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      10-11-2013, 05:20 AM   #1
SteveP15
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Help! New F11

Just about to purchase a 535d F11 Luxury, build slot allocated just have to finalise spec and colour have a few days to sort it

Sophisto Grey
18 in Alloys
HUD
MFD
Folding Mirrors
Sun Protection Glass
Enhanced Bluetooth
Sport Auto

I have a further £1800 and really confused with what to add I'm tempted by the comfort seats but really not sure.

Just looking for advice on the other add on such as the driving assistant plus or upgrading the speakers or the adaptive dampers.

Also anyone with pics of the different alloys on actual cars would be great. I love the 19's but know they would be wrecked in no time at all.

Thanks for your help I'm not buying it through the local dealer so they arn't been that helpfull and at the mo have no F10/F11 in stock
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      10-11-2013, 05:29 AM   #2
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Sorrygetting confused with the dampers!! (Like everyone it seems!) I meant the VDC £995 I think.
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      10-11-2013, 05:57 AM   #3
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VDC for sure.
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      10-11-2013, 06:57 AM   #4
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I think most would say VDC, but try and find a dealer with one that you can drive as some have said they prefer the passive MSport steering..
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      10-11-2013, 12:30 PM   #5
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If you are into music definitely take the HK upgrade. Standard audio in BM's is woeful.
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      10-11-2013, 01:30 PM   #6
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Why would 19 inch wheel get wrecked.? I have 20 inch on my 535, I take care and have never curbed them, they look great because they fill the huge wheel arch..
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      10-11-2013, 01:58 PM   #7
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19's. 18's just do not cut it with the massive arches
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      10-11-2013, 08:35 PM   #8
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Mine are 19' and look great. Sophisto gray too...
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      10-12-2013, 12:14 AM   #9
SteveP15
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19's

19's would get wrecked because yes I'm careful the other driver isn't!
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      10-12-2013, 03:54 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveP15 View Post
19's would get wrecked because yes I'm careful the other driver isn't!
Do not worry about it they can be refurbed, "others" did mine too, but i still specced them on my new one as the size of 5 means 18"s look small
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      10-13-2013, 03:22 PM   #11
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I would definitely vote for the VDC. I have had it on two F10 cars now and it does make a difference. I would go for the whole hog Adaptive Damper if I had the money, but the VDC is a great alternative.

The HK audio is also recommended, the standard sound is really tiny. (Very surprised that a premium car like F10 has such bad audio as standard).

I would also recommend Reversing Camera (if not the whole Park Assist pack).

I have comfort seats in my current 535, but did not have these in my last years F10 - the comfort seats are definitely better but to be honest, the standard seats were quite good too.

I can't live without Comfort Access, it is very easy getting used to it and I miss it terribly on my 330 Coupe.
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      10-14-2013, 03:09 AM   #12
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Great thanks to everyone so going for the 19's 366, and VDC, the man maths has kicked in and I'm dropping the enhanced bluetooth (have it on my existing F11 and never streamed a thing!) so can upgrade speakers or have the Reverse camera, will prob upgrade the speakers I think. Off to a dealer today as they have an F10 in stock with standard seats so will try them. Presently have an F11 but I am big across the beam! So hoping the standard seats will be more comfy!
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      10-14-2013, 09:49 AM   #13
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I have comfort seats, and whilst they are very good, if rear leg room is a consideration, you may want to re-think them. I'm 6ft and in my normal driving position rear leg room is tight as the seats are very bulky. The standard seats I thought were very good.

That said I would definitely get the rear camera, and maybe even comfort access, along with the comfort close on the boot.

Also +1 on the VDC, my previous F10 SE didn't have it, and my current F11 SE does. The difference is night and day, and well worth the money IMO.

Good luck.
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      10-14-2013, 10:09 AM   #14
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Thanks for the reply ref vdc can I ask are you using it on 18's?
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      10-14-2013, 03:06 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveP15 View Post
Thanks for the reply ref vdc can I ask are you using it on 18's?
Yes. Current VDC setup on 535 is 18s, but I also had VDC (last year F10) on 17s.... All I can say is recommended on both.
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      10-15-2013, 02:28 AM   #16
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In my experience, VDC on an F11 just doesn't seem to work. I've read many professional reviews and even more user reviews regarding VDC on the F10 and most are generally positive. However, for me and my F11, it just cannot see how it has improved things much over the standard set-up and certainly does not justify the extra cost. I suspect that that VDC has been predominantly engineered and tuned for the saloon, but when applied to the F11 with its rear self-levelling air suspension, it just all seems to go wrong. I specced VDC in the hope of excellent ride quality and am generall disappointed on all but the very smoothest of roads. The way the car deals with potholes, speed bumps etc. is bordering on unacceptable. I have 18" wheels btw.

