[IcEWoLF]

I had to drop my 2023 X3MC at the dealership for repairs due to axle clicking noise. Will have to wait for few weeks to get the parts in and get repaired…

They gave me a 2023 M550i loaner and I was so impressed how good this thing is!

The ride is buttery smooth, the v8 when in sports plus mode is a joy to listen to.
The seats and the whole interior is definitely a step up when it comes to comfort.

The ivory white leader looks great! The only down side is I am not a fan of the exterior paint color which is the Arctic Race Blue Metallic.

I am seriously thinking about trading my year old X3MC for it….please talk me out of it because financially this will be a bad decision imo.

Here is the dilemma…

Spent $6k to PPF my X3M. This is money lost and wasted if I don’t keep the car for a length of time. I like to keep my cars look pristine.
$800 on the center carbon fiber trim.
The credit union rate is 3.29%.

If I were to go for the M550i I would be in a whole by $10k at least.
This is a dealer loaner with 2k miles on it…and this dealer is a pain in the ass, so bad I went from Reno, Nevada to Southern California to get a great deal on my 2020 M340ix and now the 2022 X3MC.

The main factors are the above and of course with the stupid inflation the interest rates are nearly doubled.

Plus you can’t order anymore M550is since they are discontinued.

What y’all think?

Here is some pics of the loaner.

[Daniels1117]

Originally Posted by IcEWoLF

I had to drop my 2023 X3MC at the dealership for repairs due to axle clicking noise. Will have to wait for few weeks to get the parts in and get repaired…

They gave me a 2023 M550i loaner and I was so impressed how good this thing is!

The ride is buttery smooth, the v8 when in sports plus mode is a joy to listen to.
The seats and the whole interior is definitely a step up when it comes to comfort.

The ivory white leader looks great! The only down side is I am not a fan of the exterior paint color which is the Arctic Race Blue Metallic.

I am seriously thinking about trading my year old X3MC for it….please talk me out of it because financially this will be a bad decision imo.

Here is the dilemma…

Spent $6k to PPF my X3M. This is money lost and wasted if I don’t keep the car for a length of time. I like to keep my cars look pristine.
$800 on the center carbon fiber trim.
The credit union rate is 3.29%.

If I were to go for the M550i I would be in a whole by $10k at least.
This is a dealer loaner with 2k miles on it…and this dealer is a pain in the ass, so bad I went from Reno, Nevada to Southern California to get a great deal on my 2020 M340ix and now the 2022 X3MC.

The main factors are the above and of course with the stupid inflation the interest rates are nearly doubled.

Plus you can’t order anymore M550is since they are discontinued.

What y’all think?

Here is some pics of the loaner.

Would suggest looking for a 2022. Literally the exact same car you can find one with some miles on it but still under factory warranty for a few years and save some money. Regarding the ppf, have you considered maybe just doing a wrap and ceramic coating? Will cost you less than half of what a full ppf would and still gives you a decent amount of protection (although not the same level).

Also 3.29% is unreal. I have 820+ credit and couldn’t get anywhere near that rate from any bank or credit union.

[Drifttime85]

Damn. 3.29% now!? That’s a pretty sick rate. I bought my 23 m550 new and I have over 800+ credit score and didn’t land a rate near that.

[NGT2]

It’s a great car. But I’d honestly be hesitant to buy a loaner with a V8. Granted, I and others bought used and there is never a guarantee on any used car. But at least if someone owned it or leased it to drive a few years, they might not dog it out for the first couple thousand miles. On a loaner, it’s basically a rental car and I feel like the chances of abuse go up.

But, it would be under warranty for four years and probably CPO’d for another year. So, you’re covered if you don’t plan to keep it more than 3-4 years.

If you’re open to buying one lightly used, I think you can find one in a color you like and from a dealer that isn’t a pain in the ass. If I were you, I’d start looking around for 2022-2023 models with under 10k miles and see what’s out there.

I assume the ride is way different than the X3 MC, so you also have to ask what you really want to drive.

I feel your pain on sinking the money into the cosmetics. I don’t have PPF but I do have a full ceramic pro coating and it definitely makes you feel more “married” to a vehicle when you have 4 figure sunk costs in cosmetic protection. I don’t mind though. Honestly, if something happened to my 2020 M550, I’d find another one. There’s nothing else out there that tempts me. Maybe an M850? But probably not and that’s a whole different price range. The M550 is an incredible daily driver.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Daniels1117

Would suggest looking for a 2022. Literally the exact same car you can find one with some miles on it but still under factory warranty for a few years and save some money. Regarding the ppf, have you considered maybe just doing a wrap and ceramic coating? Will cost you less than half of what a full ppf would and still gives you a decent amount of protection (although not the same level).

