[Competition C]

Hey guys I posted a while back roughly a few months back

I was in the market for trading in my 7th gen maxima and upgrading to a 5 series

Now I would love for it to have the M package but I got over that phase and will just mod the 5 to my liking ..

One question every time I see a f10 the gear box is always different (to the left of the shift it has a sport mode button and a few other buttons
Can some one please explain why?

[ndinh]

2011 models didn't have the buttons directly to the left of the shifter. 2012+ models came with the 'Eco, Comfort, Sport' toggle buttons. The other buttons around the area are camera view, parking brake, auto brake pedal at stop (not sure the technical term) and 1 other button that I can't seem to remember. When we were shopping for a pre-owned F10, most adds don't list everything or the listing is very basic so alot of times, before you actually waste your time heading to every dealership, you just have to go with what buttons you can find to know the options it has. Plus, most salespeople don't even know what they're trying to sell. For example, the wife wanted heated seats and none of the listings mentioned heated front seats. Since I have heated seats in my F07, I knew which buttons to look for. The car above has heated seats, base model, 2012 or 2013, no HUD. Don't sweat too much regarding the M-sport package. We ended up with a base model similar to the one above and have since, installed the complete M-tech body kit, wheels, alcantera steering wheel.

[Competition C]

Wow appreciate that well reasoning feedback
No I am not sweating the m package anymore since I will drop the car on springs... Change wheels etc..etc

Just want to make sure the other options is well equipped

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by ndinh

2011 models didn't have the buttons directly to the left of the shifter. 2012+ models came with the 'Eco, Comfort, Sport' toggle buttons.

I'm not absolutely 100% sure as I haven't personally seen 2011 automatic transmission F10 with DHP, but what you're stating above might be incorrect. Mine's 2011 and has DHP, which comes with buttons for changing modes directly to the left of the shifter. I think that any car with DHP will have these.

[ndinh]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

I'm not absolutely 100% sure as I haven't personally seen 2011 automatic transmission F10 with DHP, but what you're stating above might be incorrect. Mine's 2011 and has DHP, which comes with buttons for changing modes directly to the left of the shifter. I think that any car with DHP will have these.

Thanks. Correction, I guess it was a purchase option in 2011 and became standard in 2012. Similar to the fold down rear seats as an option for 2012. For 2013, fold down rear seats became standard.

[Bbb34]

Also, M sport/package is somewhat of a moving target on these cars. Someone with more knowledge on this can comment, but I believe that some (earlier models) years it meant improved suspension and trim, but only on RWD cars, where AWD cars and later years it's just a trim, nicer steering wheel and what not. Sorry I cannot be more precise, but you might want to do some research on this as well as suspension upgrade options for AWD cars.

[Gilgorm]

OP:
The car pictured does NOT have Blind Spot or Lane Departure from the Technology package. They are turned on using buttons that appear under the headlight switch.
It also doesn't have paddle shifters on the wheel.

ndnih: Clarification - 'Auto Brake pedal at stop' is called 'Auto Hold'. I use it all the time.

[Fro826]

If you go to bmwvin.com, enter the last 7 of the VIN, it'll tell you what the car has for options, etc. You can go here to find out more about the available options, packages,etc. (just replace the "2011" part in the link with the year you care about)

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/bmw/5...pecifications/

[TopQuark]

Originally Posted by Gilgorm

OP:
The car pictured does NOT have Blind Spot or Lane Departure from the Technology package. They are turned on using buttons that appear under the headlight switch.
It also doesn't have paddle shifters on the wheel.

ndnih: Clarification - 'Auto Brake pedal at stop' is called 'Auto Hold'. I use it all the time.

To add, it doesn't have sports automatic transmission although that can be added later on. Also, it doesn't have HUD if that is important to you.

[Gpfarrell]

I second the motion on BMWVIN dot Com, it's an awesome site and helped me considerably in chasing down first a 6-speed 535i M-Sport and then a 6-speed 550i M-Sport. Seeing behind the VIN is key to knowing what you're looking at; the ads never know as the cars are so complicated and equipment levels vary from year to year.

I really need to send some funds to BMWVIN for all their help!

