[LuckyBrand]

I posted a similar question in the X5 forum since I'm looking at both vehicles.

So, in looking for used M550s with dynamic handling package I have seen very few with the Bowers and Wilkens combo. And not many M550s with dynamic handling package to boot. I have been looking for quite some time and appears people either went with one or the other as they do both cost a decent amount. But also, I know covid screwed up a lot of that as well.

How many of you have it and do you wish you did? Yes, I've seen the countless threads on how much better it is supposedly, just curious though how many people actually have it in their M550.

[ab1752]

I've owned 2 M550is 2018 with b&w and 2022 with HK. I never had good luck with the b&w and I'm probably the only person on earth who liked HK after tuning. I even have a b&w amp from my old car which was replaced but from the start, and I owned the first one from new for 6 years, I never liked b&w much no matter how much tuning I did.

My experience with dhp was in an x5 m50i when I was after a new car. They had a new m550i without and I did not care for dhp so I bought the 2022

[LuckyBrand]

Originally Posted by ab1752

I've owned 2 M550is 2018 with b&w and 2022 with HK. I never had good luck with the b&w and I'm probably the only person on earth who liked HK after tuning. I even have a b&w amp from my old car which was replaced but from the start, and I owned the first one from new for 6 years, I never liked b&w much no matter how much tuning I did.

My experience with dhp was in an x5 m50i when I was after a new car. They had a new m550i without and I did not care for dhp so I bought the 2022

I’ve had a few people say they thought bowers was overrated and didn’t think it was worth it but the majority easily say if you can find it in a used vehicle or afford buying new to get it. It’s just impossible to find paired with the dynamic handling package. Thanks for the input!

[eliphil]

I’m one of the few that has m550s one w dynamic and hk and one w bw. The BW and no DH is the clear winner

[LuckyBrand]

Originally Posted by eliphil

I’m one of the few that has m550s one w dynamic and hk and one w bw. The BW and no DH is the clear winner

Really, interesting. Is it that dhp doesn’t add much compared to what the bowers adds to your experience?

[G30M]

I have it. But cars in general are pretty noisy when you drive so unless you crank it up you won't hear anything super useful. But I spend a bit of time listening to it in the garage and it's amazing then but that's me. You might have very well built roads for example, and only cruise and don't use the gas pedal much.

[co_pa]

B&W was one of my top priorities in my CPO search, which meant I needed to consider an older model. So glad I have it … and in an LCI. It sounds fantastic and makes drives even more enjoyable. I’ve had HK in my F10 M5, G20 M340 and F80 M3 and they don’t compare.

DH wasn’t as high a priority as I planned to change suspension bits anyway.

[sarafil]

My M550 was a CPO purchase so I had to take what I could find. It has DHP but no B&W. You’re right that it’s hard to find a car with both. HK is fine but I have B&W in my X5 and would have liked it in the M550 too.

Edit: I saw this car listed recently - has both DHP and B&W https://www.herbchambersbmw.com/cert...1a98811f40.htm

[LuckyBrand]

Originally Posted by sarafil

My M550 was a CPO purchase so I had to take what I could find. It has DHP but no B&W. You’re right that it’s hard to find a car with both. HK is fine but I have B&W in my X5 and would have liked it in the M550 too.

Edit: I saw this car listed recently - has both DHP and B&W https://www.herbchambersbmw.com/cert...1a98811f40.htm

Thanks for the listing. I usually use autotrader and that one wasn’t on there. I know dealers don’t always list on outside sites. Looks like it’s been in 2 accidents but the price is decent. Carfax also lists compression checked on one part which is a little concerning. I’ll check it out for fun tomorrow. Much appreciated!

[sarafil]

Originally Posted by LuckyBrand

Thanks for the listing. I usually use autotrader and that one wasn’t on there. I know dealers don’t always list on outside sites. Looks like it’s been in 2 accidents but the price is decent. Carfax also lists compression checked on one part which is a little concerning. I’ll check it out for fun tomorrow. Much appreciated!

