Why shouldn't I buy an F10 535d?

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Chaps,
Excuse the rather obvious question, but looking for a very comfortable estate, and frankly all the reviews would point me in the direction of the above vehicle. I'm yet to test drive, but essentially the car would be a weekly commute to Wales from the Midlands, equalling about 20k mile pa. I need a >reasonable< amount of economy, extreme comfort and reliability. Any current or past owners have any stories to share on the 535d Touring? I'd be looking for the M-Sport version, but any views very welcome. Equally any comparisons of 535, 530, 525 and 520 would be useful. Very grateful for your time, ta

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Excellent response, thank you. I'm not familiar with the Active Drive, what year was that a feature from? I assume it's nothing to do with the adjustable suspension?

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Excellent info chaps, thank you. I've been struggling with predictive txt on my phone all day, now back to a decent keyboard, hence my active vs adaptive misspelling.

I think you're right, the AD seem to be rare and normally attached to the SE version. My concern is that I'm reasonably superficial when it comes to looks, and despite the form over function of the M Sport, that's what I'm leaning toward, purely based in external features. I'm also likely to spend 95% of my time on motorways or major A roads, such that I'm not going to get wrapped around the axle about the Adaptive drive. If I were looking to have this as a focussed drivers car, then I'd be looking elsewhere I think, as I'm not sure a 2 tonne plus estate would be my first choice. A reasonable amount of power, safe handling and genuine comfort is where I'd like to be. I think I'm sold on the 35.

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Very useful indeed Peter, thank you. I've no doubt the Adaptive Drive is an attractive option, but it won't be a deal breaker for me. I will, however, be fairly hardover on a few key options, Pano roof being one, I think all 535s come with the 8 speed auto, so I'd guess paddles are standard? In lieu of Adaptive Drive, the selectable suspension should be fine but again not a deal breaker. Very keen on Oyster interior. The search begins.

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Please excuse my ignorance, from what year did the model become F11?

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northpolar said:

Be very careful re flappy paddles!!

They don't come standard with the auto box and they aren't possible to retro fit either. You must specify them with the car when buying. Seems bizarre and it's not an expensive option but you must make sure they are fitted before buying. Hence I flagged it up as a key option.

Peter

Thanks again, I'll be buying a used car so will be looking to ensure the correct boxes are ticked.

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northpolar said:

The F11 tag is associated with the estate version, the saloon is F10 - I discovered this when I bought a set of BMW roof bars on fleabay and thankfully the seller pointed out when I turned up to collect them that the fittings are model specific!

F10 and F11 are the same 2010 launch.

Peter

Ahh, in which case my topic title was incorrect. It is the F11 I'm looking for, I'd agree that the the touring version looks significantly better than the saloon, IMO.

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Jobbo said:

Bincenzo said:

Please excuse my ignorance, from what year did the model become F11?

F11 is Touring, F10 is saloon. First Tourings were registered in 2010. Think there are some late 2009 saloons.

ETA: now I've checked, there weren't any saloons registered here in 2009 but there are some 2010/59 plates. The Touring was introduced later in 2010 so while I've seen 10 plate F11s in press shots, you probably won't find any earlier than 60 plate in practice.

Edited by Jobbo on Saturday 30th May 08:01

Thanks Simon, budget around £30k so expecting 2010/2011. I see you're in Warks, whereabouts? I'm in Rugby.

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Jobbo said:

Right the other side of Warks from you, on the Worcestershire border. I went to Belfast to get my F11 though; petrol-engined ones are pretty rare. And thousands less than the diesels to buy. £30k should get you a very nice 535d mind you. Make sure you haggle two years' AUC warranty into the deal.

You might want to hold out for a 2012 model, by the way (from late 2011) - they have the Eco Pro/stop start gubbins which makes them a little more economical, but most usefully to me they have RTTI; real-time traffic info, which shows traffic flows like Google Maps on the nav. I wasn't expecting to get a 2012 car but I'm pleased I found one.

Great tip on the 2012, I'll see what's about.

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Welshbeef said:

Though they are relatively rare and all previous models command strong money - the 535ds I checked were really specified well and they didn't seem to hand about for long at all.

No question it's a lot of £ for an older car to the point with huge discounts it might be worth stumping up maybe £15k more than the OPs budget to get a brand new one and then 3-4 years motoring you'd only lose £15k which is very good going.

