[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Shake n Bake

My statement was tongue-in-cheek of course. The 520d is certainly not a "drivers car".

I love the comfort, efficiency and space of my F11.

I read your comment as tongue in cheek. I agree the F11 520d is not really a drivers car, but as you say, it is a good package.

I've DieselCar's "Car of the Year Awards" in front of me. For the best diesel estate, based on much the same as your "comfort, efficiency and space" criteria, is the Skoda Superb estate. Runners up, Ford Mondeo and BMW 5-series touring. The Ford gets the comment for "great driving dynamics", says a bit about how the BMW has moved sideways, IMO.

HighlandPete

[shiner]

Well, I have got a 520d that is bog standard - not a single option - and I love it in every way. And I did not debadge it either. I am proud of it.

"Drivers car" ? WTF are you talking about? It is a great car by any standards.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by kirkster

Well, I have got a 520d that is bog standard - not a single option - and I love it in every way. And I did not debadge it either. I am proud of it.

"Drivers car" ? WTF are you talking about? It is a great car by any standards.

Pat yourself on the back for not de-badging.
Hit yourself in the face for not specifying larger alloy's. The standard ones are too small and make the car look silly.

[BobRBob]

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

Pat yourself on the back for not de-badging.
Hit yourself in the face for not specifying larger alloy's. The standard ones are too small and make the car look silly.

Do they bollocks. Even side by side with the next side up it's barely distinguishable.

That said......he should slap himself in the face for not getting pro-nav.

;-) everyone has an opinion.

[Shake n Bake]

I meant "next size up"

[GARBAJ]

Originally Posted by Shake n Bake

Do they bollocks. Even side by side with the next side up it's barely distinguishable.

That said......he should slap himself in the face for not getting pro-nav.

;-) everyone has an opinion.

Now wait just a doggone minute! What in the Wide-Wide World of Sports is "Bullocks"?

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by GARBAJ

Now wait just a doggone minute! What in the Wide-Wide World of Sports is "Bullocks"?

Bollards!!!!!

[Shake n Bake]

What on earth is a "doggone"? I saw a Dugune at the aquarium. Is that the same?



[GARBAJ]

Originally Posted by Shake n Bake

What on earth is a "doggone"? I saw a Dugune at the aquarium. Is that the same?



I don't think so! Obviously, I'm injecting a little Southern slang purposely... Truth be told, I knew what you were saying; I just marvel at all of our different sayings by region/country! It is sometimes easy to forget that we are on a forum that is world-wide. So, when I see something like I saw this a.m., I get a little chuckle!

[MBrown1003]

Originally Posted by GARBAJ

I don't think so! Obviously, I'm injecting a little Southern slang purposely... Truth be told, I knew what you were saying; I just marvel at all of our different sayings by region/country! It is sometimes easy to forget that we are on a forum that is world-wide. So, when I see something like I saw this a.m., I get a little chuckle!

...and that's confusion among native English speakers (though I understand some of our British friends dispute that Americans speak English).

What REALLY impresses me continually is the level of English by many of the posters elsewhere in the world. Kudos to you -- I sure couldn't get by here on my high school Spanish! And I keep threatening to buy the Rosetta Stone German software so I can learn some German before my Euro Delivery..

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by GARBAJ

I don't think so! Obviously, I'm injecting a little Southern slang purposely... Truth be told, I knew what you were saying; I just marvel at all of our different sayings by region/country! It is sometimes easy to forget that we are on a forum that is world-wide. So, when I see something like I saw this a.m., I get a little chuckle!

And I was doing likewise.

I enjoy the differences too. My favourite was 20 years ago as a mid-teen watching the US show Married With Children and hearing that Al's wife Peggy had the maiden name "Wanker".

Oh how I laughed.

[FrequentFlyer]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Reminds me of the story told by a contributor to Evo who encountered a very strange E39 520d with a full //M kit and wheels. Then he noticed the //M5 mirrors. And the //M5 wheel wells. And the //M5 exhaust pipes.

Yes, the //M5 owner had re-badged his car as a 520d.

That was Ashok, who was fairly well known amongst UK E39 M5 owners. In fact he went further and put some magnetic backing on his 520d badge so he could stick it on whenever he felt like having some fun - his car was factory debadged so it looked great!!

[Touring]

I have a ESS supercharged 330ix with a 316i as a badge. The suprise effect is just awesome.

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by Touring

I have a ESS supercharged 330ix with a 316i as a badge. The suprise effect is just awesome.

You must leave 320i owners crying into their steering wheel

[SpawneyGet]

Originally Posted by Touring

I have a ESS supercharged 330ix with a 316i as a badge. The suprise effect is just awesome.

What is the reason for this?

I can kinda understand why some kids make their 318i look like an M3. For example;
- to avoid being looked down upon (some sort of ego issue I guess),
- love the M3 looks but cannot afford a real one,

But I am genuinely curious why guys go out of their way to do it the other way. I am totally guessing but can it be because there is a certain satisfaction in shocking unsuspecting drivers who might feel themselves superior when seeing a lesser model like 316i? Ie, to enjoy the "surprise effect".

[Touring]

Originally Posted by SpawneyGet

What is the reason for this?


But I am genuinely curious why guys go out of their way to do it the other way. I am totally guessing but can it be because there is a certain satisfaction in shocking unsuspecting drivers who might feel themselves superior when seeing a lesser model like 316i? Ie, to enjoy the "surprise effect".

Another reason is that many cars in Scandinavia get "exported" to the baltic countries and Poland against their will. A 330ix, M3, 540I etc is like putting a sticker "steal me" for some people. My "316i" nobody wants, so im happy with that.

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by Touring

Another reason is that many cars in Scandinavia get "exported" to the baltic countries and Poland against their will. A 330ix, M3, 540I etc is like putting a sticker "steal me" for some people. My "316i" nobody wants, so im happy with that.

Never thought of that, could actually be a good decoy.

I still think the idea of "downbadging" is a bit silly. Like putting a Seiko sticker on your Audemars Piguet watch.

[Touring]

Originally Posted by EdwinF10

Never thought of that, could actually be a good decoy.

I still think the idea of "downbadging" is a bit silly. Like putting a Seiko sticker on your Audemars Piguet watch.

Yes, I would never do that :-)

But anyway I prefer to drive a little incongnito. My next car will be the F31 335i. I will debagde that one to, just like the 520d I drive now.

90% of other motorist doesnt care about the numbers in the rear anyway, 9% will think I have wasted my money, and 1% will kick my ass with their M3, Porsche etc :-)

[SpawneyGet]

Here is a deterrent against such unwanted export;

[Touring]

[QUOTE=SpawneyGet;9673948]Here is a deterrent against such unwanted export;
QUOTE]


haha, great. Definitely the next upgrade :-)

[ipso_facto]

One of my all time favourite You Tube clips ...