When investing in an executive sedan like the BMW 550i model, it is crucial to get your facts right so that you don’t end up regretting it. The BMW 550i is undoubtedly one of the best sedans on the market. This car is powerful, sophisticated, safe, spacious, and comfortable.
We will be looking at every aspect of the BMW 550i so that buyers can make an informed choice. The BMW 550i comes in two models: 550i sedan and 550i xDrive sedan. The latter is slightly more powerful and costlier than the former.
History of the BMW 550i
The BMW 550i was first produced from 2009 to 2013. BMW later redesigned the car and came up with a new model for 2014 to 2017. The main difference between these two BMWs was the horsepower. The latest BMW 550i was fitted with 444 hp, while its predecessor came with 402 hp.
Besides, the first BMW 5-Series was manufactured in 1972. Today, BMW offers BMW 5-Series executive cars with the 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon, and 5-door fastback. Astonishingly, BMW’s three-digit model naming convention started with the 5-Series, before being used on other names.
Even though BMW 550i is among the least reliable BMW models on the market, it has only had 12 recalls so far, which is quite impressive. Overall, the car is still unreliable because of its engine.
Features of the BMW 550i
Appearance
The BMW 550i comes with a simple but elegant design. Thanks to features such as the lovely kidney grille, 18-inch silver aluminum wheels, tilting glass sunroof, and front fog or driving lights. Unlike the latest sedans, the older models had a smaller grille and lacked a sporty feel. However, BMW has redesigned the grille and the car looks more spectacular.
In terms of the interior, the BMW 550i also still looks outstanding as it comes with leather seats as standard. This is because it is the most advanced car in the BMW 5-Series. Additionally, it boasts features like driver & lumbar support, heated mirrors, a navigation system, and much more.
The BMW 550i executive sedan is also large compared to most compact sedans as it has a wheelbase of 116.9-inches, a length of 193.4-inches, a width of 73.2-inches, and a height of 57.6-inches.
Performance
As stated earlier, the BMW 550i 5-Series comes with two trims. The first trim is the 505i sedan, while the second trim is the 550i xDrive sedan. Even though these two cars come with the same interior and exterior features, the 550i xDrive car is more powerful than the BMW 550i sedan.
The base trim, which is the BMW 550i sedan comes with a 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 gas engine with 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel-drive system. This engine delivers up to 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It can also accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.
On the contrary, the 2014 BMW 550i xDrive comes with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 gas engine with 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive. Besides, the engine delivers up to 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds.
Therefore, if you want a performance model, opt for the BMW 550i xDrive. But if you want to save some initial cash and reduce expenditure on fuel, go for the BMW 550i.
Comfort and Cargo space
The 2014 BMW 550i is also spacious and can seat up to five people. It has ample legroom, headroom, and shoulder room. With 14 cubic ft of trunk space, this car is perfect for a family and picnics. It can also be used for daily driving, regardless of its high fuel consumption rate.
Fuel efficiency
This car consumes a lot of fuel compared to other lesser cars in its series. It comes with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. This means it has an average combined mpg of 28. On the other hand, the more powerful xDrive model has an EPA rating of 22mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
Price
BMW 5-Series is the second selling BMW series after the BMW 3-Series. However, this series doesn’t come cheap as it’s the executive model of the series. The BMW 550i has a base price of $63,600.
FAQ
Is BMW 550i worth spending money on?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a powerful, advanced, and spacious sedan, the BMW 550i is an ideal car for you. But if you’re looking for a reliable sedan that is also fuel-efficient, the BMW 550i is not a perfect car for you. This is because this car uses a lot of fuel and has several issues.
Is the BMW 550i a reliable car?
No, it isn’t. This is because it ranks below average when it comes to reliability. Additionally, this car registers more problems than most BMWs. One of the main reasons why the BMW 550i is unreliable is because it comes with a compact V8 twin-turbo engine with a lot of issues.
What are the common problems of the BMW 550i?
BMW 550i is an advanced, luxurious, and powerful sedan, but it also faces several issues. Some of the common problems that owners of this car should expect include water pump issues, air conditioning problems, steering wheel noises, water pump leaks, engine overheating, and much more.
More about BMW 550i problems.
Is it expensive to maintain the BMW 550i?
Yes, it is very expensive to maintain the BMW 550i. This is because it is among the least reliable cars on the market. Additionally, BMW parts and services are very costly, meaning you will have to pay more than the industry average to have your car repaired or maintained.
What are the top maintenance needs of the BMW 550i?
If you want to extend the lifespan of your BMW 550i and make it clock over 200,000 miles, proper maintenance is required. What’s more, you should observe BMW’s scheduled service maintenance. Some of the top maintenance needs of the BMW 550i are brake pad replacement, oil changes, oil filter changes, air conditioning diagnostics, and wheel alignment.
Summary
The BMW 550i is the top sedan in the BMW 5-Series. So, if you want a powerful, comfortable, advanced, and luxurious sedan in the 5-Series, 550i is a great option. Besides, it has two variants to pick from giving buyers alternatives. However, the BMW 550i also comes with several challenges that owners should be ready to face as the car ages.
Generally, the BMW 550i is a powerful and high-performance car. Additionally, it is safe but quite expensive. With proper maintenance and care, the BMW 550i can last for years.
