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2007
BMW 550

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$58,500
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2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550 2007 BMW 550

Notable features

360-hp V-8
RWD layout
iDrive control system
Luxury amenities
Distinctive appearance

The good & the bad

The good

Performance
Handling
Stability
Refinement
BMW's enthusiast-oriented reputation

The bad

RWD wet-weather traction
Complex iDrive controls
Somewhat controversial styling
Seat comfort, especially in back
Price

Expert 2007 BMW 550 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Anita And Paul Lienert
Full article
our expert's take

BMW hasn’t changed an awful lot on the 550i for 2007. Not that there was much that really needed changing on the German automaker’s best-looking sedan.

Although the midrange 5 Series remains one of our favorites, it still has a few quirks and idiosyncrasies that annoy us.

We tested a lavishly equipped 550i with nearly $14,000 in options and a bottom line of $73,040.

HE: I always feel like I’m nitpicking when it comes time to point out the flaws on a BMW. So maybe we should just get some of the good stuff out of the way first.

That twin-cam 4.8-liter V-8? Sweet! And if you don’t mind trying an automatic transmission in place of the standard six-speed manual, the six-speed Steptronic — a no-cost option — is probably my favorite. You can still shift it manually with a flick of the wrist; it gets much better gas mileage than the manual and is way smoother and easier to use than BMW’s ballyhooed Sequential Manual Gearbox.

With 360 horsepower and 360 pounds-feet of torque on tap, this is one potent powertrain combination. Fringe benefit: No gas-guzzler tax.

SHE: You can talk about nuts and bolts, but I want to add my two cents about the design. It’s really striking, especially in that mystic blue paint scheme. It has the prettiest profile in the BMW lineup and some new options that should appeal to techno-geeks like you, including a night vision system, real-time traffic information and high-definition radio.

HE: I would gladly swap that lousy, complicated iDrive controller for HD radio any day.

SHE: That was an amazing audio system in our test car — a Logic7 with surround sound. But one thing leads to another with this BMW. If you’re going to spend the $500 on the high-definition radio, you definitely need the aforementioned $1,800 premium sound package. Then you’ll want to add satellite radio for another $595. And before you know it, you’re up to 14 grand in options.

HE: Actually, I was more impressed with the $1,000 head-up display, which was useful and easy to read, but never intruded on the driver’s field of vision. I wasn’t quite as fond of the $2,200 night vision system, which still looks and feels like a techie gimmick.

SHE: BMW puts some of the best safety systems on their cars, and the 5 Series is no exception.

It comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, and air bags and air curtains all around, as well as exotic features like adaptive headlamps, park distance control and rain-sensing wipers. Talk about peace of mind.

HE: Now, if you want to talk about comfort, let’s look at those sport bucket seats. Sorry, but they are plain awful — my back and behind hurt any time I had to drive more than 100 miles at one stretch.

SHE: Yeah, but at least they had those little pillows built into the front headrests. I also really liked that dark poplar wood trim that BMW has been using.

One of my few beefs involves the steering wheel, which feels too thick. But I’m really starting to love BMWs, from a purely luxury perspective.

I’ve heard you and your guy friends talk about them for years as great machines. But anybody who puts a pillow in a headrest and real wood on the doors and instrument panel is thinking like an interior decorator.

A really pricy interior decorator.

2007 BMW 550i
Type: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan
Price: Base, $59,195 (inc. $695 shipping charge); as tested, $73,040
Engine: 4.8-liter V-8; 360-hp; 360 pound-foot torque
EPA fuel economy: 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway
Where built: Germany
Estimated 12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan: $2,374

Vehicle ratings

Anita
Rating: 5
Likes: The best-looking BMW sedan. World-class safety features. Nice pillows built into front headrests. Dark poplar wood trim. Awesome $1,800 Logic 7 audio system.
Dislikes: Ridiculously expensive. Almost $14,000 in options. Steering wheel feels too thick for comfort.

Paul
Rating: 4
Likes: Powerful, responsive 4.8-liter engine. Six-speed automatic trans is smoother, easier to use than fancy SMG. Useful, unobtrusive head-up display. Handles like a thoroughbred sports car. Auto trans gets better mileage than manual.
Dislikes: iDrive controller too complicated, not intuitive. Extremely uncomfortable seats, especially over long driving distances.

