550 going for $70K?

The 550 remains mighty. It's just the price that's dropped.

 

I have seen them going in the 60's as well. Pretty amazing when you stop to think about it..

 

Yes, AmaZing indeed!

 

Come back into the fold, Andre. You know you want to!


Onno

 

Yes, that's what is so shocking. To think that what it would cost for a hum-drum, garden variety BMW would buy one a clean, no-stories 550 is hard to fathom.

I can't remember where I read it, but somewhere someone estimated that BMW manufactures more 5-series sedans in one day (or so) than all the 550s produced over their entire 5 year production run. How's that for rarity?

ketel

 

One word: Maintenance

 

Unqualified and factually incorrect statement. I have owned multiple 550s new and old and did over 120k miles between them. To be honest, they proved to me my most reliable and worry free cars after my land cruiser. No joke. My s600, by comparison, was quite possibly the most atrocious vehicle I have ever owned.

I have driven 550s in torrential rain, light snow, with a bike rack, 4 people inside, to lumber mills, blah blah blah. The car was almost completely worry free. And at the end of ownership I ended up net-positive all things considered. Maybe my experience is outside the norm, but that's the case.

Oh and I only did one major per car, didn't do it every 30k as recommended. Didn't need to.

 

Where are you seeing cars in the 60s and 70s? Most i have seen are in the high 80s...any links would be appreciated as that is phenomenal car for the money.

 

What year did the factory begin to produce cars, that no longer had any issues with the motor mounts ?

 

Well, certainly living MY dream. It's been fantastic, these last 20 months, in fact it has been better than I dared dream - no kidding. Next summer I'm planning to do something similar with my 365 Boxer (taking her from London to Maranello), and I must say I'm already TREMENDOUSLY excited! But nevertheless, as fantastic as my Boxer is, after a couple of days in Germany driving her 10 hours on the trot, I confess I missed my 550. It is just a staggering machine!

I don't need to tell you anything more - I'm just waiting for the post where you report the good deed.


Onno

 

I was basing that statement on the fact that any new BMW 5-series comes with a warranty, so should anything go wrong, an owner wouldn't be footing the bill. With that in mind, comparing a $70K 8-10 year old Ferrari to a new BMW 5-series, while in the same purchase price range, is not really a valid comparison. Maintenance aside, I can't think of too many other reasons for buying a new 5-series over a 550.

And I'm glad to hear your 550s were trouble-free and net-positive, as I hope to own one in the near future, but I can guarantee not everyone can say the same.

 

Would you guys consider getting a DB9 or v8 Vantage as the daily driver? they seem to be even better suited for the job of daily hack than the ferrari's?

 

a lot of car for the money. and no better choice, period.

 

I for one sat on the db9 issue for a while but couldn't make the jump. Even after being jaded with ferraris (or rather, having the novelty wear off) - the argument always comes to: "why own a db9 when you can have a 550?"

Mike - certainly true, but I suspect the reason you hear horror stories is because a) few people drive them as they should and b) it's easier to talk about what's wrong than what's right.

 

Dan,
Great to hear your 550 experience was a good one!

They are great cars! At the prices we're seeing they are alot of car for the $$'s

I can vouch for Dan doing the 30K...

 

I agree with all you've said with exception of your final remark regarding the need for a major service every 30,000 miles as recommended. The 550 is not immune to timing belt failures as evidenced by my car's previous owner's experience. He did all servicing according to published schedules and changed the oil and filters every 3,000 miles. Ironically, at ~29,800 miles and just five days prior to his scheduled major service, the timing belt failed on the right bank. The belt was less than four years old. Yes, the 550's engine is an interference engine and 24 valves had to be replaced. Pistons suffer very little in the way of damage in such a case. 550 owners are lucky in this regard.

Prospective owners should carefully follow recommended servicing schedules. Ease of access for the major is reflected in the cost.

Barry

 

withouth knowing the details of the car, you gots to pay to play. its still a Ferrari. AND its a 12 cyl Ferrari. Its not a Lexus. And **** can and will go wrong. Even in the very unlikely event if you had to replace the ENTIRE motor at, what, 50k? 70k + 50k = 120k and STILL a lot of car for the money. just my 2 cents

 

That's right. Even more ironic was that the timing belt failure occured one month after the 1-year extended warranty expired. My point was that regular servicing schedules be followed to insure the 550's reliable and comparatively economical ownership experience.

 

I had no problems to speak of while logging over 35K miles with my first 2 550's but I got them new. The last one was a garage queen when I got it. Over 18K miles, it had some ticky-tack stuff going wrong a little too often but nothing major.......

 

Completely agree, and your 50k estimate might be high labor included. From the latest FML:

So even if you spend another 15k in labor, it's wlel under. Not arguing - just goes to show how right your point is, actually.

 

True, but you could also argue a new BMW would depreciate alot more than a 550 bought for 70k. So on an all in cost basis, even if you have higher service costs you could come out the same or ahead...either way, a meaningless comparison.

I am seriously thinking of picking up a 550 at these levels!

 

Me too...I have a history of fixing Ferraris since the 308 carb cars. My 550 is down right boring in the maintenance department. Its a new experience for me.