M5 - What essential spec?
Discussion
I'm probably about to push the button on an M5 but not sure what options I should spec. I know much of it is a personal choice but the definities are;
Monte Carlo Blue
343M Wheels
Sun Protection Glass
Service pack
However, I'm not sure if its worth selecting the following options;
- Harmon Kardon (is the standard system decent enough)
- Multi function seats (the sports seats look decent enough and I never use lumbar support is it really worth spending £900 on the "upgrade" seats.
- Steering wheel heating
- Power boot - Am I just being lazy speccing this? How hard is it to open a boot manually
- Reverse Camera. I like to think I can park a car without the need for a camera but is it actually worth it.
- Split fold seats - bit reluctant to pay for an option that should have been standard.
- Speed limit display - could help avoid points on the license. I suspect this works quite well with the HUD.
- Comfort Access.
I would like to hear everyone's thoughts on the above options and if they think there is any other must haves I should be looking to spec.
Monte Carlo Blue
343M Wheels
Sun Protection Glass
Service pack
However, I'm not sure if its worth selecting the following options;
- Harmon Kardon (is the standard system decent enough)
- Multi function seats (the sports seats look decent enough and I never use lumbar support is it really worth spending £900 on the "upgrade" seats.
- Steering wheel heating
- Power boot - Am I just being lazy speccing this? How hard is it to open a boot manually
- Reverse Camera. I like to think I can park a car without the need for a camera but is it actually worth it.
- Split fold seats - bit reluctant to pay for an option that should have been standard.
- Speed limit display - could help avoid points on the license. I suspect this works quite well with the HUD.
- Comfort Access.
I would like to hear everyone's thoughts on the above options and if they think there is any other must haves I should be looking to spec.
Edited by TheHound on Sunday 13th September 20:59
I bought an ex-demo with very high spec - if I were buying another M5 and speccing - from the options you question I would certainly spec:
Multi-function seats - the best I have had in any car
Split folding rear seats - adds extra flexibility when heading off to the airport for example - it would probably be first on my option list if I buy another M saloon car
Speed limit display - it seems expensive for what it is, but it is very useful
Rear camera - it gives added information
HK sound - I wouldn't claim to be a music aficionado, but for me it does the job I want
I would also add:
Surround view - handy if you have a driveway with poorly sighted exit
Are the adaptive lights standard? If not, I'd add them.
Other extras would probably depend on how long I thought I would keep the car - if I was thinking that I would expect to keep for c5years as looks likely with my current F10, I would probably spec more heavily. For example:
I have comfort access with soft close doors and powered boot, they are nice but not essential.
I would almost certainly add full leather to lift the interior.
Would probably try and do a deal on winter wheels and tyres at the time of order because could then get a much bigger discount than buying them later.
Multi-function seats - the best I have had in any car
Split folding rear seats - adds extra flexibility when heading off to the airport for example - it would probably be first on my option list if I buy another M saloon car
Speed limit display - it seems expensive for what it is, but it is very useful
Rear camera - it gives added information
HK sound - I wouldn't claim to be a music aficionado, but for me it does the job I want
I would also add:
Surround view - handy if you have a driveway with poorly sighted exit
Are the adaptive lights standard? If not, I'd add them.
Other extras would probably depend on how long I thought I would keep the car - if I was thinking that I would expect to keep for c5years as looks likely with my current F10, I would probably spec more heavily. For example:
I have comfort access with soft close doors and powered boot, they are nice but not essential.
I would almost certainly add full leather to lift the interior.
Would probably try and do a deal on winter wheels and tyres at the time of order because could then get a much bigger discount than buying them later.
Harmon Kardon - It looks like you get the Advanced sound as standard, so at least that has tweeters and a proper amp, so it won't be terrible like BMW's base stereos. I guess it depends how much you like your music whether it is worth the extra. When searching for used BMWs though I always put "Kardon" in the keyword search - it is probably one of the common things people look for to decide if the car is "well specced".
Powered boot - slow, expensive novelty?
Heated wheel - I wouldn't pay for this - it is still going to be stone cold when you first get in. String backed driving gloves will solve the problem instantly.
Reverse Camera - I like these, backwards is my worst direction for driving.
Split fold seats - It's a rip off, but I really missed these on my 3 series.
Comfort access - would be nice - another BMW rip off when you consider our 2010 Clio has this as standard, but it's extra on a £75k BMW!
Speed limit display - I'd never trust it to display the right speed. I don't have much faith in the the nav or traffic info.
Powered boot - slow, expensive novelty?
Heated wheel - I wouldn't pay for this - it is still going to be stone cold when you first get in. String backed driving gloves will solve the problem instantly.
Reverse Camera - I like these, backwards is my worst direction for driving.
Split fold seats - It's a rip off, but I really missed these on my 3 series.
Comfort access - would be nice - another BMW rip off when you consider our 2010 Clio has this as standard, but it's extra on a £75k BMW!
