[eliphil]

I would highly recommend the Bowers stereo as one of the top priorities in an M550. The difference is enormous if you have a real love for music as I do especially if your playing from your own source.

[ab1752]

Originally Posted by adhrp

That's a first I'm hearing disliking the B&W. I'm happy with my HK, but I'm not an audiophile so that's that. DHP might be floaty, but I haven't driven one without it, so I am none the wiser. All I can say is it's pretty damn planted and nimble in corners and fast maneuvers when it has no business being so given it's size.

Less of a dislike but more that I didn't feel the juice was worth the squeeze. Honestly when i got into tuning the hk it ended up decent. They did replace the amp under warranty so I have a spare if anyone is keen.. and it could have been something else at issue with my B&W equipped car.

[charron98]

There's another thread going regarding the B&W being susceptible to water damaging the midrange door speakers. Otherwise, most reviews of the audio system have been positive.

I personally classify the M550 as high performance touring. Although it does everything well; business commuting, luxury outings, spirited weekender, I see it as a top of the list tourer.

Personally, I am on the highway frequently, between Chicago and Detroit monthly, and lake life trips to northern Michigan, and even annual vacations to Florida, and East Coast venture road trips. Thus, considering the amount of time driving, the quality of the sound system is of upmost importance, to me. I do celebrate high end home stereo equipment and even utilize Bowers & Wilkens in one of my listening rooms. It's just fitting to have the availability of B&W in a car I feel is best suited to my type of driving.

I'm pretty certain B&W is a must for me, so now I'm questioning if DHP is of that importance, or I could be just as happy with it.

[whofelt]

The HK sound system in my 2022 M550 sounds better than the HK system in my previous car (2022 M340), you all have me wondering how good the B&W is now compared to my HK. I'm not an audiophile but the HK system is plenty for my needs.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by NGT2

The Bowers is just clearer and sharper. But you do need to mess with the equalizer to get the full improvement. I’ve driven lots of BMW’s 2018 and forward. If all you want is some bass and volume, the HK is usually fine. It does the job and it isn’t bad for the average person, I’d say. But when you get used to the Bowers, you can always tell a difference when you get in one without it.

The clarity may be what I’m not hearing as well. And getting used to something like that makes a difference. I can tell the difference between the base audio in our ’22 X3 (Covid shortage of HK) and the HK in my car before upgrading the amp.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Just my opinion. I'll crank up Thunderstruck for you and make your ears bleed this summer.

Good choice, that or Ozzy’s Crazy Train turned up to 11 always worked for de-stressing on the drive home after a bad day.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

The clarity may be what I’m not hearing as well. And getting used to something like that makes a difference. I can tell the difference between the base audio in our ’22 X3 (Covid shortage of HK) and the HK in my car before upgrading the amp.

Our old X7 40i had the base hifi and the HK in our current X7 M50 is definitely a lot better.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Good choice, that or Ozzy’s Crazy Train turned up to 11 always worked for de-stressing on the drive home after a bad day.

I saw Ozzie in 1983!

You know what song sounds great and is my show off system song - Don’t you forget about me by Simple Minds. The drums really punch.

[SquareWheels]

Originally Posted by eliphil

I would highly recommend the Bowers stereo as one of the top priorities in an M550. The difference is enormous if you have a real love for music as I do especially if your playing from your own source.

I wish I could have.
I wanted to buy new, I was planning on keeping my 440 convertible a few more years (I only had it 4 years), but then I realized in 2023 they stopped making the 550. That was July 2023.
I wanted to buy new, there were only a couple hundred I could find.
I got almost every package they offered, except the B&W.
I had planned to order one, maybe around now, and definitely would have got the B&W. Music has been an important part of my life.
Other than that, the car is near perfect.

[DrVenture]

One thing that no one has mentioned, you cannot add DHP later. But a complete Alpha One (amp & speakers) is about $3500.
Though the sound system is more readily apparent, than DHP, so it may be a matter of preference.

I'd love to see someone do a YouTube video of a M550 with and without DHP - slalom, road course and street driving.

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by SquareWheels

I wish I could have.
I wanted to buy new, I was planning on keeping my 440 convertible a few more years (I only had it 4 years), but then I realized in 2023 they stopped making the 550. That was July 2023.
I wanted to buy new, there were only a couple hundred I could find.
I got almost every package they offered, except the B&W.
I had planned to order one, maybe around now, and definitely would have got the B&W. Music has been an important part of my life.
Other than that, the car is near perfect.

Glad your enjoying it if your ever up in the tri state area come drive mine and listen

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by charron98

There's another thread going regarding the B&W being susceptible to water damaging the midrange door speakers. Otherwise, most reviews of the audio system have been positive.

I personally classify the M550 as high performance touring. Although it does everything well; business commuting, luxury outings, spirited weekender, I see it as a top of the list tourer.

Personally, I am on the highway frequently, between Chicago and Detroit monthly, and lake life trips to northern Michigan, and even annual vacations to Florida, and East Coast venture road trips. Thus, considering the amount of time driving, the quality of the sound system is of upmost importance, to me. I do celebrate high end home stereo equipment and even utilize Bowers & Wilkens in one of my listening rooms. It's just fitting to have the availability of B&W in a car I feel is best suited to my type of driving.

