[funbob]

I am pretty excited about my 550i on order due late June. My 335i lease is up in a couple of months. I have really enjoyed that car and I believe the 550 will be a whole new level. I am planning to do the Spartenberg delivery option too. The guys at Motorworks in Bloomington have been very helpful. I have also talked a little bit with Dinan Performance. They have assured me they plan to offer a whole line of upgrades for the new 5 series.
The xi option sounds like it might be worth waiting for. With all that power it would be great to hook up in the wet and in the cold, snowy winters we have in Minnesota. Anyone else torn between waiting for the xi or going with the i model?
I have it built as follows:

Alpine white (for now)
Black Nappa Leather
6 speed Manual
Anthracite Trim
Sport Package
Dynamic Handling
Cold Weather
Premium Plus 2
Fold Down Seats

I am considering Dark Carbon Metalic and Space Grey too. As far as I understand the xi is available in the fall. I can wait but I am just not sure if the all wheel drive is the way to go. Thanks for any comments, Bob

[gorban]

Originally Posted by funbob

I am pretty excited about my 550i on order due late June. My 335i lease is up in a couple of months. I have really enjoyed that car and I believe the 550 will be a whole new level. I am planning to do the Spartenberg delivery option too. The guys at Motorworks in Bloomington have been very helpful. I have also talked a little bit with Dinan Performance. They have assured me they plan to offer a whole line of upgrades for the new 5 series.
The xi option sounds like it might be worth waiting for. With all that power it would be great to hook up in the wet and in the cold, snowy winters we have in Minnesota. Anyone else torn between waiting for the xi or going with the i model?
I have it built as follows:

Alpine white (for now)
Black Nappa Leather
6 speed Manual
Anthracite Trim
Sport Package
Dynamic Handling
Cold Weather
Premium Plus 2
Fold Down Seats

I am considering Dark Carbon Metalic and Space Grey too. As far as I understand the xi is available in the fall. I can wait but I am just not sure if the all wheel drive is the way to go. Thanks for any comments, Bob

You will be better off with the xi during winter conditions. We've had lots of snow in Sweden this winter and on a few occations I wished that I had the 525xdT rather than the 525dT.

Apart from the winter conditions, there are only pros in getting the 550i. Less fuel consumption and the common verdict among BMW drivers and journalists is that the 4wd does not improve car handling. Rather you will feel power reactions in the front that may affect the steering and handling. Especially if you like to push the car to the limit on smaller roads.

Judging from the fact that you are ordering a manual, I guess that you are going for the ultimate sporty driving experience and then my advice is to leave out the 4wd.

[E60525d]

All 550i are autos as standard. Manual is not an option

[jyeatman]

Originally Posted by E60525d

All 550i are autos as standard. Manual is not an option

Manual is available in the U.S. on the 550i.

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by jyeatman

Manual is available in the U.S. on the 550i.

Oh, my mistake. I thought it was similar to the UK where its auto only.

[ruxp]

I'm in Minnesota as well.. I'm waiting for the 550xi, and I'll be ordering mine with a manual as well. Absolutely love my current ride (335xi).

Does anyone know when BMW USA's website will have an F10 configurator up?

[pharding]

I have winter wheels and Dunlop Winter Tires on my E60. This works quite well here in the snow.

[bobblehead]

I say for an additional (estimate) $2-$3,000 ... go for the X drive.

[rocco90]

Do we have an official confirmation that 550xi will be available in US anytime soon? The current 550i didn't have a X version yet.

[bobblehead]

Spoke to couple of bmw dealers in Ontario, Canada and they said the X Drive will begin production in September and should be here in North America by late October or early November.

[funbob]

As I was pondering the decision my car went into production so rear wheel drive it will be.
I am sure things will be ok with some snow tires. Now I only have to wait till late June for my performance delivery in South Carolina.

[ruxp]

Originally Posted by funbob

As I was pondering the decision my car went into production so rear wheel drive it will be.
I am sure things will be ok with some snow tires. Now I only have to wait till late June for my performance delivery in South Carolina.

Congrats on the ride! Let us know how the PDC delivery goes.

[hinckley]

I have the question, but am leaning towards the non-x version. While I'd like the added security of AWD, I've gone thru many, many Boston winters without it. And I'm just not willing to lose any of the BMW handling characteristics that make me keep coming back to the 5er.

btw, long-live the 550 manual!!

[LSs1Power]

This exactly what i want, a manual 550xi with Sport Package and Dynamic Handling.

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

Spoke to couple of bmw dealers in Ontario, Canada and they said the X Drive will begin production in September and should be here in North America by late October or early November.

We attended the launch of the new F10 5 series tonight in Calgary. They had both the 535 and 550. The exterior is very impressive. Love this look over the E60. 535 was $73K well equipped, with the 550 coming in at $85K fully loaded. I was a little disappointed that the interior didn't match the leap forward like the exterior.

The dealer confirmed that the new F10's will start to arrive in late May with the Xi's not arriving until October. The Xi's would be the only consideration for us....until we see what the M5 looks like anyways.