550i V8 N63 Engine

I was set on the 535i but pricing on the 550i is a comfortable difference for me. I know majority of F10 sedans are 528 and 535 and only small percentage is 550i. How reliable is the N63 V8 engine on the 550i? I know the N55 still had HPFP issues with the launch models but never have I heard that on the 550i. It's still TT and DI.

Originally Posted by Decboy

I was set on the 535i but pricing on the 550i is a comfortable difference for me. I know majority of F10 sedans are 528 and 535 and only small percentage is 550i. How reliable is the N63 V8 engine on the 550i? I know the N55 still had HPFP issues with the launch models but never have I heard that on the 550i. It's still TT and DI.

I can't answer your question, but I got a 550 and have zero regrets. Admittedly, I have a three year lease, and maintenance and warranty covers me throughout that time. But did I say that I have zero regrets?

The only thing that annoys me about my 550i is that I only get about 250 miles on a tank of gas in the city.

Bullet Proof engine

Originally Posted by Decboy

I was set on the 535i but pricing on the 550i is a comfortable difference for me. I know majority of F10 sedans are 528 and 535 and only small percentage is 550i. How reliable is the N63 V8 engine on the 550i? I know the N55 still had HPFP issues with the launch models but never have I heard that on the 550i. It's still TT and DI.

I wouldn't worry about the reliability of the engine when making the decision. Is the extra power/torque of the 550i something that you would really enjoy and are willing to pay extra for? If the answer is maybe then get the 535i, it is the same car with less power - cheaper to operate on a day to day basis and it depreciates less in the end.

I have a 550i and I wouldn't have a BMW F10 if that engine had not been available. It is the one feature that I absolutely love about my car.

If it had not been the availability of the v-8, I am not sure I would have gotten the BMW. I might have gone with Mercedes or with Lexus over the 535. Don't get me wrong, the 535 is a great car, but it's also heavy. It needs a big engine to move it.

Originally Posted by bobblehead

Bullet Proof engine

Hmm, and on which model are all the low pressure fuel pump and fuel pump modules on? The N55 535? Or the N63 550?

Just saying.

it's not the engine you need to worry about. It the other pieces that attach to the car that are more likely to give you problems. Cameras, buttons, switches, navigation, adjustable dampers, etc, etc. The N63 had it's own recall for a circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump overheating. The N63 is slated to get updated with valvetronic, this may affect your buying decision. I don't think you can lose either way.

Originally Posted by Stonehauler

Don't get me wrong, the 535 is a great car, but it's also heavy. It needs a big engine to move it.

That's the reason I'm looking at the 550. On my test drive of the 535, I felt the weight of the car when accelerating. Still it's a smooth engine. My previous E60 535, was quick out of the gate.

My other choice is the Mercedes E Class. The E350 with it's new DI V6 drives like sh*t. Engine is loud and no where smooth like the 535. The E550 is the only choice in the MB but it's not available as 2WD. I live in sunny SoCal, why would I need 4 Matic. MB really messed up on limiting the E550 with just 4 Matic.

I test drove both the 535 and 550 (both Xdrive with sport packages) and loved them both. The 550 won out easily, the difference in power is noticable. Once I built out both cars, the difference was only $3500 which in my opinion made it a no brainer. Sure the gas mileage isn't as good, but if I cared that much about gas I would have bought a Prius. The CA did mention that of all 5 series sold, about 5% are 550's. I got the Msport package and can tell you that it's a rarity to see another F10 with M sport, especially another 550 (other than my neighbor who bought a 550 M sport at the same time as I did). I now find excuses to drive all the time just because the 550i makes the drive so enjoyable.

I think it is solid. The engine has been around since 2009 in the 750i so it is well tested and while a few have had issues, most have not.

Originally Posted by Decboy

The E550 is the only choice in the MB but it's not available as 2WD. I live in sunny SoCal, why would I need 4 Matic. MB really messed up on limiting the E550 with just 4 Matic.

Have you driven the E350 Bluetec Diesel? A little boring, not as nice as the BMW IMO but a very nice car nevertheless - they also claim great fuel economy. The diesel engine feels more powerful to me than the gas V6 - the BIG torque (400 vs 273) does it.

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

I wouldn't worry about the reliability of the engine when making the decision. Is the extra power/torque of the 550i something that you would really enjoy and are willing to pay extra for? If the answer is maybe then get the 535i, it is the same car with less power - cheaper to operate on a day to day basis and it depreciates less in the end.

I have a 550i and I wouldn't have a BMW F10 if that engine had not been available. It is the one feature that I absolutely love about my car.

I couldn't agree more. I certainly wouldn't enjoy the car without the effortless power. The six is a great engine, but in no way compares to the eight.

Originally Posted by Stealth.Pilot

I think it is solid. The engine has been around since 2009 in the 750i so it is well tested and while a few have had issues, most have not.

I believe it was originally installed in the X6, even before the 750...

As an engine is has been pretty bulletproof, it's the rest of the car that crumbles....

For me, I would only have purchased a 550i M-Sport or M5. The M5 is at least $30--$40k more. I would recommend ACS springs on the F10.

Originally Posted by Decboy

That's the reason I'm looking at the 550. On my test drive of the 535, I felt the weight of the car when accelerating. Still it's a smooth engine. My previous E60 535, was quick out of the gate.

My other choice is the Mercedes E Class. The E350 with it's new DI V6 drives like sh*t. Engine is loud and no where smooth like the 535. The E550 is the only choice in the MB but it's not available as 2WD. I live in sunny SoCal, why would I need 4 Matic. MB really messed up on limiting the E550 with just 4 Matic.

