[spirocheter]

Any advice appreciated regarding what to check when I go to inspect reserved car (not excessive scaremongering, though I guess I'm asking for it, light the touch paper)!

I have been looking at buying an F11 535d for some time, to replace our Volvo XC90. I was thinking of waiting for the new model but discounts will be limited initially and it would be more then than I'd like to spend.

I've never got on with the whole SUV thing, though the raised ride height and 4 wheel drive has been useful where we live. Our other car being a 335d though, and it just feels entirely asthmatic and incapable of overtaking. The dynamics are awful as a drivers car as you can imagine. My wife will miss the 7 seats for running other people's kids around, but I've never felt comfortable with children so close to the back of the car and with reduced safety features in the third row.

So, £29K for a November 2014 build, Pro-Nav, alpine white, 16K miles.

I've read the horror stories about Motorpoint in various other forums, it seems they've improved their reputation significantly. So far, they have been fine with good communication. They do seem extremely busy and it is quite hard to get a slot to go and look at the car.

So I need to check:

- iDrive for service intervals and check the service book. At 16k miles, I'm assuming it is unlikely a service has been done.

- bodywork for any signs of accident damage (consistent panel gaps etc)

- tyres, I'll not accept if illegal tread depth and if a variety of different tyres on the axles (I'm not sure what are the standard fit tyres, presumably Bridgestones)

- condition of interior (Black Dakota, but I've seen excessive bolster wear on some cars, not sure how people do this as I've never caused such wear)

I've heard on another thread, if the car has not yet been serviced, I can buy a service pack. Is this price negotiable through some dealers (doubtful, but thought worth asking)?!

Any other pointers would be appreciated.

Incidentally, I've not gone for any of the nonsense they try and peddle like GAP insurance or their special detailing and I'm selling the XC90 privately. Not financing the car through Motorpoint.

I'll probably buy some BBS CH-R (hyper silver) 19 inch alloys, to mount Michelin PSS onto (I think I should be able to get the standard staggered finish). I'll put Michelin Pilot Alpins on the standard 18s for winter. I've emailed Demon Tweeks for a quote, but not heard anything back (not sure I will)!

[The Beast]

Car should have had or be due its first service around now. Service pack is great if you can get one...

Car is still under warranty so really you're mainly checking for damage... Might be worth contacting BMW to see if they will give you details of any work done on the car to date, not sure if they'll give it to you but it's worth a try I guess

[xenon]

Standard fit tyres are Dunlop SportMaxx 90% of the time.

[DanChapman90]

My 2014 F10 530D came with Bridgestones as standard fitment.

Price seems about right, I paid a little more for my 530D M Sport from Sytner BMW with 11000 miles on the clock.
First service should have been done by now I'd have thought.
As you say, check the tyres. Paying nearly £30k for a car I wouldn't accept different tyre brands on different axles, also ensure any that have been replaced have been replaced with RFT tyres

Good luck and enjoy!

[spirocheter]

Thanks Beast, Xenon and Dan for your advice.

I used a VIN checker to find the full spec, then called my local dealer and they kind told me the service was done at 13K miles (from memory), back in Feb, so I can't unfortunately add the service pack, but then it's one less service to pay for.

I don't think I've run any Dunlops before, but I should imagine they'll be close to replacement. If I'd had the car, the rears would have been replaced and likely the fronts would be on their way out.

I didn't like the Bridgestones I've had before, they were harsh on my E90 with even 18's then when I bought a set of 19s, the ride turned brutal and it tramlined terribly. Performance wise they were pretty good otherwise. I've settled on being hooked on Michelins. Demon Tweeks haven't responded to my email enquiry about alloys, so I'll be looking elsewhere for the additional set of rims. If I can find a good set of original BMW rims I might go that route, but only if the price is right. BBS in my reckoning, are better quality whilst being cheaper than OEM in this instance.

Thanks again for the input. I'm hoping the car is in good order as I'm quite excited. It'll be far more comfortable family transport than the trusty E90, now the children are growing. (We drove to Düsseldorf a couple of years ago and my wife and I were crippled with stiffness)!