Speed limit display - I'd never trust it to display the right speed. I don't have much faith in the the nav or traffic info.
pjv997 said:
I bought an ex-demo with very high spec - if I were buying another M5 and speccing - from the options you question I would certainly spec:
Multi-function seats - the best I have had in any car
Split folding rear seats - adds extra flexibility when heading off to the airport for example - it would probably be first on my option list if I buy another M saloon car
Speed limit display - it seems expensive for what it is, but it is very useful
Rear camera - it gives added information
HK sound - I wouldn't claim to be a music aficionado, but for me it does the job I want
I would also add:
Surround view - handy if you have a driveway with poorly sighted exit
Are the adaptive lights standard? If not, I'd add them.
Other extras would probably depend on how long I thought I would keep the car - if I was thinking that I would expect to keep for c5years as looks likely with my current F10, I would probably spec more heavily. For example:
I have comfort access with soft close doors and powered boot, they are nice but not essential.
I would almost certainly add full leather to lift the interior.
Would probably try and do a deal on winter wheels and tyres at the time of order because could then get a much bigger discount than buying them later.
As above but without the M-Function seats & Speed Limit Display. Surround View is a must. Also consider Internet as at £90ish it's defiantly worth it. Other than that the car is well spec'd. Also Universal Remote if you've got electric gates or garage door.Multi-function seats - the best I have had in any car
Split folding rear seats - adds extra flexibility when heading off to the airport for example - it would probably be first on my option list if I buy another M saloon car
Speed limit display - it seems expensive for what it is, but it is very useful
Rear camera - it gives added information
HK sound - I wouldn't claim to be a music aficionado, but for me it does the job I want
I would also add:
Surround view - handy if you have a driveway with poorly sighted exit
Are the adaptive lights standard? If not, I'd add them.
Other extras would probably depend on how long I thought I would keep the car - if I was thinking that I would expect to keep for c5years as looks likely with my current F10, I would probably spec more heavily. For example:
I have comfort access with soft close doors and powered boot, they are nice but not essential.
I would almost certainly add full leather to lift the interior.
Would probably try and do a deal on winter wheels and tyres at the time of order because could then get a much bigger discount than buying them later.
Definitely add surround view - I wouldn't be without this.
I wouldn't bother with powered boot - I ticked this option on mine but later realised that electric opening is standard, the option only extends this to powered opening and closing which makes it expensive for what it is.
I have HK and Multifunction seats - whilst I recommend them highly I don't have any experience of the standard items for comparison. The standard stereo was recently lifted to business spec from base, so HK may not be an 'essential' option any longer.
Adaptive LEDs are amazing, but the standard bi-xenons also have the adaptive beam-shaping feature (not just headlight 'steering') which makes the LED option expensive for what it is, considering there isn't any greater functionality. My brother has the same beam-shaping Xenon setup on his F31 and says its very good.
I wouldn't add full leather because of the outright cost, however if I were ordering again I probably would pay ~£700 for alcantara headlining as I find the standard cloth headlining a bit 'cheap' looking compared to previous E39 and E65 which I recall had a much plusher, velvet texture. Not that I sit there stroking the headlining
I would probably also add comfort access too - I didn't think this was worthwhile but in hindsight its a pain going for the keys in pocket. My wife's 1-series has it and I like it.
I wouldn't bother with the speed limit thing unless you want to be nagged by it constantly.
I wouldn't bother with powered boot - I ticked this option on mine but later realised that electric opening is standard, the option only extends this to powered opening and closing which makes it expensive for what it is.
I have HK and Multifunction seats - whilst I recommend them highly I don't have any experience of the standard items for comparison. The standard stereo was recently lifted to business spec from base, so HK may not be an 'essential' option any longer.
Adaptive LEDs are amazing, but the standard bi-xenons also have the adaptive beam-shaping feature (not just headlight 'steering') which makes the LED option expensive for what it is, considering there isn't any greater functionality. My brother has the same beam-shaping Xenon setup on his F31 and says its very good.
I wouldn't add full leather because of the outright cost, however if I were ordering again I probably would pay ~£700 for alcantara headlining as I find the standard cloth headlining a bit 'cheap' looking compared to previous E39 and E65 which I recall had a much plusher, velvet texture. Not that I sit there stroking the headlining
I would probably also add comfort access too - I didn't think this was worthwhile but in hindsight its a pain going for the keys in pocket. My wife's 1-series has it and I like it.
I wouldn't bother with the speed limit thing unless you want to be nagged by it constantly.
Edited by theboss on Monday 14th September 14:25
Thanks for your comments everyone.
My local dealer actually contacted me today regarding a pre-ordered car making its way from Germany I think it was being bought by the dealer network as a demonstrator/pre-reg car)that they could make available to me with a fantastic discount providing I complete the deal this month. Not quite the spec I would have gone for but the offer was too good to turn down.
