slick316

Traded it in over the weekend for this, 2012 BMW 550i XDrive.

Already miss some things about the TL, but overall I love this beast!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

glad you didnt bitch out and get a 528i!

hadokenuh

Nice upgrade!

slick316

I'm surprised I didn't bitch out, lol.

I was actually thinking about getting a second vehicle, a new mustang or something, because I wanted a "fun" car. But I didn't want to have to deal with the maintenance on two cars and insurance, blah blah. And knowing me, I would drive the heck out of the new car and neglect the TL. So I killed two birds with one stone and got the car I really wanted.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

awesome car man!!

terdonal

Congrats, enjoy.

mr_raja

Nice upgrade man.

So what do you miss from TL? Care to share? I am sooooo tempted to trade-in my TL for a 535d, with x-drive of course.

Brock79

Congrats, that car was and still is on my list of cars to own. With not having my TL for over a month already and not missing it one bit, I might do the same exact thing you did.

NBP04TL4ME

Very nice upgrade!! Best of Luck with it

exl_ent_v6

ughh I want... I was just at BMW over the weekend and looked at a CPO 550i and was drooling.

What made you get the BMW? Sorry if I missed other posts. I really want one but am kinda afraid to BUY a car, I always lease so I don't have to worry about repairs since they will be under warranty and when the warranty is over I'd get something else. (and a new 550 is way above my tax bracket)

slick316

I basically just wanted something different and the car seemed very nice for the price so I pulled the trigger. I was initially thinking about getting the 535i before I got the TL, but I couldn't justify the cost of it new, so I picked the TL which is an excellent value for what you get.

Things I'm already missing about the TL is the convenient front storage. Like the little cell phone drawer that comes out of the center armrest, that is so damn handy. I don't have anything like that in the 550, so I just keep my phone in the cheesy cupholders (seriously BMW, can't figure out how to make decent cup holders?). Also miss the sunglass holder, but luckily BMW put a pocket on the dash to the left of the steering wheel that is big enough to hold my sunglasses.

I also miss the stereo. My 550 has the base stereo, aka garbage sound system. Even the upgraded Harman Kardon system you can get doesn't sound as nice as the TL's ELS. But this base one is really just lame. I might actually upgrade it.

The runflat tires are also a drag. Loud and rough riding. I don't want to spend much on the car right now, but I have a feeling I'll be swapping the tires out for regular rubber way before they wear out. Run flats truly suck.

Other than that, I love this car. The 400hp/450lb torque is sublime. Car easily gets to speed without you knowing. Effortless acceleration that sucks you into the seats. And the seats, my god. The 20 way, active vented seats are amazing. So comfortable, I can't wait to do long distance drives in this thing. The iDrive system is also very nice. Took me a day to get used to it, but I see how easy it is to use now (although I never had an issue with the Acura system, it was simple and straight forward and I liked it).

I'm still getting to know it, but if anyone has questions about it, feel free to post them or PM me.

jterp7

i think a ton of acura owners are bmw fans, which says something in that after the TL, there really isn't anywhere to upgrade to within the brand. How does the steering compare? Of the recent BMW's, only the M235i passed the grade for me, though in hindsight the TL's lightness is actually fairly similar to the F30s.

wreak

Beautiful upgrade, I'd have probably skipped the black just because it's difficult to keep clean but regardless that's an awesome car. Post more pics.

slick316

The steering is fairly light, but I'm used to that due to the TL.

In comfort mode, it feels just like the TL did. In sport mode, its a little tighter, hardly noticeable in my opinion though. The main difference in those modes is the throttle response and transmission. In sport the throttle is much more sensitive and the transmission maintains gears longer and won't go into 7 or 8.

JT4

Very nice 550, enjoy and good luck.

ej6sliver

Congrats on your new purchase, I got a chance to drive the 528i.
Even with 528i, the car felt great, there is no lack of power or anything.
I thought about getting a 335d, I just might later this year if I get a new job in another city an hr away.

Sweet ride. Please let me know whats the thing you missed from the TL

types1fan

Congrats on your new car, my boy just purchased a 12 535xi M package. I love how the car drives and feels, is yours a M package?

slick316

Yep, it has the M Sport package. I really like the 19" wheels and thicker steering wheel.

Edward'TLS

The 550i is one awesome performing car, congrats.

ressling

Nice upgrade. Hope you got an extended warranty for it... otherwise... BYE BYE wallet!

SinCity-TL

Beautiful automobile congratulations. Cliché yes, but BMW is still the ultimate driving machine

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Congrats on the upgrade.

