[xenon]

Picked it up on Friday 8)

So far, so good - no problems and it has some really nice features. I particularly like the "black panel" dashboard which displays a variety of information in your eye-line (e.g. navigation directions, music playlists etc). The ride is much more compliant than the e92 (probably just down to the tyres) and it's very comfortable, things like automatic hill-hold are nice touches. Having no ignition keys after all these years takes some getting used to and for some reason the car insisted it was nighttime when I drove to work this morning and switched the lights on in bright sunshine. However, the dynamic / adaptive lights are brilliant. I thought it would be a gimmick but visibility pack well worth having IMO.


Here's a few pics:




The end of rusty hubs? The disc has an (aluminium?) bell:



Split screen is good:









Office email and SMS in the car:





Reversing camera is good now I've worked out what the guidance lines mean...



Thanks to Sytner Nottingham for the fast-track order

[Jon D]

Welcome aboard Ian; not so many of us on the UK sub forum yet, but there's a wealth of information on the main page.

[xenon]

Thanks Jon. I'm going out to see if I can start worrying about the steering....

[Jon D]

Don't get too worried; as long as you're happy, that's the main thing.
In all respects apart from the steering, it's a very fine car and considering the size, it handles remarkably well. My only gripe is the lack of feedback and somewhat vague feeling with the wheel on-centre, but having covered over 7k miles, I'm becoming more accustomed to the lack of precision.
Had I not come from an E92, I'd probably be perfectly happy!

[xenon]

The annoying thing is you would think it would be so easy to add functionality so that it could be changed to suit the driver's preference. As it's essentially electronic surely the amount of assistance, generally or speed-related, could be configurable through the i-Drive.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by xenon

The annoying thing is you would think it would be so easy to add functionality so that it could be changed to suit the driver's preference. As it's essentially electronic surely the amount of assistance, generally or speed-related, could be configurable through the i-Drive.

Like many other F10 owners, I think the on-center vagueness is due to the fact that the steering is now electrically assisted.
With a hydraulic system the pressure is constantly present and moving the steering wheel opens and closes a valve to varying degrees dependant on input, which means the response is virtually instant.
With an electric system any movement of the wheel has to be conveyed to the motor via software, hence a slight delay resulting in constant corrective inputs being required in order to maintain a steady heading.
Of course, this is all hypothesis on my part, but I do have 45 years engineering experience behind me and it sort of makes sense to my way of thinking.
It's very subjective and no two drivers will feel exactly the same; it depends very largely on what you've been accustomed to in the past - in my case a pre 2010 LCI E92 and I'll be the first to admit that it's very accurate steering clouds my judgement.
This is a significant topic of discussion and I sincerely hope that BMW will take heed and devise a permanent solution, which I feel will only be achieved by reverting to hydraulically assisted steering as per the 'M' cars. In other words, unlikely to happen in this fuel efficiency driven age, but I hope they may find a way of regaining the traditional BMW feel whilst maintaining their eco-friendly credentials.

[crowdedhouse]

Very nice - lots of safe & enjoyable miles

[masti99]

Congrats!

[Hub Dub]

Well done, looks great. I note that your album imagery is crystal clear on your display - mine is a bit fuzzy. Not sure why that is.

[andyk500]

Very nice, hope you enjoy, love my carbon black M Sport and never had any worries with the steering, 5k mile on. Would suggest you consider getting black grills, I had them fitted on mine love the de-chrome look compared to the stock grills.

[Matt01]

Looks good,great spec... The alloys are a bit of a bugger to clean well though!!

I hope Nottingham shitner (sorry sytner) do look after you, so far they have been v. poor mainly I think because I did buy from them... So I'd be keen to hear what kind of service you get!!!!

I do really wish I'd gone for the pro nav over the business nav as it looks fantastic!!!!

[xenon]

Matt01 - I don't live in Nottingham so Coventry will do the servicing. I bought the car from Nottingham as they were able to do a better deal.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by xenon

Matt01 - I don't live in Nottingham so Coventry will do the servicing. I bought the car from Nottingham as they were able to do a better deal.

Ian,
Do you mind if I ask what percentage discount you managed to get?
Jon

[xenon]

Sent you a PM, Jon.

[Kernie_K]

Hi Xenon,

I'm currently planning to buy a 520d M-Sport from Sytner Nottingham, thay will come back to me with a quotation. I would be grateful if you could please let me know what kind of discount you got from them so that I know what to bargain with them? Thanks!

Kernie

[arabcat]

very nice! Would you mind sharing the full spec?

I pick up my F11 M Sport (in white) tomorrow and I must admit to having similar concerns to an earlier poster about professional vs business nav - I've gone with business and fear I may regret it.

That said I'm still very excited and hope that my auto tailgate and auto towbar (even though I have nothing to tow) will compensate.

[xenon]

This is the full spec:

F10 520d M-Sport Saloon N47
668 Jet Black
LCCX Oyster/Black Dakota Leather
ZGA Visibility Package:
522 Bi-Xenon headlights
524 Adapative Headlights
5AC High-beam Assistant
ZGC Media Package - BMW Professional Multimedia
609 Navigation System - Professional
612 BMW Assist
616 BMW Assist On-line portal
620 Voice Control Extended
633 Bluetooth phone prep + telematics
2NC 18" M Double-spoke style 350M alloy wheels
3AG Reversing Assist Camera
481 Sports Seats, Front
4MR Aluminium Hexagon interior trim
502 Headlight wash
704 M Sport Suspension
710 M Steering Wheel
715 M aerodynamic bodystyling
760 Exterior trim, high-gloss Shadowline
775 Headlining, Anthracite
337 M Sport Package
258 Run-Flat tyres
302 Alarm System
423 Floor mats, velour
428 First Aid Kit & Triangle
431 Rear-view mirror, auto dimming
441 Smoker's Package
494 Seat Heating
508 PDC front and rear (with display)
6FL USB Interface
Dynamic Cruise
Rain sensing wipers

[Rhyddin]

Looks fantastic! Hope you're still enjoying the car? I pick up my 520d M Sport in 11 days (Valentines Day - it must be love!) and can't wait!

I have the Pro nav and the reverse camera too and your photos have just got me even more excited as they look great! Have you tried playing a DVD in the car (while stationary, of course)? That should ease traffic jams no end!

I'm coming from an Audi A4 so I'm sure the steering will be of no consequence. Currently in a manual but gone for the sport auto and can't wait to rest that left foot.

Have you made use of the remote app for the car? I've just set up the connected drive details, installed the app on my iPhone and am looking forward to trying it out. Having to resist the urge to test the 'lock/unlock' function at the moment...

[xenon]

Yes to all.

It's a shame the reote app doesn't let you remote start - would be useful for winter mornings