[riz211]

Hi All,

My company car (e90 320ed) is due to finish in the next few months & I will be taking the annual allowance as i'm looking to get a 330d or a 530d saloon versions.

Below is the best quote I have currently found for a 530d. As soon as I receive the 330d numbers I will post them up for comparison (expecting to hear back later today)

I'm new to the PCP world I was hoping for some feedback/advice from the members on here who seem far more clued up to this than I am.

530d M Sport (Extras = Media pack - Professional, Gear shift paddles, VDC)
£1000 Deposit
monthly pmt = £500
47 months
GFV = £15,722
£46,400 = list price
£36,044 = discounted price
Based on 15k mileage

Any thoughts/advice/feedback would be greatly appreciated on both cars & extras etc.

Thanks

[MickyD'bo]

sounds good but at that GFV in my opinion is a 'hand it back and walk away' price.

[valbmw]

You may want to read this thread: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1019330 The 535d in the US is European 530d. A couple of experienced members from both diesel and petrol sides talk on technical basics of engine and drivetrain, and also some imoprtant optional features.

[riz211]

Thanks for the quick replies.

You are right dobbo - I would certainly look to swap for a new deal after 3 years.

I also wanted to check if anyone has experience of moving from a f30 to a f10 or vice versa & their thoughts on whether it was a good/bad move.

[bd250]

I came to an F10 (520d) from a mini clubman. Although the MPG hasn't been quite as good, the comfort, space and general luxury more than make up for it.

A lot of 3 series owners make comment on the size of the car. Obviously it's not as chuckable as the MINI was or the f30 would be, but a 2.0L executive saloon isn't really about that. That said in sport mode it makes very good progress and is plenty rewarding enough for me. Personally I don't find parking a problem, although parallel parking needs a fairly generous space. The biggest problem is people opening doors against it in carparks. The sophistico grey of mine is not forgiving of minor marks at all. Maybe a silver, lighter grey or white would be better choices.

[riz211]

Originally Posted by bd250

I came to an F10 (520d) from a mini clubman. Although the MPG hasn't been quite as good, the comfort, space and general luxury more than make up for it.

A lot of 3 series owners make comment on the size of the car. Obviously it's not as chuckable as the MINI was or the f30 would be, but a 2.0L executive saloon isn't really about that. That said in sport mode it makes very good progress and is plenty rewarding enough for me. Personally I don't find parking a problem, although parallel parking needs a fairly generous space. The biggest problem is people opening doors against it in carparks. The sophistico grey of mine is not forgiving of minor marks at all. Maybe a silver, lighter grey or white would be better choices.

Agreed - Given I do 15-18k miles pa of which 85% is motorway I don't think i'll have much opportunity to chuck any cars around corners which seems to be the only benefit an f30 has over the f10.

I think it's a no brainer to go for the f10 if the only difference between the two is £20-30 per month. The only question mark is the size which I will need to arrange a test drive for.

[HighlandPete]

I downsized from an E39 5-series touring to an E91 3-series, a conscious decision, but a 3-series is not in the same league as the five. I intended to move to an F31, but tested the F10/F11 when they arrived. Although the F30/31 is "more grown up" than the E90/91, the F11 was very tempting.

It is a fair comment the fives are a bit on the big side, but a much more refined car. I'd not have gone back to a five if I was in an urban environment, but for the open road and cruising in style and better refinement, it is a brilliant place to be. A few days in an F30 reminded me how good the 5-series is.

I did go for the full Adaptive Drive suspension and find it handles far better than I expected, often surprised at the abilities and on par with my E91 330d. Often I find my self hustling through the twisty stuff even faster than the 330d, just doesn't feel so fast or on the edge.

HighlandPete

[riz211]

Thanks HighlandPete - Just the kind of insight I was after.

I have read up on the adaptive drive but I can't justify the amount to pay for it given I will be mainly on the motorways. I am also undecided on either the HK sound or the Variable Damper Control given they cost the same - do you have any views on either?

In regards to size - another member mentioned the f10 is only a couple of cm wide & 30cm longer than the f30 which relatively speaking isn't too much bigger.

[xs2man]

Gear shift paddles? I really hope you mean Sports Auto, which is the biggest bargain on this car.

M-Sport Plus was also a no brainer for me, but then I wanted the HK stereo and tints anyway, so it was only a little extra for the 19's to go with it.

I have no idea about the VDC though, but I will say I am more than happy with my standard M-Sport suspension (albeit F11, so bags in the back I believe), on my driving, which is mostly A / B roads and dual carriageways.