He drove, she drove Anita and Paul Lienert are partners in Lienert & Lienert, a Detroit-based automotive information services company.

2007 BMW 550 review: Our expert's take
By Anita And Paul Lienert

BMW hasn’t changed an awful lot on the 550i for 2007. Not that there was much that really needed changing on the German automaker’s best-looking sedan.

Although the midrange 5 Series remains one of our favorites, it still has a few quirks and idiosyncrasies that annoy us.

We tested a lavishly equipped 550i with nearly $14,000 in options and a bottom line of $73,040.

HE: I always feel like I’m nitpicking when it comes time to point out the flaws on a BMW. So maybe we should just get some of the good stuff out of the way first.

That twin-cam 4.8-liter V-8? Sweet! And if you don’t mind trying an automatic transmission in place of the standard six-speed manual, the six-speed Steptronic — a no-cost option — is probably my favorite. You can still shift it manually with a flick of the wrist; it gets much better gas mileage than the manual and is way smoother and easier to use than BMW’s ballyhooed Sequential Manual Gearbox.

With 360 horsepower and 360 pounds-feet of torque on tap, this is one potent powertrain combination. Fringe benefit: No gas-guzzler tax.

SHE: You can talk about nuts and bolts, but I want to add my two cents about the design. It’s really striking, especially in that mystic blue paint scheme. It has the prettiest profile in the BMW lineup and some new options that should appeal to techno-geeks like you, including a night vision system, real-time traffic information and high-definition radio.

HE: I would gladly swap that lousy, complicated iDrive controller for HD radio any day.

SHE: That was an amazing audio system in our test car — a Logic7 with surround sound. But one thing leads to another with this BMW. If you’re going to spend the $500 on the high-definition radio, you definitely need the aforementioned $1,800 premium sound package. Then you’ll want to add satellite radio for another $595. And before you know it, you’re up to 14 grand in options.

HE: Actually, I was more impressed with the $1,000 head-up display, which was useful and easy to read, but never intruded on the driver’s field of vision. I wasn’t quite as fond of the $2,200 night vision system, which still looks and feels like a techie gimmick.

SHE: BMW puts some of the best safety systems on their cars, and the 5 Series is no exception.

It comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, and air bags and air curtains all around, as well as exotic features like adaptive headlamps, park distance control and rain-sensing wipers. Talk about peace of mind.

HE: Now, if you want to talk about comfort, let’s look at those sport bucket seats. Sorry, but they are plain awful — my back and behind hurt any time I had to drive more than 100 miles at one stretch.

SHE: Yeah, but at least they had those little pillows built into the front headrests. I also really liked that dark poplar wood trim that BMW has been using.

One of my few beefs involves the steering wheel, which feels too thick. But I’m really starting to love BMWs, from a purely luxury perspective.

I’ve heard you and your guy friends talk about them for years as great machines. But anybody who puts a pillow in a headrest and real wood on the doors and instrument panel is thinking like an interior decorator.

A really pricy interior decorator.

2007 BMW 550i
Type: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan
Price: Base, $59,195 (inc. $695 shipping charge); as tested, $73,040
Engine: 4.8-liter V-8; 360-hp; 360 pound-foot torque
EPA fuel economy: 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway
Where built: Germany
Estimated 12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan: $2,374

Vehicle ratings

Anita
Rating: 5
Likes: The best-looking BMW sedan. World-class safety features. Nice pillows built into front headrests. Dark poplar wood trim. Awesome $1,800 Logic 7 audio system.
Dislikes: Ridiculously expensive. Almost $14,000 in options. Steering wheel feels too thick for comfort.

Paul
Rating: 4
Likes: Powerful, responsive 4.8-liter engine. Six-speed automatic trans is smoother, easier to use than fancy SMG. Useful, unobtrusive head-up display. Handles like a thoroughbred sports car. Auto trans gets better mileage than manual.
Dislikes: iDrive controller too complicated, not intuitive. Extremely uncomfortable seats, especially over long driving distances.

He drove, she drove Anita and Paul Lienert are partners in Lienert & Lienert, a Detroit-based automotive information services company.