I'm pretty certain B&W is a must for me, so now I'm questioning if DHP is of that importance, or I could be just as happy with it.

I don’t think you’d miss Dhp but I can assure you will mist the Bowers stereo

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I saw Ozzie in 1983!

You know what song sounds great and is my show off system song - Don’t you forget about me by Simple Minds. The drums really punch.

Joe never took you for an Ozzy fan. I saw Sabath at my local amphitheater about 10 years ago Paranoid and Iron man were awesome

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by DrVenture

One thing that no one has mentioned, you cannot add DHP later. But a complete Alpha One (amp & speakers) is about $3500.
Though the sound system is more readily apparent, than DHP, so it may be a matter of preference.

I'd love to see someone do a YouTube video of a M550 with and without DHP - slalom, road course and street driving.

If your ever in tri state you can drive mine

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by whofelt

The HK sound system in my 2022 M550 sounds better than the HK system in my previous car (2022 M340), you all have me wondering how good the B&W is now compared to my HK. I'm not an audiophile but the HK system is plenty for my needs.

Me too. I have never felt the need to add very high end audio systems to cars although I understand those who do. I also I am at at the stage of life where I got hearing aids last year. The HK now sounds a bit better than it did (as do conversations in the car) but I don't think I will spring for B&W anytime soon. --Bob

[G30regM550i]

Coding the B&W system into a HK system really enhanced the audio in my M550i. It was night and day, really. I was very frustrated with the ‘faraway’ presence of the HK system. I’d recommend doing that before upgrading the amp. It may save a lot of $$$. To add, I am someone who cares an awful lot about audio. Would I have preferred my car come with the B&W system, sure. But, exterior and interior color was far more important to me ( no black, white, or gray). My choices were slim on the secondary market.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by whofelt

The HK sound system in my 2022 M550 sounds better than the HK system in my previous car (2022 M340), you all have me wondering how good the B&W is now compared to my HK. I'm not an audiophile but the HK system is plenty for my needs.

It's one of those things where if one is happy with their current setup (like you and me), then it's best to not get a taste of the better stuff since you can't go back. OTOH, there are folks who are unhappy with the HK; for them, considering the BW makes more sense.

[magbarn]

I know I only have 540i, but the B&W is one of my favorite options on my car that I enjoy everyday. Rivals my prior Lexus Mark Levinson system. Sad that the top G60 audio system pales in comparison as it’s not the Diamond B&W system that our G30’s have. One of my mid range speakers did die, which required a replacement. Hookson here sells a 3d printer cover to protect the speaker from future damage.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by magbarn

I know I only have 540i, but the B&W is one of my favorite options on my car that I enjoy everyday. Rivals my prior Lexus Mark Levinson system. Sad that the top G60 audio system pales in comparison as it’s not the Diamond B&W system that our G30’s have. One of my mid range speakers did die, which required a replacement. Hookson here sells a 3d printer cover to protect the speaker from future damage.

I wouldn’t say it’s “only” a 540. The 540 is a remarkable machine to drive on a daily basis.

[eliphil]

My 2016 Rs7 had a really good B and O sound system with fabulous high end sound but it was light on the low end. The Bowers is a lot better.

[phigginbo]

You love to hear it. Is there anything sweeter than this?

[jlabson]

2018 BMW m550ix:
Maintenance performed prior to 50K miles:
Oil changes every 5K miles or once/yr- whichever came first.
(This is just my personal preference as I do my own changes)
Brake fluid flush/replace every 2 yrs.
Have not needed any repairs and no other maintenance done.
Have never had to add oil between oil changes. Have never needed
to add coolant ever.

At 50K miles (as preventative maintenance) had the following done:

Replace Air filters/Cabin filters
Brake fluid flush/replace. Oil change. (it just happened to be time anyway)
Flush cooling system/replace w/ BMW blue coolant.
Drain Transmission fluid. Replace ZF Pan/filter. Add ZF8 fluid.
Drain/Replace (F) differential fluid, (R) differential fluid, X-drive transfer case fluid.
Replace Spark plugs.
Total service for all of the above including parts $3000.

At 50K, my BMW Indy found a small crack in the Flex Disc (Giubo). He showed me the photo and it is very minor. FYI, BMW will not replace this under warranty unless fibers are showing. My last BMW E39 5 series it lasted around 75K.

Like the forum OP commented, the main problem w/ these vehicles is that they come stock w/ 20" wheels and runflats. That means you have next to no rubber contacting the road and absolutely crap tires. I went through 2 runflats in 3 weeks by hitting some common size potholes. Runflats will burst at the sidewall and (yes you can still drive your car) but will need to head to the tire shop and have it replaced. I took them all off and replaced them w/ Michelin PS4's (non-RF) and have not had a problem since. I've hit worse pot-holes with the PS4's and survived. Unless you live in an area with amazing roads, get rid of the RF's. While the 20" rims look great, I still wish BMW would spec these cars w/ 19's or even 18's. The ride quality would benefit greatly.