[Fro826]

Fully agree Gp. I've spent a LOT of hours on bmwvin.com in my constant searches for Bimmers. You're right, the ads are often incomplete, especially if the car is on a non-BMW dealer's lot. The fact that we have access to that kind of detail is a major reason why I like buying BMWs! It's so easy to compare apples to apples when you know exactly what each car of interest has.

[PJinCA]

On BMWs M-Sport isn't essential, but sports package is a MUST. M-Sport adds suspension, "M" emblems, and the body kit as well, which are big pluses. However, driving a BMW without sports package (black window trim) is like driving a Lexus or Acura, it just doesn't FEEL like a BMW. Just my opinion, but if the trim is chrome I walk away.

[Competition C]

I agree^^^ Wow guys
This small post was very informative.
I now look for blacked out trim first which usually leads to sport package and paddle shifters

So to clarify this
sHOULD I LOOK FOR 2011 535xi?

[Trian]

Originally Posted by Hatem3

I agree^^^ Wow guys
This small post was very informative.
I now look for blacked out trim first which usually leads to sport package and paddle shifters

So to clarify this
sHOULD I LOOK FOR 2011 535xi?

2012 would be better. 2011 was the first year of the F10 and a few of the quirks were worked out in the 2012.

[Competition C]

I'm on cars.com literally half my day I found a good 8 20-26k in price range no higher then 90k miles

[estarmer]

I've got a 2011 535i M Sport and I love it and have had no problems. Yes they may have addressed a few things in 2012 or 2013 but they are still great cars and if you can find one in excellent shape, condition can be way more important that year. I saw a 2013 while I was looking that was absolutely ragged out. yet mine looked like new. All in how the previous owner took care of it.

[PJinCA]

Originally Posted by estarmer

I've got a 2011 535i M Sport and I love it and have had no problems. Yes they may have addressed a few things in 2012 or 2013 but they are still great cars and if you can find one in excellent shape, condition can be way more important that year. I saw a 2013 while I was looking that was absolutely ragged out. yet mine looked like new. All in how the previous owner took care of it.

^^^ He makes a great point. You can get a 2011 that is perfect and looks and smells like new if the owner maintained the car well (considering that these cars new come with free maintenance, there really is no excuse). You can also probably find a 2015 lease car that is trashed and treated like crap.
Best thing is to find one with service history, people that maintain their cars well normally keep records (because good maintenance DOES make a difference in resale value). If they claim they maintained the car "only at the dealer", simply ask which dealer it was. Once you are the owner, or if they will go with you, you can pull the service records for the car.
I am a DIYer, that doesn't mean I don't maintain my cars. On the contrary, I change my oil at about 7k miles, I am super anal about changing all fluids well before BMW says it should be. For instance, BMW still claims we have "lifetime trans fluid", however, I think that's hogwash, so my cars never see 70k miles with the original trans fluid and filter.
While I don't maintain my cars at the dealer out of warranty, I do keep notes and receipts for all the work I do to my cars. This gives me a good set of documents I can provide the next owner showing that the car was cared for.

[Quicksilv3r]

The best thing about the one pictured in the OP is the interior color. Cinnamon Brown is fairly hard to find relative to the typical Venetian Beige or Black. It also appears to be missing several must-have options. It does, however, have PDC and the 360 camera assist. The base instrument cluster really sucks when you compare it to the optional extended contents version with HUD, definitely adds to the F10 experience. And these cars are soft enough as it is, so M-sport is a must if you have any measure of a pulse. Highly recommend you find one with M-Sport.

[Competition C]

So let's say I lower a 535 with M package will that matter ? Performance wise. I like to mod

[PJinCA]

Originally Posted by Hatem3

So let's say I lower a 535 with M package will that matter ? Performance wise. I like to mod

That was my choice. The N63 (TT V8) have had issues. I have said many times, I had an E60 550 before my F10 535. I miss the V8 power, but that will come soon. However, I had 3 friends that lemoned their 550s, and another that has had nothing but headaches with his 750Li (same engine) -$28k in repairs last year under CPO that cost him $50, bu this year out of warranty there was another $9k in repairs that BMW covered under "good faith". These were the reasons I chose the 535 over the 550 this time. Especially considering for between $5-6k I will have more HP to the wheels than my old V8

[Competition C]

That's nuts!!! I hate these horror stories I'm coming from a Nissan