Ordered -- 2011 BMW 550i Sport

Well, after a few weeks of indecision and a lengthy test-drive tonight of both a (loaded) 550i Sport and a (reasonably loaded) 535i Sport, I have placed an order for a last-week-of-June build. My specs are as follows:

2011 BMW 550i Sedan
Titanium Silver / Black Dakota Leather / Anthracite Wood
ZSP - Sport Package
2TB - Sport Automatic Transmission w/ Shift Paddles
ZDH - Dynamic Handling Package
ZAV - Active Ventilated Seats
ZCV - Convenience Package
ZCW - Cold Weather Package
ZP2 - Premium Package 2
610 - Head-up Display
775 - Anthracite Headliner

This car will be replacing my 2009 750i Sport. The 7 has been a great car, but after living with it for a bit, I've come to really dislike the Integral Active Steering and miss the "BMW-ness" that I've been used to having. I had an opportunity to get out of the 7 and move on, so I am doing so.

I was a bit torn on the Dynamic Handling Package, so I am curious about other's experiences with it. The 550i that I drove had it, while the 535i did not, although both cars had the Sport Package and the Sport Automatic. The truth is, I'm not sure how much difference there really was, especially in normal day-to-day driving (or at least, my test-drive version of it). I went ahead and ordered the ZDH package, simply because I was scared not to (my problem with the 7, after all, is the lack of sportiness), but I am wondering if I am truly throwing money away with this. Thoughts?

Other than that, the options list was pretty straight-forward for me in terms of what I wanted and what I didn't. The Driver Assistance Package didn't really interest me, other than the auto high beams, but that alone wasn't worth the price of admission. (Anyone heard of being able to get that single option on its own, similar to the way I did on my X6?) Other options like Active Cruise, Night Vision (lessons learned), and Rear Entertainment were easy things to pass up.

So, I'm excited.... and the wait begins.

BTW, thank you to the person on the forum who tipped me off about the Anthracite Headliner being a Priority 1 option. Very glad to have that box checked.

Your very welcome. I am glad to see it all worked out for you. As a side note I wrestled with the same idea with the dynamic handling. I actually left it in my dealers hands. I asked him his thoughts and whether or not it would effect resale. He actually talked me out of it. I can say howvever after using the car for a couple weeks I almost wished I would have added it. Even though I rarely used it on my 750 LI I do think it would be nice to have the option to change the feel. At least by adding it you have the choice!

Either way..I think you are going to love your car!

Good luck!

Originally Posted by nowake01

Your very welcome. I am glad to see it all worked out for you. As a side note I wrestled with the same idea with the dynamic handling. I actually left it in my dealers hands. I asked him his thoughts and whether or not it would effect resale. He actually talked me out of it. I can say howvever after using the car for a couple weeks I almost wished I would have added it. Even though I rarely used it on my 750 LI I do think it would be nice to have the option to change the feel. At least by adding it you have the choice!

Either way..I think you are going to love your car!

Good luck!

Now I'm confused. I didn't think the Dynamic Handling Package was something that could be turned on or off? Am I misunderstanding your post?

It's interesting because my salesman didn't think it would be necessary, either, but after longing for more "sport" with my 7, I was worried about passing on the opportunity.

Well..Its my understanding that you have the ability to switch to sport mode, Normal, or comfort. Alot like your 7 series I am assuming.
If it is something different I would like to know myself!

Originally Posted by nowake01

Well..Its my understanding that you have the ability to switch to sport mode, Normal, or comfort. Alot like your 7 series I am assuming.
If it is something different I would like to know myself!

Well, both cars I drove last night (a 535i and a 550i) had the Comfort/Normal/Sport/Sport+ toggle, like in my 7. Both cars had the Sport Package and the Sport Automatic, but only the 550i had the Dynamic Handling Package. I was told that ZDH adds electronic dampening and a different (firmer?) ARS system, but it's nothing that's adjustable.

You don't have the toggle? Do you have the Sport Package and the Sport Auto?

No toggle here ... Do have the sports pkg. No sprts trans ( was told this only gave me paddles on my steering wheel) which I never used on my 7...

Originally Posted by nowake01

No toggle here ... Do have the sports pkg. No sprts trans ( was told this only gave me paddles on my steering wheel) which I never used on my 7...

That's interesting. The toggle definitely must be a part of the "Sport Automatic" option, then. I checked the "Build Your Own" section on bmwusa.com and noticed that in the description of Sport Automatic, it includes "Adaptive Transmission Control," so that makes sense that it'd be referring to the toggle.

My understanding, though, is that the Dynamic Handling Package is something else entirely that's not adjustable.

Nice choice. How much is the the headliner?

Originally Posted by chrischeung

nice choice. How much is the the headliner?

$500 msrp.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

Well, after a few weeks of indecision and a lengthy test-drive tonight of both a (loaded) 550i Sport and a (reasonably loaded) 535i Sport, I have placed an order for a last-week-of-June build. My specs are as follows:

2011 BMW 550i Sedan
Titanium Silver / Black Dakota Leather / Anthracite Wood
ZSP - Sport Package
2TB - Sport Automatic Transmission w/ Shift Paddles
ZDH - Dynamic Handling Package
ZAV - Active Ventilated Seats
ZCV - Convenience Package
ZCW - Cold Weather Package
ZP2 - Premium Package 2
610 - Head-up Display
775 - Anthracite Headliner

This car will be replacing my 2009 750i Sport. The 7 has been a great car, but after living with it for a bit, I've come to really dislike the Integral Active Steering and miss the "BMW-ness" that I've been used to having. I had an opportunity to get out of the 7 and move on, so I am doing so.

