E61 Options

[Rick101]

Thinking about going back to BMW for my next daily. Had an E46 M3 previously and her indoors has a E89 Z4 3.0 currently.

I was considering RS4 but the E61 seems a much better all round car and offers much better tech.

I am aware of the VIN search sites but as early as I am on in my search, I'm just trying to understand what is available and what the codes are for those options. Lots of adverts listing things like auto wipers but I'd hope that would be standard fitment. Can anyone confirm?

Does anybody have a full and official list?

Currently thinking about something like this

BMW 535d 2007-2009
322 - Comfort access/Keyless
508 - Park assist
610 - HUD
611 - Night Vision. Is this separate to the Visibility pack?
5DF - Active cruise
Top sound package. Professional??
Top Nav
Media? Not sure what this is?? Nav/phone??
Visibility pack

Auto dash cam would be nice but imagine the camera is pretty poor compared to modern stuff?


Guess the usual ditch the runflats applies too?

Edited by Rick101 on Sunday 3rd September 09:19

[Rick101]

Found this site, quite helpful but only covers petrol models.

http://www.socal28.com/bmw/2008_LCI_Detailed_Chang...
http://www.socal28.com/bmw/2008_5_Series_Option_Sh...

Also this for general specs

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_details1.ph...

[Gruber]

Perhaps not all that helpful, but I'd steer clear of pano sunroof and powered rear hatch. Both of which can give trouble.

And as you might be aware, the diversity box, antennae etc are all located in the top of the tailgate and suffer problems because the wiring breaks down where it passes through the hinges. Worth checking it all works. This seems to be a "when not if" problem.

Our last one - a LHD 530d xdrive - came with loads of toys (in-dash hard drive for music storage, remote pre-heater, aforementioned auto rear hatch). It also had some special order, super adjustable comfort seat option (not sure what it was called, but worth looking out for). I don't know how much of that was Euro-spec and how much made it to the UK.

[Rick101]

Excellent thanks.

Had read about the tailgate wiring. Powered opening is not something I'm not that keen on anyway. Usually takes longer than doing it by hand!

[Gruber]

Just thinking about this a bit more...

I'm pretty sure "Professional" hi-fi was standard fit in these. You want Premium for the extra speakers and so on.

And ours had rear window shades - little roller blinds that pulled out across the rear side windows - great for travelling with little ones in the back.

Your comment about runflats... I know lots of people say "ditch 'em", but ours ran just fine on runflats. I think the technology has moved on a bit since the early days, so that they're a little more compliant than they used to be. Perhaps ours had a different suspension set up being xdrive, I don't know. So I'd give it a go with the RFTs fitted and see how you get on.

And finally... just picking up your comment about looking at an RS4... these e61s are big old barges, best used for distance cruising. Don't get me wrong, our 530d was plenty fast enough, so a 535d must be positively quick. But they're really not set up for flinging down a country road. If you want a dynamic driving experience, you'd best look elsewhere. They are beautifully well built though, and very relaxing places to cover huge distances.

[Rick101]

Have an old 911 for the fun stuff. This is to replace the 'daily', which is rarely used tbh. Shopping duties, couple of motorway trips a month and a Le Mans trip.

[alistair267]

I have an E61, with expensive options such as sport auto transmission (with paddles), pano sunroof etc, but not heated seats which were something like an £120 option. Odd.

Pro nav gives you the widescreen.

Mine has part electric, part manual seats but there are a myriad of options including comfort seats which look v comfy.