[kwstandard]

Well, I just turned 100,000 miles on my 2018 M550i & thought you guys/gals might want a quick note on how it has performed, mechanically.

Overall, It's been really quite good. It has never burned any oil between regular oil changes, I still get 30+ MPG on the highway and I have never had it strand me on the side of the road. Even better, I still smile when I drive it!

The only mechanical issues I've had are:

1) 31-months in, 79,886 miles, Alternator replaced. It was "whining" but still worked fine. Cost (dealer): $1,768

2) 40-months in, got a CEL, Thermostat error (but never ran hot), dealer replaced thermostat. Asked for inspection of other wear items, was told Rear Driveshaft Giubo was cracked (rubber) and Engine Mounts were cracked. I had them replace both. Total visit cost (dealer): $3,704

So, $5,472 in repairs - all in the last 12 months. I'm not really sure if I needed the Giubo and Engine Mounts. Ask a dealer to find issues, and they will...

I've done all regular maintenance according to the BMW schedule, with a few additional items not on the BMW list:

I did the first oil change at 4,000 miles & second at ~10k, then stayed on the 9-10k schedule according to the BCM.

Transmission fluid/filter, Transfer Case & Diffs at 50k & 100k.

Spark Plugs at 100k

I have not changed the coolant yet and, shockingly, I'm still on the original brakes - but they are getting close. I'll probably do the rears in the next 30 days. The fronts still have a bit of life in them.

My biggest complaint has been the tires/wheels. I ordered mine with runflats (but got the spare tire kit too) and unfortunately it came with Goodyear F1's. These are the worst tires I've ever owned. I went through 10 tires and 1 wheel in the first 3 years. I did have Tire/Wheel insurance, so they were all free - but it was a headache to deal with. I finally got fed-up with the hassle and replaced all 4 with Michelin PS3 ZP tires over a year ago and have had zero issues since. These are really good tires if you want runflats, and they are wearing alot better than expected.

The only other issue was a bad Display Key. 32-months, 84,295 miles, Digital Display Key replaced. Display on the key was locked, but still started the car. Cost: $853. I didn't really need to replace it, as in 2018 if you got the Remote Parking package with the display key you still got 2 regular keys, but I replaced it anyway.

I have every package and option that was available for 2018 except B&O stereo and rear video screens, so the "tech" items (Night Vision, Auto Parking, Remote Parking, HUD, Gesture Control, Driving Assist Pro, Dynamic Handling, etc.) have held up pretty well.

Cheers.

[Mosaud1998]

Wow. Seems like a promising car. Did you use 0w-20 weight oil or some other weight?

I'm hardly at 31k with my 540. Going to change the oil soon. Trans fluid/filter, along with both differential and transfer case fluid at 50k miles. Spark plugs maybe at 50k miles. I got the coolant flushed 2 months ago. Paid $100~ at my indy. Probably going to be doing a coolant flush every two years along with brake fluid.

[NGT2]

Mine is a 540 but it's great hear a glowing report at 100k on the G30 in general. I'm hoping mine will take me that far without too much issue.

You put some serious miles on that thing! It would take me 8 years to get to 100k from zero. I bought mine with 30k, so hoping to get a good 5 years of low maintenance ownership. Fingers crossed.

[kwstandard]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Wow. Seems like a promising car. Did you use 0w-20 weight oil or some other weight?

I'm hardly at 31k with my 540. Going to change the oil soon. Trans fluid/filter, along with both differential and transfer case fluid at 50k miles. Spark plugs maybe at 50k miles. I got the coolant flushed 2 months ago. Paid $100~ at my indy. Probably going to be doing a coolant flush every two years along with brake fluid.

Only used BMW 0w-30 oil for the oil changes. I paid for oil changes at the dealer from 50k-80k miles, and then got the extended oil change package from BMW (unlimited oil changes for 3 years, $199).

[BMW012]

just to confirm - sounds like you are the first owner?

[kwstandard]

Originally Posted by BMW012

just to confirm - sounds like you are the first owner?

