[Piers]

What an awesome car. Had a 520d F10 for the past 3 years, with a 520d E60 for the three years prior to that.

I did fancy a change this time, and went for a new Jaguar F-Pace, only had it 3 weeks, it was rejected and replaced by a new one, which was also rejected within 30 days, total rubbish from JLR, and they have no fix for what is a potentially dangerous front bearing whine.

So back to BMW, and upto a 535d, what a fantastic choice it was too. Pre registered with every option inc sunroof, powered boot and the "voodoo" LED adaptive lights, I got it for less than my new 520d 3 years ago as the new G30 had just come out, but not with the 535d yet, which I had promised myself after the JLR debacle.

So, 3,000 awesome miles, around 540miles per tank, and more smiles than ever before.

Not sure there is a more all round competent car on the market today to compete with it.

Will post a pic or two in a bit

[Piers]

Excuse the poor photo, I liked it glistening in the sun!

[SpeedTrip]

Couldnt you get P13 RSB ?

[JLR1969]

I also feel the same about my 530D

[Piers]

Originally Posted by SpeedTrip

Couldnt you get P13 RSB ?

I own 18 and 31. 18 has been on my Lotus for 10 years, couldn't bring myself to take it off her, would have been disrespectful. I originally made the choice of 18 over 13, and it does look good. If I had known I would have needed more than one back then I would have bought them both, hindsight is a wonderful thing

[morellomax]

Looking good. I have gone cold on the idea of swapping to a G30 for now: no 535d as you say, and although the ride is better and it's a bit quieter, that's about it.

[CeeTee]

Great choice in one of the very best colours. I have a late 2016 also;
few cars can manage 155 mph/45mpg/600 miles range/£150 tax/seat four in complete comfort.
AND EU6 but without the complication of Ad Blue that the new G30 comes with!
AND, without the sticky-uppy sat nav screen that all modern cars seem to come with now - what is that about?
The integrated screen looks a so much better designed interior?

The only thing to beat it would be an Alpina D5 Bi-Turbo, but these are so much more money.

[Piers]

Originally Posted by CeeTee

Great choice in one of the very best colours. I have a late 2016 also;
few cars can manage 155 mph/45mpg/600 miles range/£150 tax/seat four in complete comfort.
AND EU6 but without the complication of Ad Blue that the new G30 comes with!
AND, without the sticky-uppy sat nav screen that all modern cars seem to come with now - what is that about?
The integrated screen looks a so much better designed interior?

The only thing to beat it would be an Alpina D5 Bi-Turbo, but these are so much more money.

Totally agree with all that. Plus the ex demo G30 530d ( they were prepared to sell me as I needed it straightaway) was £17k more expensive!!

The nav on top of the dash is a backward step IMO, does an E or S class mercedes have it stuck on the top? No they leave that in the lower models....

Also, the new one is touchscreen in the G30, and BMW research with first owners has told them noone is using touchscreen apparently, only the idrive knob, as the screen is too far away and it is therefore uncomfortable to use day to day, which I find amusing, and means hopefully they will go back, but not for 6 years or so now sadly...

[MrPogle]

Touchscreens have always been rubbish in cars because you have to spend so much time looking at them to work them. The problem is that they are cheap compared to a quality controller and punters think they are high-tech. Be grateful that BMW are offering a choice. With plenty of manufacturers, touch is all you get.

[danorman777]

I agree with all of the above.

My late 2016 535d is v similar to your so good choice. I left off the sunroof as I am tall and rarely used it on my 2015 one. I added a tow bar for bikes and wish I had added the power boot but things like the HUD and led headlights are amazing. As are the speed limit display and the heated steering wheel!

I tried the launch control for the first time recently....wow! And I got 60mpg on a gentle 40 mile commute this week.

V few cars can match it IMHO. I am pondering a 540i G30 but can't see the point. I would like painted brake calipers but that is it!

[CeeTee]

Re touchscreens, I don't get it. Using a hand held mobile phone whilst driving has been rightly demonised and is now £200 + 6 points.

YET, it is okay for a driver to crane forward out of his seat, peer at what could be 10 or 20 options on the 'sticky-uppy' tablet, and then try and stab the right one to get Radio 4 or whatever, whilst continuing to steer one handed!

How can that be legal, if using a phone is not? There is an offence of "failing to have proper control".
I would argue that stabbing a graphic on your touchscreen possibly commits that offence quite often - at 70mph + on a busy motorway?

As was said it must be about money. I ruled the potential purchase of an Jaguar XF out of court immediately upon seeing it used touchscreens.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by MrPogle

Touchscreens have always been rubbish in cars because you have to spend so much time looking at them to work them. The problem is that they are cheap compared to a quality controller and punters think they are high-tech. Be grateful that BMW are offering a choice. With plenty of manufacturers, touch is all you get.

I've always been concerned about the amount of information any screen can provide and the possible/real distractions caused.

I see touch screens have their place, we are in a touch screen world after all. How that is implemented in a car has a potentially dangerous future, IMO.

Perhaps, like some iDrive features, touch control should be limited, not active in motion.

The motor industry would need to standardise some sort of touch screen protocol. All bodies involved, set out what touch screen interaction is acceptable and safe for use in driving situations. Problem as I see it, it may already be too late.

[MrPogle]

It's way too late. It always is. People's desire to buy/use exciting new technology always massively outpaces government/public-body coordinating restrictions on the use of the technology. Just look at mobile phones.

