[Olaeirik]

I'm looking to buy a brand new car this month. A dealer has set up this spec based on a stock car. I also have the possibility to order a individually set up car but have to wait for delivery. Is there something I should add/remove to this setup if I choose another car? I think this car has a nice setup, but I'm wondering if I also should have added EDC or perhaps driving assistant plus. What do you think? Is it worth it (the waiting and the equipment?).

Vehicle information
Type code 5L51
Type 520D XDRIVE (EUR)
Dev. series F11 (MUE)
Line 5
Body type TOUR
Steering LL
Door count 5
Engine B47O
Cubical capacity 2.00
Power 140
Transmision ALLR
Gearbox AUT
Colour IMPERIALBLAU BRILLANTEFFEKT METALLI (A89)
Upholstery LEDER DAKOTA/OYSTER EXKLUSIVNAHT(SW (LCOX)

Order options
No. Description
1CA SELECTION COP RELEVANT VEHICLES
1CB CO2 CONTENT
2PA LOCKING WHEEL BOLTS
2VB TYRE PRESSURE INDICATOR
2V3 18"M LT/ALY WHEELS DOUBLE SP. 613M
230 EU SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
248 STEERING WHEEL HEATING
258 RUNFLAT TYRES
3AC TRAILER TOW HITCH
3AT ROOF RAILS ALUMINIUM SATINATED
3MB INDIVIDUAL EXT.LINE ALU. SATINATED
322 COMFORT ACCESS SYSTEM
337 M SPORT PACKAGE
4B9 INT.TRIM FINISHERS ALUM.HIGH FINISH
4UR AMBIENT LIGHT
402 PANORAMA GLASS ROOF
417 ROLLER SUNBLIND, REAR SIDE WINDOWS
428 WARNING TRIANGLE
431 INTERIOR RR VW MIRROR W AUT ANTI-D
456 COMFORT SEATS, ELECTRIC. ADJUSTABLE
488 LUMBAR SUPPORT DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
494 SEAT HEATING F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
5A1 LED-FOG LIGHTS
502 HEADLIGHT WASHER SYSTEM
508 PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC)
534 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING
6AC INTELLIGENT EMERGENCY CALL
6AE TELESERVICES
6AK CONNECTEDDRIVE SERVICES
6AP REMOTE SERVICES
6NS CONVENIENCE TELEPHONY WITH EXTENDED
6UH TRAFFIC INFORMATION
6WA INSTRUMENT CLUSTER W. EXTENDED CONT
609 NAVIGATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL
654 DAB TUNER
688 HARMAN/KARDON SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM
698 AREA-CODE 2
710 M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
715 M AERODYNAMICS PACKAGE
775 INDIVIDUAL ROOF-LINING ANTHRACITE
8KA OELSERVICE INT. 30.000 KM/24 MONTHS
8SM VIN, VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE
8TF ACTIVE PROTECTION FOR PEDESTRIANS
8TG ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
842 COLD CLIMATE VERSION
843 ENGINE DESIGN
850 ADD FUEL TANK FILLING FOR EXPORT
853 LANGUAGE VERSION ENGLISH
885 SWEDISH / ON-BOARD DOCUMENTATION
9AA EXTERNAL SKIN PROTECTION
993 MODEL YEAR CODE

Series options
No. Description
1CC AUTOMATIC START/STOP FUNCTION
1CD BRAKE ENERGY REGENERATION
205 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
316 AUTOMATIC TAILGATE OPERATION
4U2 DRIVING EXPERIENCE CONTROL INCL. EC
548 SPEEDOMETER WITH KILOMETER READING

[remmib]

Velkommen.

I'd spec the car myself so you got it just right.

When I ordered mine I only waited 6 weeks from ordering to delivery of the car.

[Olaeirik]

True that. However I think this car has many of the features I want. Especially the xDrive, Harman Kardon and the color is something I want.

What do you think of the EDC option? Never tried a F11 with this option. My last car was A F31 with M-sport w/o the m-suspension. Best car I've ever had!! The only drawback was the 18" Bridgestone Potenza. Extremely noisy tires. But I thought the car was stiff enough for bad norwegian roads. My worry is that the somewhat bigger and heavier F11 might seem to soft compared to the F31. What do you think. How big of a difference is there between the F31 and F11 standard setup?

