[Brucelinc]

I placed an order for a 2022 M550 in September and picked it up on Thursday. I had not driven a new one but had test driven a used 2019 and and a used 2020. My car has the premium package, Driving Assistance pro, Parking assist, Nappa leather, ventilated massaging seats, 19 inch all-season Continental MOE tires and the heated steering wheel.

I had heard all the stories of how bad Run-flat tires were as well as folks who complain of vibrations so I was a bit concerned about that. I am happy to report that my '22 is smooth as silk at all speeds up to 80 mph. In fact, possibly the thing that impresses me most is the supple ride quality and the almost eerie silence. This car rides more softly and is quieter than my 2017 Lincoln Continental. It also feels quite nimble and feels lighter than you would expect from 4200 pound vehicle. I couldn't be more pleased with the suspension. There is enough firmness for good control but soft enough for comfort.

This car is very refined mechanically. The engine/transmission combination is exceptionally smooth. Obviously, the power is STRONG as well. I was surprised at how good the fuel economy was on the 100 mile drive from the dealership to my home. The M-sport brakes are very confidence inspiring, too. I am not an audiophile but I find the Harman Kardon system to be excellent. I am still learning the tech but, for the most part, it is relatively intuitive. Voice commands work very well and I am getting better at using the I-Drive controller. The seats are quite comfortable and I like that there is memory function on the passenger seat as well as the driver. They aren't quite as adjustable as on my Lincoln but I had no problem getting comfortable.

I find the shifter to be a bit quirky but I will get used to it. I wish there was a way to turn off the steering wheel movement when I shut off the engine but I don't think there is. I haven't quite figured out how to make the lights stay on for 30 seconds or so after shut-down. On the other hand, it seems like the interior LEDs stay on for an eternity after shut down. I don't see the point of that. The rear seat is not nearly as roomy as the Lincoln and lacks the rear seat climate controls but we seldom have rear seat passengers, anyway. About the only other nit-pick I have is that the climate control buttons are quite small and a bit difficult to see. I wish they were more strongly illuminated during the day.

Overall, I am pretty impressed with the car. I will be spending more time with it and putting on around 1000 miles over the holidays. I may have more impressions after that.

[stryder011]

Stunning! congrats!

[H_T]

Great review, I had the same thoughts when I received mine as well. You will get used to the shifter and it will feel great in a few months.

[HerkHealer]

Nice ride ! Welcome to the M550 club.

I have the same interior in my 2020. Gorgeous.
There are I Drive settings to change the welcome/goodbye led settings.
You can also "code" a whole bunch of other things via the OBD2 port and bimmercode app.

Also get the MYBMW app if you havent already.

[mikeyr0x]

Congrats Bruce
Looks great!

[drmlee]

you can disable the steering wheel moving up and seat going backwards in the idrive settings. i forgot exactly where its under but its there.

[Haradrim]

Very nice car and review use in good health i wish. I have bought mine with very good hopes but in second month i am planning to sell asap.

With this smooth and silent car, the vibrations are unacceptable.

[Brucelinc]

Originally Posted by Haradrim

Very nice car and review use in good health i wish. I have bought mine with very good hopes but in second month i am planning to sell asap.

With this smooth and silent car, the vibrations are unacceptable.

I wouldn't accept vibration, either. I am baffled by your situation.

[NOSNOW]

Very nice. Enjoy!

[SteveinArizona]

Beautiful car. There is an adjustment in IDrive for keeping the lights on for a while when you exit.

[Brucelinc]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Beautiful car. There is an adjustment in IDrive for keeping the lights on for a while when you exit.

According to videos I have seen, to do that, it is necessary to flash the high-beams prior to exiting the car. Then the lights stay on for the time you select.

[Brucelinc]

Originally Posted by drmlee

you can disable the steering wheel moving up and seat going backwards in the idrive settings. i forgot exactly where its under but its there.

Thanks, but if that setting is there, I can't find it.

[wings700]

Ordered a new M550i a week ago and waiting now for an allocation. I am next in line for the allocation. Not sure how long all this will take but I will wait patently. I have my 530i to drive in the meantime.

