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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions Tuned M550i 2018 vs Stock 2020

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      11-21-2020, 05:48 PM   #1
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I've been looking at M550's. Debating between picking up a certified preowned model or leasing new. I like the look of the new ones but if I wanted to purchase I would want to pick up a certified preowned probably a 2018 or 2019 which has less horsepower than the new ones - a whopping ~70 less!

That being said I'm sure even a 2018 or 2019 would be a blast to drive but I'm wondering if you just put a tune on a 2018 what kind of power levels do you get to? I'm guessing a tune 2018 would be as fast or potentially faster than a stock 2020/2021??


Aside from the difference in horsepower and some of the cosmetic changes like the upgraded Dash and headlights are there any substantial mechanical differences?

I thought I read that it wasn't just a change in turbos but that the actual engine is a different power plant in the newer car and I'm wondering if there was anything wrong with the motors in the 2018 2019's that could be something I should be concerned about if I bought certified preowned and plan to keep the car for five or six years??
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      11-24-2020, 07:10 PM   #2
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Same engine, but upgraded components and tuning. The biggest contribution to the power increase is the larger turbos.

Lots of good info here:

https://bmwtuning.co/bmw-n63-vs-n63t...tu2-vs-n63tu3/

They're both tune happy, but the TU3 in the LCI cars is an absolute beast, and will give you the best bang for your the buck. With a stage 1, it makes F90 level power (still a very different car than the F90 though). That said, reliability is a different story, so ymmv there. Can't say it will last you longer than the TU2 in the pre-LCI cars, but it is a vast technical improvement.

If I had the choice, I'd go LCI (it's on my short list to replace the F80 next Spring), but that's just me...
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      11-24-2020, 07:45 PM   #3
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LCI uses the M850i setup.tweaked engine internals, bigger turbos, very similar intake design as the F90, etc.

I have read, and don't quote me on this, a different suspension tuning setup.

LCI cars also include the M rear differential which could be huge.

I have an LCI on order, I haven't driven one, but took the leap of faith based on my fathers 2019 M550i and it drives like a dream.
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      11-25-2020, 01:23 PM   #4
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Depends on how much you want to spend also. You can get loaded 2018 for around 50k. A loaded 20/21 will probably still be around 80-90k.
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      11-26-2020, 10:18 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 23109VC View Post
I've been looking at M550's. Debating between picking up a certified preowned model or leasing new. I like the look of the new ones but if I wanted to purchase I would want to pick up a certified preowned probably a 2018 or 2019 which has less horsepower than the new ones - a whopping ~70 less!

That being said I'm sure even a 2018 or 2019 would be a blast to drive but I'm wondering if you just put a tune on a 2018 what kind of power levels do you get to? I'm guessing a tune 2018 would be as fast or potentially faster than a stock 2020/2021??


Aside from the difference in horsepower and some of the cosmetic changes like the upgraded Dash and headlights are there any substantial mechanical differences?

I thought I read that it wasn't just a change in turbos but that the actual engine is a different power plant in the newer car and I'm wondering if there was anything wrong with the motors in the 2018 2019's that could be something I should be concerned about if I bought certified preowned and plan to keep the car for five or six years??
DME Tuning quotes Stage I at 560 hp/595 lb-ft, both exceeding LCI's 523 hp/553 lb-ft. DME Tuning is having Black Friday sale at 20% off until 12/4.
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      11-26-2020, 07:50 PM   #6
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Buy and tune a 2018 or just lease a 2021 and keep it stock...
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      12-01-2020, 06:28 PM   #7
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does anyone know whether there have been significant upgrades to the driving assistance pro package/features between the pre LCI and LCI models? can the pre LCIs get those upgrades with software updates?
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      12-01-2020, 06:54 PM   #8
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does anyone know whether there have been significant upgrades to the driving assistance pro package/features between the pre LCI and LCI models? can the pre LCIs get those upgrades with software updates?
I believe there have been upgrades on the driver assistance. I can't say how big of an upgrade, but I read it's Level 2.5 Autonomy. I'm not sure what the pre-LCI G30's are
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      12-01-2020, 07:28 PM   #9
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Do the bigger turbos on the LCI model spool more slowly? Anyone drive both and can comment on any difference?
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      12-02-2020, 03:17 AM   #10
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I recently went through this decision and can happily say that I went the CPO route on a 2018 loaded M550i - mediterranean blue on nappa black - for just under 60K (including paying $3500 to have them CPO for two years past factory); it has 30K miles (ticked over that milestone driving it home) and the following packages/options: cold weather, executive, luxury seating, dynamic handling, drivers assist/plus, parking assist, 668M with Michelin PSS non-RFT and space-saver spare kit, rear sunshades, piano black trim, Apple carplay, B&W sound, and gesture control (yeah, yeah, I know... gimmicky).