I was a bit torn on the Dynamic Handling Package, so I am curious about other's experiences with it. The 550i that I drove had it, while the 535i did not, although both cars had the Sport Package and the Sport Automatic. The truth is, I'm not sure how much difference there really was, especially in normal day-to-day driving (or at least, my test-drive version of it). I went ahead and ordered the ZDH package, simply because I was scared not to (my problem with the 7, after all, is the lack of sportiness), but I am wondering if I am truly throwing money away with this. Thoughts?

Other than that, the options list was pretty straight-forward for me in terms of what I wanted and what I didn't. The Driver Assistance Package didn't really interest me, other than the auto high beams, but that alone wasn't worth the price of admission. (Anyone heard of being able to get that single option on its own, similar to the way I did on my X6?) Other options like Active Cruise, Night Vision (lessons learned), and Rear Entertainment were easy things to pass up.

So, I'm excited.... and the wait begins.

I really miss having an adjustable suspension on my 6. I had it on my '93 740i but that had only two settings, comfort and sport. The 850i had a "normal" mode as well. On my 7 it was called EDC or electronic damper control. The M6 has it now as standard with all three settings. The new F10 has four settings which includes the sport plus that turns off the electronic controls to allow for power slides. I'll be getting the full package on my 550i xDrive in the fall. I'm sure I will use all three modes, but I doubt I will have the courage to use the sport plus. I would reserve that for the track.

Also, on my 6 the steering effort with the active steering has two settings. The regular setting is too light for my taste but I do use it sometimes. The sport setting improves the feel dramatically and I like it even more than the non active steering on my E39 540 and E39 M5. Was the integral active steering on your 750i adjustable for steering effort? Considering the adjustable active steering on my 6 I'm sure it will be adjustable on the F10.

I have active cruise on my 6 and love it on the interstate for intercity travel. It is an absolute godsend and I will never buy another car without it.

Originally Posted by richschneid

Also, on my 6 the steering effort with the active steering has two settings. The regular setting is too light for my taste but I do use it sometimes. The sport setting improves the feel dramatically and I like it even more than the non active steering on my E39 540 and E39 M5. Was the integral active steering on your 750i adjustable for steering effort? Considering the adjustable active steering on my 6 I'm sure it will be adjustable on the F10.

There is no adjustment to the Integral Active Steering on my '09 7er. For the '09 model year, IAS was part of the Sport Package instead of a stand alone option, as it is now.

On previous vehicles (two 6ers, X5, X6, etc.), I always avoided Active Steering like the plague, but was convinced that Integral Active Steering (on the new 7) would be different. It is different from the traditional A/S, but I still ended up not liking it. I doubt I would ever order it again, adjustable or not.

BTW, Rich... I still miss my 6er. Just a fantastic car.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

BTW, Rich... I still miss my 6er. Just a fantastic car.

I'm betting, based on what I have read, that my 550i xDrive will be even better than my 6. But I need four doors and AWD in any case so I just have to take my chances.

I agree with you about the 6. It is by far the best car I have ever DRIVEN.

Originally Posted by richschneid

I'm betting, based on what I have read, that my 550i xDrive will be even better than my 6. But I need four doors and AWD in any case so I just have to take my chances.

I agree with you about the 6. It is by far the best car I have ever DRIVEN.

I've had two 6ers... '06 and '08 650i Sports. My main (only?) criticism was just that for such a large car, the back seat was nearly uninhabitable by anything with legs. Shame, really. Wonderful car otherwise. And it probably got as much attention as any BMW I've driven.

I'm really curious to see how the next generation turns out.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

I've had two 6ers... '06 and '08 650i Sports. My main (only?) criticism was just that for such a large car, the back seat was nearly uninhabitable by anything with legs. Shame, really. Wonderful car otherwise. And it probably got as much attention as any BMW I've driven.

I'm really curious to see how the next generation turns out.

My stepson was able to sit comfortably in the back seat on long trips until he was 5'10". Now he's 6'3", that's one reason I'm getting a 5. The front seats move up very far in the 6 to allow a lot of back seat legroom and the back seats are very deep so there is a surprising amount of headroom. His mom is 5'5" and she had no problem moving up the passenger seat far enough to give her son adequate leg room. The 6 has a lot more rear seat room than the Audi S5 and any other coupe on the market except for the Bentley. The key is moving up the front seats. The front seats have a huge amount of extra leg room.

Originally Posted by richschneid

My stepson was able to sit comfortably in the back seat on long trips until he was 5'10". Now he's 6'3", that's one reason I'm getting a 5. The front seats move up very far in the 6 to allow a lot of back seat legroom and the back seats are very deep so there is a surprising amount of headroom. His mom is 5'5" and she had no problem moving up the passenger seat far enough to give her son adequate leg room. The 6 has a lot more rear seat room than the Audi S5 and any other coupe on the market except for the Bentley. The key is moving up the front seats. The front seats have a huge amount of extra leg room.

Clearly, you have a more tolerant family than I do. We should trade.