Oil and coolant leaks (hot vee)
The hot vee turbo placement runs the V8 hot and stresses gaskets, hoses, and seals.
How to check
Inspect for leaks at valve covers, turbo oil lines, and the cooling system.
$1,500est. repairMedium severity
BMW M550i G30
2018 to 2020SedanM Performance
62Guide Score 62Good$2,716 a year to ownAbout 46th of 69
- Best year
- 2018
Photo: OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0, plate blurred, via Wikimedia Commons
The short answer
The G30 M550i pre-LCI is a near M5 sleeper for far less money, 456 hp at launch then 523 hp for the 2020 model year.
The score, part by part
62Guide Score for 2019Goodabout $2,716 a year to own
- Place among the 69 generations
- About 46th of 69, likely 28th to 57th
- Likely score range
- 54 to 75
- Confidence
- Medium
- Acclaim
- 40 of 100
- Chance of a bill over $10,000 in five years
- under 0.1%
- Best purposes
- Tuning, 6th of 69
The seven parts and acclaim, 2019 model year
- Heritage counts 15 of 100
- 324% of it not measured
- Engine counts 15 of 100
- 43
- Drive feel counts 20 of 100
- 65
- Analog connection counts 10 of 100
- 64
- Weight counts 10 of 100
- 53
- Long-term value not scored
- not measured
- Ownership counts 17 of 100
- 65
- Acclaim counts 15 of 100
- 40
Each part is scored from 0 to 100 on a fixed outside scale. Acclaim comes from published expert lists, launch reviews and awards; the more acclaimed a car, the less its ownership cost counts in this all-time score (its dollars below are unchanged). A part marked not measured carries no weight for this car, and the others share its weight.
Long-term value, shown and not scored
No permitted price yet: we have not found three prices for this car from sources that allow this use.
Long-term value starts to count in the score once 75% of the 69 generations have permitted prices. Today 43 do.
The cost to own
About $2,716 a year to own ($1,838 to $4,050), about $12,615 over five years, bought at five years old or its own age if older, kept five years.
Expect about $1,800 to $4,100 a year; the bills that decide it are oil and coolant leaks and valve stem seals. Ownership risk: moderate.
Guide Score method v5-final.14, an editorial score built only from permitted, sourced data. How it works.
N63 V8 (TU2 / TU3)456 hpAWD8-speed automatic18 city, 25 hwy mpg
Colors it came in, most wanted first. Pick one to see the page in it.
- Routine service a year, estimate
- $600 to $950
Best year to buy
2018The best year to buy, reading 62 of 100, about $2,733 a year to own.
No logged change between model years sets it apart; every year reads within 2 points of it, so buy on condition and records.
No year to think twice about: none reads 3 or more points below the 2018, and no logged fault separates them.
From our log of the changes between model years, each with its source. Only changes the score reads count as reasons; recalls BMW fixes for free, options and tuning notes do not. The cost a year is for a car bought at five years old, or its own age if older, kept five years. How the score works.
The longer answer
The 2020 cars are the pick. This is the improved TU2 and TU3 V8, not the infamous early N63, but you still want oil consumption monitoring and shorter oil intervals.
What to look for
- Confirm 2020 cars for the 523 hp output
- Oil consumption history, cooling system status, full service records (5k to 7.5k mi intervals preferred), no accident history, desirable options
- Check by VIN that campaigns and recalls are done; 2018 cars built before June 2018 may need the low-temperature cooling repair (SIB 17 06 17), and 2020 cars have 15-year, 150,000-mile cover for injectors corroded by coolant (SI B01 17 24)
- On 2018 cars built through June 20, 2018, the passenger seat occupancy mat has 10-year, 120,000-mile cover for false occupancy and air bag off warnings (SI B72 01 25)
- BMW's 15-year, 150,000-mile covers also take in the engine coolant thermostat (SI B01 01 21), the grille's active air flaps on cars built June 11, 2017 to June 27, 2019 (SI B01 12 19), the fuel vapor leak diagnosis module on 2019 and 2020 cars (SI B01 09 21) and, on 2018 cars built to June 26, 2018, the charge air coolers (SI B01 02 21); a dealer can confirm each by VIN
Holds value
- 2020 model year (523 hp)
- Dynamic Handling Package
- Bowers and Wilkins Diamond audio
- Executive Package
- Low documented mileage
Hurts resale
- Accident history
- Missing oil change records
- Very high mileage
- Common color
- Neglected cooling system
Known issues to check
What goes wrong on this generation, roughly what a fix costs at an independent shop, and how to spot it before you buy. Every M550i generation compared.
Cooling on the 2019 car
- Oil and coolant leaks (hot vee)Medium$1,500
Inspect for leaks at valve covers, turbo oil lines, and the cooling system.
- Cooling system loadMedium$1,500
Verify cooling parts have been refreshed past 80k mi, ask if owner has run 5k to 7.5k oil intervals.
