550i F10 touring

[G1979]

Can anyone tell me if these were available in the UK?

I've just seen one advertised on a JDM website, but I don't think I've ever seen a F10 550i for sale in the UK that wasn't either a saloon or Gran Turismo.

[bmwmike]

Don't believe so but it's n63 engine too... Beware...Take every bad thing you ever read about n43 n54 n53 engines and wrap them up into V8 and then add timing chain issues and a dollop of battery drain for good measure.

[d_a_n1979]

bmwmike said:

Don't believe so but it's n63 engine too... Beware...Take every bad thing you ever read about n43 n54 n53 engines and wrap them up into V8 and then add timing chain issues and a dollop of battery drain for good measure.

^^^ This

The 'Hot V' is what put me right off looking at F01 750i and F10 550i cars

Just wouldn't entertain one unless you had a big reserve for 'just in cases' which you WILL have/need!

[G1979]

bmwmike said:

Don't believe so but it's n63 engine too... Beware...Take every bad thing you ever read about n43 n54 n53 engines and wrap them up into V8 and then add timing chain issues and a dollop of battery drain for good measure.

Post 2013 they are much more reliable though, and get an extra 50bhp. The one I saw on the JDM site was a 2014 so it should be ok.

I can't find one for sales anywhere in the UK though.

[d_a_n1979]

G1979 said:

bmwmike said:

Don't believe so but it's n63 engine too... Beware...Take every bad thing you ever read about n43 n54 n53 engines and wrap them up into V8 and then add timing chain issues and a dollop of battery drain for good measure.

Post 2013 they are much more reliable though, and get an extra 50bhp. The one I saw on the JDM site was a 2014 so it should be ok.

I can't find one for sales anywhere in the UK though.

Still have the same issues though; it's all down to how well they've been looked after, maintained & the frequency of the oil changes etc

However, I can really see the appeal of an F11 550i touring!

[bmwmike]

d_a_n1979 said:

Still have the same issues though; it's all down to how well they've been looked after, maintained & the frequency of the oil changes etc

Is it though? Seems like a really poorly designed engine to me. Sure oil changes might help.. or rather won't negatively impact.. the timing chain but really there is an inherent design flaw that causes chains on some of BMWs engines to fail prematurely. With the n63 It's almost like BMW took the worst attribute of every engine they ever made and put it into production. I speak as a long time n53 owner, I'd never touch an n63.

Yes a modern V8 touring would be lovely however just probably not BMW.

[CB 987]

UK F11 550i’s do exist, but they are seriously rare, the last one I recall seeing for sale was approx. mid 2019, as it popped up just after I purchased my F31. I had also been keeping an eye out for a F11 535i/550i.

I know of one other which was relatively local to me, but I only managed to spot it on one occasion.

[G1979]

CB 987 said:

UK F11 550i’s do exist, but they are seriously rare, the last one I recall seeing for sale was approx. mid 2019, as it popped up just after I purchased my F31. I had also been keeping an eye out for a F11 535i/550i.

I know of one other which was relatively local to me, but I only managed to spot it on one occasion.

Interesting.... The 535i is also on my radar and there are usually a couple of those up for sale any one time. I've also been considering an e70 X5M, they seem pretty cheap but the potential problems with that engine do scare me.

[E39mad]

As above F11 550i's do exist in the UK however I doubt there are any more than 10 or so around.

BMW stopped offering them in the UK around 2012/13 so all are pre-LCI models

[G1979]

E39mad said:

As above F11 550i's do exist in the UK however I doubt there are any more than 10 or so around.

BMW stopped offering them in the UK around 2012/13 so all are pre-LCI models

Ah right. So that means they will all have the problematic pre 2013 engine. It's a pass from me then.

[james_zy]

Incidentally, they do seem to be in demand though.

There was one that popped up within the last year and sold on the same day (to a dealer, who then sold it on again in short order with a 20% mark up)

[Naldrett]

Apologies for thread resurrection but I saw this pop up on Autotrader:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501248...

Very rare car in 2014 form and an F11 in red is a rare thing full stop - looks like it has the later N63TU which is supposed to be more reliable. Got a fair few miles on it though. Anyone happen to know the car?

[Naldrett]

Apparently a 1 owner car with FBMWSH, which is somewhat reassuring.

[edthefed]

Beleive the dealer code 08615 on the service history is Sandal BMW who are 5 mins away from where its now for sale

[ATM]

Naldrett said:

Apologies for thread resurrection but I saw this pop up on Autotrader:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501248...

Very rare car in 2014 form and an F11 in red is a rare thing full stop - looks like it has the later N63TU which is supposed to be more reliable. Got a fair few miles on it though. Anyone happen to know the car?

Description contains less words than I've written here, almost, ok maybe it does now.

[rottenegg]

A pre-OPF 4.4 V8 is Euro 6?

You would have to have a serious hard on for the V8 to entertain that gamble of a car. A safer bet would be a remapped B58 engined car.

I'm sure I read somewhere that BMW USA were doing the earlier V8 engine swaps for 5000 bucks under good will because the issues were so prevelant. That sort of thing would never happen in Europe.

It does seem like that engine had the full gamut of lemons and friday afternoons chucked at it. Bore scoring, premature valve guide/seal wear, sloppy chains, horrific oil consumption, horrific fuel consumption, leaks galore, busted cats from all the oil burning, knackered turbos etc etc.