2009 550i Rim size question

Hi all,

First post here. Looking to buy a 09 550i with 6 speed. Currently driving 07 Infiniti G35S with 6 speed.

Anyway, the 550i I found has 225/50R17. Is that the base model and standard rim? I was under the impression that 550i comes with 18" standard, am I incorrect?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by st1sj

Hi all,

First post here. Looking to buy a 09 550i with 6 speed. Currently driving 07 Infiniti G35S with 6 speed.

Anyway, the 550i I found has 225/50R17. Is that the base model and standard rim? I was under the impression that 550i comes with 18" standard, am I incorrect?

Thanks!

The standard rim on the 550 is the 17". With the M-sport package, the car has 19" rims. In my opinion, the Sport package completely transforms the look of this car. Keep in mind that manual transmission 550s are hard to find. In 2008, they made less than 500 of them. 2009 and 2010 are even rarer. I've noticed that quite a few of the manual trans cars do not have the sports package, which is kind of weird.

Less than 500 6 speed manuals in 2008?????!!!!! Wow! Keith, you and I have 2 of those 500.

Originally Posted by e39 dave

Less than 500 6 speed manuals in 2008?????!!!!! Wow! Keith, you and I have 2 of those 500.

Here's the link to the data. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ght=vin+manual I was off just a bit, there were 580 2008 manual trans 550s. Only 40 in 2009, 84 in 2010. That's why they are so hard to find!

pre-LCI:

'06: CN93000 (2005-02-22) - CN93419 (2006-02-24)
'07: CN93420 (2006-02-27) - CN94111 (2007-02-23)

LCI:

'08: CT34000 (2006-05-29*) - CT34580 (2008-07-29)
'09: CT34581 (2008-08-25) - CT34621 (2009-02-16)
'10: CT34623** (2009-04-01) - CT34707 (2009-12-17)

*This is not a typo; there were a few examples built for testing/press use before production switched completely in 02/07.

**CT34622 wasn't produced.

Originally Posted by st1sj

Hi all,

First post here. Looking to buy a 09 550i with 6 speed. Currently driving 07 Infiniti G35S with 6 speed.

Anyway, the 550i I found has 225/50R17. Is that the base model and standard rim? I was under the impression that 550i comes with 18" standard, am I incorrect?

Thanks!

Yes it is the base and standard rim for 550i. For a certain time I used size 245/40/18 all around and it lacked a lot of grip. Now I have 255 at the front 285 at the back and its much much better.
so with the 225/50/17 I think it will be even worse, anyone has experienced this?

Thanks for the response folks! Going to take another look at the car today. Wow, the 6 speed is so rare!

Perhaps I can use the standard 17 for winter tires and get some 18" with summer tires. That is how my current Infiniti is set up too. I take it that I would then have to go to the dealer to program the TPMS, yes?

Camp: what am I giving up with the sports package?

Originally Posted by st1sj

Thanks for the response folks! Going to take another look at the car today. Wow, the 6 speed is so rare!

Perhaps I can use the standard 17 for winter tires and get some 18" with summer tires. That is how my current Infiniti is set up too. I take it that I would then have to go to the dealer to program the TPMS, yes?

Camp: what am I giving up with the sports package?

You're giving up lots with the Sports Package. Multi-Contour Seats (they are awesome), active roll stabilization, 19" wheels, M body kit (transforms the look of the car), different exhaust (sounds a bit different, but no more HP). When I was buying my car, I wouldn't consider one without the sports package. For that reason, I ended up flying up to San Francisco (I live near LA) to buy it, and then drove it home. Couldn't be happier.

Have you been looking at the BMW pre-owned web page? Last time I looked, there were about 8 manual trans cars there. Be careful when you read the dealer descriptions, a lot of dealers call the car a manual trans car when it has the Sport Auto package, which is the automatic with a sport mode and paddle shifters. People on this site speak very highly of that set up, but it isn't a true manual gearbox. Look at the pictures, or even easier, look at the VIN. If it doesn't start with a "3", it isn't a 6MT.