7known issues
3NHTSA recalls, 2018 to 2020
25owner complaints to NHTSA
Cooling system load
The hot vee layout stresses radiators, hoses, the expansion tank, and the water pump. Shorter oil change intervals recommended.
How to check
Verify cooling parts have been refreshed past 80k mi, ask if owner has run 5k to 7.5k oil intervals.
$1,500est. repairMedium severity
Higher running cost than the inline six
Tires, brakes, and service all run higher than B58 cars. Budget accordingly.
How to check
Account for the higher annual cost when cross shopping against a six.
Variesno single repair costLow severity
Valve stem seals (older or tracked)
Worn valve stem seals are a known N63 and N63TU repair that drives oil consumption and startup smoke; no bulletin covers these later engines yet, but check for blue smoke at start-up on high-mileage cars.
How to check
Look for blue startup smoke, request a leakdown on high mileage cars.
$4,000est. repairMedium severity
Oil consumption (N63)
The N63 family is known to consume oil between changes. Improved on the TU2 and TU3 in these cars compared with the original N63 and the TU1 (2013 to 2019 550i, 650i, 750i, X5 and X6), whose oil consumption led to a 2022 class action settlement, but not zero.
How to check
Ask owner about oil top-ups between changes, review service records.
$1,500est. repairMedium severity
Fuel injectors corroded by coolant (N63, 2020 cars)
Coolant residue can collect around the injectors and corrode them. BMW covers injectors that fail this way on M550i cars built from June 2019 to June 2021 for 15 years or 150,000 miles (SI B01 17 24).
How to check
Check coverage by VIN at a dealer and look for coolant residue around the injectors.
Variesno single repair costLow severity
Passenger seat occupancy mat (2018 cars)
The front passenger seat's occupancy sensor mat can give false readings: a fasten-seat-belt chime with the seat empty, or a passenger restraint warning that switches off the passenger air bag. Eight of the 23 complaints owners of 2018 M550is have filed with NHTSA describe it. BMW now covers the mat for 10 years or 120,000 miles on 2018 M550is built through June 20, 2018, when poorly shielded wiring or a loose ground causes the false alerts (SI B72 01 25); before that cover, owners reported dealer quotes of $2,000 to $3,800.
How to check
With the passenger seat empty and then with an adult in it, check that no belt chime or restraint warning appears; if one does, a BMW dealer can confirm the cover by VIN.
Variesno single repair costLow severity
Ownership and safety
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Live from NHTSA, across the 2018 to 2020 model years.
What it costs to run
Our estimates at an independent shop, parts and labor; fuel from the EPA.
Fuel a yearEPA
~$2,130
At about 8,000 miles a year, our estimate for an M Performance car, the two-year budget's miles; 20 mpg combined, premium gasoline
Factory tiresEstimate
$1,200 to $1,900
19in staggered summer run-flats (20in optional)
Brakes, front and rearEstimate
$1,400 to $2,400
Pads and rotors, independent shop
Annual serviceEstimate
$600 to $950
Oil and inspections
Pricing tires for this car? Compare the factory sizes at Discount Tire, and ask a local shop to match it.
Maintenance schedule
- Oil serviceyearly or 10k mi~$250
- Brake fluidevery 2 yrs~$120
- Cabin microfilterevery 2 yrs~$90
- Spark plugsevery 60k mi~$500
- Tire set, wear itemevery 15k to 25k mi~$1,550
- Brake job, wear itemevery 25k to 40k mi~$1,900
Sources and methodwhat each figure covers
Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov: its yearly cost is for 15,000 miles with 55% city driving, moved here to the miles a year the two-year budget uses. The rest are our estimates at independent-shop and retail prices from September 2026. Service is a year of routine maintenance at 10,000 miles: one or two oil changes, brake fluid, filters, and spark plugs spread over their interval. Repairs are separate. Tires are a mounted set of summer tires; brakes are pads and rotors on both axles. Prices vary by region and shop.
Prices near you
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Set your ZIP and this page shows the asking prices of M550i G30 cars listed for sale within 100 miles of you today, with the cars themselves.
What they sell for
$15,000lowest example
$42,000highest example
3listings tracked
2020 BMW M550i
Bluestone Metallic · 28,000 mi · 8AT · AWD
$42,000listing score 80
2019 BMW M550i
Dark Graphite · 52,000 mi · 8AT · AWD
$31,000listing score 71
2018 BMW M550i
Alpine White · 96,000 mi · 8AT · AWD
$15,000listing score 54
Representative listings, last reviewed September 2026. Examples chosen by us, not a live feed.
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The cars this one gets weighed against, by lineage and by price.
Follow the M550i
The M Index, once a month: any change to the M550i's guide or score, with the reason, new recalls on M cars, and one thing to check before you buy.