Not only can I not get a Rolex, I can't get a car either...

[m j b]

As many of you know, the auto industry has been hit hard by the semiconductor shortage caused by the production slowdown that began with the various lockdowns d/t Covid. I am a long-time BMW fan and currently enjoy driving my M4 (pictured below) every day, but it is a little loud, a little stiff and has a manual transmission. Sometimes I like to just chill and not have to worry about shifting. Oh, and the wife hates the seats even though I think they are nearly the same as the ones in her car (a BMW M240ix) so there's that.

And I've had at least two cars ever since I was about 23 and bought some POS that I couldn't rely on, so I kept the old car and it just became a habit to have "a spare". Kind of like how some of you have a spare Daytona lying around, just in case you have to send off the Submariner for a service.

So yesterday I put myself in the queue to order a new BMW M550ix. The 5 is the midsize sedan in the BMW lineup, the M stands for Marketing, the 50 stands for 5.0 liter twin turbo V8, the "i" stands for "I can't believe I'm spending this much money on a car!" and the "x" stands for AWD. It will be in a semi-custom color called Aventurin Red Metallic which looks like the ones in this thread on a different forum.

I suspect it will be well into March before I get it, if not after.

I'm excited.

Now I can start looking for a new Rolex watch while I wait. Oh wait, I can't get one of those either.

[G8RDPM]

I went from a M4 to a M550i!
It is a very comfortable car. Wicked acceleration. Doesn't handle like the M4. It is a great highway cruiser. Come down the coast for a test drive. You know that I owe you!

[superdog]

funny post. but yeah, it is nuts out there.

love the M4, and the new beast will be a great car. the wait will suck....I can relate.

I know folks that are buying cars just to sell them with a vig. times continue to be interesting.

[Wahlberg]

Aventurin is an individual colour right, doesn't that add to the wait time?

Why the M550i, it's still a stiff car. Less stiff than an M4 sure, but still.

[brandrea]

Nice Michael, I can’t wait for the incoming

[Blansky]

IT'S JUST NOT FAIR!

Having to drive that old clunker around. When I feel down like this I just sing....

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels;
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles;
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings;
These are a few of my favorite things.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver-white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver-white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.


Hope this song has brought a little bit of joy into your life.

[Mendota]

I just clicked on your link. Wow, that red is sick! Such a gorgeous color.

I sat in the new M5 at my dealer where I bought my Audi. I really like how the M5 has little LED light strips embedded within the panel joints all throughout the cabin. It creates a really cool effect. I have always liked how Audi illuminates every single switch and button and they have LED lighting within the actual door handle levers so you can see where to pull, but this BMW accent lighting is a really cool touch, as well.

[swils8610]

Amazing car! Love the color! Congrats!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[m j b]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Aventurin is an individual colour right, doesn't that add to the wait time?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Why the M550i, it's still a stiff car. Less stiff than an M4 sure, but still.

It's a bit more stiff than a base 540i (my previous DD) but the adjustable suspension helps, and the 540i was just a little bit of a yawn to drive sometimes. BMWs (and most German cars) tend to be much stiffer than domestic cars, but hard as I try, I just can't see myself in a Dodge or another Chevy. And I must have RWD (or AWD).

Originally Posted by G8RDPM

I went from a M4 to a M550i!
It is a very comfortable car. Wicked acceleration. Doesn't handle like the M4. It is a great highway cruiser. Come down the coast for a test drive. You know that I owe you!

I didn't remember you owing me anything, but thanks for the offer!

I may not have made it clear, but I intend to keep the M4. Cheaper than a platinum Daytona and a lot more fun to play with!

[selpo]

Great choice of car and color! I love my M5 non comp but a little too much car for me… next will definitely be a non M.

[Chester01]

I mean to some degree its hard to believe that the private sector cannot find a work around. There should be financial incentive to find a work around.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by m j b

So yesterday I put myself in the queue to order a new BMW M550ix. The 5 is the midsize sedan in the BMW lineup, the M stands for Marketing, the 50 stands for 5.0 liter twin turbo V8, the "i" stands for "I can't believe I'm spending this much money on a car!" and the "x" stands for AWD.

Perfect description... and congrats! Hopefully they place the steering wheel on the correct side.

[G8RDPM]

I didn't remember you owing me anything, but thanks for the offer!

You recommended CRWD on the stock thread!

[Gab27]

The M550 looks badass.

How is the MT in the M4? I am a big fan of 6MT but my back is not liking the sports coupes/hatches I've historically purchased and currently own. The M2 is more in my price range but it's a bit cramped and a bit too rough of a ride.