Yes. Ordered it new January 2018, delivered March 2018.

[G30 B58]

the M550 owners here are gonna love to read this.

[Joe-BMW33]

Wow, thanks very much for this review. It certainly hits home for me. The Guibo is a known issue, so I don't think the dealer was looking for things there. I literally can't believe you are on the original brakes, that's incredible.

The list is fairly short. This definitely helps me with my dilemma on an extended warranty when my CPO is up in January 2023. All your issues would be covered under the warranty I am looking at, except display key. But your total cost of repairs (at a good indie) isn't much more than an extended warranty. So maybe self insure. I digress, thanks again for this, very helpful.

[claykin]

Great report. There is hope for the N63 (TU2/3) after all. Lol.

The giubo and engine mounts are both common issues.

How much longer will you keep it? Unfortunately, these high tech cars become ticking time bombs and at some point they get you. Good luck and hopefully you can stave off the real expensive repairs.

[HerkHealer]

Great News! Thank you for the update. Wowzo that's a lot of miles, but you are in Texas.
I've driven I-10 several times. Still chuckle at the signs saying "next gas station 110 Miles" or whatever it was........LOL

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by G30 B58

the M550 owners here are gonna love to read this.

....and G30 owners in general.

[BMW012]

GIUBO is the proper spelling, I think. haha misspelled a lot.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by BMW012

GIUBO is the proper spelling, I think. haha misspelled a lot.

Probably be easier to just call it a flex disk!

[LogicalApex]

Great update!

Love to see these kind of threads where these cars are being treated well — by driving!

Interesting difference between the Goodyear F1 and the Eagle Sports that came on my 530e. I went 18” for increase durability, but these tires are holding up well. Had bent wheels fixed under my Wheel & Tire, but the tires just keep on rolling along. Have 30K miles on them and they still have a decent amount of tread left. I’ll probably replace them somewhere between 40K and 50K miles at this rate.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by G30 B58

the M550 owners here are gonna love to read this.

Originally Posted by G30 B58

....and G30 owners in general.

....and prospective customers (such as myself) in the market for an M550i.

OP, thanks so much, this is great! Can you elaborate a little on how those miles were accrued (highway vs city), your driving style (relaxed, aggressive, etc...seeing the brakes last that long, probably a relaxed driving style). Did you not change the spark plugs at all before 100k? Doesn't the manual call for a 50-60k change (I may be wrong on this).

[LexProf]

That's great to hear that it's performing that well.

I have the same car and year, and soon to hit the five year mark. Except I only have 17,000 miles and about 8,000 of those are long road trip miles. Only issues so far: broken seat frame replaced under warranty, and active grill failure replaced under warranty. Wear and tear: I hit a pothole on the freeway at 16,500 miles and damaged the tire. As much as people hate the F1s I was able to drive on the bad tire (bubbled sidewall) for like 100 miles (no pressure loss) in the middle of nowhere before I could get the tire replaced. And thankfully the rim was not damaged. Wear on my F1s has been great. But ended up buying four new F1 tires, and kept two of the old ones just in case. Have done all the regular maintenance (oil changes, etc) thus far. Have been wanting to upgrade to an M5C for a long while, but not likely to happen with supplies and prices as they are. Plus very very happy with the M550ix. Likely a keeper for a very long time.

EDIT: And I forgot. There was some warranty campaign at some point where I had a turbo oil line changed.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by claykin

...Unfortunately, these high tech cars become ticking time bombs and at some point they get you. Good luck and hopefully you can stave off the real expensive repairs.

I've been hearing that since my dad advised me against me getting power windows 45 years ago. The only failure I've had in 36 years was a regulator failure. Electronics are getting more reliable all the time.

[LuvMyE92]

As a soon-to-be M550ix owner, I was happy to read this report. Thank you kw!

[BMW012]

The hypothetical question is would it have been the same, better or worse result, if he did 100k miles in 10 years as opposed to the +4 years?

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by kwstandard

Well, I just turned 100,000 miles on my 2018 M550i & thought you guys/gals might want a quick note on how it has performed, mechanically.