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
12 years
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Certified Pre-Owned Elite with less than 15,000 miles; Certified Pre-Owned with less than 60,000 miles
Basic
1 year / unlimited miles from expiration of 4-year / 50,000-mile new car warranty
Dealer certification
196-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.8 / 5
Based on 21 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.8
Interior 4.6
Performance 5.0
Value 4.6
Exterior 4.6
Reliability 4.6

Most recent

  • Best vehicle that I have ever owned

    I am 73 and the original owner of a 2007 BMW 550 With 150.000 miles. I love it so much, I plan to make this car my last vehicle and plan to make it go to 300,000 miles.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    7 people out of 7 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Will only buy BMWs from here on out.

    I love it. Someone hit me in the back and the car was very solid and showed very little damage. My family was safe and I was very impressed with the handling and control.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very Nice Used Vehicle

    So far the car has met all of my daily driving needs. Very fun to drive and pack a punch when you press the gas.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Nice rid and power

    Bought it Used drove it two years and the transmission went out.Wow you would think a 50k car would last more than 118k miles. I mean really .
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    1 person out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best handling car

    The car holds to the road tight and is very comfortable to drive. It?s big but doesn?t seem it. Powerful motor and also is reliable.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Fast and luxury

    This car met all standards. It has big enough space inside, ride is very powerful and comfortable .Fast pick up the speed, good gas mileage .
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great car

    Great Handle, Extremely comfort. This car has so much fun. I dont think you will regret to buy this car!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • As a pre-owned vehicle...

    My 550i sport (6M) was a fantastic car. I owned it for 2 years (when it was 8-10 years old). It has 58k when purchased and had 67k on it when sold. During that time, the only non-scheduled maintenance was for a small coolant leak that was easily fixed. The car itself was a fantastic blend of luxury & sport. Tons of features (even power headrests), most of which you'd expect from a car with a $69k MSRP. The manual transmission was very well-suited to the car and made it very fun to drive. While arguable not the most desirable of body-styles, this worked well for me as the cost of entry was reasonable and depreciation during ownership was minimal. It was squeak/rattle free and would soak up miles like a champ. City MPG was abysmal (14mpg), but if driven 60mph on the hwy I could scratch up to 30mpg if I took it very easy. Compared to a couple other 3-series cars that I've owned, this thing felt like a tank (in a good way) - completely over-engineered and still nimble enough to feel like a sport sedan. While I probably wouldn't buy another (as I like updated technology), I would certainly recommend it to someone who has been eyeing one.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • First 1,000 miles

    So far so good. 68k miles and drives like a dream. Sport mode is fantastic on the curves. Surprising how quickly she can turn in and hold a curve. The smg takes some getting used to, it can be a little jerky until it warms up. Getting 19.7mpg at 50/50 highway/city driving. Wish it came with usb and Bluetooth audio. I kept my old accord for winter driving since it's worth the same as winter tires for the bmw.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • 2008 BMW 550i

    For years I steered away from German luxury automobile in favor of more economic vehicles. I was as hardcore as they came. Until the day I test drove a BMW. Mind you, I'd owned a few VW's, but they proved to be no comparison to the 550i. What is there to not like about this vehicle!? I'm a hard person to please, but the 550i made me change my way of thinking. I love every minute that I'm behind the well. It did take a few days to get used the ergonomic and to wipe the smile off me face. While I've gotten use to the creature comforts, I still have that huge smile on my face.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • best dealership

    beautiful bmw runs unbelievable , love the color combo . crazy power . the price unbeatable . this dealer ship have some very nice clean cars . prices are reasonable . costumer service is good from my experience from prior cars i purchased ..
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The ultimate driving machine.

    Its about as close as it gets to a four door sports car.got to drive this beast .great power and handling. Very good on highway for eight cylinder.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2007 BMW 550?

The 2007 BMW 550 is available in 1 trim level:

  • 550i (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2007 BMW 550?

The 2007 BMW 550 offers up to 17 MPG in city driving and 25 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2007 BMW 550?

The 2007 BMW 550 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2007 BMW 550 reliable?

The 2007 BMW 550 has an average reliability rating of 4.6 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2007 BMW 550 owners.

Is the 2007 BMW 550 a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2007 BMW 550. 95.2% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 21 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.8
  • Interior: 4.6
  • Performance: 5.0
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 4.6
  • Reliability: 4.6

BMW 550 history

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