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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 2011 to late 2014 F11 comparison |
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12-28-2014, 08:01 AM | #1 |
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2011 to late 2014 F11 comparison
Recently took delivery of my new F11 520d M Sport in Sophisto Grey and wanted to give some comparisons to my previous 2011 F11 which was also a 2.0d M Sport but in Alpine White.
So, firstly a short summary of specs and previous ownerships. 2008 – 2011 E61 525i M Sport in Le Mans Blue with 19” 172M’s. (I still miss this car so much!!) 2011 – 2014 Alpine White model had the N47 engine and was fairly decently spec’d. I put the OEM black grilles on it and also taped the chrome indicator surrounds. (didn’t spec the ambient ltg so there was no need to worry about the chrome strips on the door handles!). De badged. Kept the standard 19” 351M’s. So with the exception of the alloys it was a black and white car (or should that be white and black??). Eight Speed Sports auto transmission. Current model has the new B47 engine version (more of which later), manual gearbox (more of which later), Matt Aluminium exterior trim and roof rails, M Sport Plus package (Harmon/Karmon, SPG, and the 19” 351’s) Pano sun roof, LED adaptive headlights, ambient ltg, Pro Sat Nav, the MFIP as i call it (Multi Function Instrument Panel), VDC and the always lovely Grey Shade band. In keeping with the chrome feel i stuck the kidney grilles from the Modern Touring on it as well. Chose a set of 20” 464M’s for her as I was desperate for the mixed wheel look and something a little more distinctive overall. The main difference or change I wanted to make was to get as far away from an automatic gearbox as fast as I could. The auto gearbox made me a lazy driver and the longer it went on the more “disconnected“ I felt from the car. Specifying the manual box was the easiest decision i was ever going to make and it has been more than worth it. On taking delivery and driving away the driving sensation was immediately back, I could feel the car, the biting point, the ability to flip the throttle, the driving vibration through the clutch pedal and just the overall sense of being in charge of that throttle again without some piece of software making decisions for you. On the previous F11, I used the paddles a handful of times in 3 years and whilst they are good on roads where you don’t have to turn the wheel and can keep your fingers on the paddles continuously as soon as the wheel needs to do a 90 deg plus turn, you don’t have control of the gears any longer. Would appreciate your feedback on this point, yes there’s a case to be made that you make the gear changes before turning into the corner, hence no need to make a shift up (or down) when you are in the corner, I just felt that the shifts between the gears were quite short and needed to be made more quickly as you were exiting a corner and crucially before the wheel was back to less than the 90deg and then having to get your fingers back on the paddles again.......... The improved engine is an exceptional piece of engineering. The previous N47 as I have stated before (not on this forum) was like starting a cold tractor and despite all of its good points (torque, /power ratios) I never quite got away from the farmer in the morning carry on. This new B47 has been dramatically improved, not just with its cold start “noise” which has been improved beyond measure, but i’m sure i can hear it purr when in any mode above Eco Pro. I don’t feel a tremendous difference for the increased lower end torque/power output over the old version but the refinement is undeniable. LED Adaptive Headlights/High Beam Assistant – WOW!!! what a package this is. I must admit my first reason for specifying this was for its looks, the eyebrow indicator light and the goddam mean sporty look of the headlights themselves with the distinctive flattened corona rings and the LED light display split across the centre of each of the 4 rings. I realised from the start after some research there was a lot more to this package that its good looks. There’s a BMW video on YouTube of their operational aspects and it is just awesome. Are they better than the Visibility Package/Bi Xenons on the old F11, yes would be my opinion all day long. They do take some getting used to at night, when you push the High Beam Assistant to “on” and there’s a car coming towards you, your first instinct is to switch it off as the headlights are still on full beam, but only after a while do you realise no–one is flashing back at you to put the high beam down, the adaptive tech is doing all the work (the video explains how it works). VDC – specified this time round as I was putting the 20” 464M’s on the car, the previous model was the standard M Sport suspension. I see a noticeable improved difference in the ride across all settings but overall when I look at the car I think it sits higher than the M Sport suspension model particularly at the front. The gap from the top edge of the wheel to the wheel arch is more than i recall. I see there has been some debate on this and wondered if there was a definitive answer? Seems that the M Sport suspension is deleted when you spec the VDC and that is making the difference???? Overall tho, I think having the VDC is needed with the rims I chose. I’m not planning a “drop” at all. MFIP – quite simply put, a marvellous piece of tech. From the “flashing lights” to advise gear changes in “sports” mode to the vastly improved “Eco Pro” screen, this piece of kit just keeps giving and giving. The Sat Nav aspect display improvement on their is sublime and so much easier to follow than what wasn’t a bad version before. I thought the full black panel display on the previous version was excellent but this tops it 10 fold. Where this tech takes us in the future is something I’m really looking forward too. Will we be able to customise our own displays and colours within the required parameters of what needs to be shown on it – who knows how far this could go!!! In summary, a vastly improved car from the previous model, the engine refinements, interior spec improvements, headlights and that manual gearbox have made me one happy Han Solo. So there you have it, hopefully some good feedback for you and now may I present my new Falcon (via some rather poor iPhone camera pics) |
12-28-2014, 10:35 AM | #2 |
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Thanks for writing this comparison.