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Olaeirik

True that. However I think this car has many of the features I want. Especially the xDrive, Harman Kardon and the color is something I want.

What do you think of the EDC option? Never tried a F11 with this option. My last car was A F31 with M-sport w/o the m-suspension. Best car I've ever had!! The only drawback was the 18" Bridgestone Potenza. Extremely noisy tires. But I thought the car was stiff enough for bad norwegian roads. My worry is that the somewhat bigger and heavier F11 might seem to soft compared to the F31. What do you think. How big of a difference is there between the F31 and F11 standard setup?

Since you can't get the m-sport suspension (option 704) with xDrive, I'd get EDC on a xDrive F10/11.

I'd say the F11 is a softer car than the F31.

I see this car has the alu window and roof rails trim, you can also get the black gloss shadow line trim, I like that better. It doesn't have the sunprotection windows either.

[Olaeirik]

I had a X1 3 years ago. It included the option Performance control. The salesman convinced me that this was essential. Think the cost was somewhat 9.000 NOK. Later I tried a X1 w/o this option. It was almost impossible to notice the difference.

Is this really necessary? It's not the X1 story all over again? Have you tried with and without?

Btw - recommendations for good summer tires with RFT? I litterally hate the Potenzas.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Olaeirik

I had a X1 3 years ago. It included the option Performance control. The salesman convinced me that this was essential. Think the cost was somewhat 9.000 NOK. Later I tried a X1 w/o this option. It was almost impossible to notice the difference.

Is this really necessary? It's not the X1 story all over again? Have you tried with and without?

Btw - recommendations for good summer tires with RFT? I litterally hate the Potenzas.

There is a difference, but I wouldn't say it's huge.
If you haven't tested a f11, I really think you should try both suspension.

I had 19" Michelin RFT on mine and they were fine.

[Olaeirik]

Thanks. I think I will be happy without the EDC. And personally I like the alu trim. I had the black chrome at my F31. Really nice, but always with some kind of stain on. The tires however is cruical. I will make a note in the contract that I don't want the Bridgestone's.

Hope I will like my F11. Loved the F31, but to small these days. Also a big fan of xDrive as I live far up north.

What do you think of the driving assistant plus or the innovation pack? Basically the adaptive cruise controll and the HUD is what I'm most interested in. Do you have this? Think you can live without the HUD?

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Olaeirik

Thanks. I think I will be happy without the EDC. And personally I like the alu trim. I had the black chrome at my F31. Really nice, but always with some kind of stain on. The tires however is cruical. I will make a note in the contract that I don't want the Bridgestone's.

Hope I will like my F11. Loved the F31, but to small these days. Also a big fan of xDrive as I live far up north.

What do you think of the driving assistant plus or the innovation pack? Basically the adaptive cruise controll and the HUD is what I'm most interested in. Do you have this? Think you can live without the HUD?

No, I don't have ACC or HUD and I never had so I don't know what I'm missing, I did try it before I bought the car though.

[Hobbe74]

Great spec and i kinda waited for remmib to answer your question, then it will be correct

In terms of RFT tires i would say that most important is to go for a brand that uses third generation RFTs, but i bet your dealer wouldn't know which brand does.

I know for sure Pirelli uses the third generation, and as said, the Michelins is good.

[drlonline]

Regarding the HUD, as others have said elsewhere, it's one of those options that one doesn't consider that important until you've actually experienced a car with it. I have it on my 2015 550i and absolutely love it. I don't expect to get another car without it. Really handy for nav instructions and changing media without the need to look at the iDrive display.

[ELNch]

I would definately consider the EDC on the F11, but its not a must have. Even without when you put it in sport mode the steering sharpens up quite a bit and it feels like the car gets tighter aswell, though it really doesnt.

Also after you try Headup display, you can never live without it speed, radiochannels, phone, NAV and messages in the windscreen. And make sure to get speedlimit information(also shows in the HUD)

[Olaeirik]

I tried HUD once in a 3GT, but felt it was kinda in the way. But practical indeed. I think maybe stop/go cruise control is more interesting?

