[BMWGUYinCO]

So I have a 2018 M550i that will come off lease in August.

But it's not just any M550i - it has almost every option including the following (as listed on the 2018 spec sheet):

Ivory White Nappa Leather
Cold Weather pkg
Driving Assistance pkg
Driving Assistance Plus pkg
Dynamic Handling pkg
Executive pkg
Luxury Seating pkg
Parking Assistance pkg
Rear Sunshades
Apple CarPlay
Bowers & Wilkens sound system
Nightvision
Dynamic Digital Cluster
Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps
Carbon Fiber Rear Spoiler
M Performance Side Decals


Mediterranean Blue with Ivory White interior.

It only has 25K miles, and literally still smells new - always garaged. With the night vision, soft close doors, etc. it has options you can't find on an M550 today. It has been 100% problem free - car is immaculate.

Buyout is $52,000.

Here is my dilemma - do I buy it out (probably will pay for the CPO warranty on top of buyout) or....do I get a 2021 M850 either Coupe or Convertible? It's not just ownership vs continuous lease payments - this car is kind of a rarity as configured...

I've always leased my cars but this M550 really has everything I could want and more; I've owned it since new. I really like the 850 series, but I know this is like comparing apples to oranges (4 door vs 2 door, etc.)

[Buug959]

I would talk to your dealer and explain your dilemma and see if you can arrange an extended test drive (3-4 days or a week maybe) of the 850. That way you can get a better feel for the 850 and it may help you decide which way to go.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by LemansE90335xi

I would talk to your dealer and explain your dilemma and see if you can arrange an extended test drive (3-4 days or a week maybe) of the 850. That way you can get a better feel for the 850 and it may help you decide which way to go.

Thanks and good advice; I actually got to drive an M850 XDrive convertible at a BMW extended drive event over a year ago and that is when I fell in love with that model...

Although I didn't have it for more than about 40 minutes, I did like what it was all about.

I think I'm most torn because my M550 is so uniquely configured - I've certainly not come across many other M550s optioned out like this one. If it was more of an average spec car then I'd already have placed my custom order. Dang - decisions, decisions.

[King Rudi]

pics?

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

Thanks and good advice; I actually got to drive an M850 XDrive convertible at a BMW extended drive event over a year ago and that is when I fell in love with that model...

Although I didn't have it for more than about 40 minutes, I did like what it was all about.

I think I'm most torn because my M550 is so uniquely configured - I've certainly not come across many other M550s optioned out like this one. If it was more of an average spec car then I'd already have placed my custom order. Dang - decisions, decisions.

Ok then I'm going to solve your problem right now. Since you say you're going to custom order an 850 if you go that way it's simple. Order the 850 to match your M550's option list. Bingo! You now have an 850 that you fell in love with and it's optioned the way you're used to from your M550. You're welcome.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by LemansE90335xi

Ok then I'm going to solve your problem right now. Since you say you're going to custom order an 850 if you go that way it's simple. Order the 850 to match your M550's option list. Bingo! You now have an 850 that you fell in love with and it's optioned the way you're used to from your M550. You're welcome.

Ha - great minds....I thought of that, but alas things like night vision, dynamic handling, soft close doors etc. aren't available on '21 M850s!

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

Ha - great minds....I thought of that, but alas things like night vision, dynamic handling, soft close doors etc. aren't available on '21 M850s!

Well you may just be beyond help then.
I guess it comes down to how important those options are to you. I don't have any experience with night vision so I wouldn't miss that one. Same with soft close doors although I can see the appeal of them. Dynamic handling is a tough one. One question to ask yourself about dynamic handling, how often are you going to be in a situation that it will make a significant difference to your driving experience? Are you going to be carving up the mountain roads on the edge of grip or do you want that little bit of reassurance in case of an emergency on the freeway?

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

pics?

Shamefully, I don't have many. Time to take some I suppose, but here is a picture of the car just after I got it:

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

Shamefully, I don't have many. Time to take some I suppose, but here is a picture of the car just after I got it:

Love the colour!

[Alfisti]

Hands down buy. Leasing the rest of your life is dumping a serious amount of money on cars.

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Hands down buy. Leasing the rest of your life is dumping a serious amount of money on cars.

There is the potential for tax benefits with a lease though, more so than buying.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by LemansE90335xi

Well you may just be beyond help then.
I guess it comes down to how important those options are to you. I don't have any experience with night vision so I wouldn't miss that one. Same with soft close doors although I can see the appeal of them. Dynamic handling is a tough one. One question to ask yourself about dynamic handling, how often are you going to be in a situation that it will make a significant difference to your driving experience? Are you going to be carving up the mountain roads on the edge of grip or do you want that little bit of reassurance in case of an emergency on the freeway?

Really good questions.