Certainly thought about it - although I have been looking at the 330d Touring. £30k gets me a virtually brand new one, but pathologically, I simply refuse to buy a new car!!

£30k is a lot of money for a relatively old car, (the 535d) but I sense it's a reasonable investment. More importantly, it's a place I'd look forward to being in rather than dreading, as I do my current DD.

Question, road noise with Pano roof, a factor or not? I quite like the light, but don't fancy increased noise. Also, is some method of listening to iPhone music available (Bluetooth or aux cable) on all models? Ta, Bins.

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VerySideways said:

Have you seen AUC prices?
10/60/11 plates start from £26k, most are £30k give or take a grand or two.
EDIT: sorry, i'm talking about F11 prices...

Agreed, having been stalking the AUC sites and the usual trader sites, cheapest are £27k upwards, often not spec'd particularly highly or with high mileage. £30k is strong money for a five yo car, but they are the prices sadly. Having been looking hard, I can get a virtually brand new 330d touring for that. That said, I'm still looking at the 535d. Someone mention huge new discounts, please enlighten me........

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abarber said:

Not really a good comparison. The 535d will depreciate to zero, unlike good examples of used M models, many of which (though not all by any means), will continue to be in demand from enthusiasts.

Unless you are doing 20k+ miles, you could well be better off with a thirsty V8 alternative that holds it value better. Particularly if the man maths is strong with you

Sadly, I am doing 20k plus per annum, otherwise I'd still be driving my V8. Any thoughts on leasing cars? I've always bought outright, never had finance, but leasing appears to be a relatively easy way of procuring a new car. Clearly my mileage situation will boost the cost. Anybody do it routinely?

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Well, just test driven the 520 then the 535. Predictable comparison. Performance in 535 is too linear to feel fast - but it is a swift car for the size of it. Engine and gearbox both seem very refined. I'm not getting hung up on economy figures as I sense it won't break any records, but it seems to fit my requirements perfectly, so the search begins.........

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DuckDuck said:

I have a new 2015 535D touring and seem to have a similar outlook to driving as you! But I don't get close to 40mpg. I've clocked up 5k miles since I got it in April and am lucky to get 35mpg; this is worse than the previous gen car I had over similar conditions/commute etc. Out of curiosity, do you have the 19 inch wheels; I think these can have a quite a big impact on MPG.

Ta , Duck

Edited by DuckDuck on Sunday 7th June 17:43

Duck, is the new engine any different to, say, a 2011?

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DuckDuck said:

282 BHP was aluminium (e60/e61. it was the older one again that was Iron 272bhp (pre LCI) . The f10 received 299bhp and the latest euro 5 and 6, 309 bhp versions.

Edited by DuckDuck on Monday 8th June 18:59

So to avoid the complexity of the Euro6 element, I need a 309bhp version?

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DuckDuck said:

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So to avoid the complexity of the Euro6 element, I need a 309bhp version?

Sorry may have confused things. My understanding is that the most recent engines are 309hp from about 2011/2012 which are euro 5 but the latest version is euro 6 compliant, still with 309hp.

Duck

Ok, thanks. I'm getting concerned that if we think the Euro6 ruling is likely to limit resale value/desirability, or movement around the country (London limiting movement of diesel cars), it's getting outside of my budget. I test drove a 2014 version this weekend, and this was definitely Euro6 compliant. I don't think £30k will cut it.

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335d said:

If you are planning to hang on to the car for more than a couple of years, the EU6 rating could begin to make a difference. If the restriction happens, it is likely to be more than just London in my view. A few other urban areas with a focus on green issues will jump on the same bandwagon. Bristol and Brighton spring to mind, but probably a few others too. Right now there doesn't appear to be any obvious price differentiation between EU5/6, beyond that due to the age of the car. Just something to bear in mind. The EU5/6 status is recorded on the V5C.

Edited by 335d on Monday 8th June 22:43

Great info, thanks. I'm likely to keep the car for about 4 years, so this may well be a factor. It may already have been mentioned,but what is the oldest MY that has EU 6 status? Ie, the cheapest one I can get?

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Wills2 said:

Yep they need long runs on the motorway to make sense.

Ideal for me then, motorway all the way as a rule, but I'm still not impressed with the real world figures of 30+mpg. I was hoping for someting beginning with a 4.