Also 3.29% is unreal. I have 820+ credit and couldn’t get anywhere near that rate from any bank or credit union.

I think that’s his current rate. He mentioned the rate would be double on a new car.

[Daniels1117]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I think that’s his current rate. He mentioned the rate would be double on a new car.

I read it quickly at work so that makes a lot more sense.

[IcEWoLF]

Thanks all. I think y’all are right about loaners, usually they can get abused a lot, but since it’s only at 2k miles and pretty much have warranty for the next few years then I think this might not be that bad.

If it was like a gray color, like dark gray then that would have been an easy choice.

I might actually hold off for a year and just look for a used option or cpo and then look for a 2022 model or newer.

If I were to trade in my car now then I would be taking easily at least 10k negative equity and rolling into a new loan wouldn’t be good since the rates are double.

3.29% was the rate I got last year from my credit union (September 2022) but since then the feds have been raising rates. I’m comfortable with my payments right now, but choosing to go for this bad boy now would be bad because of the rate increase and I’m top of that at least 10k negative equity.

I use to lease cars pre pandemic, but last year the lease numbers were trash and M models always leased terribly so that is why I went with the financing route and it worked out well.

I think the v8 (latest iteration) N63B44T3 might be reliable and finally worked out the major issues from the older models.

Also, unless I plan on vinyl wrapping the car, I might not be happy with the current exterior paint color. Just doesn’t scream “me” lol.
Even if vinyl wrap is cheaper than ppf, it’s still a pretty sizable expensive..

Thank you all for your input and helping me get back to my senses lol.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by IcEWoLF

I had to drop my 2023 X3MC at the dealership for repairs due to axle clicking noise. Will have to wait for few weeks to get the parts in and get repaired…

They gave me a 2023 M550i loaner and I was so impressed how good this thing is!

The ride is buttery smooth, the v8 when in sports plus mode is a joy to listen to.
The seats and the whole interior is definitely a step up when it comes to comfort.

The ivory white leader looks great! The only down side is I am not a fan of the exterior paint color which is the Arctic Race Blue Metallic.

I am seriously thinking about trading my year old X3MC for it….please talk me out of it because financially this will be a bad decision imo.

Here is the dilemma…

Spent $6k to PPF my X3M. This is money lost and wasted if I don’t keep the car for a length of time. I like to keep my cars look pristine.
$800 on the center carbon fiber trim.
The credit union rate is 3.29%.

If I were to go for the M550i I would be in a whole by $10k at least.
This is a dealer loaner with 2k miles on it…and this dealer is a pain in the ass, so bad I went from Reno, Nevada to Southern California to get a great deal on my 2020 M340ix and now the 2022 X3MC.

The main factors are the above and of course with the stupid inflation the interest rates are nearly doubled.

Plus you can’t order anymore M550is since they are discontinued.

What y’all think?

Here is some pics of the loaner.

Love our 540i. That is all.

[MelbourneFinn]

Originally Posted by Drifttime85

Damn. 3.29% now!? That’s a pretty sick rate. I bought my 23 m550 new and I have over 800+ credit score and didn’t land a rate near that.

Remember he’s saying 2022… Base rates were very different up to 1.5 years ago…

[MelbourneFinn]

Originally Posted by IcEWoLF

Thanks all. I think y’all are right about loaners, usually they can get abused a lot, but since it’s only at 2k miles and pretty much have warranty for the next few years then I think this might not be that bad.

If it was like a gray color, like dark gray then that would have been an easy choice.

I might actually hold off for a year and just look for a used option or cpo and then look for a 2022 model or newer.

If I were to trade in my car now then I would be taking easily at least 10k negative equity and rolling into a new loan wouldn’t be good since the rates are double.

3.29% was the rate I got last year from my credit union (September 2022) but since then the feds have been raising rates. I’m comfortable with my payments right now, but choosing to go for this bad boy now would be bad because of the rate increase and I’m top of that at least 10k negative equity.

I use to lease cars pre pandemic, but last year the lease numbers were trash and M models always leased terribly so that is why I went with the financing route and it worked out well.

I think the v8 (latest iteration) N63B44T3 might be reliable and finally worked out the major issues from the older models.

Also, unless I plan on vinyl wrapping the car, I might not be happy with the current exterior paint color. Just doesn’t scream “me” lol.
Even if vinyl wrap is cheaper than ppf, it’s still a pretty sizable expensive..

Thank you all for your input and helping me get back to my senses lol.

