Japanese BMW 535i F11

[Philv8s]

I have just P/X’d my old Range for a F11 535i and as it’s a Japanese import I will see if all the good stuff is true about them and the bad stuff is false. Hopefully!
It’s a very late F11 registered in September 2017 so one of the last for sure. They were selling G series cars in early 2017, in the U.K. anyway. Maybe the model change was later in Japan?
I was looking at Lexus RX450H/LS600 as a replacement for my Range Rover and only found this by doing a search of petrol cars over 3.0 litres by colour choice. It didn’t come up by searching for a 535i it was only recognised as an SE by AutoTrader. Maybe an import thing?
It’s done just over 48k miles with the genuine paperwork and BIMTA certificate and I-drive service record syncs with the paperwork which and was good to see. It’s an unusual colour ( brown, bronze, green and blue), Jatoba Brown Metallic which when the sun is on it looks great but when overcast it’s almost black.
The striking thing about the car was the condition and the unicorn like spec it has.
The bodywork and underside are perfect and the interior looks barely used. Very different from most U.K. cars this age for sure.
The spec is special, Nappa cooled and heated seats. B&O Hifi, surround cameras, HUD, ACC, lane departure warning, Night Vision camera, and advanced Bluetooth, park assist, adaptive steering, pano roof etc…
The radio and Speedo are coded back to U.K. spec so FM works fine and Speedo is in Mph.
The switch panel by the driver right knee is full which I find pleasing even if I wouldn’t use all the functions. It’s just nice to see no blanked of switches.

It’s not perfect however. As it’s a Japanese import it doesn’t have DAB and also no heated steering wheel which is annoying. The Tv doesn’t work as the frequency they use is different to the U.K.
Also the rear load cover did not retract when the boot opened. So I removed it and brought it into the house and sprayed the rollers with some silicone spray and let it sit for awhile. Now it retracts nice and smooth. I guess the boot wasn’t opened much and had seized a little. Probably wasn’t used much as the boot carpet looks like the rest of the car, spotless.

So I have ordered a replacement heated wheel and column switch to hopefully remedy that issue.
As for DAB, I looked at the different MMI CarPlay options and have decided the Mr12Volt unit seems to tick all the boxes for me. It replaces the TV input (better than an Aux input like some), and at least makes use of the tv function also the sound is fed through the MOST cables so should be perfect sound output to match the B&O system fitted.





















Even the bonnet release mechanism looks new..



An example of one of the service sheets supplied with car..Easy to translate with an app and nice to have. The paperwork combined also tells me this was Tokyo car and was serviced there all the time.

Edited by Philv8s on Monday 30th December 18:10

[Church of Noise]

That looks wonderful and in excellent nick - how does it compare to is predecessor?

[Philv8s]

It’s obviously not so waftastic as the Range Rover but it is smoother and faster then my SDV8 was and has more modern toys and half the mileage. The Range was great and I had it for 3 years but it felt like a ticking time bomb in the end. 3 years without issues was a good run but there were too many big ticket issues that would likely present themselves in the near future such as snapping suspension arms, sunroof drains disintegrating , ARC pipes disintegrating etc not to mention routine stuff like tyres brakes and major service due in the next year. So it was a good time bale whilst it all still worked.

[Bertrum]

If it has the digi dash which it looks like it does you can switch it between KM and Miles.

Also if it has adaptive lights worth checking they are set to the correct side as you can also change it.

Both are super handy if you take it to Europe

[Philv8s]

I’ll be getting Bimmercode to sort the heated wheel so will use it to change Speedo to Kmh when I go to France next year. It does have adaptive LED headlights but didn’t know it could change handing, good to know, thanks.
When I had the the Range Rover I used a Gap tool to change the Speedo, makes for a more relaxing drive.

Edited by Philv8s on Monday 30th December 18:11

[Easternlight]

What a wonderful interior, such a treat in the light colours.
I just don't get the UK's buyers, everything's so dark, like sitting in a coal hole.

[Philv8s]

I agree, I have never had an issue with light interiors, if after a few years they look a bit grubby, just clean them and if required re colour the affected area. No big issue and makes for a much nicer environment to sit in.

[Aluminati]

That’s a tidy looking car with a mega spec ! Enjoy !

[danb79]

That looks superb

Did you get it via Seymour Pope by any chance; saw they had one in recently but didn't view the ad fully, so unsure re the spec

Having had numerous Japanese imports throughout my life (and most recently x2 BMW E39 Japanese imports); their overall condition is second to non IMO. Looked after, they'll retain it too

Your F11 looks lovely and that interior (and spec) is excellent

[Philv8s]

I got it from Swan Motors in Bristol which also import a lot BMWs. Good to hear Imports are a good buy,

[MattsCar]

Are you going to protect the underside?

I assume that this will have the same underside protection from new as European cars, but it would be lovely to keep it looking fresh for the sake of a few hundred quid.

[danb79]

Philv8s said:

I got it from Swan Motors in Bristol which also import a lot BMWs. Good to hear Imports are a good buy,

Ah yes; they had a couple of E61 550i tourings in a year or so back; I was really tempted with one but settled for an F01 730D instead

And yes; Japanese imports are a great buy. You should be able to get most stuff sorted by simple coding with ISTA and possibly Bimmercode/Bimmerlink (which I'd highly recommend you getting)

[Philv8s]

MattsCar said:

Are you going to protect the underside?

I assume that this will have the same underside protection from new as European cars, but it would be lovely to keep it looking fresh for the sake of a few hundred quid.

As it is a euro spec car I will not worry too much but will apply lanogurd to the exposed parts every few years to keep it fresh looking. But a lot of the underside is covered in panels I see.

[MattsCar]

Philv8s said:

MattsCar said:

Are you going to protect the underside?

I assume that this will have the same underside protection from new as European cars, but it would be lovely to keep it looking fresh for the sake of a few hundred quid.

As it is a euro spec car I will not worry too much but will apply lanogurd to the exposed parts every few years to keep it fresh looking. But a lot of the underside is covered in panels I see.

It is a lovely car and that sounds like a good plan.

[danb79]

Philv8s said:

MattsCar said:

Are you going to protect the underside?

I assume that this will have the same underside protection from new as European cars, but it would be lovely to keep it looking fresh for the sake of a few hundred quid.

As it is a euro spec car I will not worry too much but will apply lanogurd to the exposed parts every few years to keep it fresh looking. But a lot of the underside is covered in panels I see.

Exactly what I did with my E39s - took the covers off / jack pads out / wheels off and wheel arch liners out and coated all those areas in Lanoguard

Yes it's a bit faffy and messy / smelly; but the car will be protected from the UKs foul weather and salty roads over winter and you'll be waterproof for a good while too

It's worth the half day it takes to do IMO - just put a huge tarp down under the car and away you go

[cerb4.5lee]

That is such a stunning spec for sure.

Usually in the UK...the buttons below the lightswitch are all blank in comparison!

Enjoy it.

[Philv8s]

cerb4.5lee said:

That is such a stunning spec for sure.

Usually in the UK...the buttons below the lightswitch are all blank in comparison!

Enjoy it.

I’ve had quite a few BMWs and Alpina’s and know a well specced car when I see one. I haven’t seen any with this much spec including M5’s so I know it’s rarity.
Still room for improvement mind, like a little project after all!

[Mr Tidy]

Based on what I have read moving your RR on after 3 trouble-free years was probably a good plan!

This looks great, especially that interior with the Pano roof.

[Bear-n]

But has it got lumbar?

[Philv8s]

Bear-n said:

But has it got lumbar?

It’s got comfort seats so of course it does.