[Lars]

Hi Guys,

Last week I've picked up my new F10 520d. I have the following options:

- Sophistigrau Metallic;
- 20" style 312;
- M-sport suspension;
- Black leather Dakota;
- Multi contour seats;
- Sports automatic transmission with shiftpaddles;
- Navigation Professional;
- Hifi Professional;
- Xenon;
- PDC.

I have driven now 1.000km and I am totally hooked to this car. My previous car was an 2008 chipped (170bhp) Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDi S-Line (latest model) on 19" RS4 rims, but this is a total new experience to me.

My experience so far:

- comfort: there's a lot going on about the Dynamic Damping Control or M-sport suspension. I have the M-sport combined with 20". This is still very, very comfortable. The damping is rather smooth and is in no way comparable with my Audi's sportsuspension. As i read earlier on this forum it is comparable with the "sport" mode on the Dynamic Damping Control. Off course, the 20" rims with the runflat tires are rather hard, but the suspension can handle it. Driving on the highway is very comfortable, driving on the local roads is a party!
- Engine: my 2.0 diesel engine with 184 bhp is one of the first in The Netherlands. Off course it is no 550 or 535, but it runs rather smooth and has enough power and torque to give you a sporty ride.
- transmission: the 8-speed tranny is fantastic, the sportsmode gives you a better throttle repons, slightly heavier steering an faster gear changes. You'll never use the manual mode (with the paddles on the steering wheel), but it's fun to have an the sports steering wheel looks great!.
- Hifi Professional: you should really get this option, it is expensive, but worth every penny. It sounds significantly better than the normal audio system and has an equaliser to adjust the sound to your personal needs.
- The multi contour (sport) seats are also great, cheaper than the comfort seats and provide great comfort and support in fast corners!

Do I have anything to complain? Actually not

I shall post pictures this week-end after I have washe the car for the first time!

If you have any questions, let me know!

Regards,

Lars

[Lars]

I have just taken some pictures on my Iphone, just to give you an impression!

[Robin_NL]

Gefeliciteerd!

Those wheels are perfect. Sometimes I wish I went for the 312s and not the 331s I have right now.

Cheers
Robin

[Mark]

Congrats!! those wheels definitly compliment the car perfectly, the size looks just right

[Krill]

Congrats!! Looks amazing!! Please post better pics soon

[Jason]

Congrats!!! Absolutely love the 312 style wheels on this car.

The ferric finish on the wheels goes perfectly with the Sophisto Gray / Dark Graphite Metallic car color.

[tk005x]

Awesome looking car!

What does the M-sport suspension include?

How do you think the Hi-Fi system compares to other premium sound systems? Is it just a Logic7 system rebranded?

[carl_d]

Very nice car - looks great on M-Sport chassis.

M-Sport suspension is tuned by M and includes lowered springs (10mm) tuned dampers and better bushing. Its is not just lowered springs!

[bimmernic]

Congratulations

The wheels look fantastic (I am beginning to think that the classic mesh designs look good on the F10) and the M-sport suspension has improved the stance of the car. It looks very hunkered down and ready to be driven fast

Did you also experience any changes in the suspension when switching between the Normal/Sport/Sport+ settings on the Dynamic Driving Control (see: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthre...=403008&page=2)?

[Lars]

Originally Posted by bimmernic

Congratulations

The wheels look fantastic (I am beginning to think that the classic mesh designs look good on the F10) and the M-sport suspension has improved the stance of the car. It looks very hunkered down and ready to be driven fast

Did you also experience any changes in the suspension when switching between the Normal/Sport/Sport+ settings on the Dynamic Driving Control (see: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthre...=403008&page=2)?

Hi Bimmernic,

I don't have the dynamic dampers, so there's no difference in the suspension. If I push the button sport the steering is more beefy, the throttle response more direct and the gear changes are faster. The sport+ setting is the same as sport, only the stabilitycontrol of the car is turned off.

Regards,

Lars

[Lars]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Gefeliciteerd!

Those wheels are perfect. Sometimes I wish I went for the 312s and not the 331s I have right now.

Cheers
Robin

Hi Robin,

I think your 331's are awesome. I don't think there's a lot of decrease in comfort with the 20".

[Lars]

Originally Posted by Jason

Congrats!!! Absolutely love the 312 style wheels on this car.

The ferric finish on the wheels goes perfectly with the Sophisto Gray / Dark Graphite Metallic car color.

Hi Jason,

the wheels are actually in standard finish not ferric grey. This is how it looks after 1.000km!

[Lars]

Hi Guys, I've just washed my 520d and took some hi-res pictures! Enjoy!

[hinckley]

So the wheels aren't ferric grey! I like the silver finish much better and you've proved what I've always thought about the grey wheels - they always look dirty.

Can you tell us a bit more about the M-sport suspension? I don't think that it is offered here in the US. We have the dynamic suspension which switches ride settings between Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport +, but the the M-sport suspension is something different, right?

Great looking ride btw.

[Robin_NL]

WTH ? Your wheels aren't ferricgray at all?

To be honest they look even better now.

Cheers
Robin

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by Lars

Hi Bimmernic,

I don't have the dynamic dampers, so there's no difference in the suspension. If I push the button sport the steering is more beefy, the throttle response more direct and the gear changes are faster. The sport+ setting is the same as sport, only the stabilitycontrol of the car is turned off.

Regards,

Lars

My car gets 2 clicks stiffer at Sport/+...noticable...

Sport+ the stabilitycontrol isn't 100% turned off:It just allows you to 'drift' a certain angle and beyond that the Stabilitycontrol kicks in(been there done that). If you push the small button above the Normal/Sport/+ button for a second or three, there is no tractioncontrol at all, allows you to make some rather nice drifts(in the rain it's just easier, gears are rather short, but anyway it will drift)

[stevenw211]

Congrats on such a fine ride.

Those wheels are awesome !!! Very impressive !!!

[uhn2000]

Wheels completely change the F10 - nice!

[bm323]

Great looking wheels and the size looks perfect. Do you find substantial difference in the ride between 20s and 18s?

[Lars]

Originally Posted by bm323

Great looking wheels and the size looks perfect. Do you find substantial difference in the ride between 20s and 18s?

Yeah, for sure! Because the 20" have such a low profile, the tire itself doe not provide any comfort. The suspension can surely have it, but you can feel it on short bumps. The 18" have a relatively high side, so this tire gives you more comfort.

In my opinion the car can have the 20"'s. It is a sporty ride, if you want high comfort, go for the 18"'s with Dynamic Dampers. (or buy a citroen)

[bm323]

and how is the m sport suspension compared to an f10 with adaptive drive with the control in sport mode and with the chassis and drivetrain adjusted?

and if looks of the wheels were irrelevant, would you prefer the ride on 18s, 19s or 20s?

[smanoj77]

what do you think of the 520d engine, now that you have had the car for a few days. I appreciate you saying its no 550/535i. I'm a bit apprehensive of the fact that the cars grown a bit heavier, wondering if the 520d has enough grunt to pull the car.