Although these cars are rare, they are out there and for sale. Just keep looking, and don't settle for something that doesn't have what you really want. I looked for my car for over six months before I found what I really wanted. BTW, I was originally in the market for a new G37 6MT, until my neighbor let me drive his 535. I loved the car, and started investigating to find out what they cost lightly used. I quickly realized I could also afford a 550 for the same price as a new G37. I found a 6MT 550 at a non-BMW dealer locally, and after driving it, there was no turning back. Then, it was watching the CPO page for the right car to come up, and eventually, it did. Keep up the search, be patient, and you will be rewarded. Don't jump at the first car. Don't be afraid to travel to get the right car. Depending on where it is, somebody here on the forum may be available to go look at a car for you; if in LA, give me a holler!

Keith

Hey Keith, thanks for the response! I have a 08 S2000 that rattles my brain with every bump, so I think I can do without the Sports Package (although the bigger rims/tires would look better; the 17" will be cheaper).

By the way, the G35's clutch is not easy to operate smoothly. I noticed that the 550i throws are longer than the G35 (and much longer than the S2K). What is your experience?

Originally Posted by st1sj

Hey Keith, thanks for the response! I have a 08 S2000 that rattles my brain with every bump, so I think I can do without the Sports Package (although the bigger rims/tires would look better; the 17" will be cheaper).

By the way, the G35's clutch is not easy to operate smoothly. I noticed that the 550i throws are longer than the G35 (and much longer than the S2K). What is your experience?

The clutch / shift linkage in the BMW is, in my opinion, one of the best out there. BTW, one feature of the Sport Package that I forgot to list is a shorter throw linkage; the linkage on my car is like butter, one of the best I've ever felt, except maybe a Miata. The clutch pickup is far superior to both. I came from a Nissan Maxima, which had an awful shift linkage feel. The clutch was also pretty abrupt, but I got used to it.

I'd reconsider the sport package if I were you. The ride is pretty darn good, particularly given the handling capabilities. It will be far better than your S2K.

Keith

2006 550i sport package with 19" wheels wearing Nexen 275/30 zr 19 on the rear (with 12mm spacer) and Conti DW 245/35 zr 19 on front (no spacer).

Keith, thanks for the advice! I purchased it without the sports package! Just did not want to wait. Looking forward to enjoying that V8. I think the 550i will mesh well with the S2K.

By the way, can you recommend some OEM accessory websites? This is my first BMW so I am not familiar with the options out there. Just looking to get some carpet/winter floor mats for now. Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by st1sj

Keith, thanks for the advice! I purchased it without the sports package! Just did not want to wait. Looking forward to enjoying that V8. I think the 550i will mesh well with the S2K.

By the way, can you recommend some OEM accessory websites? This is my first BMW so I am not familiar with the options out there. Just looking to get some carpet/winter floor mats for now. Thanks in advance!

Congratulations! You're going to love your "new" car, I know I still get a kick out of driving my car, and I've had it for over 2 years now!!!

I am not a person that accessorizes my car much, so I can't give you much in the way of good sites to buy from. I'm sure others will chime in. Wish you lived closer to me, I have a set of BMW OEM winter floor mats sitting on my garage floor that I'm not using right now (not really required out here in California) that I'm sure we could work something out for.....just too lazy to package them up to ship across the country.

Keith

Having owned an '07 G35x 5AT and an '08 G37S 6MT coupe I can honestly say the E60 is miles better than either. I'm not regretting getting the 6AT on my 535xi at all - the shifts in normal D are as good as I'd like and DS works like it's reading my mind. The 6MT on the Infiniti was like rowing a broomstick handle through a bucket of rocks and the clutch was nearly impossible to modulate. All of my BMWs prior to this car were manual and they always had the smoothest shift and best clutch takeup of any other car I've tried.

Congrats on your purchase - you're going to love it.

Thanks for the feedback! I ordered some mats from getbmwparts.com and will pick them up. Prices seem ok.

Got the 550i inspected. Looks all good but needs a battery! Sounds like this is not a DIY job like the S2K or G35.

Audiophool, yes the G's clutch is impossible to drive smoothly. I like the throws and the clutch is good when shifting fast. The S2K's shifter is just amazing. Much better than my buddy's Miata.

Anyway, love the V8's torque and the clutch action is fantastic.

Do you guys recommend purchasing an extended warranty? Sounds like electronics or oil leaks can be pricey. Thanks!

If you are looking for an extended warranty check out Route 66 Easy Street - only available through Credit Unions (I joined a local one for $50 for the warranty).