[Rennsport GT3]

I've had my never winter driven 2003 540iM 6speed for 12 years and bought it from a family friend. It's got about 135,000 km on it, is in great condition, reasonably reliable now that the rad, clutch, flywheel etc. have all been recently done and even the dash pixels have been repaired. I'm thinking about something new that my wife can drive if we go out, is more comfortable in traffic, has some modern tech etc. And more power with a modern gearbox.

I'm not looking for a sports car. I have a 2004 Porsche GT3 (keeper) and a 2018 GT3 Touring (another keeper). I'm looking for a quiet, reasonably handling sporty car with comfortable seats and a comfortable ride during the summer. The roads in the city where I live are punishing. I have access to company pickup trucks if I have to tow anything and for winter driving and I'm pretty sure we are going to order an X7 4.0 for my wife in a few weeks.

I wanted a wagon for convenience ... kids ... dog ... hockey bag ... and was all set to buy an E63S wagon but the ride is unnecessarily harsh and no matter what I cannot get comfortable in the seats. Bolstering is too heavy and digs into my ribs. I guess I am too wide. E53 wagon would have been a good compromise but those seats. The drivetrain is pretty slick and it has enough power. Too bad, a friend owns the local MB dealer. New RS6 Avant is appealing but big $ I really just don't feel like spending.

I had a 2005 Porsche Carrera S that was built around the time Porsche engines exhibited IMS problems. Thankfully mine wasn't directly affected and it would seem that most affected were never revved high, driven a lot at low RPM etc. The vast majority of engines were not affected. Only some. But a lot of those people post a lot of bad experiences online while the owners of unaffected cars go about their lives.

I've been thinking M550xi checks most of the boxes. A comfortable rocket couch. From the way things are progressing it would not appear the V8 will be around forever so there is some motivation there. The 550 is a little portly but otherwise looks pretty good. But N63. I've been reading. A lot. Hot V design appears ingenious, and adopted by MB and Audi but heat, oil, kaboom etc. Car will be maintained properly, not lugged, revved and driven with some spirit but won't be driven a lot of mileage every year. If I liked it I'd likely keep it awhile. Say 10-12 yrs.

Should I be concerned the engine, now in production in its basic form for over a decade, is going to grenade on me?

[stein_325i]

While I can't predict the future, personally I would buy an Inline-6 5-series if owning for 10-12 years, BMW V8's are great in performance but in my experience not as durable as the Inline-6 and are more problematic as they age for long-term duty and are more suitable in a lease situation.

I'm sure you will get M550i owners saying different and those saying the N63 has been updated and no longer shows the issues of past engine models however I still wouldn't trust one, just not worth the maintenance and upkeep. For a comfortable car that has enough speed a 540i should be more than enough power and comfort, especially when you have your Porsche's for when you want to have fun.

Just my $0.02

[Superjackson]

If you're planning to keep for super long time, Have you considered lexus GSF? It is very comfortable and better handling than m550i and it's a more reliable v8 although weaker because natural aspirated. Looking back now, I kinda regret going m550 over the gsf because I was too obsessed with acceleration numbers 😔

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Superjackson

If you're planning to keep for super long time, Have you considered lexus GSF? It is very comfortable and better handling than m550i and it's a more reliable v8 although weaker because natural aspirated. Looking back now, I kinda regret going m550 over the gsf because I was too obsessed with acceleration numbers 😔

I love the current GS-F! An NA RWD mid-sized sedan in a pack of turbocharged AWD Germans feels really special, and the chassis tuning on the car isn't bad either. The trans could be snappier, the looks could be cleaner and the infotainment could be better, but its hard to argue with the way it steers and drives, plus the interior has tons of soft materials with comfy seats and the fact that it will outlive any of its competitors with zero issues makes it an interesting choice.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by jstein55

I love the current GS-F! An NA RWD mid-sized sedan in a pack of turbocharged AWD Germans feels really special, and the chassis tuning on the car isn't bad either. The trans could be snappier, the looks could be cleaner and the infotainment could be better, but its hard to argue with the way it steers and drives, plus the interior has tons of soft materials with comfy seats and the fact that it will outlive any of its competitors with zero issues makes it an interesting choice.

The GS is going away. So good news that you would have a bit of a unicorn; bad news is that parts may be more problematic if you keep it for a long time.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...20Black%20Line.

[Rennsport GT3]

Thanks for the replies. Not unexpected responses.

There is no GSF in the area and the headroom, which I need, is better in the BMW. The seats are more comfortable for me too.

I guess I should drive a 540i. I do appreciate the lighter weight and what should be nicer handling.
Too bad it didn't have 400hp+ and 400 lb ft tq+.

I'll check into how long the extended warranty runs on the powertrain. Maybe keep the 550 up until that expires.

Options ...

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Rennsport GT3

Thanks for the replies. Not unexpected responses.

There is no GSF in the area and the headroom, which I need, is better in the BMW. The seats are more comfortable for me too.

I guess I should drive a 540i. I do appreciate the lighter weight and what should be nicer handling.
Too bad it didn't have 400hp+ and 400 lb ft tq+.

I'll check into how long the extended warranty runs on the powertrain. Maybe keep the 550 up until that expires.

Options ...