Monte Carlo Blue
20 inch 343m Wheels
Silverstone Extended Merino leather
Piano black trim
Heated steering wheel
Power Boot
Reversing camera
Multifunctional seats
Lumbar support
Sun protection glass
Speed limit display.
5 year Service pack
Basically, all things factored in including the trade in agreed on mine (which was a strong offer) it works out at an £18k discount and coupled with the 0% finance, I would have been stupid not to.
My local dealer actually contacted me today regarding a pre-ordered car making its way from Germany I think it was being bought by the dealer network as a demonstrator/pre-reg car)that they could make available to me with a fantastic discount providing I complete the deal this month. Not quite the spec I would have gone for but the offer was too good to turn down.
Monte Carlo Blue
20 inch 343m Wheels
Silverstone Extended Merino leather
Piano black trim
Heated steering wheel
Power Boot
Reversing camera
Multifunctional seats
Lumbar support
Sun protection glass
Speed limit display.
5 year Service pack
Basically, all things factored in including the trade in agreed on mine (which was a strong offer) it works out at an £18k discount and coupled with the 0% finance, I would have been stupid not to.
TheHound said:
Thanks for your comments everyone.
My local dealer actually contacted me today regarding a pre-ordered car making its way from Germany I think it was being bought by the dealer network as a demonstrator/pre-reg car)that they could make available to me with a fantastic discount providing I complete the deal this month. Not quite the spec I would have gone for but the offer was too good to turn down.
Monte Carlo Blue
20 inch 343m Wheels
Silverstone Extended Merino leather
Piano black trim
Heated steering wheel
Power Boot
Reversing camera
Multifunctional seats
Lumbar support
Sun protection glass
Speed limit display.
5 year Service pack
Basically, all things factored in including the trade in agreed on mine (which was a strong offer) it works out at an £18k discount and coupled with the 0% finance, I would have been stupid not to.
Sounds like a great deal and a decent spec - when do you get it?My local dealer actually contacted me today regarding a pre-ordered car making its way from Germany I think it was being bought by the dealer network as a demonstrator/pre-reg car)that they could make available to me with a fantastic discount providing I complete the deal this month. Not quite the spec I would have gone for but the offer was too good to turn down.
Monte Carlo Blue
20 inch 343m Wheels
Silverstone Extended Merino leather
Piano black trim
Heated steering wheel
Power Boot
Reversing camera
Multifunctional seats
Lumbar support
Sun protection glass
Speed limit display.
5 year Service pack
Basically, all things factored in including the trade in agreed on mine (which was a strong offer) it works out at an £18k discount and coupled with the 0% finance, I would have been stupid not to.
As somebody mentioned earlier in the thread, now is a good time to do a deal on a set of winters, should you think you require them.
theboss said:
Sounds like a great deal and a decent spec - when do you get it?
As somebody mentioned earlier in the thread, now is a good time to do a deal on a set of winters, should you think you require them.
Hoping it will be ready to collect in a week or two. As somebody mentioned earlier in the thread, now is a good time to do a deal on a set of winters, should you think you require them.
I'm probably going to regret saying this, but I think I won't worry about winter tyres. When I got my M3, I thought I better get some winter tyres. Fortunatley I never got round to to getting as I haven;t needed them at all.
I am just about to order mine. Had one 2 years ago should never have sold it. my extras. I guess everyone has different requirements. The M5 comes with just about everything needed anyway.
LED Adaptive Lights
Split Folding rear seats
Sun protection glass
Comfort access
Rear camera
I like the 19" wheels and if I was going to spend £2k extra on 20" I would got aftermarket Hocks or something like that. BMWs 20" option is way too expensive.
I Had internet last time complete waste of money, also had electric towbar (for my Go Karts) £850 for a towbar is stupid. I will fit my own for a fraction of the cost, It was cool being electric though.
Also had soft closing door on my RS6 cool but would not pay for it.
LED Adaptive Lights
Split Folding rear seats
Sun protection glass
Comfort access
Rear camera
I like the 19" wheels and if I was going to spend £2k extra on 20" I would got aftermarket Hocks or something like that. BMWs 20" option is way too expensive.
I Had internet last time complete waste of money, also had electric towbar (for my Go Karts) £850 for a towbar is stupid. I will fit my own for a fraction of the cost, It was cool being electric though.
Also had soft closing door on my RS6 cool but would not pay for it.
Tonyc32 said:
In my opinion:
3D view - I use it every day for parking. Think it's great.
Tinted Windows
HK speakers
Wouldn't buy again:
Reverse Camera
Wheel arch cameras
(never use them)
As above, i'm pretty sure Surround View (i assume that's what you're calling 3D view?) needs the rear camera so offer up the full surround view, otherwise you'd only get the front half of the car in view.3D view - I use it every day for parking. Think it's great.
Tinted Windows
HK speakers
Wouldn't buy again:
Reverse Camera
Wheel arch cameras
(never use them)
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff