[Neusser]

Originally Posted by g21

hmm the wheels are not light!
bend with normal use or with hitting potholes and kerbs?

Indeed. Never had a prob. with an OEM wheel. Most are made by Ronal or other typical manufacturers, and I doubt the OEM specs are any worse than the standard offerings from such companies.

I have always wondered if tire pressure is a culprit. In the US, people tend to run placard pressures which are way too high (as a result of the Firestone court case).

Euro half-load pressures are much lower (and I go even lower than that, in line with Goodyear recommendations).

If the tire is too hard, it is not performing its role as part of the suspension, and powerful forces generated by potholes could damage suspension or even the wheel methinks. I'd much rather replace a tire than a wheel.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by Neusser

I have always wondered if tire pressure is a culprit. In the US, people tend to run placard pressures which are way too high (as a result of the Firestone court case).

Not sure if this was discussed elsewhere, but what tire pressures do you recommend?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Indeed. Never had a prob. with an OEM wheel. Most are made by Ronal or other typical manufacturers, and I doubt the OEM specs are any worse than the standard offerings from such companies.

I have always wondered if tire pressure is a culprit. In the US, people tend to run placard pressures which are way too high (as a result of the Firestone court case).

Euro half-load pressures are much lower (and I go even lower than that, in line with Goodyear recommendations).

If the tire is too hard, it is not performing its role as part of the suspension, and powerful forces generated by potholes could damage suspension or even the wheel methinks. I'd much rather replace a tire than a wheel.

What was the Firestone case?

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by NGT2

What was the Firestone case?

Basically, Ford recommended pressures too low for the Firestone tires on their vehicles leading to hundreds of deaths due to tire failures due to overheating.

https://www.carthrottle.com/news/und...ne-controversy

The impact is manufacturers tending to recommend higher pressures to counter against that.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by NGT2

What was the Firestone case?

The easiest way to get the wife to agree to purchasing a new car. Just tell her that the car was made by Firestone and she will let you buy whatever you want!

[br2wdc]

I just picked up my 2018 M550i, and I love to hear it's relatively trouble free, plus my car appears to be your twin

Mine just turned 70k miles, so we'll see how things progress, but as of right now, similar to my E90 M3, I can't stop smiling

Originally Posted by kwstandard

UPADTE: I'm at just over 115k miles now. Zero new issues. Car still runs/drives (and looks) great.

[drive_to_survive]

Thank you for sharing this journey OP.

I have a CPO 2021 540i and internally debating between tuning it (and loose the remaining new car and CPO warranty) or just sell it and get a CPO 550i.

this post definitely adds a feather for the N63 engine.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by drive_to_survive

Thank you for sharing this journey OP.

I have a CPO 2021 540i and internally debating between tuning it (and loose the remaining new car and CPO warranty) or just sell it and get a CPO 550i.

this post definitely adds a feather for the N63 engine.

Get the M550. You won’t regret it!

[G30M]

Originally Posted by drive_to_survive

Thank you for sharing this journey OP.

I have a CPO 2021 540i and internally debating between tuning it (and loose the remaining new car and CPO warranty) or just sell it and get a CPO 550i.

this post definitely adds a feather for the N63 engine.

well i have had the B58 in M340i and the N63 in the M550i, the engines are quite different.

the B58 wants to be revved to redline like no tomorrow

the N63 you can cruise it or rev it, but it feels like it wants to cruise because once you rev it you're going to jail

also consider the extra weight on the nose (not sure how the 2 compares in terms of handling, I have not driven the 540)

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by G30M

well i have had the B58 in M340i and the N63 in the M550i, the engines are quite different.

the B58 wants to be revved to redline like no tomorrow

the N63 you can cruise it or rev it, but it feels like it wants to cruise because once you rev it you're going to jail

also consider the extra weight on the nose (not sure how the 2 compares in terms of handling, I have not driven the 540)

I’ve owned the 540. The weight is considerably different. Would be the only real reason to tune the 540 instead but if that’s important to you, then it’s a good reason.

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by kwstandard

Well, I just turned 100,000 miles on my 2018 M550i & thought you guys/gals might want a quick note on how it has performed, mechanically.

Overall, It's been really quite good. It has never burned any oil between regular oil changes, I still get 30+ MPG on the highway and I have never had it strand me on the side of the road. Even better, I still smile when I drive it!