Enjoyed reading it. Love LED lights and when I saw them first time Just wondering why bmw left the windows trim in silver if its M sport car?
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12-28-2014, 11:15 AM | #3 |
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Thank you for the fantastic review!
The reason for manual transmission is perfectly explained. However the manual gearbox is fine until the car has stuck in 3-hour traffic, you know. Wish you will have your way always clear. I took my car before Adaptive LED option. The Adaptive LEDs are smart like hell and I love it, but the price of retrofitting is just impossible. LEDs is the first thing to check with the next car. Do you have also the Driver Assist Package? HUD etc. The Dynamic Handling Package (DHP) that includes Active Roll and Variable Dampers (ARS, VDC) does delete M Sport suspension. Car can be easily lowered on sport springs, because the strut provides (variable) stiffness while the spring provides height and vertical travel. When lowered, the Comfort mode became just one-click "shorter" due to the shorter travel, but still Comfort and Sport are noticeable different. Hopefully you say you won't lower it. Wish you to enjoy your great new ride! |
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12-28-2014, 11:16 AM | #4 |
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The black trims is a good thing, however with BMW it is always something separate and called "option 760 BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line". And then it's not all, the fender light trims and kidney grills are still left to get blacked out for more money.
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12-28-2014, 11:20 AM | #5 |
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Thanks. So does bmw charge to have black fender light trim as well?
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12-28-2014, 11:50 AM | #6 | |
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12-28-2014, 01:46 PM | #7 | |
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F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White | HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 | Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 | KW V3 Coilover | M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar | 3DDesign Front Lip | BMW M Performance CF Spoiler | BMW M Performance Diffuser | BMW M Performance Black Grills | BMW M Performance Pedals | |
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12-28-2014, 02:56 PM | #8 | |
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Well, another shame to BMW. F10 body is the same, production is deeply robotized and automated. Why not to give the people breakfast, lunch and dinner at their own wish and cost? The same way I had to replace the one-sided stock exhaust on my 530dX, M Sport blah-blah.. that looked strange even compared to my neighbor's Hyundai Azera with the dual tips that seem to be not worse than the ones of the best 550. And, coming back to the matter: VDC is really worth every penny, compared to my so-called "M sport suspension" which is bagging to get both sway bars and springs upgraded for another 700-800 Euro. Lessons learned |
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12-28-2014, 05:26 PM | #9 |
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This car does indeed not have DHP, budgetary constraints aside, i just really wanted the 520d.
I spec'd the matt chrome to make the change from the total black v white previous 2011 - 2014 model I had been running. I appreciate its not standard classic M Sport BMW styling but I didnt want that, I wanted a car that suited me after the "white phase" and as such went after it with some gusto. Jesus, "after it with some gusto". Bottom line, I love my Falcon. Each of us to our own and full respect with it, gusto or otherwise. |
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12-28-2014, 05:43 PM | #10 |
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I chose the matt alluminium finish. with the 464M's and the ambient lighting chrome exterior trims on the door handles PLUS the Modern Touring all Chrome kidney grilles. I stepped away from the traditional M Sport styling for 1 simple reason......... I needed some colour in my life, black and white was killing me.