I can honestly say that paying for the CPO was probably the best decision I could have made. I am coming from a 2018 430i xDrive gran coupe (staying in the family) that was bought CPO in 2018 with under 9K miles on it (almost 58K now) and hasn't had any issues except a rattling rear-door locking peg (which I DIY fixed the other day with great results) and having over $20K worth of damage repaired from being hit by a Benz. The M550i CPO inspection turned up three out-of-spec 668M rims and two worn front tires, so in addition to the mechanical servicing that was due and touching up the front and rear bumpers, they installed three new rims (even had the sticker residue on them when I took my walk-around) and a set of front Michelin PSS 245s to the total tune of almost $6K worth of work (and the body work wasn't on the invoice). Also wrote off a brand new set of wipers as I was leaving the dealership. Small beans, but they didn't have to do it. I couldn't be happier.

The M550i has only been driven home and it was a night and day difference... drives like an absolute dream. I know it's not an M5 (long been my dream car), but honestly, I commute 2hrs/86 miles a day, 5-6 days per week, so I went the sleeping-monster executive lounge route versus the M-beast for long-haul comfort and drivability. FWIW, I tested and considered (all CPO) a 2018 M5, 2019 M850i xDrive coupe, 2020 840i xDrive gran coupe, a 2018 750i, and another couple of 2018/2019 M550i's. None were worth the extra beans and/or were lacking in either the packages/options department or had undesirable exterior/interior color combinations. I just missed a CPO 2018 Alpina B7 that was sold to a buyer out-of-state from one of the local dealerships - but from what I've read and been told, that may have been a good turn of events.

Final words... GET A DASHCAM FOLKS... SAVED ME A LOT OF HASSLE. I was able to submit video evidence of the other guy being at fault and it was smooth sailing with getting his insurance to cover all the damage inflicted on our poor F36.

Good luck and happy motoring!
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      12-02-2020, 10:22 PM   #11
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it depends on the tune.

i would say a piggyback like dinan/racechip on the 2018 won't quite match the stock 2020+ performance. for example, 60-100 on the 2020+ is around 7.3-7.4 stock where it's around 7.8-7.9 with a piggyback. If you get a real flash tune on the 2018, then ya i would say performance might edge the 2020.

why not a used 2020 then and tune that? will be game over haha.
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      12-02-2020, 10:29 PM   #12
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I have an 18 and love the car plenty of power. I know we all wanna go fast but difference on paper is minimal. How often you do you get on it really and do 60-100 pulls and time it? I'm my opinion 7.3 or 8.3 eh who cares. Of course I would rather have 20 with 523hp but this 460 or what ever it is will do just fine.
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      12-03-2020, 06:49 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MLIFEM550 View Post
I have an 18 and love the car plenty of power. I know we all wanna go fast but difference on paper is minimal. How often you do you get on it really and do 60-100 pulls and time it? I'm my opinion 7.3 or 8.3 eh who cares. Of course I would rather have 20 with 523hp but this 460 or what ever it is will do just fine.
My god, I couldn't have worded it any better.

I'm currently looking into an M550i for a daily. I previously owned an F80 M3 that was FBO on E85, and it just caused so many problems (not spun crank hub for those familiar with the F80 issues). I couldn't take it to BMW for obvious reasons and it just ended up costing me a lot of money to repair, and for what? Being able to accelerate slightly quicker the few times a week it was safe to do so on the highway while also praying there aren't any cops around?

That being said, it's for my use case. I know there are many of you guys that enjoy speeding around in these beast cars. I'm looking to hunker down into a 5 series because I'm having a baby, and this whole "mod the car to oblivion" is kind of behind me in the sense of I have to worry about getting home safe more than anything else. an M550i vs. a bog standard 530i would be nice since accelerating quicker has its advantages around NYC.

