Former e90 member returning with F10 questions

muffking · 01-22-2018, 06:01 AM

Hi Guys.
It's been a few years since I sold my 3 series and now I'm looking to return to the forum with something around a 2012 520D M-Sport.

For now I'd just like to know what the option list is like as my deal breakers are SatNav, heated seats and an auto box. I'm guessing most of these are standard, although I'd be interested to know what I would be losing out on with the narrow SatNav screen and a pre-LCi?

xenon · 01-22-2018, 06:05 AM

Heated seats are standard; auto is not. Business Nav is bearable but the plastic fillers used either side of the small screen to fit the aparture of the big (Pro Media) screen look a bit meh...

Johnny Grabble · 01-22-2018, 07:40 AM

Main thing to watch with pre-LCi is that xenons were an option and the halogens weren't all that good. Pre-LCi sat nav was also an option - Business (narrow) and Pro (wide).
Post LCi, xenons were standard, as was business nav. Pro nav remained an option. Sometime after LCi was introduced they replaced the timing chain eating N47 2.0d with the new B47 which is supposedly smoother and quieter but reportedly tends to be less economical.

Elsewhere on this forum: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=842217

Some press info here: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/unite...language=en_GB

xenon · 01-22-2018, 08:02 AM

Yes true. Pre-LCI you may not have any sort of Nav as JG correctly observes.

shiner · 01-22-2018, 10:39 AM

I had a 520D Pre LCI (2012), no nav at all with the small screen and the side screen fillers. Pretty naf for a BMW when it is standard on so many cars - was then even.

muffking · 01-22-2018, 12:13 PM

Thanks guys.
I can narrow the search for an Automatic easy enough, but specifying Pro Media is a bit more difficult as I totally agree with what you say about the Business Nav plastic surround.

Some good info about the Lci. I may not have the budget for a 2014 onwards though, so how bad is the issue with chains needing replacing on the earlier 520D?

hollpe · 01-22-2018, 02:11 PM

The B47 was fitted in the 520D for cars built from July 2014 onwards

mrashton · 01-24-2018, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffking

Thanks guys.
I can narrow the search for an Automatic easy enough, but specifying Pro Media is a bit more difficult as I totally agree with what you say about the Business Nav plastic surround.

Some good info about the Lci. I may not have the budget for a 2014 onwards though, so how bad is the issue with chains needing replacing on the earlier 520D?

There have been so many stories about the N47 engine and the timing chain that I'd be more inclined to stump for a later (2014) car with the B47 or go and find yourself a N57 engined car (530d). There are arguments that not ALL the N47 engined cars fail but for peace of mind and coming back to the brand it is an engine to be avoided if possible. To replace the timing chain it is an engine out job so very expensive.

As for options and just reiterating what others have said (and these are my opinions),
Very early F10s had heated seats as an option.
Pro Nav is a must
Auto is a must (Sport Auto a nice to have and gives paddles on the steering wheel and a neater gear lever)
Reverse camera (Surround view is great to have)
Upgraded sound to either Business or Harmon Kardon.

muffking · 01-24-2018, 03:44 AM

Thanks for the info.
I like the look of Pro Nav and the Lci steering wheel alone seems to make the inside look noticeably more moderns, but I may need to sped a little more time and probably money to find an Lci or 3.0 engine.

TBH the only thing that puts me off big engined cars is the road tax on some of them is quite high, although I've seen that some of these isn't that bad. How about the 525D?

Johnny Grabble · 01-31-2018, 09:33 AM

Early 525d's were 6 cylinder engines but were later downsized (IIRC in 2011 - 2012) to 4 cylinder N47. They are just more highly tuned than the 520d.
As for road tax, I run an F10 535d and pay £145 a year. Depending on the 520d age, model and transmission you go for you could end up paying anywhere between £30 - £130.

Ronstein · 02-02-2018, 03:59 AM

I would definitely recommend going for a 6-pot. Much quieter and smoother and not significantly more expensive that a 520 to run.

jimboss · 02-02-2018, 03:50 PM

I’m would suggest:

Pro nav
Heated seats
Sports auto
Extended storage
HK audio
Split fold rear seats (if saloon - this was extra)
Extended climate features (not standard on 520d models)
Folding auto mirrors
Online entertainment - epic and use everyday
Rear view camera

Ideally go for lci model and 6 cylinder if in budget....love my f11 535d.