[BNA/LION]

Good Move! You Know I LOVE my ///M6 but you gotta do what you gotta do! Congratulations!

[mountainjogger]

Awesome.

[favre12rodgers]

Had a M550i from 2017-2019 when they first came out, really good car. Have a M5 now...but getting rid of it next month.

They are starting to cut a lot of stuff from these builds, though.....heads up display, touchscreen, etc....car might look different once you actually get it.

[1st amg]

Amazing car going bye bye....but a fabulous car coming....the 5 series is where the BMW really hung its hat on 30 years ago. I feel the 5 series is above the more common 3/4 series and a bit more rare which is nice

[m j b]

Originally Posted by favre12rodgers

They are starting to cut a lot of stuff from these builds, though.....heads up display, touchscreen, etc....car might look different once you actually get it.

Yeah, although my research shows that they're hitting the 3 and X series very hard, the only thing being cut from the 5 series right now is the remote trunk sensor (kick to open).

Originally Posted by G8RDPM

You recommended CRWD on the stock thread!

Oh yeah! I only wish I had held onto it longer...

Originally Posted by Gab27

The M550 looks badass.

How is the MT in the M4? I am a big fan of 6MT but my back is not liking the sports coupes/hatches I've historically purchased and currently own. The M2 is more in my price range but it's a bit cramped and a bit too rough of a ride.

I had an M2, it was brutal. The MT in the M4 is the same as the M2 as far as I can tell, and same clutch with the stupid CDV. The engine management software is a bit better, as the M2 would noticeably cut back the power on WOT upshifts and about a second later you'd get a surge of power. This is to save the clutch, I'm sure. The M4 probably does it too, but they smooth it out so that you don't notice.

The M4 is also bigger, sits higher and is easier to get in and out of. The longer wheelbase helps the ride, and the suspension tuning is much, much better.

I call it "the M car for grown-ups". The M2 is for youngsters.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by m j b

I may not have made it clear, but I intend to keep the M4. Cheaper than a platinum Daytona and a lot more fun to play with!

I wonder how many BMWs you have cycled through since I got my Daytona? And the Daytona isn't too stiff, too big, too small, too heavy (well....maybe ) or have anything interfering with the mechanics of the (vertical) clutch!

[GoingPlaces]

The M550 is one of the most underrated cars out there. A total sleeper. Congrats and enjoy!

[Maxtor]

Nice car! Hope you get it soon. Car shortages and longer wait times are indeed a thing but your next Rolex should arrive at the AD just about when you are ready to trade in the new 550 on your next car!

[1William]

Good deal. I look forward to your incoming pictures when it arrives.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I wonder how many BMWs you have cycled through since I got my Daytona? And the Daytona isn't too stiff, too big, too small, too heavy (well....maybe ) or have anything interfering with the mechanics of the (vertical) clutch!

Oh, that was cold my friend, cold!

I can't remember exactly how long ago you got the Daytona, but I think it's been, um... 4 BMWs since?

Maybe 5.

[Mdotlife]

So are you getting rid of the M4 for the M550 or keeping both?

How is the M4 to drive? What’s acceleration like?

[m j b]

Originally Posted by Mdotlife

So are you getting rid of the M4 for the M550 or keeping both?

How is the M4 to drive? What’s acceleration like?

The plan right now is to keep both.

The M4 is absolutely fabulous! The acceleration is fantastic, and it just never quits. I've had it on the race track, and I can upshift from 4th to 5th at 120 MPH and it still pushes you back in the seat. Awesome.

Mine is the proper manual transmission version.

[904VT]

Congrats! That 550i is a helluva sports sedan for a non M model. The standard lineup is so advanced nowadays I don't even know if one would need an M car on crowded roads at least. Too much to ever use, 550i imo is the goldilocks.

Made me chuckle too as I keep a "spare" Daytona for exactly that when my daily Sub needs service.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by m j b

The plan right now is to keep both.

The M4 is absolutely fabulous! The acceleration is fantastic, and it just never quits. I've had it on the race track, and I can upshift from 4th to 5th at 120 MPH and it still pushes you back in the seat. Awesome.

Mine is the proper manual transmission version.

That does sound fun! I haven’t been in an M since I sold my E46 in 2013. I think they’ve changed a bit.

[tonymil]

I think that you went with the right model for the upgrade that you're looking for. Enjoy the new ride! Update this thread with sick pics of it once you get it too.