[23109VC]

I own a 2018 M550. The car has 105k miles on it. I have had it from about 35k miles until now, bought it five years ago as a CPO. It runs and looks great but is now off warranty.

What kind of miles are people seeing these go to - before really bad $$ stuff starts happening? Would it likely turn into a money pit if I ran it up to 150k?

Who has a high mileage M550 here? What have been your experiences?

Thx!!

[PeterC4]

I have 111,000 km or about 69,000 miles on my 2021 M550. No problems. I carefully follow regular maintenance. I purchased it when my lease expired. I have changed the brakes and the flex disk drive shaft at about 105,000 kms. It is a great engine.

[lnxguy]

The latest versions of the N63 are pretty bulletproof. It's everything else around them that will cost you money (Coolant system, etc)

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

I own a 2018 M550. The car has 105k miles on it. I have had it from about 35k miles until now, bought it five years ago as a CPO. It runs and looks great but is now off warranty.

What kind of miles are people seeing these go to - before really bad $$ stuff starts happening? Would it likely turn into a money pit if I ran it up to 150k?

Who has a high mileage M550 here? What have been your experiences?

Thx!!

Nice! Can't help with your Q unfortunately because I only have 60K miles on mine, but can you share everything you have done to your car maintenance and repair related getting it to 105K?

If I take a stab at predicting, there are higher chances than not of running into a repair/maintenance item in the four figures as you reach 150K. Even my F30 328i needed some of that. The N63 is a royal pain to get into to swap out even a coolant hose.

[23109VC]

The car has had all routine maintenance. I had the evaporator changed out under warranty at about 75k miles due to it leaking and the AC was no longer working -that is a very $$ fix - mine done under warranty. I believe I posted a thread on that some time ago.

Other than that - the car has not had any catastrophic issues.

It’s been one of the most reliable cars I have owned… so far!

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

The car has had all routine maintenance. I had the evaporator changed out under warranty at about 75k miles due to it leaking and the AC was no longer working -that is a very $$ fix - mine done under warranty. I believe I posted a thread on that some time ago.

I've had pretty much all of the usual known issues pop up on my car, all taken care of my original or extended warranties. This is one issue I am dreading due to the invasiveness of the repair and the cost (which my EW will mostly cover).

[flyingelvis3]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

The car has had all routine maintenance. I had the evaporator changed out under warranty at about 75k miles due to it leaking and the AC was no longer working -that is a very $$ fix - mine done under warranty. I believe I posted a thread on that some time ago.

Other than that - the car has not had any catastrophic issues.

It’s been one of the most reliable cars I have owned… so far!

I'm curious what your oil change interval is. I have had my 550 for just 3 months and was planning on a 5K regiment.

[23109VC]

[QUOTE=adhrp;32202512]I've had pretty much all of the usual known issues pop up on my car, all taken care of my original or extended warranties. This is one issue I am dreading due to the invasiveness of the repair and the cost (which my EW will mostly cover).

The repair is VERY labor intensive - the dash / center console / seats / etc.. ALL come out. I think I posted a pic of it.. i had my SA send me a photo…it looked like my car was gutted..but they put it all back together and zero rattles afterward…. If you have AC issues and take it in - they may give you a hard time and claim it’s just low on coolant and top it off. I had them to a dye test… they claimed they could not find a leak… after they topped off the refrigerant.. in a few weeks it had all leaked out and the problem recurred..so they fixed it. I think they know what it is at the outset but have to play this game before doing the full blown fix… a family member has a 540i of the same year and they had the exact same issue…. Hopefully yours doesnt fail but if it does - it does so while under warranty…

As to my oil change interval - I just went in when the car said to… i had free oil changes as part of my prepaid service so I got a notification that it was due and I took it in .

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

I own a 2018 M550. The car has 105k miles on it. I have had it from about 35k miles until now, bought it five years ago as a CPO. It runs and looks great but is now off warranty.

What kind of miles are people seeing these go to - before really bad $$ stuff starts happening? Would it likely turn into a money pit if I ran it up to 150k?

Who has a high mileage M550 here? What have been your experiences?

Thx!!

What's up buddy, haven't seen you post in a while. Nice to see you're still in it. My 2018 is at 60k miles and I got it in early 2021 about when you did with 29k miles. It's been a champ but I have diligently kept up with maintenance. I also bought the Route 66 Warranty when I decided to keep it after CPO.