01-22-2018, 06:01 AM	#1
muffking Regular user 224 Rep 965 Posts Drives: F30 330D M-Sport Auto Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincs. UK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW 330D [0.00] 2006 Honda CBR1000R ... [0.00]	Former e90 member returning with F10 questions Hi Guys. It's been a few years since I sold my 3 series and now I'm looking to return to the forum with something around a 2012 520D M-Sport. For now I'd just like to know what the option list is like as my deal breakers are SatNav, heated seats and an auto box. I'm guessing most of these are standard, although I'd be interested to know what I would be losing out on with the narrow SatNav screen and a pre-LCi? __________________
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01-22-2018, 06:05 AM	#2
xenon Major General 1394 Rep 8,082 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Heated seats are standard; auto is not. Business Nav is bearable but the plastic fillers used either side of the small screen to fit the aparture of the big (Pro Media) screen look a bit meh... __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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01-22-2018, 07:40 AM	#3
Johnny Grabble Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 225 Posts Drives: 530d Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Cheshire UK iTrader: (0)	Main thing to watch with pre-LCi is that xenons were an option and the halogens weren't all that good. Pre-LCi sat nav was also an option - Business (narrow) and Pro (wide). Post LCi, xenons were standard, as was business nav. Pro nav remained an option. Sometime after LCi was introduced they replaced the timing chain eating N47 2.0d with the new B47 which is supposedly smoother and quieter but reportedly tends to be less economical. Elsewhere on this forum: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=842217 Some press info here: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/unite...language=en_GB
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01-22-2018, 08:02 AM	#4
xenon Major General 1394 Rep 8,082 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Yes true. Pre-LCI you may not have any sort of Nav as JG correctly observes. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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01-22-2018, 10:39 AM	#5
shiner First Lieutenant 44 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 535D MSport Touring Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nottingham iTrader: (0)	I had a 520D Pre LCI (2012), no nav at all with the small screen and the side screen fillers. Pretty naf for a BMW when it is standard on so many cars - was then even. __________________ 2015 F11 535D M Sport Touring, Space Grey, VDC, HUD, Comfort Seats, Sport Auto, Pro Media. GONE 2013 Z4 35is + tons of options. CURRENT
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01-22-2018, 12:13 PM	#6
muffking Regular user 224 Rep 965 Posts Drives: F30 330D M-Sport Auto Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincs. UK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW 330D [0.00] 2006 Honda CBR1000R ... [0.00]	Thanks guys. I can narrow the search for an Automatic easy enough, but specifying Pro Media is a bit more difficult as I totally agree with what you say about the Business Nav plastic surround. Some good info about the Lci. I may not have the budget for a 2014 onwards though, so how bad is the issue with chains needing replacing on the earlier 520D? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2018, 02:11 PM	#7
hollpe Second Lieutenant 159 Rep 267 Posts Drives: BMW iX3 M Sport Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The B47 was fitted in the 520D for cars built from July 2014 onwards
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01-24-2018, 03:44 AM	#9
muffking Regular user 224 Rep 965 Posts Drives: F30 330D M-Sport Auto Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincs. UK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW 330D [0.00] 2006 Honda CBR1000R ... [0.00]	Thanks for the info. I like the look of Pro Nav and the Lci steering wheel alone seems to make the inside look noticeably more moderns, but I may need to sped a little more time and probably money to find an Lci or 3.0 engine. TBH the only thing that puts me off big engined cars is the road tax on some of them is quite high, although I've seen that some of these isn't that bad. How about the 525D? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-31-2018, 09:33 AM	#10
Johnny Grabble Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 225 Posts Drives: 530d Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Cheshire UK iTrader: (0)	Early 525d's were 6 cylinder engines but were later downsized (IIRC in 2011 - 2012) to 4 cylinder N47. They are just more highly tuned than the 520d. As for road tax, I run an F10 535d and pay £145 a year. Depending on the 520d age, model and transmission you go for you could end up paying anywhere between £30 - £130.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2018, 03:59 AM	#11
Ronstein Captain 416 Rep 941 Posts Drives: 2019 640i GT MSport Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Wiltshire iTrader: (0)	I would definitely recommend going for a 6-pot. Much quieter and smoother and not significantly more expensive that a 520 to run. __________________ 2019 640i GT MSport & 2016 X3 3.5D X-Drive MSport Previous - 2016 530D MSport - 2016 335D Touring M Sport X-drive - 2014 335D GT X-Drive MSport
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02-02-2018, 03:50 PM	#12
jimboss Private First Class 28 Rep 198 Posts Drives: E39 M5 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Herts iTrader: (0)	I’m would suggest: Pro nav Heated seats Sports auto Extended storage HK audio Split fold rear seats (if saloon - this was extra) Extended climate features (not standard on 520d models) Folding auto mirrors Online entertainment - epic and use everyday Rear view camera Ideally go for lci model and 6 cylinder if in budget....love my f11 535d.
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