Comments:
BMW 550i FIrst Road Trip
So I took the 550i on a little 900 mile road trip the last 3 days. 
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!
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!
Stunning car -
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
I've made that journey on a motorcycle. (Made the wine tasting a bit difficult, though.)
Best,
Best,
BMW 5 series !
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 ... it has around 460 hp if i'm not wrong ?
PS. That Panigale looks cool, any more pics on that one ?
Bim
Somehow I knew that would catch your eye, Bim!
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.
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
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 
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!
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!
Makes me miss my 5 series even more!
Wished my car got that fuel economy...
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.
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 lanes of the 101 north of Salinas on the way up, and then getting into and out of San Francisco.