Cap'n Preshoot

You of course realize that B.M.W. stands for "Break My Wallet"
Truly a sweet ride, but out-of-warranty they can be among the most costly to keep properly maintained.

slick316

Haha, yea, I got an extended warranty on it along with extended maintenance. I'm good until 2017, or until I trade it in on something else

slick316

Okay, just found out something about my car I had no idea about. It does NOT have electric steering, its hydraulic. The first few years of the F10 body style XDrive models had hydraulic steering. That's why I didn't notice a change in the steering when I changed drive modes.

However, its a very light feeling hydraulic system.

Oswald Vater

Very nice upgrade. Hope you continue to frequent the forum to let us know of your ownership experience. BMW's are certainly in the sites of current TL owners when the time to move on comes.

jterp7

lol i actually tried out a 4matic e550 sport (with the NA engine), but it was so god awful heavy feeling...and the complicated"ness", the active bolsters, massage seats, airmatic (very creamy in comfort, simulates acuras firmness in sport lol) scared me in the long term. I never tried the F10 due to the reviews and the principal of buying a sporty bmw didn't coincide with 4400lb in my eyes, though i'm sure the TT V8 helps no doubt.

slick316

I wouldn't classify the 5 series as a sporty car anymore. It seems to be more like a 7 series, a little more "executive". It kind of sucks though. The 3 series is probably the more sporty sedan they have other than the M models. But to be honest, the older I get, the more I prefer luxury/comfort over sport.

Angel UA8

Sorry to see you leave the family...but great choice...Enjoy the new ride man

morgan1819

Agree. Keep us updated on your ownership experience.

I moved to the TL from the BMW 3 series. Needed the extra room, and wanted something that required fewer trips to the dealership. Very happy so far.

The 435 Xdrive is on my list to test drive, since my wifes student loans will be paid off by the time we are buying our next car.

For now, the TL is a great combination of sport, and practicality.

slick316

Well, just thought I'd give you guys an update on something I realized today.

Even with AWD, the stock run flats suck. They offer no grip, along with a harsh ride and excessive noise.

Went to discount tire and had them order a set of Michelin Pilot Sport AS3 for me. I'll be happy to get rid of the run flats.

jterp7

i currently have dws's on my other car, but in the tire replacement thread some seem to report bad snow performance for the as3's. Obviously its summer now, but when I get my 19" diamond cuts i want to be sure of a tire choice. For summers on bmws the sport ps2s and re050 bridgestones seems to get good reviews, some here have mentioned the super sports. For A/S: the pirelli p7, dws, and primacy seem to be the most recommended.

slick316

I'm not dealing with snow in Oklahoma that often, so snow/ice performance doesn't matter much to me. It seems as though the AS3 handle wet pretty well and overall comfort of the tire is excellent. And if I don't like them, I can always have them replaced for for something else.

slick316

Also, I found something else I don't like about the car. The radio controls on the steering wheel are on the right side, just inches away from the dash controls. I'd much prefer if the radio controls were on the left. Its a nitpicking issue I know, but its still something I noticed and now have to adjust to.

slick316

Officially a BMW owner, dropped off my car and got my loaner vehicle! Woohoo, I'm so excited (That's sarcasm btw).

Last week when it rained, I noticed water in the floor board behind the drivers seat. Hopefully it doesn't take them long to fix that. I don't really care for this X3 loaner that they gave me.

Plus my tires are in, and my black M Performance grilles, I want to put them on damn it!!

And finally, the 4.4L V8 loves drinking fuel. That's another thing for me to get used to.

wreak

Any signs of rattles or creaks in the cabin when driving your 550?

slick316

To be honest, none so far. I was expecting to hear some, because the car is a little on the harsh side when it comes to the suspension. But I avoid as bumps as possible, so far its good. Interior is pretty solid.

jterp7

hmm, strange place for a leak...mpg and average speed so far?

slick316

Had a similar leak in my 05 Accord, it was from the sunroof drain though. Just got a call from the BMW dealer and they said they think they fixed it, replaced a "vapor barrier". Whatever, if not I'll just take it back. I love how hassle free the service department is at this place.

Not sure on average speed, I'm going with 40mph. But I filled up the tank just once so far, 318 miles and filed up 16.8 gallons, so about 18.9mpg. I don't think it was bad because I really got on the car during that tank. Its a fun car to accelerate in. I hope to get over 20mpg average once I calm down and drive the thing like a normal person.

jterp7

that's not too bad for a V8 exec saloon. Also, I seem to fill up at around the same mileage in the TL, thanks to stop and go commute lol.