[BMW5151]

Took delivery 10 days ago. Definitely not a M550i replacement in terms of handling, performance, etc. Hopefully I can adapt, but just in case working with the GM at the dealership to possibly buy my M550ix back. It is actually owned by BMW FS, and title has not changed to dealership yet. Probably is not going to happen. Then the issue is how to unload the lease on the 550e - there are ways, just need to explore. But before I would do that I really want to give the 550e more time to become tolerable.

While I believe the interior is cheaper in appearance, that is one thing I can live with. But there are so many other things that drive me crazy:

--Cannot get the SPORT SETTINGS for dampers, steering in any mode other than Sport. This is really stoopid. In my M550ix, I could even have those settings in the Eco mode. Not this puppy.

--Steering is pretty numb in all modes. People criticized the G30 on this, but the G60 is even worse. Sort of like an old Buick perhaps? Definitely not very BMW-like.

--Text Messaging. Any way to hands free edit when composing or replying to Text Messages? Again, easy to do on G30, appears to be non-existent on G60. BMW may have done this for "safety reasons," but ironically, what BMW is doing will push people to hold the phone to text while driving. Brilliant! Could using Android Auto help? I have never used AA or CarPlay as from what I read on the forums for years that both as full of bugs.

--HVAC controls are a mess.

--Gesture control shortcuts. Found out if you add your own, you have do delete some of the shortcuts on the screen. Apparently 8 total, be they a "button" or waving your hand around. Another stoopid situation. I shall keep the gesture control turned off as usual.

--Spare Tire hogging the trunk in 550e. Really bad, no alert from BMW on how this came about. Should have warned us. Even the BMW NA reps know about this situation.

[PeterC4]

My sympathies. I fortunately avoided this pitfall. I’m surprised at the text issue. As to the tire, that seems very last minute. Are they all equipped like that?

[LVBMW]

Text messaging works very well for me in Apple Car Play which hasn't had any major bugs in my experience. The HVAC controls are way improved versus iDrive 8.0

[BMW5151]

LVBMW, with CarPlay, can you correct the text on the fly? That is the ability that is missing in the new iDrive setup.

And PeterC4, yes, all the 550ex's for the US market have the wonderful spare tire slapped in the trunk as standard. One can opt for the mobility kit however. Problem is that even the dealership didn't know the spare was NOT below the trunk floor. This is a communication failure on the part of BMW NA. They should have made sure the dealerships knew about this and sales reps could convey the situation to the customers. Even with the spare now out of the way, the trunk is still less useful than in the G30 - narrower, fewer storage cubbies, etc.

Thanks to both of you for your responses.

[RichardInCA]

For text messages I can use Siri just fine in my i5. I’m not sure I quite understand the gesture controls issue - there are two “unused” gestures that are open to program by the driver. Separately you can add user created shortcuts that are accessed by swiping down from the Home Screen.

The voice controls also work very well - I rarely feel the need to change climate settings to be honest, but it’s easy to turn on/off the seat/steering wheel heating or change the A/C settings with voice controls as well as the screen. It’s definitely a transition from physical controls, but after a year in my i5 I just don’t even think about it any more.

[MiGs550e]

I'm just curious why all the comparing the 550e to the M550 of past years. It frankly makes no sense unless folks just like to complain. No where is the 550e a replacement for the M550 of yesterday. No where has BMW said the 550e is the new M550. Show me a M550e to compare to and then maybe there would be a leg to stand on. It's kinda amusing to read all the fretting going on across multiple threads. Just a bunch of gibberish if you ask me. It would be more accurate to compare the 550e to the 550i.

[MongoTom]

Our 550ex did not come with a spare tire, just a flat floor. We did not order the mobility kit, it’s just the way it came. It does not have the 2VV suspension as it wasn’t available when we ordered it.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

I'm just curious why all the comparing the 550e to the M550 of past years. It frankly makes no sense unless folks just like to complain. No where is the 550e a replacement for the M550 of yesterday. No where has BMW said the 550e is the new M550. Show me a M550e to compare to and then maybe there would be a leg to stand on. It's kinda amusing to read all the fretting going on across multiple threads. Just a bunch of gibberish if you ask me. It would be more accurate to compare the 550e to the 550i.