[Brucelinc]

Originally Posted by wings700

Ordered a new M550i a week ago and waiting now for an allocation. I am next in line for the allocation. Not sure how long all this will take but I will wait patently. I have my 530i to drive in the meantime.

Congratulations! I think you will be impressed. The sound and acceleration in sport plus will definitely make you smile. The difference between comfort and sport plus is amazing....almost like two different cars.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by Brucelinc

Thanks, but if that setting is there, I can't find it.

It's going to be buried where you'd never think to look. If you were German, it would probably be totally logical, but not to us Americans. I'd start with keys & locking, and then when that fails, under general settings, maybe a comfort setting with seats?

Oh - congrats on your beautiful new car!

Originally Posted by wings700

Ordered a new M550i a week ago and waiting now for an allocation. I am next in line for the allocation. Not sure how long all this will take but I will wait patently. I have my 530i to drive in the meantime.

I don't know if I'm first in line, but I'm also waiting for an allocation. We should start a club.

[Joe-BMW33]

Congratulations, very nicely configured, those wheels would be my wheels of choice if I wanted 19's. On the run flats, talk to us after a few thousand miles and a few pot holes.

[Brucelinc]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Congratulations, very nicely configured, those wheels would be my wheels of choice if I wanted 19's. On the run flats, talk to us after a few thousand miles and a few pot holes.

I avoid potholes but if the tires get noisy or the ride deteriorates after a few thousand miles, I will replace them with non run flats for sure.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Brucelinc

I avoid potholes but if the tires get noisy or the ride deteriorates after a few thousand miles, I will replace them with non run flats for sure.

Oh I avoid potholes too but sometimes they find me! Enjoy the ride for a while and then get a plan of action on the tires. If a smooth ride, handling and grip is your thing, consider non run flat Summer Performance tires in the spring. Michelins are the way to go. Night and day from what you are running on now.

[Brucelinc]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Oh I avoid potholes too but sometimes they find me! Enjoy the ride for a while and then get a plan of action on the tires. If a smooth ride, handling and grip is your thing, consider non run flat Summer Performance tires in the spring. Michelins are the way to go. Night and day from what you are running on now.

I have ZERO use for summer performance tires on this car. I have the Summer Pilot Sport 4S Michelins on my Mustang for performance reasons but replace them with Grand Touring All-seasons when the weather turns cold. I will always use Grand Touring tires on the BMW for comfort reasons. I don't care about maximum handling or grip in the BMW.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Brucelinc

I have ZERO use for summer performance tires on this car. I have the Summer Pilot Sport 4S Michelins on my Mustang for performance reasons but replace them with Grand Touring All-seasons when the weather turns cold. I will always use Grand Touring tires on the BMW for comfort reasons. I don't care about maximum handling or grip in the BMW.

Understood, just trying to offer up some experiences. But I should have put two and two together with the 19" run flat selection. You're good enough.

[Brucelinc]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Understood, just trying to offer up some experiences. But I should have put two and two together with the 19" run flat selection. You're good enough.

I appreciate your experience and input. I love the performance Michelins on my Mustang for Summer use. They are smooth but not exactly soft. My preference for the BMW is to have it ride smoothly, quietly and reasonably softly. I went with the 550 over the other 5 series for the V8 acceleration....float like a butterfly but sting like a bee. Lol

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Brucelinc

I appreciate your experience and input. I love the performance Michelins on my Mustang for Summer use. They are smooth but not exactly soft. My preference for the BMW is to have it ride smoothly, quietly and reasonably softly. I went with the 550 over the other 5 series for the V8 acceleration....float like a butterfly but sting like a bee. Lol

It's a beast! For me, this car is my Mustang. I don't drive it in the winter and I keep the 20" PSS's on all year round. I had run flats on my F10 and I had a bad experience. I do think the Summer Softies ride smoother than All-Season Run Flats, but I guess that is subjective. I have all season non-run flats on my E39 as well as my QX60 and Tiguan, they do the job, a little loud though compared to the PSS's.