[e92liv]

Hi chaps

Currently got a 320d SE manual coupe e92 but feeling like a change, I like the look the the f10, and in Msport spec comes with some nice extras included, such as leather seats, Bluetooth as std(?).

Moving from a 4cyl to 6 is a must, for the extra power and refinement. But I'm unsure on 530d or 535d, I like the idea of the extra turbo on the 535d, proving a more linear power curve, as well as the extra power bump over the 530d. Has anyone tried both, any thoughts?

As I'm looking for a used car are there any options I should really look out for? Xenons are a must, elec folding mirrors would be nice but not essential, I don't care for heated seats, folding rear seats is useful (is this an option like on e90s?) Bluetooth (which I think is standard on msport?)... Any others?

I'm looking to get the prof nav, is the nav actually any good, I've been using tomtom on my iphone which works great btw, how does the nav compare?

Sport+ on the auto box, is this standard on the autos? Are all the autos 8 speed?

Thanks

[The Beast]

I had the 535d engine in both my previous X5 and a 640d loaner when someone wrote off the X5.

I loved this engine, loads of power right through the rev range. My X5 was mapped to 350 bhp so probably isn't the best comparison... The 640d I had for three months and this thing was seriously quick, loved the power! So when I came to buy an F10 I was looking for a 535d, however was struggling to find a used one and came across my current 530d with over £7k worth of modifications on it and instantly fell in love with it (including a BMW performance pack - additional 25 bhp). So I decided to give up the one turbo.

Initially it felt a little slow having had the 640d for so long, so I just cruised around in it for a while to banish the memory of the 640d!! Started really opening up after a while and the car is quick enough, when I really miss the second turbo is at motorway speeds and above where this engine doesn't have the kick of the twin turbo engine.

So in summary this is a really good engine with surprisingly good economy and more than enough power. However if you can find a 535d with the specification you want and you are someone who drives their cars hard taking advantage of the extra power regularly then go for it. If not a 530d will more than suffice.

Hope this helps

[dippo]

All the autos are 8 speed, but sports auto is an option on most models. Folding seats are an option. Heated front seats are standard. What sort of bluetooth do you mean - just handsfree calls, or music playback etc?

[xenon]

Xenons are also standard post-LCI.

[SpeedTrip]

Have you test driven an F10 30d or 35d ?

You will find it less of a 'Drivers Car' than the nimble E92 - but if you want more room & 'luxury' you'll be impressed - & if you're driving the normal mix of roads the extra grunt will impress.

Do they still do the big diesel in the 3-series ?

[evan15281]

Originally Posted by SpeedTrip

Have you test driven an F10 30d or 35d ?

You will find it less of a 'Drivers Car' than the nimble E92 - but if you want more room & 'luxury' you'll be impressed - & if you're driving the normal mix of roads the extra grunt will impress.

Do they still do the big diesel in the 3-series ?

Yes. 335d

[xs2man]

I came from an e91 335d to my 530d. My 335d was mapped too.

I do occasionally miss the extra performance of the 335d, I will admit. But, most of my driving is out of necessity, rather than for fun, so it matters little, and the extra economy is useful too. I personally wouldn't worry too much about "settling" for the 530d, as it is still pretty capable.

The sports+ box is a must IMO. I would always be looking at F11's personally, but if I were to go F10, I would definitely want the split / fold rear seats.

M-Sport Plus is a great option if you can find one with it as it gives the HK speakers, 19's and tints, which look great. I also love my MultiFunction Display, so if you can get that, then it is really worth it.

Adaptive LED's are excellent, and one of the few options I regret not picking. Reverse camera or surround view is worth having too.

Other than that, the M-Sport is pretty well optioned anyway.

[Pottsy]

e92liv,

I recently drove a 530d and 535d back to back.

After my twin turbo XF, the 530d was nice, but just missing the low down shove and high end pull of the XF. The power mostly came in the middle - and if you didn't know any better you'd be quite happy.

The 535d, on the other hand, just pulls from no revs all the way through to the end. Miles nicer for ordinary low-rpm driving, and a bit better when being thrashed. And (IMO) a bit better/sportier an engine than the V6 in the Jag.

[e92liv]

Thanks for the replies

I've not yet driven a f10, went to see one this week and was impressed with the interior, more luxurious and grown up than a e9x IMO. I do a mix of driving, but mostly motorway driving to anywhere in the country for work on a weekly basis, so loosing a bit of the driving feel of a 3 for extra comfort I could deal with

Bluetooth for handfree calls, but also for Bluetooth Audio - although the 530d I went to see this week also had usb (one in armrest, and another in the glove box) which the salesman said integrates your iphone into idrive whilst also charging your phone! This would be more useful to be honest, is this a standard feature with pro nav? This particular car also had a hard drive, optional extra?

I think my heart is set on a 535d, I certainly like the sound of power being available from low rpm and right up the rev range.

Just out of curiosity, what mpg are you lads getting? My current long term average in my 320d is reading 45 on the computer, which might not sound that great but I often find myself looking at the fuel gauge thinking how can I STILL have a quarter of a tank left!?

[xs2man]

My 335d averaged 37 over 18k.

My 530d, has averaged 40.1 mpg over the last 15k or so, but that's since new, so wasn't broken in. Recent mpg's are closer to 41-42 over the last 3-4k.

These are average figures, calculated brim to brim rather than OBC. Although, I do log the OBC values now too, and it's never more than 1 mpg out on my 530d. My e91 was closer to 2-3 mpg out.

[GMTRB5]

My 535d has only got 2,500 miles on the clock so still running in, but averaging 37 so far .. I did try a journey home from work the other day completely in eco pro mode and got an average of 47 which I was really surprised at as I usually get around 38 ish on my daily commute (13 miles, half A road half through town)

So think once engine is fully run in about 40 should be achievable as an average

[xenon]

Originally Posted by e92liv

Bluetooth for handfree calls, but also for Bluetooth Audio - although the 530d I went to see this week also had usb (one in armrest, and another in the glove box) which the salesman said integrates your iphone into idrive whilst also charging your phone! This would be more useful to be honest, is this a standard feature with pro nav? This particular car also had a hard drive, optional extra?

All part of the professional media pack.

[xs2man]

No BT audio on the LCI though, unless you get one with the advanced bluetooth.

[xenon]

Ah mine is pre-LCI with pro media and BT audio is there. Not that I ever use it.

[GMTRB5]

Same here, think the newer lci come with BT audio without the advanced BT option ..

[xs2man]

Thats the way my LCI came anyway.