[mv57]

Hi All,

I am looking at buying one of these puppies. It is quite a step up, size wise, from my 330d E90. Basically family growing story and wanting an estate...

Anything I should be looking out for when I inspect this machine?
Anything I should make sure it has options wise?
Anything I should avoid?

It is the LCI version.
As far as i can tell compared to the e90 it is well spec'ed.
pro nav
electric seats + memory
HK sound system
19 inch alloys

I take it all F11s come with split rear seats? It would be freakish to have an estate without folding seats.

Is tyre wear going to be a concern on this size car? brakes also?

Fuel consumption I expect to be poor.

Cheers in advance and yes it has been a long long while since I have been on commenting.

Thanks for all input in advance.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mv57

Hi All,

I am looking at buying one of these puppies. It is quite a step up, size wise, from my 330d E90. Basically family growing story and wanting an estate...

Anything I should be looking out for when I inspect this machine?
Anything I should make sure it has options wise?
Anything I should avoid?

It is the LCI version.
As far as i can tell compared to the e90 it is well spec'ed.
pro nav
electric seats + memory
HK sound system
19 inch alloys

I take it all F11s come with split rear seats? It would be freakish to have an estate without folding seats.

Is tyre wear going to be a concern on this size car? brakes also?

Fuel consumption I expect to be poor.

Cheers in advance and yes it has been a long long while since I have been on commenting.

Thanks for all input in advance.

Is it a BMW AUC example? If so, the AUC warranty will cover any issues. If not, I'd be considering a warranty, particularly for a well specified/optioned car, they are pretty complex.

I've had my 535i for 6-years, average 30mpg long term, (44,000 miles). Had a few issues, Comfort Access has required two new door handles. Required both rear air springs. I've the surround view cameras, required both front sideview cameras and a new control module. Engine had a recall for Vanos bolts.

Brilliant cars, I love my touring, particularly as it is well optioned. I'm running an M-sport with Adaptive Drive. Suspension perfectly suits my use and the roads I drive. Try the passive suspensions to see it they are good enough for your use. For me tyres and brakes, similar to any other BMW I've had for life/mileage.

Seats definitely split, 40:20:40 combinations.

[shiner]

Sounds a great car and you should go for it.

I agree with Pete, if it is a AUC then BMW will cover it for a year. After that you should get an extended warranty with BMW. As and heads up, these get pretty pricey on 5 series after 60000 miles though so the trick is to get the warranty when still under 60000 but as a monthly payment.

Tyre wear a none-issue on my F11. Im on 18000 on my rears and still loads left.

Several really key options that I could not live without you have not mentioned:
Electric folding side mirrors. Almost mandatory a car of this width if you ever have to park in the street and, insanely, not standard.
Tailgate reverse camera. A very nice feature but not as critical as above

[mv57]

**Update** just put down deposit. Collection Thursday morning.

thanks people for the responses.

Highlandpete - you start with a scare story airsprings gone, door handles, camera modules and then go it is a great car I love it. Made me laugh. For all its imperfections and blemishes...

I read a couple of comments on honestjohn about the airsprings failing. Good to know.

Split seats thank you and definitely good to know. My E90 caught me by surprise. Why?

Shiner - The warranty prices when over 60K miles has just happened on my current car. Petrol N55 i am sure will be much more than that of the N57.

Tyre wear - Good to know that seems reasonable. it looks like this car in particluar may have had a bit of a boy racer.

