[Chuckfireswift]

After a busy morning with the storms (three blue light runs to incidents in London this morning) my old partner has finally been retired to a peaceful life. Possibly the unluckiest car I ever had...

*Hit by a boy racer when 6 weeks old in December 2010, ended up in court to get it settled.

*A smouldering tree trunk did a job on the n/s doors whilst driving through the Swinley Forest fire in darkness and smoke in May 2011.

*Stolen off of my drive after burglars broke in through a window in June 2011 (recovered a bit bruised 3 days later).

*Filled the back footwell up with water and 3 weeks in BMW while BMW UK and the Fire Brigade argued whether the water leak was from the siren/blue light wires running through the bulkhead or whether it was a door seal.

Apart from that though the car didn't miss a beat, all it needed apart from service items was a headlight bulb a few weeks ago. It will go to the auction this week and at 33500 miles will make a lovely car for someone.



The replacement.... another 520d auto, F10 LCI with.... Sports steering wheel/gear change paddles, anthracite headlining, ambient lighting, folding mirrors, 456 style wheels, multifunction dashboard, LED fog lights & high gloss shadow line. I am fairly restricted because of CO emissions (otherwise I'd have had the luxury or M-sport) but wanted to make it a bit unique.

[Grover432]

Nice, but they put the steering wheel on the wrong side. can't those guys at the factory get anything right?

[Chuckfireswift]

Your right... damn, when will they ever learn.

[camnhoj]

Congrats on the new machine
I bet you the old one will end up for sale here in Ireland .

[The X Men]

Chuckfireswift, can you give me your VIN to your old car, I just want to make sure I dont buy it Congrats on the new diesel.

[Chuckfireswift]

[Chuckfireswift]

Had a bit of time today to get some better photos. While I was waiting I struggled to find images of the more basic model LCI's so in case anyone is considering one.

Things I've noticed over the F10, notwithstanding I ordered more options on this one.

Positive; Seems quieter, slightly quicker and more fuel efficient (early days but it might be down to the choice of sport/comfort/eco). Interior and exterior finish IMO is a little more refined. Xenon lights and business media now included.

Negative; Media screen slightly smaller, images don't seem as sharp. Bluetooth connectivity for 'audio' doesn't appear to be included, this was instantly available when I connected to the old one. With what I had on the F10, I didn't see the need to go for professional media, but now I'm wondering? Seats are narrower, not as narrow as a 3-series (which really put me off of them) but visibly narrower than the F10. Having to pay for Fog Lights... OK, they are LED but I thought that a bit tight seeing as they are not that expensive compared to the price of the car.

[camnhoj]

Very nice indeed

[remmib]

Very nice. Did you have the sat nav pro in you old car?

[Grover432]

Weird that they don't redesign the shifter for the RHD market.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Grover432

Weird that they don't redesign the shifter for the RHD market.

Looks redesigned to me, the side button is on the right.

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by remmib

Looks redesigned to me, the side button is on the right.

You are right!

But ...

Although on second look, while the button has been moved to the right side, the "golf club" shape is still curved to teh left with the top edge where the "P" button is, slanted to the left, which in North America makes it orientated towards the LHD driver and in the UK makes it angle away from the driver. When you put the UK version into sport mode (lean the lever over), which way do you lean it? Towards the driver or away from the driver.

[Chuckfireswift]

Originally Posted by remmib

Very nice. Did you have the sat nav pro in you old car?

No, I had Business Sat-Nav in the old one and that did the job with the I-Phone and navigation. I guess now it's included they were bound to cut corners, I should've appreciated that.

The other thing that is a bit of a waste is the ambient lighting. I like the way the door handles light up outside, but on the inside, even with brightness right up it can hardly be seen. I had ambient lighting on my Audi A6 a few years ago that was much better.

You have to be in the darkest street in Darksville to even begin to see it.

[M3776]

Any pictures with the lights and sirens?

[Jamese93]

Very nice and interesting observations... You'll have a hard time seeing the interior lights near the borough HQ :-)

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Grover432

.... When you put the UK version into sport mode (lean the lever over), which way do you lean it? Towards the driver or away from the driver.

Away from the driver in the UK. Has always been that way with BMW autos with the M/S mode.

HighlandPete

[kave]

I wonder how much smaller the Navi screen will be on the 2016 models Just a small stamp in the middle of the interior

[Chuckfireswift]

Originally Posted by M3776

Any pictures with the lights and sirens?

Will do, rear covert lights are in (at the top of the rear screen on either side) but need to wait for the contractor to get something in before having the front grille ones fitted, having them done next Thursday.

[ManiacGT]

Ambient light works better on light coloured interiors in my experience, the matte black leather and plastic doesn't reflect the light well.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Ambient light works better on light coloured interiors in my experience, the matte black leather and plastic doesn't reflect the light well.

I think there is some merit in that view. My car has the Cinnamon interior and the 'glow' is near on perfect to me.

The other factor could be the background light level. I drive in pitch black conditions for much of my night driving. Therefore the light glow appears brighter in the car anyway.

HighlandPete

[dbs600]

Congrats! Enjoy!