Couple of true stories regarding night vision:
1. While I live in Colorado, I bought this car in Pittsburgh because of the insane deal I was given...I drove it back and one night while driving through Ohio the night vision lit up a car and person in the median (which was unusual) up ahead in the distance on the Interstate. There was tons of construction going on so I instinctively slowed down....turns out it was a state trooper and he was doing a speed trap. I know that saved me a ticket in a construction zone!
2. Referencing above living in Colorado, my wife and I were driving home along hwy 93 (beautiful drive along the base of the Rocky Mountain range) at night after dinner when the night vision lit up a pack of deers jumping out and crossing the road just in front of us. I slammed on the brakes but otherwise I'm certain I would have hit one of them. Because there is a lot of open space where I live, night vision comes in handy. It's probably more of a James Bond kind of feature but man when it shows you everything from coyotes to deer to people riding bikes in the dark, it's really cool. Also - it can "see" heated objects miles away that you otherwise cannot see, like mountains, clouds, telephone poles, - anything that retains heat from the day.

As far as the dynamic handling package - I do take spirited drives in the mountains and really enjoy the twisty curves and the D.H. pkg makes a big difference...so I do enjoy that.

The soft close doors are an unneeded luxury, but I like them too. I'm not making this any easier on myself, am I? Maybe you're right LemansE90335xi, I'm beyond help!

My dealer gave me an awesome deal on the '21 X3 M40i I just bought my wife and he's seeing what he can do on an M850 deal for me now....maybe it will all come down to that.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Hands down buy. Leasing the rest of your life is dumping a serious amount of money on cars.

I know, but everyone has to have a vice, right? Mine are my cars....

[TiMSport]

BMWGUYinCO, honestly by reading your description of your M550i and what you think of it, I think you should buy it outright and forget about leasing another car. I'm sure there are no other ones like it, at least where you live. Unless it's really missing something you strongly desire, I say keep it.

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

Really good questions.

Couple of true stories regarding night vision:
1. While I live in Colorado, I bought this car in Pittsburgh because of the insane deal I was given...I drove it back and one night while driving through Ohio the night vision lit up a car and person in the median (which was unusual) up ahead in the distance on the Interstate. There was tons of construction going on so I instinctively slowed down....turns out it was a state trooper and he was doing a speed trap. I know that saved me a ticket in a construction zone!
2. Referencing above living in Colorado, my wife and I were driving home along hwy 93 (beautiful drive along the base of the Rocky Mountain range) at night after dinner when the night vision lit up a pack of deers jumping out and crossing the road just in front of us. I slammed on the brakes but otherwise I'm certain I would have hit one of them. Because there is a lot of open space where I live, night vision comes in handy. It's probably more of a James Bond kind of feature but man when it shows you everything from coyotes to deer to people riding bikes in the dark, it's really cool. Also - it can "see" heated objects miles away that you otherwise cannot see, like mountains, clouds, telephone poles, - anything that retains heat from the day.

As far as the dynamic handling package - I do take spirited drives in the mountains and really enjoy the twisty curves and the D.H. pkg makes a big difference...so I do enjoy that.

The soft close doors are an unneeded luxury, but I like them too. I'm not making this any easier on myself, am I? Maybe you're right LemansE90335xi, I'm beyond help!

My dealer gave me an awesome deal on the '21 X3 M40i I just bought my wife and he's seeing what he can do on an M850 deal for me now....maybe it will all come down to that.

You've made a strong case for the night vision, if only to defeat the speed traps. The added safety is a big plus.
The soft close doors are a fairly easy do-without.
The DH sounds like something you're more stuck on though. I guess you'll just have to come to terms with the dealer and see exactly how much it's worth to you in the long run. I don't envy you in your decision but it could make an interesting post in the first world problem thread.

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

BMWGUYinCO, honestly by reading your description of your M550i and what you think of it, I think you should buy it outright and forget about leasing another car. I'm sure there are no other ones like it, at least where you live. Unless it's really missing something you strongly desire, I say keep it.

You're not helping to stir the pot at all.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by LemansE90335xi

You're not helping to stir the pot at all.

Hey I'm just calling it as I see it. Deep down I think he wants to keep it.
Remember, he can always sell it after the fact if and when he doesn't want it any longer.

[Alfisti]

If taxes are better on a lease, ask to extend the lease another 2 years with a new residual

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

If taxes are better on a lease, ask to extend the lease another 2 years with a new residual

There's that too.

[E92inNC]

Get the 8, all car people have the itch to own other cars, scratch that itch.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by E92inPHX

Get the 8, all car people have the itch to own other cars, scratch that itch.

This person speaks to me.

Thanks to everyone for adding their perspectives - I guess I will see what kind of offer my dealer puts together.

Interestingly, the first thing they put on the table was a 5 month pull ahead on my current lease and a lot of money towards a new lease.

[Buug959]

Let us know how it turns out. Good Luck.