Tough call for you. Extended warranties are not an option. Route 66 goes to 120k miles, so makes sense for me, not for you and I doubt they would sell it to you at those miles.

I have been around the block a many times with BMW's. When you turn 100k, things start to fail. Water pumps, alternators, radiators, power steering pumps, control arms, etc. Items like this last 200k miles on Japanese cars but now with german cars. So you will be spending $2,000-$4,000 a year is my guess if you are not a DIY'er. I am not anymore.

Tough call. Been there with my E39. Every three months it was a few grand for something. I told myself, "what else can go?" since I had done so much.

131k miles and I donated it to charity a few months ago. I had to waive the flag.

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

The car has had all routine maintenance. I had the evaporator changed out under warranty at about 75k miles due to it leaking and the AC was no longer working -that is a very $$ fix - mine done under warranty. I believe I posted a thread on that some time ago.

Other than that - the car has not had any catastrophic issues.

It’s been one of the most reliable cars I have owned… so far!

Going through this right now at 67k. I think I’ve hit all the big issues:

- Bowers
- Grille shutters
- Flex disc
- Wastegate actuator
- Coolant lines
- Control arms
- AC

Probably upwards of $20k if it weren’t under warranty, but I’ve lost count. Likely won’t be parting with it any time soon, but the times coming for something else to take daily duties. Most of it hit around 55-60k.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by Gautam

Going through this right now at 67k. I think I’ve hit all the big issues:

- Bowers
- Grille shutters
- Flex disc
- Wastegate actuator
- Coolant lines
- Control arms
- AC

Probably upwards of $20k if it weren’t under warranty, but I’ve lost count. Likely won’t be parting with it any time soon, but the times coming for something else to take daily duties. Most of it hit around 55-60k.

Wow.

Through 60K I've had:

1. LPFP died (original warranty)
2. Leaking coolant expansion tank (original warranty)
3. Crank vent valve on intake flap not shutting all the way so was replaced by the dealer (original warranty)
4. Coolant hose clamp leak (out of pocket)
5. Water pump leak (Route 66 EW)
6. Door lock actuator failed (Route 66 EW)

I guess I'm missing a few major issues that I should probably brace for. EW through 120K miles so not too worried but it bugs me when the car has to be at the dealer for a week every few months. Nevertheless, I enjoy it, love it, and will be keeping it through 2030 when my EW expires. At that point I'll reevaluate.

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by adhrp

Wow.

Through 60K I've had:

1. LPFP died (original warranty)
2. Leaking coolant expansion tank (original warranty)
3. Crank vent valve on intake flap not shutting all the way so was replaced by the dealer (original warranty)
4. Coolant hose clamp leak (out of pocket)
5. Water pump leak (Route 66 EW)
6. Door lock actuator failed (Route 66 EW)

I guess I'm missing a few major issues that I should probably brace for. EW through 120K miles so not too worried but it bugs me when the car has to be at the dealer for a week every few months. Nevertheless, I enjoy it, love it, and will be keeping it through 2030 when my EW expires. At that point I'll reevaluate.

That’s not too different from mine it seems in terms of number of significant issues. It’s pretty frustrating when it hits in a relatively narrow time window and also with the car being my dd.

Coolant leak out of pocket is something btw…it’d have been just shy of $10k for me out of warranty at a good California indie, luckily Route 66 covered it for the most part.

The only thing I paid fully out of pocket for was giubo, during a window within which I was too lazy to get r66…

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by Gautam

That’s not too different from mine it seems in terms of number of significant issues. It’s pretty frustrating when it hits in a relatively narrow time window and also with the car being my dd.

Coolant leak out of pocket is something btw…it’d have been just shy of $10k for me out of warranty at a good California indie, luckily Route 66 covered it for the most part.

The only thing I paid fully out of pocket for was giubo, during a window within which I was too lazy to get r66…

Mine's my dd too so I share your frustration there. For how long do you have the EW coverage?

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by adhrp

Mine's my dd too so I share your frustration there. For how long do you have the EW coverage?

Another 5 and change years, and 50k miles… through that lens , quite some time… as long r66 is willing to pay out 6 figures…

I think the regulars know it well, nothing that happened to my car is a surprise, literally every issue has a thread here, most of them fairly long, I’d venture most are almost inevitable. Giubo, shutters, coolant, bowers certainly seem to be.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by Gautam

Another 5 and change years, and 50k miles… through that lens , quite some time… as long r66 is willing to pay out 6 figures…

I think the regulars know it well, nothing that happened to my car is a surprise, literally every issue has a thread here, most of them fairly long, I’d venture most are almost inevitable. Giubo, shutters, coolant, bowers certainly seem to be.

