[tsbrown]

After months of searching daily (yes, daily...for months) for the right car, I found it! Now the proud owner of a 2023 M550i after trading in my 2019 540i M Sport (RWD). Some of you have already seen this in the "what did you do to your G30 today thread".

I was getting to the point of thinking this would never happen, frustrated by just missing out on the right car several times. My target was a low mileage 2023, preferably gray or blue exterior (definitely not black or white) and Nappa interior of any color (black, ivory, or mocha). I started looking at only 2023s (2 year olds with warranty), then expanded to late 2022s (3 year olds with warranty) with under 20k miles. As I started looking more at '22s they seemed to be more heavily optioned than many of the '23s I'd seen. So I focused more attention on those as long as they were CPO. I've only owned custom ordered BMWs for 30 years so finding the right pre-owned was a bit of a mindset change.

Late last week I just missed on a couple 2022's that were nearly perfect for me. Then this one came up. Built in January 2023, 2 years of warranty and 1 year of maintenance remaining, one owner (owned, not leased), all service done by the selling dealer with a history of regular maintenance in 24 months. Good M550i's sell fast, even if the prices seems the high side of a good deal. This one seemed just right. So I jumped on it Saturday and have it home now as of Monday night. Surprisingly this was at a Chicago Infiniti dealer, not the selling BMW dealership across the street. Didn't matter to me, it was low risk and the dealership made it a smooth deal.

So I traded my 2019 540i M Sport (RWD) that was ordered in Oct 2018, delivered in Dec 2018. It is Mediterranean Blue with Mocha Nappa multi contour seats sans ventilation and massage, full adaptive LEDs, Parking Assistance Pkg (cool party trick I rarely used), Premium Pkg, M Sport brakes, heated steering wheel, front and rear seats, spare, ceramic controls and HK audio that I upgraded with BimmerTech Lightwave Amp. I loved that car. Absolutely loved that car...for 6 years. But always wanted the M550i. 2018 wasn't the right time but it is now.

This 2023 had a MSRP of about $93k and only missing DHP and B&W audio. These were desirable but not deal breakers for me. It has the following:
Tanzanite Blue with Mocha Nappa ventilated/massaging seats
Driving Asst Pro
Parking Asst Pkg
Shadowline Pkg
Exec Pkg
M Sport Pro Pkg
Heated wheel, front and rear seats
Alcantara headliner and Sensatec dash
Spare tire
M 50 Years emblems
19" wheels (great for the pothole-ridden area I live)

Thanks to @Joe-BMW33 and NGT2 and for their help answering questions and highlighting available cars.

Dealer pictures until I can get some good ones of my own...

[adhrp]

Congrats again! It is frustrating to miss out on almost-perfect-for-you cars, been there multiple times on the used market myself, but it is gratifying to finally end up with one that fits the bill. The great thing about the M550i is that you have the most capable everyday car within the parameters of a 5 series (and similar), so you can enjoy peak performance for years to come without feeling FOMO. Enjoy! Hope you take some long roadtrips in it.

[NGT2]

Congrats! Great job on the search and sticking to your guns. It’s easy to either give up or settle. I’ve been there and it’s great when you finally land one! Awesome car and spec!

When you’re ready, I’ll help talk you into the Dinan exhaust

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by adhrp

Congrats again! It is frustrating to miss out on almost-perfect-for-you cars, been there multiple times on the used market myself, but it is gratifying to finally end up with one that fits the bill. The great thing about the M550i is that you have the most capable everyday car within the parameters of a 5 series (and similar), so you can enjoy peak performance for years to come without feeling FOMO. Enjoy! Hope you take some long roadtrips in it.

Thanks! It worked out just fine in the end. Quite happy. As much as my wife likes blue cars too, she prefers Tanzanite to Mediterranean Blue. Med Blue is fantastic, but I think now Tanzanite is better for this M550i and I had it before on my F30. She even noticed the M 50 Jahr badges, which is a detail I never would have bet on her seeing. As for long trips, I had to drive it 300 miles home and we drive 1000 miles every May/Oct to our summer place so the Driver Assistance will come in handy.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Congrats! Great job on the search and sticking to your guns. It’s easy to either give up or settle. I’ve been there and it’s great when you finally land one! Awesome car and spec!

When you’re ready, I’ll help talk you into the Dinan exhaust

Appreciate your help along the way. Was tempted by the CQM car but not as much by the Malachite. Either would have been unique where I live. Some will look at this as no change, monotonous/same color. But I really like it. I've already turned off the exhaust sound...ID7 has a 3 step setting for engine sound. This beast makes a good bit more noise even at idle than the 540i. Better tires and a better amp are first upgrades planned.

[Oldie1]

Congrats!

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Appreciate your help along the way. Was tempted by the CQM car but not as much by the Malachite. Either would have been unique where I live. Some will look at this as no change, monotonous/same color. But I really like it. I've already turned off the exhaust sound...ID7 has a 3 step setting for engine sound. This beast makes a good bit more noise even at idle than the 540i. Better tires and a better amp are first upgrades planned.

I thought it was funny when someone else here showed up with that Alvite Gray one (new name for CQM).

