F10 buying 535d - any tips?
Discussion
rassi said:
bmwmike said:
Rusting doors, check leading edges.
On an F10/F11?? Never heard of any rust issues with thesehttp://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/130342-f10-door-corr...
bmwmike said:
rassi said:
bmwmike said:
Rusting doors, check leading edges.
On an F10/F11?? Never heard of any rust issues with thesehttp://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/130342-f10-door-corr...
The engine pulls very strong whilst being efficient on fuel, really good engine indeed. Works really well with the 8 speed too. However, it being a N57 engine, there are reports of some having timing chain failure. Its a PITA on these as the chain is located at the back. When viewing, ensure the car is cold and hasn't been started. Start the engine and ensure there isn't any rattles, any rough starting, hesitation, excess vibration. These are well balanced and smooth engines for a diesel, the straight 6 diesel BMW makes should be smooth, so if it feels off then it probably is.
Swirl flaps aren't much of an issue anymore, some people do it anyway for peace of mind, its entirely up to you. Ensure the gearbox is slick as well, no alarming clunks from shifting between park, neutral, drive and reverse. Test out the different modes of the gearbox. Press every interior button and ensure it works. Make sure there isn't any whistling from the turbochargers either.
They handle very well. The engine is very smooth and pulls really hard, will blow most cars on the road out of the water. Unless you get an xDrive, the handling of these may be quite twitchy with RFT's on. I believe BMW warranty requires having the official star marked tyres on as well, which are RFT, although some star marked offerings aren't RFT's. Try at the very least to get self-levelling suspension, works great and makes the ride change significantly. Adaptive dampers are better, adaptive drive is best and allows for nearly no roll in corners - very impressive. If the car has self-levelling air suspension, ensure when viewing it that again the car is cold, as that will show whether the car sags on one side, indicating air suspension bag failure on one side. If this is left ignored, the compressor can become overworked and fail.
Options I recommend are Nevada leather, M-Sport package (nice seats), full electric seats, heated seats, lighting package (lights on door handles), adaptive lights (LED indicators), auto lights w/ high beam assist. In terms of media, the BMW professional media package is best - DAB, Bluetooth, HDD based system, fast iDrive (CIC), large screen. Ensure there is at least the BMW Professional sound system (200W), the Harman Kardon system is even better, the Bang and Olufsen system is a concert hall in a car. As its an estate, the powered tailgate is good. Comfort access is nice, however be wary of the security flaws, lots about it on PH. The upgraded instrument cluster is nice too but not compulsory.
In general, the 535d is a high list price car and thus receives more options than normal anyway. With good maintenance it won't put you wrong.
Swirl flaps aren't much of an issue anymore, some people do it anyway for peace of mind, its entirely up to you. Ensure the gearbox is slick as well, no alarming clunks from shifting between park, neutral, drive and reverse. Test out the different modes of the gearbox. Press every interior button and ensure it works. Make sure there isn't any whistling from the turbochargers either.
They handle very well. The engine is very smooth and pulls really hard, will blow most cars on the road out of the water. Unless you get an xDrive, the handling of these may be quite twitchy with RFT's on. I believe BMW warranty requires having the official star marked tyres on as well, which are RFT, although some star marked offerings aren't RFT's. Try at the very least to get self-levelling suspension, works great and makes the ride change significantly. Adaptive dampers are better, adaptive drive is best and allows for nearly no roll in corners - very impressive. If the car has self-levelling air suspension, ensure when viewing it that again the car is cold, as that will show whether the car sags on one side, indicating air suspension bag failure on one side. If this is left ignored, the compressor can become overworked and fail.
Options I recommend are Nevada leather, M-Sport package (nice seats), full electric seats, heated seats, lighting package (lights on door handles), adaptive lights (LED indicators), auto lights w/ high beam assist. In terms of media, the BMW professional media package is best - DAB, Bluetooth, HDD based system, fast iDrive (CIC), large screen. Ensure there is at least the BMW Professional sound system (200W), the Harman Kardon system is even better, the Bang and Olufsen system is a concert hall in a car. As its an estate, the powered tailgate is good. Comfort access is nice, however be wary of the security flaws, lots about it on PH. The upgraded instrument cluster is nice too but not compulsory.
In general, the 535d is a high list price car and thus receives more options than normal anyway. With good maintenance it won't put you wrong.