Doesn’t change the fact the OP doesn’t like the car and is asking for help. We can say they are to blame all we want for the ignorance and presumption on the 550e - but doesn’t help them going forward.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Took delivery 10 days ago. Definitely not a M550i replacement in terms of handling, performance, etc. Hopefully I can adapt, but just in case working with the GM at the dealership to possibly buy my M550ix back. It is actually owned by BMW FS, and title has not changed to dealership yet. Probably is not going to happen. Then the issue is how to unload the lease on the 550e - there are ways, just need to explore. But before I would do that I really want to give the 550e more time to become tolerable.

While I believe the interior is cheaper in appearance, that is one thing I can live with. But there are so many other things that drive me crazy:

—Cannot get the SPORT SETTINGS for dampers, steering in any mode other than Sport. This is really stoopid. In my M550ix, I could even have those settings in the Eco mode. Not this puppy.

—Steering is pretty numb in all modes. People criticized the G30 on this, but the G60 is even worse. Sort of like an old Buick perhaps? Definitely not very BMW-like.

—Text Messaging. Any way to hands free edit when composing or replying to Text Messages? Again, easy to do on G30, appears to be non-existent on G60. BMW may have done this for "safety reasons," but ironically, what BMW is doing will push people to hold the phone to text while driving. Brilliant! Could using Android Auto help? I have never used AA or CarPlay as from what I read on the forums for years that both as full of bugs.

—HVAC controls are a mess.

—Gesture control shortcuts. Found out if you add your own, you have do delete some of the [...]

My personal opinion, coming from someone constantly having buyers remorse and 6 cars in 2 years, it sounds like you will never be happy in this car. It’s too compromised for you. Admit your mistake and try to exit as painlessless as possible. You might convince yourself for a week at a time but you will continue to circle back to getting rid of the car. Save yourself the continued back n forth and just get rid of it.

[MiGs550e]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Doesn’t change the fact the OP doesn’t like the car and is asking for help. We can say they are to blame all we want for the ignorance and presumption on the 550e - but doesn’t help them going forward.

Yeah... it doesn't look like he is asking for help, jus more time... Time to realize its not an M550.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

Yeah... it doesn't look like he is asking for help, jus more time... Time to realize its not an M550.

I agree.
I do wish we could have grace periods on car purchases again or multi day test drives. Might have saved me a few times.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

I'm just curious why all the comparing the 550e to the M550 of past years. It frankly makes no sense unless folks just like to complain. No where is the 550e a replacement for the M550 of yesterday. No where has BMW said the 550e is the new M550. Show me a M550e to compare to and then maybe there would be a leg to stand on. It's kinda amusing to read all the fretting going on across multiple threads. Just a bunch of gibberish if you ask me. It would be more accurate to compare the 550e to the 550i.

I agree the cars are not fully comparable. But, I don’t think anyone coming from an M550 upon lease expiration fully understood or appreciated how different the cars are. I didn’t, and I’m a long term BMW owner. That’s the issue. There’s a lot more that’s different than just the drivetrain and initially advertised range, as drivers are finding out. There has been nothing to compare to until now.

It’s not gibberish at these prices. If BMW wants to sell luxury priced cars with spare tires taking up the trunk, and eliminating features present in previous generations, they will inevitably face some legitimate criticism - and some buyers are going to walk.

It’s just as much disappointment as it is criticism of a well-liked premier brand in a fast changing market.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

My personal opinion, coming from someone constantly having buyers remorse and 6 cars in 2 years, it sounds like you will never be happy in this car. It’s too compromised for you. Admit your mistake and try to exit as painlessless as possible. You might convince yourself for a week at a time but you will continue to circle back to getting rid of the car. Save yourself the continued back n forth and just get rid of it.

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

Yeah... it doesn't look like he is asking for help, jus more time... Time to realize its not an M550.

Thing is some of us have been seeing this conversation play out over 18months now - the idea that someone is surprised by the idrive interface or change in interior materials vs G30 feels a little old by now to be honest.

Sorry for buyers remorse but many of these topics have been largely done to death here. We’re all happy to help with tips and opinions but the venting can get a little old.