I too am in SOCAL and love my 550. I looked at the E-Class at the time and it's a beautiful vehicle, but still not as nice as a 5 series M-Sport. Also there are so many E-Classes on the road here in SOCAL as you already know. Lastly it also seemed that drivers of the E-Class were always older folks, so this was not helping in my mid-life crisis stage. :-)

If you do go with the E-Class I have to say the service at Fletcher Jones MB is top notch and a large factor in getting a MB. I have a MB SUV that I get serviced there and they do a great job each and every time. Also my SUV is 4Matic, so like you said it's not really needed in SOCAL, but it's a nice added feature, so test drive the E550 4Matic to see how you like it. I also believe there is a slight refresh in the E-series for MY 2013, so wait and see.

To me the experience of driving an 8cyl vs a 6cyl is just magic I would love to test drive the 550i but I would have to wait 4 or 5 years to be able to afford one in the used market. It is true that cars with 8cyl engines will depreciate faster (good for someone like me buying used) but in reality all things being equal,these engines will last longer, will not necessarily be more expensive to fix and if you really worry about petrol consumption get a diesel. My XJ8 3.5L 2004 with 65,000miles still drives like a dream, it is smooth, fast and I rarely use the sport mode. An 8cyl engine is barely run at 60,000 miles so plenty of fun still (that is when the suspension or electrics do not let me down!).
I test drove a showroom condition XF 3.0L 2009 with 35,000miles and the engine was rough and noisy. I could not wait to get out of the car.I also test drove an XF 5.0L 2011 with 5,000 miles and the experience was awsome.

I'm set ordering the 550i especially with the 2012 and up 535i being equipped with the standard auto start/stop feature. I believe V8 models depreciate a bit more because of the added maintenance. Parts/labor and of course gas is a bit more compared to a inline or V6. But the enjoyment you get with the V8 power is worth it.

The 550i milage is 15/25. My current E350 V6 NA Engine is 17/24. No brainer for me.

I'm set ordering the 550i especially with the 2012 and up 535i being equipped with the standard auto start/stop feature. I believe V8 models depreciate a bit more because of the added maintenance. Parts/labor and of course gas is a bit more compared to a inline or V6. But the enjoyment you get with the V8 power is worth it.

The 550i milage is 15/25. My current E350 V6 NA Engine is 17/24. No brainer for me.

ummm, no, that's not the milage.

EPA figures for the 550i is something like 15/23 with the automatic and 15/22 with the manual. The xdrive is something like 15/20. http://www.fueleconomy.govThe BMWNA site does not have the current EPA estimates on it.

Here is the comparison direct link http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find....31737&id=31738

Originally Posted by Stonehauler

ummm, no, that's not the milage.

EPA figures for the 550i is something like 15/23 with the automatic and 15/22 with the manual. The xdrive is something like 15/20. http://www.fueleconomy.govThe BMWNA site does not have the current EPA estimates on it.

Here is the comparison direct link http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find....31737&id=31738

Something got screwed up with the mileage numbers. You have to beat the piss out of this car to only get 20 mpg on the highway. My guess is they left it in sport+ or something for highway testing. I have never returned less than 25mpg on the highway with my 550ix, usually it's closer to 26.5-27mpg.

There is always a milage range, but those are the numbers that will come on the sticker. I just don't want Decboy to be supprised when he gets the car and sees the sticker.

When I get my 550 either next week or the week following, I will confirm what the 2013 550i with 8 speed automatic is rated at.

Originally Posted by Emilner

Something got screwed up with the mileage numbers. You have to beat the piss out of this car to only get 20 mpg on the highway. My guess is they left it in sport+ or something for highway testing. I have never returned less than 25mpg on the highway with my 550ix, usually it's closer to 26.5-27mpg.

The 2011 550xi was rated at 16/24, but in 2012 the EPA dropped it to 15/20. My Fuelly sig tells me that EPA got it wrong in 2012.

Originally Posted by dunderhi

The 2011 550xi was rated at 16/24, but in 2012 the EPA dropped it to 15/20. My Fuelly sig tells me that EPA got it wrong in 2012.

Yes the EPA certainly screwed up. There is no reason mileage dropped by 18% with no changes. The problem is people keep quoting that 20mpg number as if that's what you should expect to get....

Speaking as a buyer, if I had only had used 2011 550s to base my purchase on as a test driver (which was possible), and I went to the BMWNA website and saw 17/24 milage for the xdrive sedan and had it read 15/20 when it came in after I ordered it...I would be BEYOND PISSED. Words such as false advertising, intentional misrepresentation of the facts, fraud, and similar things would be coming out of my mouth at the dealer, and possibly at a lawyers.

That said, because I knew the situation before I ordered, I have had time to process it and make an informed decision that I want to proceed. In fact, it was because of this information regarding the milage that I ordered the RWD version over the xdrive version. If it was just 1 mpg difference, I would have gotten the x-drive. With it being a 3 mpg difference...well, that was worth something to me. It was also the reason I had a 2 month internal debate over the 550 vs the 535 where the difference was 10 mpg.

Thanks Stonehauler for the heads up. 15/23 is the correct mileage. 2 mpg difference. I do recall the sticker on the 550 I test drove the other week reading 23 as opposed to 25. I guess between the power of the V8 and the lack of auto start stop, I can compromise. I'm just glad BMW offers the 550 as RWD.