Yikes, I didn’t click on the Carfax. Looks like it was a prior NY car and seems like those all have a bad Carfax. Hard to find used M550s in NY tri-state without some history.

[85Shark]

We did ED in October 2017 for our Bluestone 2018 M550. I ordered it with DHP and HK. For our 2023 Skyscraper Grey M550, I ordered it with DHP and B&W. My wife and I both love this model.

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by LuckyBrand

Really, interesting. Is it that dhp doesn’t add much compared to what the bowers adds to your experience?

No the DHP is nice but doesn’t move the needle that much. The BW is a game changer

[Sam_M550i]

I've got a 2018 with DHP and B&W and I enjoy the clarity and output of the sound system. I did feel like it lacked some low end bass so I added an amp and a 10" JL subwoofer and it sounds absolutely incredible. Both DHP and B&W were my tops options I kept an eye out for when shopping for a low mileage example along with 668 rims.

[Joe-BMW33]

I have Bowers and Wilkins (that is how you spell it, don't mind me) and it was a must have option when searching for an M550. I would literally walk away from any M550 without it and still would. I also did a lot of research on DHP and came to the conclusion that I could take it or leave it. It certainly did not have the impact on me that B&W did and I didn't like the feel (or lack thereof) of it. They are both $3,400 options, so it makes sense that not many people build a car with both.

I would say I value high fidelity and handling as very important in terms of my driving experience. Great audio on a windows down day puts a smile on my face. I did not find DHP to have the same impact. If my car had it, I would not walk away, but it definitely was not a must have. It's a weird feeling and kind of contradicts BMW's mantra of "feeling the road".

Is B&W the end all be all of auto audio systems? No, but it sounds really good. The choice to make B&W a must for most people has more to do with how much HK sucks.

[LuckyBrand]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I have Bowers and Wilkins (that is how you spell it, don't mind me) and it was a must have option when searching for an M550. I would literally walk away from any M550 without it and still would. I also did a lot of research on DHP and came to the conclusion that I could take it or leave it. It certainly did not have the impact on me that B&W did and I didn't like the feel (or lack thereof) of it. They are both $3,400 options, so it makes sense that not many people build a car with both.

I would say I value high fidelity and handling as very important in terms of my driving experience. Great audio on a windows down day puts a smile on my face. I did not find DHP to have the same impact. If my car had it, I would not walk away, but it definitely was not a must have. It's a weird feeling and kind of contradicts BMW's mantra of "feeling the road".

Is B&W the end all be all of auto audio systems? No, but it sounds really good. The choice to make B&W a must for most people has more to do with how much HK sucks.

Nice review. Thanks for the comments. It seems that people value DHP more in say an X5 than the M550. I’ve seen most say it’s night and day difference in the X5 but actually can feel weird and not as connected in the M550.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LuckyBrand

Nice review. Thanks for the comments. It seems that people value DHP more in say an X5 than the M550. I’ve seen most say it’s night and day difference in the X5 but actually can feel weird and not as connected in the M550.

Looks like you may have an X5, I do too. I will say that HK in that sounds a shit ton better than in the G30. Different acoustic environment.

On DHP on the X5, I can see that. It's a truck at then end of the day and anything to reduce body roll is impactful.

[LuckyBrand]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Looks like you may have an X5, I do too. I will say that HK in that sounds a shit ton better than in the G30. Different acoustic environment.

Yeah our 25 x5 with HK sounds worlds better than my M3 and F15 both with HK. I was jamming out in it last night and to me it sounds really good. Like most things I think the lci made it sound a bit better than pre. Can’t imagine what the bowers sounds like.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LuckyBrand

Yeah our 25 x5 with HK sounds worlds better than my M3 and F15 both with HK. I was jamming out in it last night and to me it sounds really good. Like most things I think the lci made it sound a bit better than pre. Can’t imagine what the bowers sounds like.

Ironically in the G30, HK got worse with the LCI. Both left a lot to be desired, but they changed the amp for the worse in the LCI G30.