[ARNiTECT]

We're trading up from a 2002 318i SE with 40k on the clock, which we bought new. That car is great and we hope to keep this new car for 10 years as well.

Wanted a smooth 6 cylinder petrol, non-turbo before they cease to exist (we do only 4000miles/year). Added loads of options, which I had a lot of help with from a journalist friend. Delivery mid May.

We have 2 kids (a 10day old & 22month old) Plan to fit 2 car seats in rear and still have space for 1 occational adult. Just bought a Recaro Young Sport, hopefully it will fit next to a Maxi Cosi Pebble.

Really hesitated on getting a built in satnav, as our TomTom is so good, but hopefully the Pro Plus pack will make it worth it. Rear entertainment would have been nice, but I will fit iPads to back of headrests instead.

We live in centre of London, but when we get out it should be great fun.

530i M-Sport Touring*
Sophisto Grey 2
Oyster/Black Dakota leather

ZGA - Visibility Pack
ZGM - Comfort Pack w/seats
ZGP - Media Pack Pro Plus
223 - Variable Damper Control
2NB - 19" 351M
2TB - Sport Automatic
402 - Panoramic Glass Sunroof
677 - Loudspeaker Pro
654 - DAB
3AG - Reversing Camera
8TH - Speed limit display
5AG - Lane Change Warning
4CE - Fineline Anthracite
761 - Sun protection glass
417 - Sun blinds rear
430 - Ext Mirrors folding
316 - Boot-lid powered
418 - Extended storage
575 - 12 volt
441 - smokers pack deletion

Edit: The car arrived! first thoughts here.

[xenon]

That's a great car and a great spec. You won't regret the Pro Media - it looks so good and in terms for Nav functionality is a world away from the earlier versions.

[Matt01]

Perfect spec, can't wait to see pics... Not sure about the recaro seat but the maxi cosi pebble fits perfectly and doesnt rub the leather...

[remmib]

Since you wanted no turbo, this was your only choice then, right?

[ARNiTECT]

Just tried the Recaro seat in our 3 series saloon and when pushed up to one side it doesn't fit well upto the angled side cushions. Centre seat belt isnt 3 point, which limits the adult to the centre. 5 series F11 has 3x 3 point in rear and seems to have flatter seats. Have also just ordered a Kiddy Guardian Pro 2, which has a much more curved underside, so should fit better. Can keep both until we get the car and return the one we don't like for refund.

530i is the last non-turbo. I was between the 528i and 530i, I was told that although the 528i is an amazing engine, the 530i has more character. I was also between a 530i M-Sport 19" and a 535i SE with 18" for the same money... Worried about turbos over 10 years.

[ARNiTECT]

Aside from the sat nav, what else is nice on the Media Pro Plus
package? Can you watch movies off the DVD player?

[eskdale]

Originally Posted by ARNiTECT

Aside from the sat nav, what else is nice on the Media Pro Plus
package? Can you watch movies off the DVD player?

Yes you can watch movies of the DVD player but only when stationary (unless you do the DVD in Motion)

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by eskdale

Yes you can watch movies of the DVD player but only when stationary (unless you do the DVD in Motion)

This has been done to death here: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=670764
Over 300 posts on the subject - I can't understand why anyone would want to watch a DVD whilst driving

[ARNiTECT]

Originally Posted by Jon D

This has been done to death here: [url...I can't understand why anyone would want to watch a DVD whilst driving

While watching the DVD: "Step by step guide to driving safely"

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by ARNiTECT

While watching the DVD: "Step by step guide to driving safely"

Well, if anyone requires guidelines on how to watch movies whilst driving, I rest my case. Does this come under the heading of 'stating the obvious'?

[ARNiTECT]

It's part of a series, including "Karaoke - small text edition" and "Where's Wally"

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by ARNiTECT

It's part of a series, including "Karaoke - small text edition" and "Where's Wally"

Why didn't you mention that in the first place? See what you mean now.