At this point, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth leasing a new M550i vs. buying a CPO '18 or '19. I think I might get bored rather quickly, which is where buying would be nice since I could just sell it vs. a 3 year commitment.
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      12-03-2020, 07:18 AM   #14
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Yes exactly. This is what I would do again depending on your situation. I purchased used 18 with 17k. I added warranty maintenance plan and maybe prematurely I ended up buying wheel and tire coverage. My car is not a daily. since the purchase I only put on 1200 miles in 13 months. I wouldn't lease get used and add extended warranty. If you go this route make sure you change the oil every 6m or 6k. Why pay on the new car when you will turn around and turn it in.
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      01-19-2021, 01:58 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AhsanU View Post
My god, I couldn't have worded it any better.

I'm currently looking into an M550i for a daily. I previously owned an F80 M3 that was FBO on E85, and it just caused so many problems (not spun crank hub for those familiar with the F80 issues). I couldn't take it to BMW for obvious reasons and it just ended up costing me a lot of money to repair, and for what? Being able to accelerate slightly quicker the few times a week it was safe to do so on the highway while also praying there aren't any cops around?

That being said, it's for my use case. I know there are many of you guys that enjoy speeding around in these beast cars. I'm looking to hunker down into a 5 series because I'm having a baby, and this whole "mod the car to oblivion" is kind of behind me in the sense of I have to worry about getting home safe more than anything else. an M550i vs. a bog standard 530i would be nice since accelerating quicker has its advantages around NYC.

At this point, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth leasing a new M550i vs. buying a CPO '18 or '19. I think I might get bored rather quickly, which is where buying would be nice since I could just sell it vs. a 3 year commitment.
The money factor and RV for a 2021 M550i lease are insanely good. especially compared to when I brought my C63s.
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      01-19-2021, 08:29 AM   #16
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Wow, just read through this post and am all over the place on what I want since I just sold my 09 750li, in less than 24 hours on Facebook marketplace. I have owned 5 seven's and do not want another one. I have looked at the M340i and really like it but it is missing the refinement of what I am used to. Also went the 540I route also but I am afraid I will miss the V8 I am used to. I want a M5 but will never drive it to its potential.
Also I really don't want to spend 80k or even lease so I need to drive the M550i and not worry about the N63 engine so much due to the upgrades.
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      01-21-2021, 02:31 PM   #17
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My modding days are over. Ruined a 68 Dodge Charger I acquired with 169k miles, Mazda RX7, 300zx turbo , Supra turbo and lastly an M3.

Fabricated crap on the dodge mostly horrible cosmetic crap and a flipped air filter at times, HKS boost management and suspension. on the Japanese Turbos, Dinnan chips and shocks on the M3

I spent more time pushing and getting them fixed than enjoying them. Now I buy them how I want them and enjoy them under warranty and some beyond that too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AhsanU View Post
My god, I couldn't have worded it any better.

I'm currently looking into an M550i for a daily. I previously owned an F80 M3 that was FBO on E85, and it just caused so many problems (not spun crank hub for those familiar with the F80 issues). I couldn't take it to BMW for obvious reasons and it just ended up costing me a lot of money to repair, and for what? Being able to accelerate slightly quicker the few times a week it was safe to do so on the highway while also praying there aren't any cops around?

That being said, it's for my use case. I know there are many of you guys that enjoy speeding around in these beast cars. I'm looking to hunker down into a 5 series because I'm having a baby, and this whole "mod the car to oblivion" is kind of behind me in the sense of I have to worry about getting home safe more than anything else. an M550i vs. a bog standard 530i would be nice since accelerating quicker has its advantages around NYC.

At this point, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth leasing a new M550i vs. buying a CPO '18 or '19. I think I might get bored rather quickly, which is where buying would be nice since I could just sell it vs. a 3 year commitment.
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      01-22-2021, 08:19 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by modthispny View Post
it depends on the tune.

i would say a piggyback like dinan/racechip on the 2018 won't quite match the stock 2020+ performance. for example, 60-100 on the 2020+ is around 7.3-7.4 stock where it's around 7.8-7.9 with a piggyback. If you get a real flash tune on the 2018, then ya i would say performance might edge the 2020.

why not a used 2020 then and tune that? will be game over haha.
Maybe I'm reading my draggy wrong but the stock can't be that high 60-100mph? I have evolve stage 1 on my 2019 and I'm pulling 4.74 for 60-100mph in S Florida hot and humid weather.
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