The BMW 550i four-door sedan, new for 2006, replaced the 545 in the BMW 5-Series lineup. It also improved on the 545's power, dropping a new 360-horsepower, 4.8-liter, double-overhead-c...
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The BMW 550i four-door sedan, new for 2006, replaced the 545 in the BMW 5-Series lineup. It also improved on the 545's power, dropping a new 360-horsepower, 4.8-liter, double-overhead-cam V8 engine under the car's elegant hood. A six-speed manual transmission was standard, while a fully electronic six-speed automatic transmission was available as an option.
Standard features for the 550i included Dynamic Stability Control, which adjusts power and braking in emergency situations, and Park Distance Control, which aids the driver in parking. Active Steering, which adapts the steering angle to suit the situation, was available as a stand-alone option.
Other features included ergonomically designed leather seats, power windows, a leather sports steering wheel, power door locks, a sunroof, multi-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive headlights and brake lights, Dark Poplar wood trim, and an electrically adjustable steering column.
In addition, the BMW 550i was equipped with anti-lock brakes, a 10-speaker AM/FM stereo system with a CD player, 17-inch wheels, and BMW's iDrive control system with a 6.5-inch display screen.
Among the options were a navigation system, a heated steering wheel, heated seats, and a CD changer.
Drivers tended to heap plenty of praise on the BMW 550, citing everything from its high-performance and responsive handling to its innovative, high-tech mechanics and luxury features as noteworthy. The car's exterior styling remained controversial, however, with some unimpressed by the redesign that took place in 2004. And some drivers noted that the iDrive system, while simplified for the 550, could still be a bit complicated to operate.