[ARNiTECT]

Just tried both car seats in rear of 3 series, assuming it can only be better in a 5er (all with no isofix)
Maxi Cosi Pebble
Recaro Young Sport or,
Kiddy Guardian Pro 2

With the base of the seats positioned as intended - flat against the seat and back - there is no room in the middle.

With the seats pushed up to the doors there is room, but it's not comfortable (I'm 6'3 15st). However, the seats slope up towards the doors.

With cushions positioned under the seats they are level, but I doubt this would be safe.

(edit: pics removed)

[c-hri-s]

The 5 is wider.

Don't think I'd be happy travelling with my two having the seats mounted on anything to be honest. They need to be rooted to the seat as much as possible.

[ARNiTECT]

Originally Posted by dodgy

The 5 is wider.

Don't think I'd be happy travelling with my two having the seats mounted on anything to be honest. They need to be rooted to the seat as much as possible.

I can wait till the 5 arrives to decide which to keep.

The cushions would never be suitable. Only something rigid 'may' work, I will ask each of the 3 manufacturers. I am expecting 3x no, as it would not have been tested. I have heard of rolled up towels being used where the incline of the carseat doesn't fit, but even then I understand the advice is to just replace it with a carseat that does fit.

[ARNiTECT]

I would have loved to try a 530i with VDC, sport auto and 19" tires on a suitable road, but no chance.
I did test a 528i with the older 6cyl and a new 328i to try the new 4cyl turbo engine. Test drives were limited due to London traffic. Also drove a 535d and X5 40d, they were the first diesel cars I'd driven, and they felt a bit odd.

[Rochdale Pioneers]

I have 3 kids - 11, 4 and 10 months. You are not going to get an adult inbetween the two child seats in the back. But what you can do is switch off the front airbag, stick one childseat up front and the other one in the back. You can then fit - just - two adults in the back.

F10 is definitely wider than an E9x. But not by that much!

[ARNiTECT]

We ordered on 20 March and the estimated delivery of 20 May (9 weeks) has now been confirmed as around 11 June (12 weeks).
It's not the end of the world, but it is a little disappointing as we had planned to travel somewhere with the bigger car.

As I understand it, BMW allocate slots based on chassis and engine. I wonder if the lower popularity of the 530i engine causes a delay?

[A900ss]

Originally Posted by ARNiTECT

As I understand it, BMW allocate slots based on chassis and engine. I wonder if the lower popularity of the 530i engine causes a delay?

I wonder if it's because they are making 4000 vehicles for the Olympics.

That's a lot of RHD vehicles.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/262494/

[A900ss]

Originally Posted by ARNiTECT

We ordered on 20 March and the estimated delivery of 20 May (9 weeks) has now been confirmed as around 11 June (12 weeks).
It's not the end of the world, but it is a little disappointing as we had planned to travel somewhere with the bigger car.

As I understand it, BMW allocate slots based on chassis and engine. I wonder if the lower popularity of the 530i engine causes a delay?

Any updates on your delivery?

Like you, I have a family trip planned and would love to have the BMW rather than my smokey 09 Subaru...

I ordered my F11 4 weeks ago, I tried to make a minor change to the order 2 weeks ago but was told that I couldn't as the car was past the point of no return in the production stage but I am still being told the car will be another 4 weeks until delivery.

That's an 8 week lead time for a UK delivery of a bog standard F11 520d. Reading American posted forum entries, deliveries to the US are quicker than 8 weeks even though they spend another 10 days on the water.

Good luck with all your cars.

[ARNiTECT]

Delivery date has been updated to 6 June now, which is about 11 weeks.
Yours might be on the same truck as ours?

We are told we will probably get it a day or so after this, as they need to do something with it in the shop before we get it. (I'm imagining something like Ferris Bueller's day off)

Have postponed holiday a little bit as once the double buggy is in the boot of our '02 318, there is no room for other important things like travel cot, mosses basket, clothes.

[ARNiTECT]

Car delivery to dealer now updated to 30 May and should be able to pick it up on the 31st. That's about 10 weeks as promised.

Just noticed a few little updates have been announced for the 5 series July builds onwards, will miss out on these, such as a fancy sat nav upgrade.