[Tk718]

Hi all , with my 2021 m550i lease ending in about 6 months , I’m debating whether to buy out the car or get something else.
I really don’t like the current BMW designs including the new 5. Too boxy, too tall , interior dash too sterile. It’s not a cohesive design and feel that the g30 is one the last great designs.
Those who kept the m550i past 30k miles how reliable had this car been ? Is it worth keeping for several more years ?
It’s hard to find another 500+hp sedan for the money , and it’s hard to go back to a slower car.
What do you think are some good alternatives in same price range to this car to buy or to lease? I need back seats so sedan and sporty suv like cayenne.

[ashmostro]

If not another M550i then maybe an X5 m50i?

But I would just buy your lease car if you already like the spec.

[adhrp]

At 45k miles now and nothing to report other than a low pressure fuel pump dying around 39k miles, covered under warranty. I don't expect major issues to crop up until 80-100k miles or so...get an EW and stay calm. I def plan on keeping mine for several years.

[NGT2]

I’m nowhere close to being in the market but I’ve thought about what would be a viable option if I didn’t have my M550. There’s not much there, at least without spending significantly more. Audi RS5 Sportback is the closest I can come up with for a 4 door. The new E class doesn’t have AMG models out yet. Maybe a CT5 Blackwing?

If you love the M550, I’d say either buy out the lease or look at maybe an M850 GC. I know it’s more expensive but it would be a new BMW with the engine you know you like, the outgoing design elements you like, and 4 doors. Or like the other guy said, you could look at an X5 M50. But I’m not sure any SUV, outside of a Cayenne, would be able to deliver the same experience.

[AP]

If you like the m550, keep it
I’ve not read of any significant issues with the n63tu3 engine as of yet
I think you’ll struggle to find anything comparable now anyway.

My thiughts

[LuvMyE92]

The competitors to the 5 are the Audi S6/S7, the Mercedes E class and, well, that's really it. Those are all good cars, but you won't have the driving engagement that you are used to. From what I have read, the Porsche Macan is a better driving experience than the Cayenne. I've had the latter as service loaners, and I wasn't impressed, but then I'm not an SUV guy.

I concur with the suggestion that you buy out your lease. Alternatively, order a new 2023 550i now while you still can, and by the time it arrives you'll only have a couple of months left on the lease, and I'm sure the dealer will work with you to get out of it pain free.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Tk718

Hi all , with my 2021 m550i lease ending in about 6 months , I’m debating whether to buy out the car or get something else.
I really don’t like the current BMW designs including the new 5. Too boxy, too tall , interior dash too sterile. It’s not a cohesive design and feel that the g30 is one the last great designs.
Those who kept the m550i past 30k miles how reliable had this car been ? Is it worth keeping for several more years ?
It’s hard to find another 500+hp sedan for the money , and it’s hard to go back to a slower car.
What do you think are some good alternatives in same price range to this car to buy or to lease? I need back seats so sedan and sporty suv like cayenne.

From what I am reading, you pretty much make a great personal case to keep it. Get yourself a Route 66 extended warranty and continue to enjoy it. I honestly do not think there is anything in it's class that even bumps up against the M550 in terms of power, performance, technology, handling and of course, style.

I think you answered your own question.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

The competitors to the 5 are the Audi S6/S7, the Mercedes E class and, well, that's really it. Those are all good cars, but you won't have the driving engagement that you are used to. From what I have read, the Porsche Macan is a better driving experience than the Cayenne. I've had the latter as service loaners, and I wasn't impressed, but then I'm not an SUV guy.

I concur with the suggestion that you buy out your lease. Alternatively, order a new 2023 550i now while you still can, and by the time it arrives you'll only have a couple of months left on the lease, and I'm sure the dealer will work with you to get out of it pain free.

I mentioned the RS5 because the S6 is slower than the M550 and there is no RS6 unless you want to go with the wagon.

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by AP

If you like the m550, keep it
I’ve not read of any significant issues with the n63tu3 engine as of yet
I think you’ll struggle to find anything comparable now anyway.

