difference between them than 0-60’s. Sitting in model 3’s, Polestars, Kias etc….they do not feel like a BMW at all. But that’s beside the point, the feel of an EV is different; there is something more “organic” about an ICE vehicle, EV’s can feel more clinical and that’s a whole other vibe. But this thread is about the 550e so I’ll stop derailing ;-)