My comments regarding comfort seats are similar. Excellent on paper, but no tangible improvement on comfort compare to cars with standard seats and again for me, certainly not worth the extra cost. The range of adjustability is excellent, but the end result is no better in terms of comfort. I do appreciate the memory function though, particularly the ability to save settings for me and the missus on separate keys (even the steering wheel positions are memorised and automatically adjusted).

My tips, in addition to what you have alrerady chosen, would be reverse assist camera, heated steering wheel and HK audio.
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      10-15-2013, 03:23 AM   #17
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I'm glad to read the above. I was getting a little worried I didn't spec VDC on my F11. Have added reverse camera and HK audio thoug, along with the multi function dash.
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      10-15-2013, 03:30 AM   #18
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I run Adaptive Drive (VDC + ARS) on 18" wheels, (and 17" winter) best option on the car, IMO. The ability to drive the suspension mode to suit the road surface conditions and my driving mood is a key priority for me.


Quote:
Originally Posted by fat dog View Post
In my experience, VDC on an F11 just doesn't seem to work. I've read many professional reviews and even more user reviews regarding VDC on the F10 and most are generally positive. However, for me and my F11, it just cannot see how it has improved things much over the standard set-up and certainly does not justify the extra cost. I suspect that that VDC has been predominantly engineered and tuned for the saloon, but when applied to the F11 with its rear self-levelling air suspension, it just all seems to go wrong. I specced VDC in the hope of excellent ride quality and am generall disappointed on all but the very smoothest of roads. The way the car deals with potholes, speed bumps etc. is bordering on unacceptable. I have 18" wheels btw..
For me it is exactly the opposite, I tried a touring on standard suspension (not M-sport) and the ride and handling were severely compromised on poor road surfaces, compared to the active suspension. I have found the rear air suspension is a key to getting a better suspension in a BMW, the ability to have a lower spring rate at low loads smooth out the rear end jitters, even more so with the VDC option. It is a key reason I went to a 5-series again, rather than have another 3-series. OK, I've the full cream Adaptive Drive in my F11, but no issues at all with suspension quality or the modes changing the overall suspension feel of the car. It adds refinement in all suspension modes. BTW, I use all modes, the mid setting is my normal 'default' ride.

What are your issues? Wrong feel all the time, compared to standard passive suspension, or the modes don't change the ride and handling feel as you'd expect? Or some odd behaviour?

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      10-15-2013, 03:46 AM   #19
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apologies I've got Adaptive Drive not VDC (Sorry I was getting the two mixed up), That said I'm very happy with it on 19" wheels
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      10-15-2013, 03:53 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xs2man View Post
I'm glad to read the above. I was getting a little worried I didn't spec VDC on my F11. Have added reverse camera and HK audio thoug, along with the multi function dash.
You'll see I take a different view than fat dog, even on the touring.

I believe the only way you will know what you really want, is trying the options.

When I started trying F10 cars I soon realised that there was the same issue as previous 3/5 series cars, simple changes make noticeable differences. Something as simple as wheel size change, or the changes to steering settings with the SAT gearbox, make a car feel so different. I tried a 530d with Adaptive Drive and that set the benchmark much higher, a better car to drive than previous F10 models I'd tried. So when I went on the serious hunt for an F11, it had to have 18" wheels, SAT gearbox and Adaptive Drive.

All make subtle changes, across the driving modes, but combined the driving experience is in a much better place for me.

We all assess suspension differently, for some a passive suspension is just fine. But a lot does depend on the roads we drive. My typical roads challenge a BMW suspension system as road feel can deteriorate 'to poor' very quickly. Adaptive systems widen the working envelope, which suits me far better.

Hence why I say best to try the options if you can.

HighlandPete

BTW, reversing camera is a good driving aid on the F11. I've got the surround view cameras, also adds to the car placement. Bit of a luxury, but a good option all the same.

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      10-15-2013, 03:55 AM   #21
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Anyone tried active LED lights yet?
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      10-15-2013, 05:14 AM   #22
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Yeah, well I was putting in a new order, and couldn't really justify the £1k for VDC or the almost £3k for AD. Not when the budget was tight enough as it is. I did manage to get a few of the little extras mind.

I did consider the surround view, but to be honest, with my wifes reversing ability, I figured the full on rear view would have been better for her. I did test drive a motor with the surround view, and it was nice though. Can you change that option to give you the reverse view if you wanted? Not that it makes much difference to me now admittedly.

I'm quite sure I will be fine without any of them drive options though. If I'm honest, I didn't really buy the 5 series as a driving car, but just because it was bigger than my current 3 series. I have had to drop from the 335d to the 530d though. I just hope it'll be possible to map the 530d, as I'm not looking forward to the big drop in power. It was a 535d I test drove, and it felt slow enough compared to my mildly mapped 335d.
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