OV9

Yip, it is a proper one.. a "Luxury" (never knew that was a model), a single owner car, bought-from and serviced (every year) at BMW Wakefield.

Bargain cruiser and dog wagon or potential money pit?

Probably start as the former, then turn into the latter unless you get shot or maintain it expensively?

Can see why they are being slow with pics! Why does it have to be so red!? Seems good other than the colour though

Again, check for leaks. Albeit easier said than done as there's so many trays and bits of plastic covering everything. Then again even if its dry now, it'll be leaking something soon enough.
Approaching 100k miles so gearbox probably wants an oil change.
Usual caveat that some bushes may be close to end of life.

A couple of qs wrt your usage; are they 4wd? Will it be/feel too wide?

@IanF I had the same reaction about the pictures when I saw the colour and the wheels but apparently its just been traded within the last day or so.

Size isn't a deal breaker as it's a second car for just doing longer distance stuff and going places with dogs and when we have 4 people. It's not going to be getting hustled down the twists.

And yeah, DJ and Mito, my thoughts exactly. Still looks like an interesting car, but I'd be wanting to see the receipts to see what has been done outside of the servicing which seems to have been done like clockwork.

No AWD on the 550i - I think there were a couple of 5 series which did have it but weirdly not this one. I guess "sporty" is why it doesn't.

Speaker System - Harman Kardon
Enhanced Bluetooth Telephone Preparation with USB Audio Interface with Internet
Surround-View Camera
Lane Change Warning System
Reversing Assist Camera
Door Mirrors - Folding - Automatically Dimming
Adaptive Headlights
High-Beam Assistant
Sport Seats - Front
Adaptive Drive
Sport Automatic Transmission
Active Security Package
Driving Assistant
Dynamic Safety

The gearboxes are tough, give it a fluid change for peace of mind if you really want to but it'll probably be fine. Suspension is pretty reliable it's only really the front lower tension arms that wear out and they're a doddle to replace. AC compressor is expensive if it packs up (I'm assuming it's the same as the diesel here) so if that's been done already it's a bonus. Condensers can leak too. Really minor - the heater blower fan will pack up. Turn it on & off and see if you can hear any noise coming through the dash vents when it's on. Easy to replace.

They're pretty solid cars. I'm on my second (albeit both of them 530d saloons not 550i Tourings) and I'd have no qualms buying another. They sold loads of F10/F11 so parts availability is very good.

IIRC AWD, the 550xi, wasn't available RHD for packaging reasons / not enough demand to make solving the packaging reasons viable.

Isn’t the early N63 well known for various engine issues? First production hot-v engine.

Saying that, if it’s made it to 100k is probably been well looked after and had any work it’s needed.

It really is a unicorn. I thought there were only 4 UK 550i Tourings and they were all MSports.

Jobbo is low key lusting for it. If you don't buy it he will, and get the interior retrimmed in purple. It's on your conscience to make sure that doesn't happen.

If it was silver and had Comfort seats I'd be tempted. We all have our pecadillos

Is it solid red or metallic?

Ascender wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 3:20 pm Size isn't a deal breaker as it's a second car for just doing longer distance stuff and going places with dogs and when we have 4 people. It's not going to be getting hustled down the twists.

I was thinking ease of use slinking along the lanes rather than hustling, but it won't matter when it isn't there

Sundayjumper wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 4:27 pm IIRC AWD, the 550xi, wasn't available RHD for packaging reasons / not enough demand to make solving the packaging reasons viable.

Ah, of course, it's why we didn't get the 550d.

If Jobbo doesn't go for it, he can put you in touch with a wrapper. I'm sure you've got comfort seats saved search on t'bay.

I keep wondering who buys a car like that in that shade of red?

The Baronet's naughty younger brother who, in comfortable middle-age, still rebels by wearing mustard corduroys and buying red estate cars. He's quite the scandal you know! Rumour has it he even adds water to his whisky!

Feels like an exuberant older gentleman, who then totally gave up on life and part exchanged it for a Hooondai as they like call it now.

I think it suits the car particularly with a black interior.

Big black/grey 2 box estates all look the same in a car park but you ain't going to miss that

Ascender wrote: Mon Jan 27, 2025 10:25 am I keep wondering who buys a car like that in that shade of red?

I would not object to a 550i estate in Dog Cock Red as long as I could badge it a 518d.

Carlos wrote: Mon Jan 27, 2025 11:55 am I think it suits the car particularly with a black interior.

Big black/grey 2 box estates all look the same in a car park but you ain't going to miss that

I know there are loads of paint choices, finishes, paint to sample etc but it’s nice to see a nicely specced car in plain old red, that thing is lovely.

Dave!

Doesn’t look awful, just makes it look like a boggo 520d, which is probably part of the appeal.

Would want to put a valved exhaust on it to be able to make silly noises when required.

Sundayjumper wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 8:43 pm Jobbo is low key lusting for it. If you don't buy it he will, and get the interior retrimmed in purple. It's on your conscience to make sure that doesn't happen.

If it was silver and had Comfort seats I'd be tempted. We all have our pecadillos

It ought to have Comfort Seats - I'm not sure why the first owner didn't spec them. Short-sighted.

As for lusting after it, I would have in the past. Scarily most of my cheap V8 5-series Tourings have been half as old as that. Red is quite a bold exterior colour but black inside is inoffensive and being a Luxury it has an air of old man which I think suits me. I'm not going to buy it though

I don't like the seats either, fine for a 520d but for a long distance barge they don't scream "sit on me"

Needs comfort seats and walnut trim