The big issue with touch-screens isn't distraction as such it's the interaction method.

e.g. TEOR=Take Eyes off Road

BMW non-touch system

1. Want to search for music track
2. Press "music" button. TEOR=0
3. Glance at screen. Some menu-items. I can see item 1 is selected. I want item 4. TEOR=< 1 sec
4. Click controller 3 clicks and press. TEOR=0
Repeat 3 and 4 until you get to where you want.


Touch System

1. Want to search for music track
2. Locate button on screen then look at screen whilst moving your finger to the screen to press button. TEOR=2-3 secs
Repeat 2 until you get to where you want.

However the killer is that in the first example people keep looking back at the road whilst the system responds. The sequence of TEOR is 1-0-1-0-1 etc. In the second, many people keep staring at the screen until they have completed the whole interaction which leads to several 2-3-second periods being strung together.

[shiner]

My MSport 535D F11 is the best car I have ever had by a mile - and over the years I have owned dozens of other "premium" cars such as Audis, Mercs, Jags, Lexus, Range Rovers and other BMW's. The only other one I really liked was an X5 but I always felt a bit of a prat in that if I am honest.

Warranty expires in November, only on 32K miles, is immaculate and so a keeper for me for a few years. Cost of change to get something nowhere near as good is colossal.

[shiner]

Originally Posted by MrPogle

It's way too late. It always is. People's desire to buy/use exciting new technology always massively outpaces government/public-body coordinating restrictions on the use of the technology. Just look at mobile phones.

The big issue with touch-screens isn't distraction as such it's the interaction method.

e.g. TEOR=Take Eyes off Road

BMW non-touch system

1. Want to search for music track
2. Press "music" button. TEOR=0
3. Glance at screen. Some menu-items. I can see item 1 is selected. I want item 4. TEOR=< 1 sec
4. Click controller 3 clicks and press. TEOR=0
Repeat 3 and 4 until you get to where you want.


Touch System

1. Want to search for music track
2. Locate button on screen then look at screen whilst moving your finger to the screen to press button. TEOR=2-3 secs
Repeat 2 until you get to where you want.

However the killer is that in the first example people keep looking back at the road whilst the system responds. The sequence of TEOR is 1-0-1-0-1 etc. In the second, many people keep staring at the screen until they have completed the whole interaction which leads to several 2-3-second periods being strung together.

Indeed. All this touching screen is as equally distracting as fiddling with a mobile phone and I would not be surprised if it were to be also banned by the police.

[Martin2C]

I really like my F11 535d as well, it's a great car. I've done 70k miles over the last 2.5 years and it still looks and feels like new, nothing has gone wrong with it at all. Plan is to keep it another 12-18 months.

I wish I'd stretched the budget a little and gone for Nappa leather and the leather dashboard, along with HUD, but I'd already spent more than I'd planned to. Not sure what will replace it, a 740d with laser lights and Executive Drive pro would be high on the list if I had to order something today, as unfortunately the budget won't stretch to a a Panamera 4S Sport Turismo, but there will be other options when the time comes.

[Pottsy]

I'm 60k and 2.5 years in, and the only thing that has changed from new is a slight introduction of a bit of lash in the transmission.

But for the first time in many cars (Merc/Jag etc), it's a keeper. For me, it's the adaptive drive I would hate to be without.

[The Beast]

Originally Posted by Pottsy

I'm 60k and 2.5 years in, and the only thing that has changed from new is a slight introduction of a bit of lash in the transmission.

But for the first time in many cars (Merc/Jag etc), it's a keeper. For me, it's the adaptive drive I would hate to be without.

It may be worth going to a good independent BMW specialist and getting the gearbox oil changed. I recently spoke to one about another issue and asked him for his views on changing the gearbox oil as I've had mixed messages about whether this should be done. He said that the gearbox will run smoother if the oil is changed and he recommended changing the oil at 60k. BMW claim that this is a lifetime item, however ZF actually recommend that it is serviced. Mines on 54k atm so I will change it when it hits 60k

[feeling]

The LED adaptive lights is something I wish someone spec'd on mine when they ordered it, I have normal adaptive lights but not LED.

[Pottsy]

Originally Posted by The Beast

It may be worth going to a good independent BMW specialist and getting the gearbox oil changed. I recently spoke to one about another issue and asked him for his views on changing the gearbox oil as I've had mixed messages about whether this should be done. He said that the gearbox will run smoother if the oil is changed and he recommended changing the oil at 60k. BMW claim that this is a lifetime item, however ZF actually recommend that it is serviced. Mines on 54k atm so I will change it when it hits 60k

Yep - on my todo list, along with tyres and checking the giubo.

[IanS100]

As far as I can see, the only advantage of a touch screen is that it'll come with a surface that can be cleaned without the worry of damaging the anti reflective coating.

[MrPogle]

Originally Posted by The Beast

It may be worth going to a good independent BMW specialist and getting the gearbox oil changed. I recently spoke to one about another issue and asked him for his views on changing the gearbox oil as I've had mixed messages about whether this should be done. He said that the gearbox will run smoother if the oil is changed and he recommended changing the oil at 60k. BMW claim that this is a lifetime item, however ZF actually recommend that it is serviced. Mines on 54k atm so I will change it when it hits 60k

If you are looking at any kind of gearbox work I'd look at www.fedauto.co.uk.