Depends why you would consider swapping. If you are after a deal, all you get is a bad deal, everything considered…

But if you are after an upgrade - not even a real comparison between an X3 and 550, even if a proper M… 550 is in a different league, and wouldn’t be a step down in performance despite not being a proper M car.

My only 2 questions would be:
- Does the 550 have the options you would like?
- Has the 1,200 miles service been done? If not, I’d walk away…

I don’t mind the colour, pretty stylish and a lot easier to keep clean looking than something I’d be attracted to - my 550 is Aventurine Red (previously had a San Marino Blue M6 CC).

For what it’s worth, I think the 550 is a better car than what the M6 was… Not as special as a top of the shelf M6 was, but if you actually use the car, the 550 is much easier to live with.

But sounds like you already made your decision…

[G30M]

Originally Posted by IcEWoLF

I am seriously thinking about trading my year old X3MC for it….please talk me out of it because financially this will be a bad decision imo.
.

my condolences

[JTV]

Go back to the dealership and ask to swap your M550i loaner for a base model 3 series loaner. Drive that loaner for the remaining weeks and then feel the thrill of getting your X3M back.

[HerkHealer]

I can't believe your dealer gives out M550's as a loaner. Mine would NEVER do that.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

I can't believe your dealer gives out M550's as a loaner. Mine would NEVER do that.

Same here. My M550i was in for warranty work and they gave me a 228i (FWD!) loaner I didn't drive it at all and instead drove my wife's X3. Felt so great to be back in my M550i!

OP, I imagine the 2023 X3MC is a blast to drive. If I were you, I would enjoy it for another couple of years and then get a lightly used 2023 M550i. As another poster mentioned, does this M550i have all the packages you want? That remorse/dissatisfaction could eventually set in if you buy one without everything you want.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by adhrp

OP, I imagine the 2023 X3MC is a blast to drive. If I were you, I would enjoy it for another couple of years and then get a lightly used 2023 M550i. As another poster mentioned, does this M550i have all the packages you want? That remorse/dissatisfaction could eventually set in if you buy one without everything you want.

I would recommend the same thing. Buy a used 2023 in a couple years.
It's what I did. Original sticker on mine was $93K, I bought it 1yr, 10 months later for $67k with 11k miles on it.
I financed $24K through PenFed 1.99% x 36 months. Ahhh the good ole days.
Bank rates are nuts right now.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

I would recommend the same thing. Buy a used 2023 in a couple years.
It's what I did. Original sticker on mine was $93K, I bought it 1yr, 10 months later for $67k with 11k miles on it.
I financed $24K through PenFed 1.99% x 36 months. Ahhh the good ole days.
Bank rates are nuts right now.

I think my original sticker was around $94k and I got it for $54k with under 25k miles and 2 full years of factory warranty left.

[Joe-BMW33]

When you have a passion for cars like we all do, losing sunk costs (PPF in you example) is part of our problem when we get a boner for something else too soon. It's never stopped me though as I don't look at my car addiction from an economical standpoint. I do however try to rationalize my financially irresponsible decision as much as I can. In this particular case, the only rationalization I would have is that the M550 is so much more of a car than what you have and it will make you happy. Usually something else would come into play like interests rates for example, but they are going the other way. We are all in different financial situations, but a net $10,000 hit would be something I could live with, I have lost more from my car vices.

PPF and any other modification never yield a payback. That PPF won't get you a dime more on a trade, and I know you know that and aren't looking for that. You are thinking, shit I just did it and I'll have to do it again (or not and live without it). So it will hurt more now than in three years because the money was freshly removed from your bank account, but you won't even think about once you get the M550.

Now this particular car is probably a no for me. I know it only has 2,000 miles, but those are 2,000 hard miles. Every person that got it for a loaner hammered it. I would, and I am sure they hammered it during the break in period as I am sure the dealer didn't tell them not to and they probably didn't know to or care even if they did. It has been redlined since the day it drove off the lot for the first time.

You also don't love the color, so don't settle. Roll up your sleeves and start a national search for the spec you want. It is out there and maybe cheaper to buy from another state including shipping. That interior is sweet, but it will look old a lot faster than a dark or darker color.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

I can't believe your dealer gives out M550's as a loaner. Mine would NEVER do that.

Yep, it's either a 3-series or an X3 at any of the dealers I have gone to in New England. I did get an X5 last time, which led me to buy one! But that was an anomaly.

[BMW012]

Originally Posted by MelbourneFinn

Depends why you would consider swapping. If you are after a deal, all you get is a bad deal, everything considered…

But if you are after an upgrade - not even a real comparison between an X3 and 550, even if a proper M… 550 is in a different league, and wouldn’t be a step down in performance despite not being a proper M car.