The only mechanical issues I've had are:

1) 31-months in, 79,886 miles, Alternator replaced. It was "whining" but still worked fine. Cost (dealer): $1,768

2) 40-months in, got a CEL, Thermostat error (but never ran hot), dealer replaced thermostat. Asked for inspection of other wear items, was told Rear Driveshaft Giubo was cracked (rubber) and Engine Mounts were cracked. I had them replace both. Total visit cost (dealer): $3,704

So, $5,472 in repairs - all in the last 12 months. I'm not really sure if I needed the Giubo and Engine Mounts. Ask a dealer to find issues, and they will...

I've done all regular maintenance according to the BMW schedule, with a few additional items not on the BMW list:

I did the first oil change at 4,000 miles & second at ~10k, then stayed on the 9-10k schedule according to the BCM.

Transmission fluid/filter, Transfer Case & Diffs at 50k & 100k.

Spark Plugs at 100k

I have not changed the coolant yet and, shockingly, I'm still on the original brakes - but they are getting close. I'll probably do the rears in the next 30 days. The fronts still have a bit of life in them.

My biggest complaint has been the tires/wheels. I ordered mine with runflats (but got the spare tire kit too) and unfortunately it came with Goodyear F1's. These are the worst tires I've ever owned. I went through 10 tires and 1 wheel in the first 3 years. I did have Tire/Wheel insurance, so they were all free - but it was a headache to deal with. I finally got fed-up with the hassle and replaced all 4 with Michelin PS3 ZP tires over a year ago and have had zero issues since. These are really good tires if you want runflats, and they are wearing alot better than expected.

The only other issue was a bad Display Key. 32-months, 84,295 miles, Digital Display Key replaced. Display on the key was locked, but still started the car. Cost: $853. I didn't really need to replace it, as in 2018 if you got the Remote Parking package with the display key you still got 2 regular keys, but I replaced it anyway.

I have every package and option that was available for 2018 except B&O stereo and rear video screens, so the "tech" items (Night Vision, Auto Parking, Remote Parking, HUD, Gesture Control, Driving Assist Pro, Dynamic Handling, etc.) have held up pretty well.

Cheers.

OP, please look at this attachment. It is likely BMWNA will reimburse your thermostat replacement, as they learned there was an issue and have extended the warranty on that item to 15 years, 150,000 miles.

Previous Customer-Pay Repairs – Limited Warranty Extension Reimbursement
Under this extended limited warranty, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) will provide reimbursement
for qualifying customer-pay repairs that were performed on an eligible vehicle prior to the release of this
component-specific limited warranty extension.

[br2wdc]

Truer words have never been spoken

Originally Posted by G30M

the N63 you can cruise it or rev it, but it feels like it wants to cruise because once you rev it you're going to jail

Note to Self: Warn others that replacing the run flats with Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06+ will literally accelerate your entry into jail

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by br2wdc

Truer words have never been spoken

Note to Self: Warn others that replacing the run flats with Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06+ will literally accelerate your entry into jail

Lol DWS06 is always my tire of choice when it comes time to replace. Looking forward to the handling difference from the current RFs.

[br2wdc]

Normally I would recommend immediately ditching the run flats and getting the DWS 06+ as soon as humanly possible, but given the transformation it has done to my car, "jail" is very much in my future

EVERY handling and ride quality measurable you can imagine (huge improvement in handling in SP+, smoothness at higher speeds, eerily quiet ... ) is now effortless

I thought 75+ mph felt so smooth before, now the bar has been raised to 90+ ... upgrade at your own peril

Originally Posted by adhrp

Lol DWS06 is always my tire of choice when it comes time to replace. Looking forward to the handling difference from the current RFs.

[Hell_Diver]

Thabks for the write-up OP!

Just two weeks ago I picked up a 2021 m550i with 30k km on the odometer, I intend to keep the car for at least 6 years which means reaching 200k km.

Some of the things that have me concerned is the starter due to the auto-stop function, for my daily driving it hits about 8-12 times per day (mon-fri).

Also, coming off the highway I use shift pedals to run down the gears as I hate using brakes when I don't need to (this is my first automatic car in 16yrs).

Other things that have me nervous are windshield repair and Camara failures.

Any thoughts here?

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Hell_Diver

Thabks for the write-up OP!

Just two weeks ago I picked up a 2021 m550i with 30k km on the odometer, I intend to keep the car for at least 6 years which means reaching 200k km.

Some of the things that have me concerned is the starter due to the auto-stop function, for my daily driving it hits about 8-12 times per day (mon-fri).

Also, coming off the highway I use shift pedals to run down the gears as I hate using brakes when I don't need to (this is my first automatic car in 16yrs).

Other things that have me nervous are windshield repair and Camara failures.

Any thoughts here?

best car with best rims (same as mine)