Hi All,
I'm in the market for a 550 and although I know that I can order an '07 I'm dealing with an instant gratification thing (and I'm afraid that the pumped-up residual on the 24 month lease will go away when the '07 hits dealer floors).
I've been at the dealer most of the day going over colors and options and was eventually handed the keyboard and mouse to do my own DCS searches. I've found a few candidates and my dealer has good trade bait. It all comes down to a few secondary options which will be the deciding factor in what I go with.
So far, I've found this one that I'm very interested in:
'06 550i Jet Black/Black Leather (due in port on 2/20)
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Sport Package
Steptronic (I still can't believe that I'm not getting the manual)
Comfort Access
Comfort Seats
Electric Rear Shade
Fold Down Rear Seats
Navigation
Head Up Display
Sat Radio
Active Steering
At this point I'm questioning the following:
Fold down rear seats - I had these on two E39s and found that after a while they started to squeak and rattle. As it turns out the design was flawed since there was leather-on-leather contact between the fold-down panels. Tell me... on the E60 is there cloth or ultrasuede on the panels between the seat sections? Have any of you had issues with squeaks or rattles from the fold down seats?
Active Steering - This is an option that I would generally shy away from since I'm more of a purist, but I've read good things here and elsewhere. It sounds like the more recent software versions have addressed most of the issues, but I'm still curious to hear some feedback. Does active steering make you feel too disconnected from the road or is it just an enhancement to the already superb BMW steering. Most of my driving is in the city or on the freeway... I don't get a lot of opportunities to hit any really good twisties.
Any feedback on my concerns over these two options is greatly apreciated.
Thanks!!
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| Reply » Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 550i - two questions |
Are you saying that you think that the lease deals on an 06 will get worse when the 07's arrive? I don't think so.
Black/black in Phoenix? Sounds masochistic to me 
My fold-down seats don't squeak, but I'm away and can't see if there is anything they've done along the lines you suggested.
If you drive in a lot of heavy traffic, you probably won't regret getting the Steptronic. I drive in awful traffic and haven't regretted it.
The electric rear sunshade is nice! Once you get the car, check out its timed ventillation programs. I've never used them myself, but I suspect that they'd be good for Phoenix heat.
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| Reply » Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 550i - two questions |
Quote: Hi All,
I'm in the market for a 550 and although I know that I can order an '07 I'm dealing with an instant gratification thing (and I'm afraid that the pumped-up residual on the 24 month lease will go away when the '07 hits dealer floors).
I've been at the dealer most of the day going over colors and options and was eventually handed the keyboard and mouse to do my own DCS searches. I've found a few candidates and my dealer has good trade bait. It all comes down to a few secondary options which will be the deciding factor in what I go with.
So far, I've found this one that I'm very interested in:
'06 550i Jet Black/Black Leather (due in port on 2/20)
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Sport Package
Steptronic (I still can't believe that I'm not getting the manual)
Comfort Access
Comfort Seats
Electric Rear Shade
Fold Down Rear Seats
Navigation
Head Up Display
Sat Radio
Active Steering
At this point I'm questioning the following:
Fold down rear seats - I had these on two E39s and found that after a while they started to squeak and rattle. As it turns out the design was flawed since there was leather-on-leather contact between the fold-down panels. Tell me... on the E60 is there cloth or ultrasuede on the panels between the seat sections? Have any of you had issues with squeaks or rattles from the fold down seats?
Active Steering - This is an option that I would generally shy away from since I'm more of a purist, but I've read good things here and elsewhere. It sounds like the more recent software versions have addressed most of the issues, but I'm still curious to hear some feedback. Does active steering make you feel too disconnected from the road or is it just an enhancement to the already superb BMW steering. Most of my driving is in the city or on the freeway... I don't get a lot of opportunities to hit any really good twisties.
Any feedback on my concerns over these two options is greatly apreciated.
Thanks!! |
I have AS on my 2005 545. It came as a part of the sport package. This is the option that nice to have 98% of the time and then there are those 2% (at least for me) when you wish it were not there. If you drive aggressively on winding road with cars around you going as crazy as you do and you cannot afford a slightest mistake/imprecision then you should pass on this option. Since it is not free for 2006/2007 I would drop it for sure.
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| Reply » Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 550i - two questions |
On a 24 month lease, I would not get hung up on options, you will be returning the car before you know it.
Pick a car and drive, the one you pointed out has most options on it.
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| Reply » Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 550i - two questions |
Quote: | Are you saying that you think that the lease deals on an 06 will get worse when the 07's arrive? I don't think so. | Not sure about lease deals, but you won't find an 06 550 in a few months. They are rare.
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| Reply » Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 550i - two questions |
Quote: | If you drive aggressively on winding road with cars around you going as crazy as you do and you cannot afford a slightest mistake/imprecision then you should pass on this option. | Funny, this is when I enjoy it the most.
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Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 550i - two questions