[kosmokratur]

I am cross-posting this with the G30 forum.

Greetings everybody.

I've lurked here for about a year. Currently, I own a 1997 540/6 and a 2000 750iL (and a couple of e3's). They're very different but I still like them both. The 540 was a European Delivery in May 1997 and I ran up 10,000 miles in 25 days.

I was planning to do a Euro delivery of a G30 540i xdrive this upcoming summer but of course that's not happening. Anyway I don't personally care for the facelift styling.

Still, I'd like to pick up a newer 5 for trips out of town and "failure no option" situations like giving a ride to in-laws. Obviously I keep my cars 'til the wheels fall off so a 550 is probably not a good option for me.

Sorry to be long-winded. I was just going to pick up a G30 540. I test-drove one and it seemed really fast once it had some rev's, though my old e39 subjectively seems to have a bit more punch right off the line. Then it occurred to me that F10 535d's are out there, and pretty cheap right now. Finally, I come around to my question: Has anyone here had both cars and, if so, would you care to share any comments and observations about these particular cars? I don't really care about the electronic doo-dads, I just want the better car for actual driving. Thank you!

[Unspec]

The driving dynamics of the G30 blows the F10's out of the water, sadly.

[kosmokratur]

Thank you for your input.

I didn't buy an F10 at the time because so many people said they handled like hogs. I've never driven one but the G30 w/704 suspension I tried was nice (but the steering sucked compared to my recirculating ball e38, sadly). I take it you've driven both... just looking for a bit more exposition on whether the F10 "bites it hard" or if people were disappointed driving it after e.g. e36 M3's. Remember I'm looking for a long-range "cruising" car not a track car... and I already have the 540/6 for fun here in our NY hills. Just to focus on what I'm looking for. I appreciate any more help!! (If only I had the cash to burn on an M8 LOL!!!)

I know the general advice is "go drive it" but if I can formulate an opinion with less public contact and minimal drive time to far-off vendors, that would be good too

[kosmokratur]

To follow up, how about general build quality? After I bought my e39 in 1997, I was stunned by how flimsy the wiring was, and how everything seemed to be plastic that had been clicked into place at Dingolfing (it clicks into place, then it snaps out of place). I'm sure things have gone to the worse, but I wonder if the F10 vs G30 has trashier construction standards. Thanks, again!

[Unspec]

F10 and G30 are comparable, but G30 is definitely nicer. Overall I'm more of a fan of the F10 interior, mostly due to aesthetic design than anything else. I hate the tablet infotainment look that a lot of newer BMW's have, much prefer it being integrated smoothly into the dash.

I've driven the G30 as a loaner. Overall, it "feels" like a smaller car versus the F10. Steering feel is okay, but that's because I'm comparing it against a xDrive F10. The F10 (sans the 4 banger ones) xDrive's have hydraulic power steering, and we all know how EPS vs HPS goes

[Flamingi]

I own/have owned a F11 530d, F11 M550d xDrive, G31 530i and G31 540i xDrive. I think the driving impressions from Touring to Sedan should be close enough. The 530d and the 530i had about half of the options and the M550d and the 540i were fully loaded. Keep in mind in Germany the options are more like what Porsche is offering, i.e. most of the stuff you get standard in the US is an option in Germany and there are many, many of those options (like 80 different options excl. exterior/interior color etc.). Compared to US specs the former were probably base spec with a few options and the later were fully loaded.

Interior quality, look and feel is better in the F11 if you go with the cheaper stuff (i.e. Dakota leather, no leather dashboard, sports seats etc.) while the luxury interior is better in the G31 (Nappa/Merino leather, comfort seats etc.). Interior design depends on what you like, the screen in the F10 is integrated better into the dashboard, but I actually prefer the "Tablet-style" mounting of the G31 because the screen is higher and closer (for touch functionality). Other than that I think the steering wheel in the F11 is better (not as thick). Exterior depends on your liking as well obviously, but the G31 does look newer (F11 is still beautiful as well of course).

From a driving perspective the G31 beats the F11 by miles, the suspension is much better and the adaptive dampers can give an even greater differentiation between comfort and sport. Only downside is the steering. But if you want a great drivers car I think neither the F11 nor the G31 are the best car, I would go with an M340i. The 5 series is more of a "Mini 7" instead of a "Big 3".

In the end I think you can't really compare the two cars, the F11 can be had for like 13k while a CPO G31 is in the 40ies. Is the G31 better? Sure. Is it 4 times better than an F11? I don't think so.

[kosmokratur]

I appreciate all your comments.

Whatever I buy is going to mostly take over for my 21-year-old 750iL for long, multi-hour trips. Definitely all of you have given me food for thought.

Best- G

[Pierre Louis]

The handling of the G30 was tightened up to feel more like a smaller car, as well as partial aluminum bits for the chassis. Just replaced the Conti RFT's with newest Michelin UHP A/S 4's and it handles much better but softer now. YMMV.