[ldchristopher]

Hi there,

I just purchased a 2010 528i sedan and will be picking it up next week. After reading through this and some other forums, I've got a few questions. (Please forgive my newness to all of this, but I can be a quick learner!)

First off, please forgive my ignorance, but do I have an F10 or an E60? After reading online, I'm getting conflicting reports. Some places say that the F10 did not start until the 2011 model and others show that it started with 2010. Any help to my confusion hear?

Secondly, I'm happy with the iDrive system and the ability to connect my iPhone. When I saw the car this weekend, I was able to connect my phone and even listen to Pandora through the audio system. That's all great, but it seems like the iPhone connector is in a strange place way down in the center console. I've got no problem with buying a dock extender cable, but there doesn't seem to be a good way to route the cable up to the surface and get the lid closed without pinching it. Does anyone have any best practices for how to solve this?

Along those lines, is the iPhone cradle something that I can add later? Or is it something that is even worth looking into? What does it provide that the cable doesn't?

I think that's it for now, but I'll stay around to keep learning!

[Bandini3]

Most BMW owners have an above-average interest in automobile design and performance. That's one of the factors that leads them to pay a higher price for their automobiles compared to say, a Toyota or Honda. In keeping with that degree of interest (in some cases, true enthusiasm), BMW owners will typically know precisely what they purchased before they drive it home.

Unless you purchased the "2010 528i" sight unseen (not a wise idea in the case of a preowned car), you should have a pretty good idea of what it looks like. So, equipped with that knowledge, you can access a few websites to see what a current (F10) 5-Series looks like

For example, you can look at photos on this forum, look at 2012 528s on bmwusa.com, do a search for 2011 528i or 535i on Cars.com, or even search Wikipedia for "F10 BMW". If your car looks like that, it is almost certainly an F10 (i.e. current) version of the 528i. It would be a 2011 model year BMW, but could have been built in April or later in calendar year 2010.

If your 528i does not look like the F10 version (see step 1, above), then it is likely the earlier E60 version. This 'Bangle era' design isn't a bad car, but has a few issues. An E60 528i (even one with every conceivable option) will have a lower market value than virtually any F10 version 528i, so it would have been wise to figure this out before you made the purchase.

Any 528i will be a more rewarding automobile than 95% of the other vehicles you see on the road. So, if this was a serious post, enjoy it.

[ldchristopher]

Thank you for your reply. I definitely have a 2010 model year and, according to photos, it looks like the E60. It is just confusing because there are so many places (this site included) that lists the F10 version as starting with 2010. I get that delivery started in 2010 for the 2011 model year, but there are just some inconsistencies and I thought it was worth the question.

And thanks for the advice on how to purchase a preowned car. Luckily, I got a look at this one first since I purchased it from a family member after selling my current Infiniti G.

[shawnsheridan]

Originally Posted by ldchristopher

...It is just confusing because there are so many places (this site included) that lists the F10 version as starting with 2010. ...

The F10 made its debut on 23 November 2009 as a 2010 model; however, not in the U.S. The first U.S. F10 was the 2011 Model Year. So indeeed, some board members could have an 2010 E60 while others outside the U.S. could have a 2010 F10.

[Jon D]

From your two posts, I have the distinct impression that you have actually seen the car; therefore, like 'Bandini3', I have to express a degree of amazement at your inability to spot any of the multiple differences between the two models.
It might be an idea to print pictures of both versions and place them next to the car. Allowing for differences in scale, unless you have a printer large enough to make full-size copies, you should be able to determine which picture makes the best match and thereby deduce which version you have

[ldchristopher]

Originally Posted by shawnsheridan

The F10 made its debut on 23 November 2009 as a 2010 model; however, not in the U.S. The first U.S. F10 was the 2011 Model Year. So indeeed, some board members could have an 2010 E60 while others outside the U.S. could have a 2010 F10.

Thanks. I knew I had the older body style but I got confused with the model numbers. But your post cleared all that up for me.

I'll turn my efforts toward the E60 forums now.

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by shawnsheridan

The F10 made its debut on 23 November 2009 as a 2010 model; however, not in the U.S. The first U.S. F10 was the 2011 Model Year. So indeeed, some board members could have an 2010 E60 while others outside the U.S. could have a 2010 F10.

You are confusing the F10 with the 5 series GT (F07). All F10's globally start with model year 2011, even though they were built in calendar year 2010. The F10 didn't get revealed to the public until late 09, but first deliveries in Europe were in March of 2010 and in the United States June 2010, both as 2011 MY.

[shawnsheridan]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

You are confusing the F10 with the 5 series GT (F07). All F10's globally start with model year 2011, even though they were built in calendar year 2010. The F10 didn't get revealed to the public until late 09, but first deliveries in Europe were in March of 2010 and in the United States June 2010, both as 2011 MY.

Sorry. I stand corrected. I should have known better, but I was actually relying on both the following Wikipedia entries:

BMW 5 Series:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_5_Series

"The sixth generation of the 5-Series (BMW F10[28]) made its debut on 23 November 2009 as a 2010 model."

BMW 5 Series (F10):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_5_Series_(F10)

"The sixth generation of the 5-Series (BMW F10)[5] made its debut on 23 November 2009 as a 2010 model.[6]"

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by shawnsheridan

Sorry. I stand corrected. I should have known better, but I was actually relying on both the following Wikipedia entries:

Wikipedia is about as reliable as a crack whore.