[spirocheter]

I think I may have made a rather dumb assumption that my car would have paddle shifters. I think they were standard on the 335d I have, but I'm now wondering whether these are an option on the 535d and I'm afraid the car I've reserved doesn't have them.

I use them very frequently on my 335d and think I would miss them terribly if they were missing on the 535d. I've looked through the spec sheet again and can't see it has been specified. I understand some people find the paddles get in the way and they don't like using them, hence why they are (or could be an option). Somebody please tell me I'm wrong!

I can call the dealer, but I'll be working from 7am for a few hours.

A glaring newb omission? I think so, more effort required in the classroom.

A little more reading and I see many don't think paddles are necessary with the ZF 8 speed transmission, perhaps the newer gearbox is better than the one in my 8 year old example and I can get used to depending only on sport. I don't suppose it should be a deal breaker, but I have to make my mind up soon, collection time 14:00hrs!

[spirocheter]

I've been searching approved used BMWs from dealers and have found an April 2015, with prof nav, adaptive drive, folding mirrors, HK hi-fi, reverse camera / plus surround view, only 2750 miles. It also has park assist though this doesn't bother me.

Obviously for the spec, similarly priced and I'd be prepared to pay the 5K more for this. I'll save on not having to buy tyres, though will have to wait before fitting my Michelin PSS, but I can get the service pack.

Not sure how much leeway there would be on negotiation, but that would certainly swing me in favour.

I was assured my 300 pounds through Motorpoint was fully refundable if for any reason I didn't want the vehicle. Having reserved it over the telephone, with distance selling legislation, I shouldn't, technically, have any problems recouping this.

Decisions! Anybody have any thoughts?

[Russ200]

Originally Posted by spirocheter

I think I may have made a rather dumb assumption that my car would have paddle shifters. I think they were standard on the 335d I have, but I'm now wondering whether these are an option on the 535d and I'm afraid the car I've reserved doesn't have them.

I use them very frequently on my 335d and think I would miss them terribly if they were missing on the 535d. I've looked through the spec sheet again and can't see it has been specified. I understand some people find the paddles get in the way and they don't like using them, hence why they are (or could be an option). Somebody please tell me I'm wrong!

I can call the dealer, but I'll be working from 7am for a few hours.

A glaring newb omission? I think so, more effort required in the classroom.

A little more reading and I see many don't think paddles are necessary with the ZF 8 speed transmission, perhaps the newer gearbox is better than the one in my 8 year old example and I can get used to depending only on sport. I don't suppose it should be a deal breaker, but I have to make my mind up soon, collection time 14:00hrs!

Im sure the paddle shifters are on the sports auto gearbox should be labled as 2TB on vin checker.

Where in the shire are you from ?

[The Beast]

The HK is a must for me, call them and try and get them to drop the price by a couple of grand... Worth a try

[spirocheter]

Typical... I called Sytner Newport bang on 09:00am and it has already sold... The pleasant sounding dealer said to one of the London dealers in their group yesterday. Not the first time this has happened.

To give Motorpoint their due, as soon as I'd called, the advert was removed from Autotrader and from their own website. Hard to understand why the main dealer, is missing a trick on this level of efficiency! Looking at the Nationwide stock, it is by far the best deal. All the other 535d cars presently around 23, have very limited options ticked.

I'd quite like the HK also, probably something I'll miss, but I can probably live without. On any long trips and the kids make too much of a din, or else my wife complains if the stereo is anything above whisper quiet!

I'd have really loved adaptive drive, but for the money, 29K is still good for a pretty well specced quite low mileage example. I think I'll still go to have a look. If it's not in grade A condition, it'll be rejected and the search will continue.

We live between Ozwestry and Shrewsbury Russ. I'll check the spec sheet, pretty certain no 2TB (sounds like a hard drive capacity)! I clocked you live in Telford on another thread yesterday. I'm sometimes there with work. Have you used Pete Thorpe at Autotechperformance? Thanks for the code. I can possibly live without the sports auto option.

[Russ200]

No i haven't used them to be fair my old E91 was serviced at a local garage as it hadn't been kept up to date with BMW but the F10 will be. I know a few people that have used them and rate them well same as AP Performance in ketley.