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12-30-2014, 08:01 AM | #11 |
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I have the adaptive headlights on my F10 but not the LED option, I am also constantly amazed when the car changes the beam pattern especially when the high beam is on full and you are driving with a car in front and the lights move out to the left and right
Another must have for me is active cruise, makes for a very relaxed if lazy drive! Just sit there and the car does everything (except steer) Perfect long distance cruiser, would love more power but as its a company car and spends 85% on motorways not much point. |
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01-01-2015, 06:51 AM | #12 | |
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However, the BMW implementation of the auto box is good enough for me to still avoid a manual for two reasons:
I'd never have a sports car with anything other than a manual, but the ZF 8HP with the GPS thing is pretty good for a saloon car. |
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01-01-2015, 09:45 AM | #13 | |
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01-05-2015, 06:16 AM | #14 |
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Do you think there is a difference between the LEDs of the 5 series and the X3? I just noticed that the X3's LED have something inside the core making them brighter. Not that it would make a huge difference though...Just wondering since im on the fence which one to buy. There is a 5 series in the showroom with a very little miles on it and I can take it immediately or wait for brand new X3. Both are xdrive, same engine and price. Although, 5 series is superior in any way to the X3 i dont know what I am even thinking
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01-05-2015, 01:15 PM | #15 | |
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Your second point re the (cough, cough) Jags, GPS-enabled auto box sounds like a marvellous piece of kit, driven of course by software (note to self - you're beginning to sound anti-software!!) and of course it will be a big seller, but I just wondered if we are going to far the other way, I think of myself as a driver, not a point and press man, sorry "person", i want to to drive my car, not be softened (oops) up by the very nice kit that is available to only IMO dampen the overall feeling I want from the car. |
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01-05-2015, 01:29 PM | #16 | |
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I havent lookeat the X3 spec but I would speculate that the spec is the same, the photos you put up just show the central horizontal LED beams further forward in the array for the 3 v the 5. I think mine are deeper based on that photo. |
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01-06-2015, 02:54 AM | #17 |
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C5 FOR,
Just for clarity, the GPS-enabled 'box is on the 5 series, not the Jag. I get what you are saying though. But for me, I want a saloon car to be point and press, and I want a sports car to be manual and fun. I think of the 5 as a bit of a barge with rather nasty steering - so am happy to keep it as a barge and get it to do all the work for me. |
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01-06-2015, 05:14 AM | #18 |
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A bit of a ba...... bar........barg........nope, I can't even say the word!!!
How dare you sir, if these were the old days I would slap you across the face with my gloves and challenge you to a duel!!! I fear you may have stirred a hornets nest with that comment!!! |
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01-06-2015, 07:46 AM | #19 |
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I know - I have no brand loyalty...
I have good experience of the E Class, XF and 5. All are barges - they are all medium/large saloon cars and drive as such. If you want sporty, you need a sports car, not a saloon car. Thinking a saloon car is a sports car is as flawed as thinking a sports car is a saloon car. Of the 3 (E, XF, 5), the 5 has the worst steering, by far. The XF is the best, and in a different league (coupled with the fact that it has a non-twisted driving position). The XF has the smoothest engine, too - none of the rattles, growls and vibrations that you get in a 6 cyl 5 series. But the 5 has more grunt, a better implementation of the 8HP 'box, better ride and body control and nicer tech (make that a lot nicer). IMO the perfect mid/large 3 box saloon (or estate variant) would have it's attributes taken from the following cars: XF: Steering, driving position, engine smoothness and quietness, looks. 5: Engine grunt, gearbox, ride and handling, interior and tech. E: Nothing that I can think of. Caveats: I would rate the ride quality in the following order (best at the top):
I would rate the handling in the following order (best at the top):
Just my experience and opinion - after plenty of time in all those cars. |
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01-07-2015, 12:12 PM | #20 |
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Pottsy,
Respect your opinion and clearly experience in all "brands" which I don't have. That said I would never go near the XF. It is quite simply an ugly car. The daytime running lights are neither one thing or the other and don't give it any decent character, then there's the roundedness of the bodywork in general, it just doesn't work for me at all. So, strange as it may seem, even if it has improved steering and have a better engine than the 5, I wouldn't go anywhere near it. Last edited by C5 FOR; 01-07-2015 at 12:13 PM.. Reason: Typo |
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01-07-2015, 01:54 PM | #21 | |
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Luckily for me, I don't really care about looks from the outside - evidenced by the fact that I bought a W212 E class. I have to say though, that it was the XF that got the most "nice looking car" comments - the E and the 5 tend not to. E got "taxi" comments, 5 gets comments to do with driving aggression and indicator skills. As I say, people can think what they like - I am the type who enjoys smaller diameter wheels because they are less fashionable (and work better). Did a little comparison montage - when you do this it's remarkable how similar the cars actually look! And I know, the chicken shed needs some maintenance. |
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01-07-2015, 03:42 PM | #22 | |
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Sorry!!! I'm sorry, I apologise! I think it was the "you're a squary" comment that got me going. Couldn't resist!!! I wish I had your "dont give a shit what it looks like attitude to my cars" if I did I would be running around in my old mk2 Escort, with the black rubber spoiler on the boot (had to order them special at the time) and the chrome inserts on the GL "sport" wheels. Those were the days!!! Sorry, I digress. Full of apologies tonight be I!! |
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