Seems that what you want in damping is the adaptive drive, but that's not possible to get in the 520. The dealer told me that there is a smal difference between EDC/non-EDC, but he hadn't hardly sold any and wasn't important in aftermarket. To me this reminds me of the performance control option in X1. Hardly noticeable. The Dynamic performance control on the X6 however...

To bad the HUD and ACC is so pricey up here... 5000$ is a bit to much...

[Olaeirik]

Found these articles btw...
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/b...review/25928-6
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/5-series/ride
http://www.topgear.com/uk/bmw/5-series/verdict
http://www.topgear.com/uk/bmw/5-series-touring/verdict


Seems EDC is important in Great Britain.

[ELNch]

Ola Erik!
I think it is important to spec Your own car. In the US they get a 550i for less than a 520d here. Spec it the way you want No regrets then.

There is one thing I miss and that is the the m-sport brakes that I "forgot". It doesnt come With the m-sport pkg

Lykke til

[EmArAsOnS]

Led adaptive headlights r a must have...if not already there.
Paddle shifter is also a nice option.
Last but not least...M performance power kit installed before delivery

[Olaeirik]

Hello everyone! I ended up buying the car with the spec above! Joy! Getting it next week!!!

However, as this is my 5th BMW (E46, E91, E84, F31), I 'm well aware of the RFT discussion. I've had Continental Sport SSR 225/45-17 1th edition on my E91, Pirelli Cinturato P7 RFT 225/50-17 on my E84 and last Bridgestone Potenza RFT 225/50 and 255/40-18 on the F31.

The 2007 Conti was the worst tires. However it was in the early RFT days. The Pirellis was ok. The Bridgestones awful!!!

As a result I made a note in the contract that if the car turned up with Bridgestone, the dealer will change them. Which tires do you recommend? Michelin PS3 or Primacy? Others?

[matowi]

Given the bloodthirsty tax regime where you are, I guess a more powerful engine is not an option?

Personally, I'd sacrifice some of the toys to get a 525d as a minimum (if not the 530d). I have driven the 520d and settled for the 535d myself...

Else than that, and not knowing your personal needs with respect to power/performance, I'd say the spec you put here is superb. Maybe the Dakota leather wouldn't be on my list, as I am perfectly happy with the cloth & alcantara kit that the m-package comes with. Also, I would keep the "standard" sport seat of the m-package with the added lumbar support feature (I.e., not opt for the comfort seats).

Happy driving!
m.

[matowi]

Originally Posted by Olaeirik

Hello everyone! I ended up buying the car with the spec above! Joy! Getting it next week!!!

However, as this is my 5th BMW (E46, E91, E84, F31), I 'm well aware of the RFT discussion. I've had Continental Sport SSR 225/45-17 1th edition on my E91, Pirelli Cinturato P7 RFT 225/50-17 on my E84 and last Bridgestone Potenza RFT 225/50 and 255/40-18 on the F31.

The 2007 Conti was the worst tires. However it was in the early RFT days. The Pirellis was ok. The Bridgestones awful!!!

As a result I made a note in the contract that if the car turned up with Bridgestone, the dealer will change them. Which tires do you recommend? Michelin PS3 or Primacy? Others?

Go for the Michelins. Had them on my previous car and will put them on again with the new f10 535. Even in the RoF version they are great in terms of comfort and acoustics

[Olaeirik]

535 - not possible at all. The leasing deal of a 530 ended up at precisely double the money... A 525 ends up at a total of €350 extra/month.

Michelin there is. Hopping the dealer will supply. Btw - heard bad rumors regarding Good year excellence as well?

[matowi]

Then you've specified a great ride. Enjoy!

[Olaeirik]

Picking up the car tomorrow!! Looked at it today. Comes with Pirelli P Zero tires. What do you think of those?

[matowi]

Should be fine. I picked up my car back in the end of January on winter tyre set (18" Pirelli Sottozero) and they perform well, leaving no reasons to complain about. They give enough grip, are quiet, and comfort is ok (although my set has a flaw in one of the rear tyres, so both of the rears will be replaced).

For summer set, I'm getting 20" Michelin Pilot Super Sport

m.