[Nasman]

Hi All, as promised, photos of my 530d. I picked her up from a detail around 6 pm yesterday and it rained all night hence she's not looking as good as she could and I didn't have time to give her once over. Apologies for the pics (taken from my iphone - really do need to get a proper camera). I have to say the detail job was very impressive by a guy in Ascot who works on the Ferraris for HR Owen (he's a bit OCD which can only be good for teh customer). The colour has transformed and although you cant tell from the photos, there is a distict hint of metallic blue in certain lights.

[remmib]

Looks great, shiny interior trim too.

[Nasman]

Thanks, the detailer did a proper job on it. He even detailed the glove compartment and the smaller storage areas - OCD!

[Balster]

Very nice looking car.
The Piano black interior plate look brand new!

Approx how much did it cost to have it detailed?
I'm gonna clean my car myself using Autogylm products.

[Nasman]

Thanks Balster, it was £200 - I normally get it done at the beginning of ownership and then maintain myself every fortnight (unless I have an event I am going to in which case I'll get it done again). The car had a few swirl marks (show up more on darker colours) and he managed to get all of those out hence the super duper shine! You're right about the trim looking brand new; there were quite a few scratches and it was those that I was most worried about when I bought the car - needn't have done as after a polish they look brand new. I mean the whole car looks brand new! Autoglym products are very good, I used them on my previous BMW which was a Monaco Blue. You might also want to try Collinite 845 wax which is amazing stuff. Are you getting Opti-guard or something similar?

[Balster]

Mine is coming with just the standard stuff that BMW apply - none of that snake oil stuff.
But I am interested in getting something like that applied.
BMW might charge an arm and a leg!

[Nasman]

Just get it done through a good detailer - much cheaper, better advice and excellent quality as far as I'm concerned. Don't get me wrong, some BMW products are very good but in my experience there are better products on the wider market if you do your research. For example, Collinite 845 wax - the packaging is from the dark ages but the product is exceptional and without doubt better than the eqivalent BMW wax. If both were sitting next to each other on a shelf, I reckon 10/10 would go for the BMW product...the power of branding! There shoudl be loads of detailers up north and I think you will get a reasonable price too.

[Piers]

Looks lovely Nas, enjoy it, do love black when it is all bulled up

[Nasman]

Thanks Piers! Took a long drive this evening listening to a bit of Dire Straits! The ambient lighting is definitely better in the country. Annoyingly, I have noticed some condensation inside both headlights (exactly the same areas on both sides). Has me worried enough to take it to BMW for an inspection tomorrow. Hopefully it's nothing - will update soon.

[Beancounter_74]

Looking very nice Nas

I've got Carbon black too and when polished up they do look lovely. Looks like your detailer did a great job

Balster - if you're looking for a detailer near you, take a look at www.detailingworld.co.uk they have a list of everyone by location.

[hodgy]

Awesome detailing job Nasman, worth every penny inside and out!

[Nasman]

Thanks Beancounter and Hodgy! The guy that did the detailing does the Ferarris for HR Owen and he really is awesome. Also does opti-guard for a very resonable price. Carbon black is a great colour when polished up but keeping it that way is difficult in the winter months. I'm hoping we will have a good summer as I only plan on keeping the car until March next year and want it looking spanking until then. Did either of you consider the 530 or 535d when ordering your new cars??

[Beancounter_74]

I would have loved a 530d or 535d Nasman ..... but
1) I'd set myself a budget (after hemorrhaging cash left right and center on my previous RRSport)
2) I 'd rather have a few toys (Elec seats, elec boot release, elec tow bar, heated wheel etc) over the engine as I don't really do that many miles to warrant it and prefer a few more comforts.

You thinking of going 530 or 535 on your next one then?

[Nasman]

I see Beanie. I've got the 530d and although the 520d appealed due to the mpg, I wanted a bigger engine as I was moving from a 320d. Suprisingly, the 530d M Sport comes with quite a few of the toys as standard eg ambient lighting and mine has the power boot, full electric, heated seats, sunroof, pro sat nav - the chap before me did spec it very well. I'm very happy with the current one but I'm really hoping to get a 640d GC next year - if the prices is right. I did get an amazing deal for the 530d and I'm hoping I won't lose too much on re-sale. How long you planning on keeping yours? If you get a chance to drive the 640d, you will definitley want one!

[Beancounter_74]

I do like the 6 series, and I've heard the 640d is a great drive, but just see me buying one for some reason - just doesn't quite tick all the boxes for me.

Yes, the 530 does come with a few things as standard, but a lot of the stuff you have are extras apart from the pro nav I think.

I recon I'll have my car for about 18 months to 2 years as that seems the average time I've had my last 5 cars. If things pan out I'd like an AMV8 or C4s, but will have to see if funds permit then.

[Nasman]

The AMV8 and C4s are in different leagues to the 5 series. If you're a 4x4 fan, the Porsche GTS is a fantastic bit of kit. My friend has one which he let me drive to Manchester and back - what a car (cost £100k but in a couple of years will be much more affordable). If money was no object, I would buy the 911 GT3 but with two boys under 10, there's no chance of that for a few years!

[Beancounter_74]

Yes, there's no comparing them, the AMV8 or C4S would be my ideal and I need to pull the trigger before people look at me in one and think/say, "look at that old bastard in that sports car"

I'm also watching with interest the new Porsche Macan - given that I nearly bought an SQ5 (what a car ), they seem a very nice proposition too.

Never really liked the Cayenne, mate has a diseasal one and although very nice, but I just for the life of me can't see where his £75k went - no sense of occasion, just a nicely specced big road car.

[FrankAN]

Looks great.....what kind of tint do you have on the windows? Carbon or metallic? Looks like the back are slightly darker than the front. What percentage do you have?

[remmib]

Originally Posted by FrankAN

Looks great.....what kind of tint do you have on the windows? Carbon or metallic? Looks like the back are slightly darker than the front. What percentage do you have?

I guess no tint, just factory dark glass (euro option) in the rear.