I had the rust issue on all 4 doors of my 2010 F10 530d. Tiny spots on the top corner of the leading edge of each door. Repaired without quibble under the BMW paint warranty and now has a lifetime warranty.
I looked at the 535d and the 530d. Both in F10 guise are plenty fast enough (for me at least) and have the 3L six which was essential. The 535d is quite hard to find and was therefore more limited in terms of spec choices. I ended up with the 530d with the almost perfect spec for me; an SE with dynamic pack (seats, wheel, gearbox wheels), visibility pack (xenons, adaptive headlights etc), Pro Nav and Adaptive Drive. Try the 530d to see if it's quick enough (0-62 is the same as the E60 535d so it may suit) and that will open up more opportunities to find the spec you want.
I looked at the 535d and the 530d. Both in F10 guise are plenty fast enough (for me at least) and have the 3L six which was essential. The 535d is quite hard to find and was therefore more limited in terms of spec choices. I ended up with the 530d with the almost perfect spec for me; an SE with dynamic pack (seats, wheel, gearbox wheels), visibility pack (xenons, adaptive headlights etc), Pro Nav and Adaptive Drive. Try the 530d to see if it's quick enough (0-62 is the same as the E60 535d so it may suit) and that will open up more opportunities to find the spec you want.
Had mine 4 years this Oct.
It’s a lovely place to be, utterly different league v the 3 series.
Decently quick and frugal to boot. Large fuel tank
Tyres last nearly 50k brakes too just last and last (OEM).
Mine should pass the 100,000 mark in the next week or so and frankly it’s still like new.
It’s such a good car it’s the reason I’ve not changed it yet- frankly I’ve no need to even with the draw of an M5 /etc.
It’s a big car so hustling it on narrow B roads is fun. It handles vet well IMHO for a near on 2tonne Cat
I drive mine as a 535d should be else I would have bought a 520d instead. So each and every day it is rev to the max - I’m anal about only driving the car when up to temp so it’s very good it has an oil temp gauge (takes nearly 9 Miles to get to it’s correct temp) and then you can use all the revs.
Routine servicing except for 1 thing and that was the blower and regulator (see my garage costs breakdown and you can see the cost). I ran the car for nearly a month with the frost and butter conditions. So I’m assuming that’s an 8 year 95,000 mile lifespan.
Adaptive lights are superb.
Go for it and enjoy.
It’s a lovely place to be, utterly different league v the 3 series.
Decently quick and frugal to boot. Large fuel tank
Tyres last nearly 50k brakes too just last and last (OEM).
Mine should pass the 100,000 mark in the next week or so and frankly it’s still like new.
It’s such a good car it’s the reason I’ve not changed it yet- frankly I’ve no need to even with the draw of an M5 /etc.
It’s a big car so hustling it on narrow B roads is fun. It handles vet well IMHO for a near on 2tonne Cat
I drive mine as a 535d should be else I would have bought a 520d instead. So each and every day it is rev to the max - I’m anal about only driving the car when up to temp so it’s very good it has an oil temp gauge (takes nearly 9 Miles to get to it’s correct temp) and then you can use all the revs.
Routine servicing except for 1 thing and that was the blower and regulator (see my garage costs breakdown and you can see the cost). I ran the car for nearly a month with the frost and butter conditions. So I’m assuming that’s an 8 year 95,000 mile lifespan.
Adaptive lights are superb.
Go for it and enjoy.
Out of interest, and I realise it’s not the biggest priority for this car, but what sort of average fuel consumption are you getting?
Do you calculate it manually, rather than just take figures from the OBC?
I’m not in the market for one yet, I’m just thinking longer term when my e320 cdi is due for replacement.
Do you calculate it manually, rather than just take figures from the OBC?
I’m not in the market for one yet, I’m just thinking longer term when my e320 cdi is due for replacement.
Super Slo Mo said:
Out of interest, and I realise it’s not the biggest priority for this car, but what sort of average fuel consumption are you getting?
Do you calculate it manually, rather than just take figures from the OBC?
I’m not in the market for one yet, I’m just thinking longer term when my e320 cdi is due for replacement.
I measure my fuel consumption brim to brim every time and compare it to the OBC. Do you calculate it manually, rather than just take figures from the OBC?
I’m not in the market for one yet, I’m just thinking longer term when my e320 cdi is due for replacement.