Overall, It's been really quite good. It has never burned any oil between regular oil changes, I still get 30+ MPG on the highway and I have never had it strand me on the side of the road. Even better, I still smile when I drive it!

The only mechanical issues I've had are:

1) 31-months in, 79,886 miles, Alternator replaced. It was "whining" but still worked fine. Cost (dealer): $1,768

2) 40-months in, got a CEL, Thermostat error (but never ran hot), dealer replaced thermostat. Asked for inspection of other wear items, was told Rear Driveshaft Guibo was cracked (rubber) and Engine Mounts were cracked. I had them replace both. Total visit cost (dealer): $3,704

So, $5,472 in repairs - all in the last 12 months. I'm not really sure if I needed the Guibo and Engine Mounts. Ask a dealer to find issues, and they will...

I've done all regular maintenance according to the BMW schedule, with a few additional items not on the BMW list:

I did the first oil change at 4,000 miles & second at ~10k, then stayed on the 9-10k schedule according to the BCM.

Transmission fluid/filter, Transfer Case & Diffs at 50k & 100k.

Spark Plugs at 100k

I have not changed the coolant yet and, shockingly, I'm still on the original brakes - but they are getting close. I'll probably do the rears in the next 30 days. The fronts still have a bit of life in them.

My biggest complaint has been the tires/wheels. I ordered mine with runflats (but got the spare tire kit too) and unfortunately it came with Goodyear F1's. These are the worst tires I've ever owned. I went through 10 tires and 1 wheel in the first 3 years. I did have Tire/Wheel insurance, so they were all free - but it was a headache to deal with. I finally got fed-up with the hassle and replaced all 4 with Michelin PS3 ZP tires over a year ago and have had zero issues since. These are really good tires if you want runflats, and they are wearing alot better than expected.

The only other issue was a bad Display Key. 32-months, 84,295 miles, Digital Display Key replaced. Display on the key was locked, but still started the car. Cost: $853. I didn't really need to replace it, as in 2018 if you got the Remote Parking package with the display key you still got 2 regular keys, but I replaced it anyway.

I have every package and option that was available for 2018 except B&O stereo and rear video screens, so the "tech" items (Night Vision, Auto Parking, Remote Parking, HUD, Gesture Control, Driving Assist Pro, Dynamic Handling, etc.) have held up pretty well.

Cheers.

Great info…thanks! How much spirited driving in that 100k?

[kwstandard]

Following up on a couple of questoins - the vast majority of miles have been highway. I own a business that is about 350 miles from my house and travel there 1-2 times a month. I also have 2 kids in college in another state - that's about a 1500-mile round trip that I take a few (6-7) times a year. These are in addition to regular travel for fun.

Someone mentioned spark plugs, and the answer is no - I did not change them at 50k, only at 100k. I have never changed plugs on modern cars that soon. If I ran a tune, that would change for sure. Modern plugs should go 100k without issue. I currently have 3 other BMW's, and have had 6 others in the past. Never changed plugs before 100K and have never had a degredation in performance.

As far as "spirited" driving - I would say that I'm pretty tame. I enjoy twisty/fast highway jaunts much more than short go-fast & stop-fast runs.

I have owned the car since new. My comment about paying for oil individual oil changes between 50-80k miles is because they were free until 50k, and then I got the extended service package from BMW at about 80k - so they are paid for after that...

BTW, I plan on keeping this car for a while. I'll post updates later with any future issues I have. I'm a believer in doing proper maintenance and that it really makes a difference in how long these cars last. Hopefully I'm right?!?!

The one thing I should have done is get PPF on the hood/front bumper. With this many miles, I have a few small chips on the front end. You can't see them from 10-feet away (Mediterranean Blue paint), but they are there. To be expected, I guess - but PPF would have helped.

BTW, I have the Ivory leather massaging seats and they still look great. No edge-wear, no discoloration.

[kwstandard]

Originally Posted by BMW012

GIUBO is the proper spelling, I think. haha misspelled a lot.

You are correct - Thanks!