[bluzbra]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on ordering a 2021 M550i and I have several questions, hoping others can chime in. Thanks in advance!

TIMING:

I live in Los Angeles. Has anyone ordered an M550i recently living in the west coast? Any idea what the ETA is? Is the factory in Germany even open right now for custom builds?

WHEELS:

I'm torn between the 19" Y-Spoke jet black wheels and the 20" Y-Spoke bi-color wheels. Anyone have recommendations? Is the ride quality pretty bad with the 20's? Anyone have any regrets getting one or the other?

Also, does anyone know what brand / size tires come with each configuration?

COLORS:

I'm also torn between the exterior and interior colors.

Exterior - I've always been an Alpine White car guy, but I've been seeing pictures of the Bernina Grey and loving it! Anyone have regrets getting Bernina? Any cons? Easy to keep clean?

Interior - this will depend on what exterior color I choose, but I'm more so torn on the trim. It's between the Aluminum and the Matte Ash Grey. Does anyone have pictures of each of these up close? As always, the pictures on BMW's car configurator don't really show the true color/texture.

Thanks all!

[wigglebutts]

Originally Posted by bluzbra

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on ordering a 2021 M550i and I have several questions, hoping others can chime in. Thanks in advance!

TIMING:

I live in Los Angeles. Has anyone ordered an M550i recently living in the west coast? Any idea what the ETA is? Is the factory in Germany even open right now for custom builds?

WHEELS:

I'm torn between the 19" Y-Spoke jet black wheels and the 20" Y-Spoke bi-color wheels. Anyone have recommendations? Is the ride quality pretty bad with the 20's? Anyone have any regrets getting one or the other?

Also, does anyone know what brand / size tires come with each configuration?

COLORS:

I'm also torn between the exterior and interior colors.

Exterior - I've always been an Alpine White car guy, but I've been seeing pictures of the Bernina Grey and loving it! Anyone have regrets getting Bernina? Any cons? Easy to keep clean?

Interior - this will depend on what exterior color I choose, but I'm more so torn on the trim. It's between the Aluminum and the Matte Ash Grey. Does anyone have pictures of each of these up close? As always, the pictures on BMW's car configurator don't really show the true color/texture.

Thanks all!

I opted for the 846M 20" wheels and absolutely love them. I went with dark graphite, with shadow line over black Nappa.

The ride in the 20" tires, and comfort mode is sublime. I find it extremely smooth. I can't speak for 19's but generally the ride would be a bit better. 20's are perfect for me, as they have less sidewall and seem to have decent response

Order>Delivery was roughly 90 days. October 27th>December 29th

[bluzbra]

Originally Posted by wigglebutts

I opted for the 846M 20" wheels and absolutely love them. I went with dark graphite, with shadow line over black Nappa.

The ride in the 20" tires, and comfort mode is sublime. I find it extremely smooth. I can't speak for 19's but generally the ride would be a bit better. 20's are perfect for me, as they have less sidewall and seem to have decent response

Order>Delivery was roughly 90 days. October 27th>December 29th

Nice, congrats! And thank you for the response. Which interior trim did you go with? Mind sharing a couple of interior pics? Loving your wheels and exterior color!

[tacocat135]

I went with dark graphite as well but with ivory interior. Everytime i see pics of the bernina grey, i wish i had gone with that color. This is my timeline for delivery to Spokane, WA. Expect 2 months from production to delivery to CA

3 Oct - Order placed
8 Oct - Production begins
15 Oct - Exterior body assembly begins
16 Oct - In the paint booth
19 Oct - Entering assembly line
20 Oct - Assembly in progress
20 Oct - Quality check
21 Oct - Final assembly
21 Oct - Ready for transport
21 Oct - Awaiting carrier assignment
22 Oct - Dispatched from factory
23 Oct - At the port
5 Nov - In transit
4 Dec - Arrived Port Hueneme
12 Dec - In transit to dealership
16 Dec - Dealer delivery

[bluzbra]

That looks amazing, congrats! Thanks for sharing. How's the ride quality with the 20's? Also, is that the Aluminum trim for the interior?

[tacocat135]

Ride quality is great. I put on spacers last night, 10/13mms and still smooth. And yup, its the aluminum trim. Not a fan of wood and it looks darker in person than the online configurator

[wigglebutts]

Originally Posted by bluzbra

Nice, congrats! And thank you for the response. Which interior trim did you go with? Mind sharing a couple of interior pics? Loving your wheels and exterior color!

Absolutely! I did the fun line open pore. I did not want anything glossy. I'm having the gloss black wrapped with 3M stealth so it's Matte but the logos are still visible.

I'll snag some more tomorrow during the day time. I just ran down a few minutes ago to view the car. It's so beautiful!

[wigglebutts]

Originally Posted by tacocat135

Ride quality is great. I put on spacers last night, 10/13mms and still smooth. And yup, its the aluminum trim. Not a fan of wood and it looks darker in person than the online configurator

Can you post some side angles showing the fitment? I just ordered 15mm/12mm and worried it might be too much

[Texox]

Originally Posted by wigglebutts

Can you post some side angles showing the fitment? I just ordered 15mm/12mm and worried it might be too much

I believe 12mm/15mm is the suggested spacers for a non-lowered car. It should sit flush and look great. If you lower the car, I believe most recommend 15mm/18mm.

[tacocat135]

Weve had some gloomy weather lately in the pacific northwest so i havent had a chance to get good pics. 10mm/13mm look much better than stock but i think 12mm/15mm would look better than my setup tbh. I may switch to 13/13 or 13/15 later on

[NYC4Life9]

I have been looking at a 540i xDrive and experiencing the same dilema. I ultimately went the safe route and ordered white on black with aluminum trim, however it has not started production so I may still have time to change order. I ordered it with m-sport, shadowline, premium and 20" wheels.