I want to get your advice and feedback on the amp. The M8 GC that I’m waiting to get has HK. I’m okay with that, even though I’ve had bowers the last couple years. But I’m all for an upgrade if it’s plug and play and won’t void warranty on the entire infotainment system.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I thought it was funny when someone else here showed up with that Alvite Gray one (new name for CQM).

I want to get your advice and feedback on the amp. The M8 GC that I’m waiting to get has HK. I’m okay with that, even though I’ve had bowers the last couple years. But I’m all for an upgrade if it’s plug and play and won’t void warranty on the entire infotainment system.

It was Alvite, not CQM by the old name. But yeah, prolly the same car.

The Lightwave amp is substantially stronger. It takes 2x the volume with stock HK amp to get what the Lightwave puts out, and Lightwave is definitely more clear at every volume. If you want lots of bass you’ll still want a separate enclosed 10-12” sub in the trunk. It’s the only way to get air moving so you FEEL it. The Lightwave amp theoretically can drive both.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

It was Alvite, not CQM by the old name. But yeah, prolly the same car.

The Lightwave amp is substantially stronger. It takes 2x the volume with stock HK amp to get what the Lightwave puts out, and Lightwave is definitely more clear at every volume. If you want lots of bass you’ll still want a separate enclosed 10-12” sub in the trunk. It’s the only way to get air moving so you FEEL it. The Lightwave amp theoretically can drive both.

For me, I think the amp would work. I’ve test driven all kinds of cars with HK, including a M8, and bass was never the issue. It’s the clarity of the bowers that I like. So what you’re describing sounds great.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

It was Alvite, not CQM by the old name. But yeah, prolly the same car.

The Lightwave amp is substantially stronger. It takes 2x the volume with stock HK amp to get what the Lightwave puts out, and Lightwave is definitely more clear at every volume. If you want lots of bass you’ll still want a separate enclosed 10-12” sub in the trunk. It’s the only way to get air moving so you FEEL it. The Lightwave amp theoretically can drive both.

Wouldn’t mind it in the X7, also, come to think of it.

You think Lightwave is better than Alpha One or Bavsound?

[ashokgadeking]

Congrats tsbrown ! TBM is a handsome color, so difficult to capture its glory in pictures. I made a similar jump to the M550i but from an M340i a couple weeks ago. The Alvite Grey Metallic car you were looking at might have been the one I purchased. Welcome to the club

[BWilson263]

Congrats on a great car.

[Alscoob]

Lovely car, enjoy

BUT that front plate can't be for real, is it?

[Joe-BMW33]

Super happy for you Tom and glad you are joining our club. I hope the imbalance of weight isn't too much for you

Seriously, happy to help. I love car shopping. I can't wait to see that bad boy when you are up here in a few months. Let's make that happen!

Gorgeous car!

(check out the Sto 'n Show front plate mount options).

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Super happy for you Tom and glad you are joining our club. I hope the imbalance of weight isn't too much for you

Seriously, happy to help. I love car shopping. I can't wait to see that bad boy when you are up here in a few months. Let's make that happen!

Gorgeous car!

(check out the Sto 'n Show front plate mount options).

That understeer is going to ruin the experience.. "" because we all drive to the limit everyday and carve mountains like our asses are on fire.

[Gautam]

Congrats, that’s a classy spec. I started shopping for mine around 5 years ago and the experience was similar. Your average example would sit on the lot for weeks. The higher the spec, the quicker it would sell, and there were a couple I missed even when jumping on in the first 12 hours. They’re likely to remain coveted by those who know- there’s nothing like them on the market.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by adhrp

That understeer is going to ruin the experience.. "" because we all drive to the limit everyday and carve mountains like our asses are on fire.

Literally laughing out loud!

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by ashokgadeking

Congrats tsbrown ! TBM is a handsome color, so difficult to capture its glory in pictures. I made a similar jump to the M550i but from an M340i a couple weeks ago. The Alvite Grey Metallic car you were looking at might have been the one I purchased. Welcome to the club

Lol yes, it was the same car. I sent it to him.

[AP]

Congratulations and welcome to the m550 club!

Let us all know how you find it once you have some miles under your belt.
Oh and watch your speed, oh so easy to be going faster than perhaps you should be!

Enjoy

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats!

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by AP

Congratulations and welcome to the m550 club!

Let us all know how you find it once you have some miles under your belt.
Oh and watch your speed, oh so easy to be going faster than perhaps you should be!

Enjoy

The 540 was very good but this M550 just builds speed so effortlessly. You’re doing 20-30 over the limit before you realize it. Definitely have to watch that more closely than in the old car.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Super happy for you Tom and glad you are joining our club. I hope the imbalance of weight isn't too much for you

Seriously, happy to help. I love car shopping. I can't wait to see that bad boy when you are up here in a few months. Let's make that happen!

Gorgeous car!

(check out the Sto 'n Show front plate mount options).

Haven’t noticed any imbalance issues. Maybe it’s application of the extra 200bhp that helps rotate the car though the turn.

We’ll get together for sure this summer and enjoy a Maine Lunch . And the good news is my home state doesn’t require a front plate