I'm a regular and am aware of the issues, hence the dread. Especially those last few you listed minus the coolant lines.

[Trout1]

Good morning - My 2020 M550i has been virtually "bulletproof". I purchased the car w/4200 miles in October 21 from Kuni, BMW (Portland). I now have 88K miles. I follow- "old school maintenance" on all of our BMW's. Oil change every 5K, transmission/rear differential change @ 50K miles. Plugs @ 50K. Coolant & brake fluid between 30K & 40K. I replaced the flex disc @ 48K. No other issues with the car. It's been a great vehicle...


Tom

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by Trout1

Good morning - My 2020 M550i has been virtually "bulletproof". I purchased the car w/4200 miles in October 21 from Kuni, BMW (Portland). I now have 88K miles. I follow- "old school maintenance" on all of our BMW's. Oil change every 5K, transmission/rear differential change @ 50K miles. Plugs @ 50K. Coolant & brake fluid between 30K & 40K. I replaced the flex disc @ 48K. No other issues with the car. It's been a great vehicle...


Tom

Nice! You're also driving it >20K miles a year. That probably helps as well, these engines don't like being garage queens.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Gautam

Going through this right now at 67k. I think I’ve hit all the big issues:

- Bowers
- Grille shutters
- Flex disc
- Wastegate actuator
- Coolant lines
- Control arms
- AC

Probably upwards of $20k if it weren’t under warranty, but I’ve lost count. Likely won’t be parting with it any time soon, but the times coming for something else to take daily duties. Most of it hit around 55-60k.

May as well post my list:
- Flex Disk
- Turbo Coolant Lines
- Passenger Seat Mat Sensor
- TPM Sensor (one)
- Passenger Door Bowers Mid Speaker

That's it. Everything covered under warranty except the speaker. It's been a good car.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by adhrp

Wow.

Through 60K I've had:

1. LPFP died (original warranty)
2. Leaking coolant expansion tank (original warranty)
3. Crank vent valve on intake flap not shutting all the way so was replaced by the dealer (original warranty)
4. Coolant hose clamp leak (out of pocket)
5. Water pump leak (Route 66 EW)
6. Door lock actuator failed (Route 66 EW)

I guess I'm missing a few major issues that I should probably brace for. EW through 120K miles so not too worried but it bugs me when the car has to be at the dealer for a week every few months. Nevertheless, I enjoy it, love it, and will be keeping it through 2030 when my EW expires. At that point I'll reevaluate.

Are you still on the rubber coolant lines?

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Are you still on the rubber coolant lines?

MY20 had the metal braided lines from factory (TU3). No issues with those lines at all. Everything around it (tank, tank-to-cylinder-head hose, and water pump) has failed already so I suppose I should brace for a radiator leak next.

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

May as well post my list:
- Flex Disk
- Turbo Coolant Lines
- Passenger Seat Mat Sensor
- TPM Sensor (one)
- Passenger Door Bowers Mid Speaker

That's it. Everything covered under warranty except the speaker. It's been a good car.

Didn’t you have the shutters go bad too?

Thing is, sure, for an 8 year old car you can make the case that this isn’t *that* bad, esp with a warranty. But that list is easily mid if not high four figures of repairs even outside of hcol areas (assuming no warranty), and at least a couple of days in the shop each time unless you’re “lucky” enough to knock them all out at once. I’m being a little whiny, but only a little. My f30 started to hit a similar rate of issues at close to 80k instead of 60k, granted much simpler, cheaper car.

Originally Posted by adhrp

MY20 had the metal braided lines from factory (TU3). No issues with those lines at all. Everything around it (tank, tank-to-cylinder-head hose, and water pump) has failed already so I suppose I should brace for a radiator leak next.

Anecdotal but my indie said they’ve seen the same rate of leaks across tu2 and 3. This is again one of those things that’s almost guaranteed with bmw v8’s and exactly why they have a bad rep.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by adhrp

MY20 had the metal braided lines from factory (TU3). No issues with those lines at all. Everything around it (tank, tank-to-cylinder-head hose, and water pump) has failed already so I suppose I should brace for a radiator leak next.

Shoot, that's right. I know better. Yeah, the TU3 seems to melt a lot of the coolant components.