[spirocheter]

I went ahead and bought the 535d from Motorpoint Oldbury today. I was a little hesitant I must say when we pulled up. Obviously, the reception area at Motorpoint is not nearly as slick and comfortable as our local BMW dealer. Some of the sales people didn't say thank you when I held the door open, that was putting me off. There was nobody available when we arrived, but we were ahead of the appointment time. We were offered drinks (for a charge), something I'm not used to but hey, not paying main dealer prices so a culture change.

We found the car in their main showroom and very soon after a very nice sales lady pitched up and shortly afterwards, the General Manager John accompanied us for a test drive, so we felt very well looked after.

The car had a few tiny stone chips on the bonnet, nothing major. The rear tyres are only just over the legal limit, probably about 1.7 or 1.8mm (I don't run anything below 2mm so they'll be changed immediately). There's still a lot of meat left on the front tyres so I'll have another set of Contis on the rear. I can't recall my experience with Contis so well, but seem to recall a fast wear rate (or that could have been my driving). Conti-Contact Sport 3 (or something similar) on this.

The M badges on the door sills on the drivers side and rear drivers side are damaged / creased and the central glove box looks like the previous owners biscuit storage area (fully of crumbs). The rest of the car has been well prepped though, for their £99 charge, very good value I should say.

The handover process was slick and well organised. I'd give Motorpoint 8.5/10 for the whole experience, which is excellent given their prices. One mark down for the barely legal tyres, the other 0.5 down for a few poorly mannered employees milling around the main reception (though we were greated by a lovely chap and the receptionist was lovely too). Our sales manager I'd dealt with on the phone also, was fine in the pre-sales.

The only thing I think I'm being a snob about though, is I don't want Motorpoint Supermarket written on the license plate or on the sticker on the rear window. These will be replaced along with the rear tyres very quickly.

Drove back in convoy from Birmingham to Shropshire with my wife driving with strict adherence (and less) to the speed limits. Managed 48mpg average. I stuck it in Eco-Pro, but I doubt I'll use that very much unless stuck in heavy traffic.

Compared to the E90 335d, the power delivery when I did experiment over taking a couple of lorries, didn't feel as much as I'd hoped for. I can recall going from the E46 330d to my first 335d and feeling a bit underwhelmed. I think the power delivery being so linear, and the sound insulation disguise the speed somewhat. I've not really had any chance to make any proper judgements yet.

I like the fact the car feels a lot more forgiving than the E90 M Sport suspension. The 18" alloys look OK to me in fact and I like the ride the thicker rubber profile provides. It feels more spacious if anything than the XC90, though parked next to it, it looks longer. I think it will make a great replacement.

The quality of sat nav improvement from my 08 to this 64 plate is staggering. I'm delighted with the quality of the screen and the iDrive is several leagues ahead. I'm looking forwards to playing around with it some.

I adjusted the seat with a few inches away from my knees (I'm over 6ft4) and was able to sit comfortably in the seat behind the drivers seat, so plenty more room. The only car I can think of I would want more for a family car, is a Porsche Cayenne Diesel S (and I think I'd feel a lot more conspicuous in that).

I would have loved the adaptive damping in particular, HK audio, folding mirrors etc etc, no doubt these are great features. I've moved things on a long way from the XC90 though so grateful for this. If I'd held on, I'd have paid significantly more and then there'd be less money for the next car (still planning on an M140i to replace 335d).

Thanks for the input

[spirocheter]

Originally Posted by Russ200

No i haven't used them to be fair my old E91 was serviced at a local garage as it hadn't been kept up to date with BMW but the F10 will be. I know a few people that have used them and rate them well same as AP Performance in ketley.

Thanks for the reference of another excellent garage Russ, well worth having a repertoire for planning trips around!

There is a BMW specialist in Shrewsbury I once went to, but the employee wheel spun my car in reverse and nearly ran me over (slight exaggeration but I was within a few feet)! I'd been promised they'd inspect my car without initial charge, but they 'stuck it on diagnostics' and hit me with a bill. I paid without comment and have never returned.