What's the F10 530d auto like?
Discussion
Currently got a VXR Vectra. I enjoy the power and speed. I want something to match it in terms of power delivery, but something comfortable and doesnt torque steer all over the road when you try and overtake. The extra 30mpg I assume I'd get will be a bonus.
I'd prefer an E90 touring, but they're hard to find with good mileage, plus iDrive, which the 5-series seems to have as standard, and many more 5's have xenons too.
What's the power like? Is it enough to make me smile when you bury the pedal, or am I a million piles away from feeling what I do now? Also, what's it like on windy roads? I dont expect to do the lombard rally, but I also don't want to swap comfort for something that will wallow all over the road like a fat whale.
I'd prefer touring, but might have to settle for saloon as a result of rarity. Looking arond 2011/12/13 year.
I'd prefer an E90 touring, but they're hard to find with good mileage, plus iDrive, which the 5-series seems to have as standard, and many more 5's have xenons too.
What's the power like? Is it enough to make me smile when you bury the pedal, or am I a million piles away from feeling what I do now? Also, what's it like on windy roads? I dont expect to do the lombard rally, but I also don't want to swap comfort for something that will wallow all over the road like a fat whale.
I'd prefer touring, but might have to settle for saloon as a result of rarity. Looking arond 2011/12/13 year.
Edited by un1corn on Thursday 26th May 02:20
The ZF 8 speed box is awesome, I am a manual guy through and through, traditionally dislike an auto...but the ZF box is truly amazing and has changed some of my thinking towards them. Furthermore depending on mode comfort, sport etc. then it does change how it reacts etc.
I have not driven the F10 in total, but it's cousin the 6 series, on windy roads I would say that they are not the best, but if you fancy hustling a larger saloon or estate down they can be quite giggle and only on the odd moment have I thought dam I wish it was smaller (saying that the F10 is a little smaller than the 6 GC).
Over the suspension hard to say as it really comes down to options - Standard can be a little on the harsher side (depending on wheel size and profile - many complain about the 6 being "harsh" because many are wearing the 20" wheels with no profile - I personally would say it is okay, but then I came from a lowered MX5 which finds just about every imperfection).
You then have the "cheaper" VDC which allows the dampers to be firmer or softer depending on mode (it is easy to spot a car with VDC as you have Comfort+ which standard cars do not get).
Then there is the really expensive option of the active version which has electronic ARB's basically to sharpen or soften the body roll. I have never seen a car with this probably because it is about a £3k option.
Over the power question hmm...technically I have the same engine as the 535d, so I am probably a terrible person to comment, but the power v MPG you get is fairly nice. My 6GC on the regular day to day grind is around 36-37MPG over a tank.
I have not driven the F10 in total, but it's cousin the 6 series, on windy roads I would say that they are not the best, but if you fancy hustling a larger saloon or estate down they can be quite giggle and only on the odd moment have I thought dam I wish it was smaller (saying that the F10 is a little smaller than the 6 GC).
Over the suspension hard to say as it really comes down to options - Standard can be a little on the harsher side (depending on wheel size and profile - many complain about the 6 being "harsh" because many are wearing the 20" wheels with no profile - I personally would say it is okay, but then I came from a lowered MX5 which finds just about every imperfection).
You then have the "cheaper" VDC which allows the dampers to be firmer or softer depending on mode (it is easy to spot a car with VDC as you have Comfort+ which standard cars do not get).
Then there is the really expensive option of the active version which has electronic ARB's basically to sharpen or soften the body roll. I have never seen a car with this probably because it is about a £3k option.
Over the power question hmm...technically I have the same engine as the 535d, so I am probably a terrible person to comment, but the power v MPG you get is fairly nice. My 6GC on the regular day to day grind is around 36-37MPG over a tank.
Edited by Ninja59 on Thursday 26th May 07:51
Edited by Ninja59 on Thursday 26th May 07:51
Edited by Ninja59 on Thursday 26th May 07:52
I would compare an F10/11 530d and an F30/31 330d if I was you. The F10 is the better motorway cruiser by some way, but does feel a bit clumsy on windy roads. The F30 is much more nimble, but loses some of the refinement and interior build quality of the F10. Driving both will help you work out which is more important to you.
Most 530ds and 330ds of that age will have xenons and satnav.
Most 530ds and 330ds of that age will have xenons and satnav.
I wouldn't say the 530D every feels 'clumsy' in any situation but it is a biggish car and is at its best cruising, or covering long distances quite quickly as opposed to being hustled along.
Mine has full adaptive suspension and comfort seats with the full comfort pack and I think this shows it at its best. Very relaxing, comfortable drive but in sport or sport + while the ride stays very good, it does get up and go quite respectably. One thing about it is that it rarely feels fast, it stays refined and quiet even at high speed.
A 330 it's not, but that's to its credit in many ways.
Mine has full adaptive suspension and comfort seats with the full comfort pack and I think this shows it at its best. Very relaxing, comfortable drive but in sport or sport + while the ride stays very good, it does get up and go quite respectably. One thing about it is that it rarely feels fast, it stays refined and quiet even at high speed.