BMW will sell you as long as 7 years/100K miles if buying new. Not a lot if you're generally a long time owner and won't last long if you put on miles. Standard mileage would have the warranty expiring in ~6 years. CPO can help as you can go up to 7 w/o the mileage cap but I assume it is less comprehensive? I haven't checked though.

Would help you decide if you're needing to jump off the train on it though as you have an ownership history with it to evaluate.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

The GS is going away. So good news that you would have a bit of a unicorn; bad news is that parts may be more problematic if you keep it for a long time.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...20Black%20Line.

Yes this has been expected for a while now so not really surprising that its being discontinued. As for the problems in the long run, I wouldn't expect many, I believe its the same powertrain that Toyota has used for some time now, even the original IS F had it I believe.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Rennsport GT3

Thanks for the replies. Not unexpected responses.

There is no GSF in the area and the headroom, which I need, is better in the BMW. The seats are more comfortable for me too.

I guess I should drive a 540i. I do appreciate the lighter weight and what should be nicer handling.
Too bad it didn't have 400hp+ and 400 lb ft tq+.

I'll check into how long the extended warranty runs on the powertrain. Maybe keep the 550 up until that expires.

Options ...

I recommend you test drive the new 540i, they are/feel much quicker than the numbers suggest since BMW underrates them typically. Also you'll enjoy much better MPG in the 40i, but yes, M550i will feel more nose heavy, I had a 540 and test drove a 550, and other than the powertrain, the handling is very similar between the two cars.

Quick question, I have the CLS 53 which has the same seats as the E53 you tried out (I'm also jealous you guys in Canada get the E53 Wagon!) and while the seats are definitely heavily bolstered, the bolsters are also adjustable, although it is hidden in the menu's within the command system unlike BMW who puts it with the seat controls, did you try that out?

[Rennsport GT3]

Originally Posted by jstein55

I recommend you test drive the new 540i, they are/feel much quicker than the numbers suggest since BMW underrates them typically. Also you'll enjoy much better MPG in the 40i, but yes, M550i will feel more nose heavy, I had a 540 and test drove a 550, and other than the powertrain, the handling is very similar between the two cars.

Quick question, I have the CLS 53 which has the same seats as the E53 you tried out (I'm also jealous you guys in Canada get the E53 Wagon!) and while the seats are definitely heavily bolstered, the bolsters are also adjustable, although it is hidden in the menu's within the command system unlike BMW who puts it with the seat controls, did you try that out?

I'm tall and I'm wide. Not especially thick but wide.

My friend owns the dealership so I was permitted extensive time and about 200km in each of E63S wagon, E53 sedan and a E450 Wagon. We were all ready to buy one. The E53 powertrain is pretty impressive. After about 45 min the seats start to become very uncomfortable digging into my ribs and putting pressure on my pelvis/hips. I think I was sitting on the seats rather than in. The bolstering is thick and upright and the seatbacks are shorter than BMW. Porsche seating is way better for me. The seats were adjustable with the inflatable bolsters and I started at zero inflation. Too tight. It doesn't make much sense to me. Sure offer those seats but offer a different seat with wider appeal. Most women and smaller/narrower men will find them ok. My back hates them.
Too bad as the wagon is what I wanted. And yes we are fortunate to have the E53 wagon. I tried MB ...

The BMW seats in my E39 are comfortable as are the lux seats in the 540/550. BMW offers more headroom too. And I prefer the styling inside and out. Too bad no Touring.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Rennsport GT3

I'm tall and I'm wide. Not especially thick but wide.

My friend owns the dealership so I was permitted extensive time and about 200km in each of E63S wagon, E53 sedan and a E450 Wagon. We were all ready to buy one. The E53 powertrain is pretty impressive. After about 45 min the seats start to become very uncomfortable digging into my ribs and putting pressure on my pelvis/hips. I think I was sitting on the seats rather than in. The bolstering is thick and upright and the seatbacks are shorter than BMW. Porsche seating is way better for me. The seats were adjustable with the inflatable bolsters and I started at zero inflation. Too tight. It doesn't make much sense to me. Sure offer those seats but offer a different seat with wider appeal. Most women and smaller/narrower men will find them ok. My back hates them.
Too bad as the wagon is what I wanted. And yes we are fortunate to have the E53 wagon. I tried MB ...

The BMW seats in my E39 are comfortable as are the lux seats in the 540/550. BMW offers more headroom too. And I prefer the styling inside and out. Too bad no Touring.

Audi A6 Allroad could be an interesting choice, although will likely lack in power, but makes up in practicality. Otherwise a 540/50 or maybe even an X5 would do you well.

[Rennsport GT3]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Audi A6 Allroad could be an interesting choice, although will likely lack in power, but makes up in practicality. Otherwise a 540/50 or maybe even an X5 would do you well.

Allroad was a consideration although I won't drive it in the winter.

My wife has a 2015 Outback and we were thinking of replacing it. We looked at X5 and it's good, but rear seat is X7 can move back further offering more legroom, the X7 has 3 rows for occasional kid use and is only 9" longer than X5 while no wider. Our kids will be tall and we plan on keeping it awhile.

I usually drive an F150 CrewCab the 5km to and from work and in the winter.

If I do anything it'd be a sedan. In the meantime I have a Grom Bluetooth adapter to install in my E39. New 540 is a possibility. The 550 is too.