In nearly 4 years the actual consumption is between 2-4 mpg MORE than the OBC displays.
Last week I did Reading to Birmingham and back in a day not great traffic round M42 and I wasn’t hanging about if you get what I mean plus mine is a pre LCi. Trip stated 44mpg.
My daily commute 70 miles round trip a road B road dual cardidgeway and hills summer 40-42mpg winter 38-40mpg.
The premium diesel does make it a lot quieter and it does feel more eager in confort than with normal derv. I’m reluctant to buy that at the minute with its £1.50/ltr price though as I don’t believe it makes any notable difference in MPG from memory.
Ok that’s interesting. My average in the Merc is just under 37 mpg, on a motorway it can get 40-42 generally but it depends on traffic, and whether I can pick up a benefit from being behind someone else doing a similar speed. Sometimes 80 + following someone can be better than a steady 70 in clear air.
Sounds like the bmw is in a similar ballpark.
Sounds like the bmw is in a similar ballpark.
So this morning I got 43.5mpg - all traffic lights were green and that genuienly makes a difference on a 35 mile each way commute.
Clear blue sky here in Berkshire
Roads nice and flowing -I didn’t overtake anything on the a and B roads but was at 60-70mph on those lanes but on the A34 I kept to 70mph as I’d already seen some police out and yet they were hiding the camera vans under the J13 bridge looking both ways.
It’s a lovely car - F10 and if you want S diesel that is what 185bhp/tonne then this is the one to go for - plus you can rev it to 5,750rpm too it’s unlike VW engines or I4 diesels in that it keeps going all the way no notable drop off in power.
Enjoy.
Clear blue sky here in Berkshire
Roads nice and flowing -I didn’t overtake anything on the a and B roads but was at 60-70mph on those lanes but on the A34 I kept to 70mph as I’d already seen some police out and yet they were hiding the camera vans under the J13 bridge looking both ways.
It’s a lovely car - F10 and if you want S diesel that is what 185bhp/tonne then this is the one to go for - plus you can rev it to 5,750rpm too it’s unlike VW engines or I4 diesels in that it keeps going all the way no notable drop off in power.
Enjoy.
I'm not a lover of large heavy cars (I like small "sports cars"), but needs/musts mean I have to have the capability to carry stuff when required (which isn't too often - day to day the car is empty).
So I went for an F11 535d (2016) - and I can honestly say - best car all-round I have ever had (I previously had an Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI S-Line - no comparison .... the 535d is better in every way).
Engine pulls like a train, and for a 1900kg car, the handling ain't half bad ..... you can have some fun with this in Sport+/Manual mode. It's never going to be nimbi enough on a real twisty road like a small car would - but it defies belief sometimes how well it handles.
I've done 60K miles in it now (10K on it when I bought it off a friend) - completely trouble free motoring (and I drive it as a 535d should be when I can - else I would have bought a 520d).
No faults at all - and certainly no rust spots on doors (mine is a 2016 - so one of the later/last ones). The only very minor thing I would say - is it can get stone chips on the leading edge of the roof (where it meets the top of the windscreen). Very minor, and good carefully applied spots of touch-up ..... but interesting I had 3 occur there (nothing on the front/bonnet.
As I said - not a fan of large cars generally, but this is the best car all-round I have ever owned (it's why I still have it) - so I can't say higher praise than that.
Mark
So I went for an F11 535d (2016) - and I can honestly say - best car all-round I have ever had (I previously had an Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI S-Line - no comparison .... the 535d is better in every way).
Engine pulls like a train, and for a 1900kg car, the handling ain't half bad ..... you can have some fun with this in Sport+/Manual mode. It's never going to be nimbi enough on a real twisty road like a small car would - but it defies belief sometimes how well it handles.
I've done 60K miles in it now (10K on it when I bought it off a friend) - completely trouble free motoring (and I drive it as a 535d should be when I can - else I would have bought a 520d).
No faults at all - and certainly no rust spots on doors (mine is a 2016 - so one of the later/last ones). The only very minor thing I would say - is it can get stone chips on the leading edge of the roof (where it meets the top of the windscreen). Very minor, and good carefully applied spots of touch-up ..... but interesting I had 3 occur there (nothing on the front/bonnet.
As I said - not a fan of large cars generally, but this is the best car all-round I have ever owned (it's why I still have it) - so I can't say higher praise than that.
Mark
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