Mirrors tick
Reverse camrea tick


Spec taken from a vindecorder website
L812A
National version England / Ireland
P337A
M Sports package
S1CAA
Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S1CCA
Auto start/stop function
S1CDA
Brake Energy Regeneration
S223A
Dynamic Damping Control
S230A
Extra package, EU-specific
S258A
Tire with run-flat functionality
S2NBA
BMW LA wheel, M Double Spoke 351
S2PAA
Wheel bolt retainer
S2TBA
Sport automatic transmission
S2VBA
Tire pressure display
S302A
Alarm system
S316A
automatic trunk lid mechanism
S3AGA
Reversing camera
S3MCA
Indiv. roof rail high-gloss Shadow Line
S418A
Luggage compartment package
S423A
Floor mats, velours
S428A
Warning triangle and first aid kit
S430A
Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S431A
Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441A
Smoker package
S459A
Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S481A
Sports seat
S494A
Seat heating driver/passenger
S4B9A
Interior strips, alu, satin-polished
S4NEA
Blow-by heater
S4U2A
Driving experience switch incl. ECO PRO
S4URA
Ambient interior lighting
S502A
Headlight cleaning system
S508A
Park Distance Control (PDC)
S524A
Adaptive Headlights
S534A
Automatic air conditioning
S5A1A
LED Fog lights
S5ACA
High-beam assistant
S609A
Navigation system Professional
S654A
DAB tuner
S688A
Harman/Kardon Surround Sound system
S698A
Area-Code 2 for DVD
S6ACA
Intelligent emergency SOS call
S6AEA
Teleservices
S6AKA
Connected Drive Services
S6AMA
Real-Time Traffic Information
S6ANA
Concierge Services
S6APA
Remote Services
S6NSA
Convenience phone, expanded Smartphone
S6WAA
Instrument cluster, expanded equipment
S6WAA
Instrument cluster, expanded equipment
S710A
M leather
steering
wheel
S715A
M Aerodynamics package
S760A
High gloss shadow line
S761A
Individual sunshade glazing
S775A
Headlining anthracite
S850A
Dummy-SALAPA
S853A
Language version English
S877A
Delete cross-pattern operation
S880A
On-board vehicle literature English
S8KAA
Dummy-SALAPA
S8R9A
Refrigerant R1234yf
S8S2A
Coding alarm signal
S8S3A
Automatic locking when driving off
S8SMA
Car ident. number visible from outside
S8TFA
Active pedestrian protection
S8TGA
Thiefproofing device

[mv57]

Quick follow up question. The old does my car have USB in the armrest question...

SA6NSA does come with the USB? The only place I found a yes to this is the download section for software updates. All other mention of the code is for Bluetooth improvements.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mv57

Highlandpete - you start with a scare story airsprings gone, door handles, camera modules and then go it is a great car I love it. Made me laugh. For all its imperfections and blemishes...

Yes, it is such a good car to drive when all is well, I continue to run it, "warts and all".

I'm a long time BMW owner/user, lived through the downside of ownership in different models. I don't buy into BMW expecting Japanese reliability. BMW could do better for quality and longevity, particularly for some of its common components. Air springs is one common example of poor quality.

[mv57]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Yes, it is such a good car to drive when all is well, I continue to run it, "warts and all".

I'm a long time BMW owner/user, lived through the downside of ownership in different models. I don't buy into BMW expecting Japanese reliability. BMW could do better for quality and longevity, particularly for some of its common components. Air springs is one common example of poor quality.

Makes me greatful for the Warranty. Fingers crossed for an equally enjoyable 6 yrs.

[mv57]

Just done 3 hours in car back from plymounth. A very sturdy ride. I think I need more time to learn the engine but fisrt thought... not as powerful as the 330 d is that misplaced? Bigger car feeling less pull?

[robbiep]

It's probably simply a case of the petrol engine delivering the power in a completely different way to the diesel.
The diesel engines, you just ride a wall of torque. The petrol engines do need some working.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by robbiep

It's probably simply a case of the petrol engine delivering the power in a completely different way to the diesel.
The diesel engines, you just ride a wall of torque. The petrol engines do need some working.

Same thinking.

I changed from an E91 330d to the F11 535i. Completely understand the differences. In my 'pick up' I had driven 200 miles in the 330d, when I swapped the luggage over and drove 300 miles in the 535i. Never looked back, knew the low to mid range torque would be less than the diesel, a few more revs sorts that out when necessary.

I back to back tested the F10 530d vs. 535i, even though a diesel driver, was won over by the 535i. The 530d is a superb car, ideal for mile crunching. The 535i more suited to my lower annual mileage, extra refinement and rewards in driving.

[mv57]

Yeah I think so. It's a very different beast.

Revs that go up to 7000? what thats all about?

I did start with 2500 rpm expecting (not reallty thinking) the same pull as the diesel. I quickly changed my approach. Looking forward to my next outing though first time in 10 years im back in a petrol.

Driveway looks great though

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mv57

Just done 3 hours in car back from plymounth. A very sturdy ride. I think I need more time to learn the engine but fisrt thought... not as powerful as the 330 d is that misplaced? Bigger car feeling less pull?

Yes, it will be different, sure you will quickly get used to it. I don't anchor back to the diesel days.

The different power delivery can be a bit deceiving, but performance is there.

I remember when I got my 330d, came out of a 540i V8. Similar performance, but again, a different delivery. The V8 was so smooth and refined, more a 'whoosh' and go, the diesel felt more immediate and a harder shove. Both had that 'easy' delivery, gave the same result, with a different feel.

[Snakle535i]

I found it was worth resetting the gearbox and throttle with Carly. It made comfort feel more like Sport and less like Eco. Sport has also gone up a notch.