[MiGs550e]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

It’s not gibberish at these prices. If BMW wants to sell luxury priced cars with spare tires taking up the trunk, and eliminating features present in previous generations, they will inevitably face some legitimate criticism - and some buyers are going to walk.

It is gibberish. BMW has been eliminating features and at the same time adding new features between generations from the day they started manufacturing vehicles. Some features stick around for a few generations some do not, some even last several generations. All car manufactures have done this, luxury or not. For those that have owned several BMW’s and not have noticed this is and compare unlike models of other generation is, well, kinda crazy imo. Folks are either going to love it or leave it any thing in the between is gibberish. The door is right over there —->

[AiredaleDad]

I think people are getting stuck on the numbers game. A 550e is by no means the equivalent or replacement of an M550. BMW uses the numbers now to denote power, not engine size. Used to be a 325i was a 2.5L 6, a 530i was a 3.0L 6, and a 540i was a 4.0L 8 and so forth. That's what the numbers meant. No longer the case. So a 550e may just mean it has more power than a 540i, but is definitely not an M550i equivalent.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

It is gibberish. BMW has been eliminating features and at the same time adding new features between generations from the day they started manufacturing vehicles. Some features stick around for a few generations some do not, some even last several generations. All car manufactures have done this, luxury or not. For those that have owned several BMW’s and not have noticed this is and compare unlike models of other generation is, well, kinda crazy imo. Folks are either going to love it or leave it any thing in the between is gibberish. The door is right over there —->

I can understand referring to it as gibberish if you just paid for it. You are right, the door can always be opened.

[OrmondBMW]

I’m wandering if the 540ix is closer in driving dynamics to the M550 than the 550e?

I lease the latest gen 740i. I don’t like the driving dynamics of the car because of it’s size but I really like the mild hybrid mated to the B58 engine. So can’t help thinking this drivetrain must feel even better in the 540i.

Thinking of getting rid of the seven in favor of the five, any thoughts?

[thinker]

I need help understanding this. I just drove a 550E and I had some questions about it since the electric/gas cut over wasn’t working as expected in the car I was driving. However, I didn’t see any spare tire. Is that normal? Are they now coming with a spare? I get that’s a pain but I also like the idea. Are they doing the same thing to the M5? I can’t imagine.

[thinker]

Originally Posted by OrmondBMW

I’m wandering if the 540ix is closer in driving dynamics to the M550 than the 550e?

I lease the latest gen 740i. I don’t like the driving dynamics of the car because of it’s size but I really like the mild hybrid mated to the B58 engine. So can’t help thinking this drivetrain must feel even better in the 540i.

Thinking of getting rid of the seven in favor of the five, any thoughts?

i’m actually shopping an M5 versus a 750 E. For me and the way that I think about my use case for cars, these actually overlap, though it might not for some. I’m having trouble finding a 750e to drive. So would welcome your thoughts if you do the comparison.

[MiGs550e]

Originally Posted by thinker

I need help understanding this. I just drove a 550E and I had some questions about it since the electric/gas cut over wasn’t working as expected in the car I was driving. However, I didn’t see any spare tire. Is that normal? Are they now coming with a spare? I get that’s a pain but I also like the idea. Are they doing the same thing to the M5? I can’t imagine.

You can elect to have a spare at the time of build. Default is no spare, however it will come with a mobility kit and road side assistance regardless of spare or not. I had an e60 550i with run flats and no spare. If the mobility kit works along with road side assistance then that works for me. as long as the wheel isn't damaged my bet is anyone is going to buy a new tire any who - full spare or not. Enjoy the more trunk space..

[Vindicator3]

Originally Posted by thinker

I didn’t see any spare tire. Is that normal? Are they now coming with a spare? I get that’s a pain but I also like the idea. Are they doing the same thing to the M5? I can’t imagine.

I can't speak to the 550 or M5, but in the 540, the spare was an option in the configurator. I would assume it is likely the same for the 550 and M5.

[MongoTom]

Again, our 550e, no spare, nice trunk!

In over 50 years of driving, I’ve never had a flat. First time for everything I guess, but I’ll play the odds and enjoy the trunk space.