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Automotive

BMW 550i FIrst Road Trip

 

So I took the 550i on a little 900 mile road trip the last 3 days. smile My son and I took Hwy 101 (mostly) from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back. My one word review of the car: BOSS. What a joy to drive. Power on demand all wrapped up in a smooth and refined package. I am really impressed. Maybe it is simply that I've never driven anything like it, but I didn't want to stop!

Best,

CaliforniaJed





The Boss.





Not bad MPG considering we were in considerable traffic at times, and when we weren't I had trouble keeping it under 90 miles per hour!






The California central coast is spectacular along the way.







The purpose of our journey -- a San Francisco Giants baseball game.







CaliforniaJed, Jr. is a Ducati man. And he prefers muscle cars to German sophistication. He forgives the refinement of the 550i, though, because he's enamored of its twin turbos!


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13 Comments view entire thread 

Stunning car -

 
By: john c : April 1st, 2017-12:45
stunning shots. The ocean view is spectacular. My friend took me on a drive from LA to Calistoga many years ago and this brings back good memories. Best, John.

Didn't make it to Calistoga this time, but

 
By: CaliforniaJed : April 1st, 2017-14:01
I\'ve made that journey on a motorcycle. (Made the wine tasting a bit difficult, though.) Best,

Great car....

 
By: AuHavrePro : April 1st, 2017-14:03
great color on that bike! Thanks for sharing the images, cheers, Filip

BMW 5 series !

 
By: bimbeano : April 1st, 2017-14:19
IMO one of the very best cruiser cars ! We once took a 520 diesel on a 800 km trip in one day, 4 people in the car and speeds up to 180 kph ... very comfy, silent, fuel efficient. This newest version, and especially in 550-trim must be an amazing drive ..... 

Somehow I knew that would catch your eye, Bim!

 
By: CaliforniaJed : April 1st, 2017-14:38
No, that\'s the only one I took. The owner was looking st me sideways! I think the last iteration of the 550i came with 445 hp. Mine, a 2013, is purported to be 400.

Thanks for your first roadtrip report with the 550i

 
By: KMII : April 6th, 2017-02:34
Glad you like the car and that it meets your expectations I guess it may well be of a dying breed of V8 powered sedans (apart from the super sporty variety), which is a real shame. But best enjoy it while one still can

Nice!

 
By: patrick_y : April 10th, 2017-02:40
It's amazing how refined the 550i is. All that power, and hardly any hiccups, chirps, unnecessary wheelspin, and a complacent ride. Plus incredible low levels of noise, vibration, harshness. That's the way I like it! Makes me miss my 5 series even more!

Wished my car got that fuel economy...

 
By: patrick_y : April 10th, 2017-02:44
I don't know how accurate the trip computers are on that car, I've had cars that were off consistently around 10%. But I know I'd be happy if I got anywhere close to that on my current German "muscle sedan" on a 900 mile road trip between LA and SF!

I was pleasantly surprised.

 
By: CaliforniaJed : April 10th, 2017-06:48
I was not trying to drive in a fuel efficient way, and when I looked down and saw how good it was doing half way through the trip north I was shocked! I was pretty lucky with traffic, though. Nothing bad on the way up save for a downed tree across both la...