A 330 it's not, but that's to its credit in many ways.
REALIST123 said:
I wouldn't say the 530D every feels 'clumsy' in any situation but it is a biggish car and is at its best cruising, or covering long distances quite quickly as opposed to being hustled along.
Mine has full adaptive suspension and comfort seats with the full comfort pack and I think this shows it at its best. Very relaxing, comfortable drive but in sport or sport + while the ride stays very good, it does get up and go quite respectably. One thing about it is that it rarely feels fast, it stays refined and quiet even at high speed.
A 330 it's not, but that's to its credit in many ways.
While I think Comfort Seats are great particularly when combined with proper leather, and Adaptive does help to disguise the bulk, the OP is very unlikely to find a well-priced car with those options as virtually no-one specified them, except on a few demo/staff 535ds. I'm not sure that I would opt for Adaptive on a 3-5 year old car either, since it is a complicated system which is seriously expensive to fix. Mine has full adaptive suspension and comfort seats with the full comfort pack and I think this shows it at its best. Very relaxing, comfortable drive but in sport or sport + while the ride stays very good, it does get up and go quite respectably. One thing about it is that it rarely feels fast, it stays refined and quiet even at high speed.
A 330 it's not, but that's to its credit in many ways.
That said, if my miles were predominantly motorway, I can't think of a better car than a 530d/535d, except for the higher end BMWs. I spend most of my time on winding country roads, where the F30 is at home - although I have had to add ACS springs.
I had an F11 530 touring for a year. As said above, the ZF box is fantastic.
Mine didn't have Adaptive, which a lot of reports rate as essential, but I must admit I never really thought I missed out hugely, and I have Adaptive in my current M135i (I know it's a very different car btw). The ride on the 19" RFT was perfectly liveable with too.
I've not driven the current F30 3 series much, but have felt that the F11 was a much better cruiser - it could be hustled and didn't feel like it was particularly struggling, but the size can disguise some of the sensations of speed.
On size, it's a big car, but given the choice between one and an F30, I would pick the F11, as long as I could have the 30d
I only got rid of it as my wife wanted a bigger car so she now has the people carrier and I have a 1er.
Mine didn't have Adaptive, which a lot of reports rate as essential, but I must admit I never really thought I missed out hugely, and I have Adaptive in my current M135i (I know it's a very different car btw). The ride on the 19" RFT was perfectly liveable with too.
I've not driven the current F30 3 series much, but have felt that the F11 was a much better cruiser - it could be hustled and didn't feel like it was particularly struggling, but the size can disguise some of the sensations of speed.
On size, it's a big car, but given the choice between one and an F30, I would pick the F11, as long as I could have the 30d
I only got rid of it as my wife wanted a bigger car so she now has the people carrier and I have a 1er.
I have a F10 535d which I've owned from new and done 75k miles in so far.
I would agree the auto box is fantastic and really suits the car and engine.
It is very quick, particularly at changing speed eg 40 to 70. My wife has a 30d in her X3 so hard to directly compare but I don't really notice it is slower, just not as smooth or linear in the power delivery, the 30d is more traditional diesel where the initial power comes in a bit of a lump. I'd go for a 35d if the price isn't much different as it is a better engine as much for the delivery rather than the extra hp.
Mine is on standard sport suspension - I've always found it fine on previous 5s so never really considered adaptive plus not really a fan of stuff I need to adjust on the go. Also I planned to keep it to 150k so didn't want extra complexity.
It handles well for a big car, and is quite pleasant on a winding road, but it really is a big car and ultimately isn't a car to chuck around. Good on a sweeping A road, but chuck it into a tight bend and you'll feel the weight and girth.
I would say it is an excellent car, a pleasure to drive and have no desire to replace it, but it's real comfort zone is as a fast mile muncher, not a car to take for a blast. I've never been for a drive in it, just for the sake of it.
I would agree the auto box is fantastic and really suits the car and engine.
It is very quick, particularly at changing speed eg 40 to 70. My wife has a 30d in her X3 so hard to directly compare but I don't really notice it is slower, just not as smooth or linear in the power delivery, the 30d is more traditional diesel where the initial power comes in a bit of a lump. I'd go for a 35d if the price isn't much different as it is a better engine as much for the delivery rather than the extra hp.
Mine is on standard sport suspension - I've always found it fine on previous 5s so never really considered adaptive plus not really a fan of stuff I need to adjust on the go. Also I planned to keep it to 150k so didn't want extra complexity.
It handles well for a big car, and is quite pleasant on a winding road, but it really is a big car and ultimately isn't a car to chuck around. Good on a sweeping A road, but chuck it into a tight bend and you'll feel the weight and girth.
I would say it is an excellent car, a pleasure to drive and have no desire to replace it, but it's real comfort zone is as a fast mile muncher, not a car to take for a blast. I've never been for a drive in it, just for the sake of it.
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