My thoughts

My thoughts, too. I've just got the 540xi M Sport but I love it. I have owned ten BMWs over the years. Mine is a 2019 which purchased and I have not had any problems with it. Every once in a while I look around at various possible substitutes for the BMW, including Audis, Genesis, Mercedes, Cadillac and they always come up short in one way or another. In fact the only possible replacement for my 540 would be a M550 and I admit I have been tempted by them on more than one occasion. Not long ago my local dealer had one in my exact color combo (Carbon Black/Cognac) but fortunately (for my marriage) when I got over to the dealer to look at it a salesman had just sold it. I plan on keeping the 540xi a long time. While not everyone will agree with this, my favorite thing about the BMW is the iDrive. When if first came out in 2001 it was horrible everyone hated it, including Consumer Reports. Now it has been refined through 6 (for me) and 7 generations and is the least distracting way to manage a whole bunch of things. Now even Consumer Reports loves it. I really dislike touch screens as they are (for me) extremely distracting, requiring one to look at the screen to find the place to poke it, then you often have to do it several times to get it right. (I have one in my Corvette which is one of the less distracting ones but I would still prefer the iDrive). Technically, the BMW's screen is a touch screen, but I have never actually touched it. Anyway, I am obviously hooked on BMWs, so I do recommend that you just buy the car out of your lease. It will likely be a fairly reasonable price in the current market and it is a known quantity to you, a plus. And if you want you can get the dealer to CPO it or at least get an extended warranty if you feel the need. --Bob

[AP]

Yes 540 is a great car. I too had one was was prepared to keep it as I was perfectly happy with it
Agree idrive 6 is great, I thing wrong with it and as you say no requirement to touch the screen to do what you want to
Idrive 7 is also great, just a bit different and cosmetically nicer but I think idrive 5,6 and 7 may turn out to be the “best” ones .
I only got rid of the 540 as I got a m550.
So same car but some changes .

Personally think the g30 may turn out to be one of BMWs best and last before compromised ice/ev platforms and EVs .

[Sxs1687]

I'm at 57k on my M550i, regular maintenance and it hasn't given me any trouble. However, I did recently get the popular rt66 warranty that everyone was talking about, just as a safety net.

[MikeElmendorf]

Same boat. The G60 is not doing it for me. My 2021 M550 lease is up in October and I’m seriously considering buying it too.

[Tk718]

Originally Posted by Sxs1687

I'm at 57k on my M550i, regular maintenance and it hasn't given me any trouble. However, I did recently get the popular rt66 warranty that everyone was talking about, just as a safety net.

I was thinking of buying this warranty if I buy the car , do most bmw dealers accept it ?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Tk718

I was thinking of buying this warranty if I buy the car , do most bmw dealers accept it ?

We have at least one member that’s had positive claims experience with it. I think the dealer will accept whatever you have, if they pay the check. The dealer just wants to get paid. They don’t care if it’s you or the warranty company.

[NGT2]

I’ve made this conundrum my new time passing activity. I just don’t know what there is out there that I’d buy, outside of a Panamera and that would be out of reach for me. If I had to buy something else then I guess it would be Audi or Cadillac but I’d rather just by out the hypothetical lease or see if I can find a 2023 somewhere that I like and buy another one new.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Tk718

I was thinking of buying this warranty if I buy the car , do most bmw dealers accept it ?

Yes, all dealers accept it.

[DNYC1919]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I’ve made this conundrum my new time passing activity. I just don’t know what there is out there that I’d buy, outside of a Panamera and that would be out of reach for me. If I had to buy something else then I guess it would be Audi or Cadillac but I’d rather just by out the hypothetical lease or see if I can find a 2023 somewhere that I like and buy another one new.

I had a new Cadillac cts a few years back. Had about 15 problems with the car. Would never do a Cadillac again.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by DNYC1919

I had a new Cadillac cts a few years back. Had about 15 problems with the car. Would never do a Cadillac again.

Really? That’s interesting. I’ve had a lot of GM vehicles but no Cadillacs. All began having obnoxious issues after 60-70k miles. Never had earlier problems on the two I had with low mileage.

I wrote off Cadillac when I decided to get a sport sedan because all the interior details just reminded me too much of all my Tahoes and Yukons. Wanted a wholesale change. Very happy with the G30 decision.

[DNYC1919]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Really? That’s interesting. I’ve had a lot of GM vehicles but no Cadillacs. All began having obnoxious issues after 60-70k miles. Never had earlier problems on the two I had with low mileage.

I wrote off Cadillac when I decided to get a sport sedan because all the interior details just reminded me too much of all my Tahoes and Yukons. Wanted a wholesale change. Very happy with the G30 decision.

It could have been that I got the cts when the new design came out in like 2008 I think. Possibly first model year bugs and issues.

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

If you look, I'm sure you can still find some existing new 2023 M550i's hanging around lots that they'd make attractive deals on.

You might need to use a broker to find them, but they're there.

[Tk718]

I wanted more utility and was thinking rs6 avant or Cayenne , but after looking at the prices I’m probably going to keep my car, I got it way under msrp.