Here are some pics from my nearby dealership. That one did not have shadowline which I think makes a world of difference. I do, however, like the cognac interior in person. It really pops off of the grey. Before I get the nasty responses, I completely understand it's not for everyone and some might not like but personally I thought it was a great blend or elegancy and sport.

Hope this helps. Sorry that some pics uploaded a bit off in their orientation.

Here is another thread with a few Bernina Grey Amber owner's pics: https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26987765

Also thought this video gave me great angles/views/perspective on the Bernina Grey color, though its not a M550i:

Anyway, I would love to see some pics of others that might have picked up the Bernina Grey Amber or Alpine white as well.

[JDUNITNOW]

Originally Posted by NYC4Life9

I have been looking at a 540i xDrive and experiencing the same dilema. I ultimately went the safe route and ordered white on black with aluminum trim, however it has not started production so I may still have time to change order. I ordered it with m-sport, shadowline, premium and 20" wheels.

Here are some pics from my nearby dealership. That one did not have shadowline which I think makes a world of difference. I do, however, like the cognac interior in person. It really pops off of the grey. Before I get the nasty responses, I completely understand it's not for everyone and some might not like but personally I thought it was a great blend or elegancy and sport.

Hope this helps. Sorry that some pics uploaded a bit off in their orientation.

Here is another thread with a few Bernina Grey Amber owner's pics: https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26987765

Also thought this video gave me great angles/views/perspective on the Bernina Grey color, though its not a M550i:

Anyway, I would love to see some pics of others that might have picked up the Bernina Grey Amber or Alpine white as well.

I was just on the site and built a 540I this color and thought red brake calipers would not look good with cognac but after seeing the pictures I like it. Just wish you could get sensatec dash with sensatec seats.

[NYC4Life9]

Originally Posted by Wyndi335I

I was just on the site and built a 540I this color and thought red brake calipers would not look good with cognac but after seeing the pictures I like it. Just wish you could get sensatec dash with sensatec seats.

Red calipers on Bernina Grey colored car along w/ 20" wheels, black accents play beautifully with blacks in taillight.

[EMB4]

@tacocat135 Texox wigglebutts

What is the consensus on spacers for non-lowered 12/15?

Recs on brands?

[wigglebutts]

Originally Posted by EMB4

@tacocat135 Texox wigglebutts

What is the consensus on spacers for non-lowered 12/15?

Recs on brands?

I did the recommended 12/15MM, through IND. they seem to be the most expensive, but also have a lot of features that other brands don't.

I have the 20" 846M wheels. The spacers are on back order, so I'll have them in about a month and post up

[Texox]

Originally Posted by EMB4

@tacocat135 Texox wigglebutts

What is the consensus on spacers for non-lowered 12/15?

Recs on brands?

12/15mm non-lowered, 15/18mm lowered.

[EMB4]

Originally Posted by Texox

12/15mm non-lowered, 15/18mm lowered.

Thanks guys! Just pulled the trigger on the 12/15 setup! Went with ECS Tuning - seem to be of high quality.

[wigglebutts]

Originally Posted by EMB4

Thanks guys! Just pulled the trigger on the 12/15 setup! Went with ECS Tuning - seem to be of high quality.

Do you ha e a link? IND is back ordered a month.

Thanks!!

[tacocat135]

I went with 10mm/13mm from burger motorsports. Rear looks good. Im considering going 13mm/13mm as the front could poke a little more. Not lowered.

[EMB4]

Originally Posted by wigglebutts

Do you ha e a link? IND is back ordered a month.

Thanks!!

ecstuning.com

ES#: 3006111
Mfg#: 002411ecsKT17

ES#: 3006162
Mfg#: 002411ecsKT18

[Bostoncarconcierge]

Originally Posted by bluzbra

That looks amazing, congrats! Thanks for sharing. How's the ride quality with the 20's? Also, is that the Aluminum trim for the interior?

If I didn’t live in New England, I’d go 20s 100%. However, I had very bad luck w my Jaguar paired w 20” winters which scared me a bit for this car, especially considering how heavy it is.

I ended up building my m550 around the wheels. I love both styles of the 20s, but only the all black 19s, as the bi color 19s dont strike me as very aggressive looking.

For the exterior, I was debating between BGAE, Bluestone, and Carbon Black. Absolutely love BGAE but have delivered so many of those lately, I decided to do something different. Bluestone is absolutely gorgeous, but I think it looks best w the 20” bi color wheels.

I ended up with Carbon Black Ext, Shadowline, Ivory Nappa, Black Wheels and Red Calipers. Feb production and will see it before mid-April!

[bluzbra]

Originally Posted by Bostoncarconcierge

If I didn’t live in New England, I’d go 20s 100%. However, I had very bad luck w my Jaguar paired w 20” winters which scared me a bit for this car, especially considering how heavy it is.

I ended up building my m550 around the wheels. I love both styles of the 20s, but only the all black 19s, as the bi color 19s dont strike me as very aggressive looking.

For the exterior, I was debating between BGAE, Bluestone, and Carbon Black. Absolutely love BGAE but have delivered so many of those lately, I decided to do something different. Bluestone is absolutely gorgeous, but I think it looks best w the 20” bi color wheels.

I ended up with Carbon Black Ext, Shadowline, Ivory Nappa, Black Wheels and Red Calipers. Feb production and will see it before mid-April!

Thanks for the detailed feedback! Funny enough, I decided on BGAE and black interior with the aluminum hexagon trim and the 20's, and I was going to place an order this month. But then my broker buddy found me that EXACT color combo with blue brake calipers (which I prefer) and the exact options I wanted, so I pulled the trigger on Monday (last day of the December program). So happy with the color combo and wheels!