550 - About to Pull the Trigger - Options

Hey Gang -

After following these forums for months, almost buying a new 545, almost buying a pre-owned 545, and then almost buying a CPO 550, I'm now about to pull the trigger on ordering a new 550i. Here are the set of options that I'm looking at:

Silver-Gray Metallic
205 STEPTRONIC 6-speed, automatic transmission
217 Active Steering
322 Comfort Access
416 Power Rear Sun Shade/Manual Rear Side Window Shade
417 Manual Rear Side Window Shade
456 Comfort Seats (Requires Leather or ZPP for 6-Cylinder Models)
508 Park Distance Control with graphic display (front and rear)
522 Xenon Adaptive Headlights
609 On-board Navigation System
655 SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Uph. Dakota Leather Upholstery (no-cost if 550i, or ZPP is selected)
ZSP Sport Package
ZPS Premium Sound Package
ZCW Cold Weather Package
Anthracite Maple Trim

A few questions:

- In talking to a couple of dealers, they've indicated that BMW doesn't make many cars with Active Steering (ordering a car, it's no problem - they were initially looking to see if they had anything available). I had read mostly good reviews on active steering. Thoughts on why BMW isn't putting this on most cars (or are the dealers not well-informed?)
- Thoughts on the anthracite maple trim? I'm not sure if it's too dark (w/ the black interior) and not sure how I feel about the grain (the up-down look seems a little odd)
- Anything else that I shouldn't live without (I'm guessing some of you will say "Get Heads Up" - I've been in some cars w/ HUD, and it's a nice gimmick, but doesn't seem to be worth the extra $1000 to me).

Thanks - looking forward to 'joining the club'

Ira

Reply » 550 - About to Pull the Trigger - Options

As for BMW not making many, that's not true. While dealers may not order on cars that are for their inventory because it is a high priced option, many do have it and love it.

Anthracite maple trim looks great with the black interior, get what you like...

As for other options, don't think there is anything you haven't ordered! Now comes the wait, which can be agonizing!

Reply » 550 - About to Pull the Trigger - Options

Quote:

Ira,

I think you've got it covered. I have Anthracite Maple Trim and Black interior and think it looks great.

When I ordered my 545 Active Steering came with the Sport package, I had no choice. It feels a little weird at first, but you get used to it. I took my 545 in for service a couple weeks ago and they gave me a 525 loaner without AS. It reminded me of my last 2 bimmers..... really felt more like a bimmer... more connected to the road... so my 2 cents worth would be, if you now have the option to get the Sport Package and not Active Steering......I would pass on the AS. Never used HUD, so I have no opinion.

Reply » 550 - About to Pull the Trigger - Options

I highly recommend HUD if you have navigation. Otherwise I would pass.

HUD has a few advantages. Seeing the Nav directions on the windshield is great, without it you will forget to look at the Nav screen for directions and you will have to have the woman's voice on to remind you to look.

Also, having the MPH displayed in the windshield has kept me in check when my foot was in the pedal too much.

Also, on long road trips, the iDrive screen in bright. If you are driving at night, you can turn off the iDrive screen so the passenger can get some sleep and still have Nav on the HUD display.

If it were a choice, I would take HUD over CA since I use it more. Like all the time when I am driving.

Reply » 550 - About to Pull the Trigger - Options

Just my 2cents...
I love my active steering. One of my favorite options. Dealers like to keep the MSRP down on the cars in stock so a lot of them are not ordering active steering. Also the early reviews were not favorable. However, it has been adjusted over time and is now different than when the cars were first produced. Drive a car without it, and then one with it. You will see the difference.

I don't understand the sunshade option and why people get it. I was told that it is good for kids and then I was told "oh btw, kids love to tear those things down". I've never had it and never found the need for it.

I skipped HUD. For several reasons. 1) It is $1K. 2) I didn't like what it made the dash look like (big drop off in it with HUD). 3) the last thing I need is another distraction in front of me while driving. While it is nice with NAV, I only use my NAV once a month or so.

Comfort Access is a wonderful option. At $1K it is not the wisest investment (I can assure you that in four years when I go to sell the car, the fact that it has CA will not bring me more money over a car that does not have it. Even so, I LOVE this option.

Comfort Seats are incredible. I know people with the sport seats and the have no issues with them except for getting in and out of the car which is much harder due to the large side bolsters. Try out both seats if you can. If you can't then don't risk it and get the Comfort Seats. You won't regret it.

Black Anthracite trim looks nice - but the grain goes vertical not horizontal. This bothered me so I went with the other standard trim.

Sirius is a waste of money unless you are a big Howard fan. The sound quality is terrible and I'm not the only one who feels this way. If you do long trips, it would be nice to get a consistent station, but around town, I find the quality not worth it.

Reply » 550 - About to Pull the Trigger - Options

Quote:

Just my 2cents...
Sirius is a waste of money unless you are a big Howard fan. The sound quality is terrible and I'm not the only one who feels this way. If you do long trips, it would be nice to get a consistent station, but around town, I find the quality not worth it.

This is interesting to me. There have been a number of folks who say the sound quality is terrible but I have not found this to be the case. It is certainly not CD quality, but the quality is certainly not poor by any means. Seems the reports of poor quality seem to come more on talk channels than the music channels, where the compression is higher. Ultimately the content more than out weighs the quality issue for me, and I am not a Howard Stern fan...

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