My only 2 questions would be:
- Does the 550 have the options you would like?
- Has the 1,200 miles service been done? If not, I’d walk away…

I don’t mind the colour, pretty stylish and a lot easier to keep clean looking than something I’d be attracted to - my 550 is Aventurine Red (previously had a San Marino Blue M6 CC).

For what it’s worth, I think the 550 is a better car than what the M6 was… Not as special as a top of the shelf M6 was, but if you actually use the car, the 550 is much easier to live with.

But sounds like you already made your decision…

whats a 1200 mile service?

[Dick_Lexus]

I like the color but not a fan of the Dakota white leather. I'd buy it if the price was right!

[IcEWoLF]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

When you have a passion for cars like we all do, losing sunk costs (PPF in you example) is part of our problem when we get a boner for something else too soon. It's never stopped me though as I don't look at my car addiction from an economical standpoint. I do however try to rationalize my financially irresponsible decision as much as I can. In this particular case, the only rationalization I would have is that the M550 is so much more of a car than what you have and it will make you happy. Usually something else would come into play like interests rates for example, but they are going the other way. We are all in different financial situations, but a net $10,000 hit would be something I could live with, I have lost more from my car vices.

PPF and any other modification never yield a payback. That PPF won't get you a dime more on a trade, and I know you know that and aren't looking for that. You are thinking, shit I just did it and I'll have to do it again (or not and live without it). So it will hurt more now than in three years because the money was freshly removed from your bank account, but you won't even think about once you get the M550.

Now this particular car is probably a no for me. I know it only has 2,000 miles, but those are 2,000 hard miles. Every person that got it for a loaner hammered it. I would, and I am sure they hammered it during the break in period as I am sure the dealer didn't tell them not to and they probably didn't know to or care even if they did. It has been redlined since the day it drove off the lot for the first [...]

I’m reporting this person because they read my mind way too well!

I agree, my first thought when I got the loaner was to launch it to check out how the v8 is . I haven’t done it yet.

The m550i is indeed much more of a car than what I have. It checks pretty much all the boxes except hands free trunk open but that’s not a deal breaker because it was deleted on my x3m too due to parts shortages.

The only down side is the color of the car and it doesn’t reflect my inner self.

You are spot on regarding ppf, that’s a terrible addiction I have to make my cars look as pristine as I can throughout my whole ownership. Just financially it’s a terrible decision when you add all the numbers up.

I drive my cars like I stole them, they are meant to be driven at their full potentials. I go for the M models or m performance models such as the M340ix because I love driving fast.

Now, if I would have driven the m550i and the x3m back to back last year then I would have probably gone with the m550i. But at the time I was looking at an suv because the m340ix was just small for my family and the trunk space is much better in the x3m without compromising performance too much.

It’s truly a shame that bmw discounted the v8 in the m550i now it’s pretty much exclusive to the m5.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by IcEWoLF

I’m reporting this person because they read my mind way too well!

I agree, my first thought when I got the loaner was to launch it to check out how the v8 is . I haven’t done it yet.

The m550i is indeed much more of a car than what I have. It checks pretty much all the boxes except hands free trunk open but that’s not a deal breaker because it was deleted on my x3m too due to parts shortages.

The only down side is the color of the car and it doesn’t reflect my inner self.

You are spot on regarding ppf, that’s a terrible addiction I have to make my cars look as pristine as I can throughout my whole ownership. Just financially it’s a terrible decision when you add all the numbers up.

I drive my cars like I stole them, they are meant to be driven at their full potentials. I go for the M models or m performance models such as the M340ix because I love driving fast.

Now, if I would have driven the m550i and the x3m back to back last year then I would have probably gone with the m550i. But at the time I was looking at an suv because the m340ix was just small for my family and the trunk space is much better in the x3m without compromising performance too much.

It’s truly a shame that bmw discounted the v8 in the m550i now it’s pretty much exclusive to the m5.

Yep, they need a meeting for people like us - "my name is Joe, I could be retired but I am addicted to BMW's".

On PPF - my god, my M550 has a full frontal and I honestly think I will never not do it. It is such peace of mind. I have zero stone chips, sand paper effect, etc on anything. It's like brand new. I may do the whole car next time. I can definitely rationalize that decision in terms of cost of entire PPF and paint correcting and ceramicing at a few grand a pop every three years. No need for a paint correction and pro ceramic with PPF.

Keep us posted, rooting for you. You will regret getting a color you don't like and I know you won't. Do an online national search on BMW USA.