JDM spec F11 528i Touring
Discussion
After owning my latest (4th) Megane 3RS, I finally threw in the towel and decided to get a sensible dad car for daily use. The Megane will be missed, but I have a track 130i project for fun....
After narrowing my search down to an F11, a straight six was a non negotiable. I was looking for either a 30d or 35d variant, however found this to be quite a minefield at my budget. I then stumbled across this....
A JDM spec 528i imported in 2022. ZF8, M-Sport with some decent options. The car required a good clean but was clearly in great shape, 90k miles and full history from Japan. What grabbed my attention was the fact it was the sought after 3.0 N52B30, where the UK market got the 2.0T 4cyl on this chassis. Other parts of the world had the lesser N53, but the N52 was Japan only. Even later E60 530i were N53.
Anyway, deal done and me and my 5yr old side kick began our journey.
Glasgow - Edinburgh (Bus)
Edinburgh - Birmingham (Plane)
Birmingham Airport - Train station (Monorail)
Birmingham - Northampton (Train)
Northampton - Horton (Car)
Test drove the car and was pleasantly surprised with how alert it felt, I did worry that the naturally aspirated lump at 265bhp would struggle but it pulls along seamlessly, much aided by the ZF8. Always great to travel this far and to deal with decent people who have accurately described a cars condition.
Obligatory petrol station snap.
Pretty much empty and the tank too 60ltrs of Momentum 99, which returned around 40mpg over a few hundred miles, which is pretty respectable for the size of the car.
I was then met with this worrying message half way into the 350mile journey
The car began shuddering under load, however there was a sweet spot in the rev range that meant it would cruise home. I must say it wasn't a great sleep that night, however was straight over to a mates who has the ISTA software to diagnose the issue the following morning.
Turns out there was a misfire in cylinder no.4, with ISTA recommending a new injector. We decided to swap the plugs round from cylinder 4 and 2, hoping that this would help diagnose the issue by throwing the fault in cylinder 2, however the issue has simply went away and not turned. Perhaps something wasn't seated quite correctly however something to definitely keep an eye on.....
Few hundred miles done and the car has been a joy to drive, really loving it so far. Decided I wanted to get rid of some chrome, so ordered a few trim pieces which I quite like. I also badged the car to reflect what it would have been registered as in the UK, not strictly correct so I know I may take a little bit of stick for that! Plates also on at this point.
Before
Prep
After
I may think about a LCI steering wheel, some interior pieces, wheels and perhaps sitting a touch lower but for now I am happy with how its sitting.
After narrowing my search down to an F11, a straight six was a non negotiable. I was looking for either a 30d or 35d variant, however found this to be quite a minefield at my budget. I then stumbled across this....
A JDM spec 528i imported in 2022. ZF8, M-Sport with some decent options. The car required a good clean but was clearly in great shape, 90k miles and full history from Japan. What grabbed my attention was the fact it was the sought after 3.0 N52B30, where the UK market got the 2.0T 4cyl on this chassis. Other parts of the world had the lesser N53, but the N52 was Japan only. Even later E60 530i were N53.
Anyway, deal done and me and my 5yr old side kick began our journey.
Glasgow - Edinburgh (Bus)
Edinburgh - Birmingham (Plane)
Birmingham Airport - Train station (Monorail)
Birmingham - Northampton (Train)
Northampton - Horton (Car)
Test drove the car and was pleasantly surprised with how alert it felt, I did worry that the naturally aspirated lump at 265bhp would struggle but it pulls along seamlessly, much aided by the ZF8. Always great to travel this far and to deal with decent people who have accurately described a cars condition.
Obligatory petrol station snap.
Pretty much empty and the tank too 60ltrs of Momentum 99, which returned around 40mpg over a few hundred miles, which is pretty respectable for the size of the car.
I was then met with this worrying message half way into the 350mile journey
The car began shuddering under load, however there was a sweet spot in the rev range that meant it would cruise home. I must say it wasn't a great sleep that night, however was straight over to a mates who has the ISTA software to diagnose the issue the following morning.
Turns out there was a misfire in cylinder no.4, with ISTA recommending a new injector. We decided to swap the plugs round from cylinder 4 and 2, hoping that this would help diagnose the issue by throwing the fault in cylinder 2, however the issue has simply went away and not turned. Perhaps something wasn't seated quite correctly however something to definitely keep an eye on.....
Few hundred miles done and the car has been a joy to drive, really loving it so far. Decided I wanted to get rid of some chrome, so ordered a few trim pieces which I quite like. I also badged the car to reflect what it would have been registered as in the UK, not strictly correct so I know I may take a little bit of stick for that! Plates also on at this point.
Before
Prep
After
I may think about a LCI steering wheel, some interior pieces, wheels and perhaps sitting a touch lower but for now I am happy with how its sitting.
That's a lovely car; every credit to you
Seymour Pope get these and the saloon version in every so often; he's got 2 currently but both are the 2.0 version; he had the straight 6 saloon in a dark blue not so long ago
I'd be very interested in one myself as my next car; when I feel it's the right time to buy (just sold my 130i this morning with the N52) - superb engine
Personally not keen on the black grilles; but it's not my car
The white F11s look superb on the 19" 351M wheels and in ferric grey; just suits the white so well
My pal Chris's Dad has a 530D F11 (ex police car but not active service, was used as senior officer transport - so no holes anywhere) and he fitted some of these a few months back: https://www.lkperformance.co.uk/wheels/veemann/902...
Looks superb on them and with non RFTs; rides brilliantly too
Seymour Pope get these and the saloon version in every so often; he's got 2 currently but both are the 2.0 version; he had the straight 6 saloon in a dark blue not so long ago
I'd be very interested in one myself as my next car; when I feel it's the right time to buy (just sold my 130i this morning with the N52) - superb engine
Personally not keen on the black grilles; but it's not my car
The white F11s look superb on the 19" 351M wheels and in ferric grey; just suits the white so well
My pal Chris's Dad has a 530D F11 (ex police car but not active service, was used as senior officer transport - so no holes anywhere) and he fitted some of these a few months back: https://www.lkperformance.co.uk/wheels/veemann/902...
Looks superb on them and with non RFTs; rides brilliantly too
danb79 said:
That's a lovely car; every credit to you
Seymour Pope get these and the saloon version in every so often; he's got 2 currently but both are the 2.0 version; he had the straight 6 saloon in a dark blue not so long ago
I'd be very interested in one myself as my next car; when I feel it's the right time to buy (just sold my 130i this morning with the N52) - superb engine
Personally not keen on the black grilles; but it's not my car
The white F11s look superb on the 19" 351M wheels and in ferric grey; just suits the white so well
My pal Chris's Dad has a 530D F11 (ex police car but not active service, was used as senior officer transport - so no holes anywhere) and he fitted some of these a few months back: https://www.lkperformance.co.uk/wheels/veemann/902...
Looks superb on them and with non RFTs; rides brilliantly too
Thanks mate. Agreed, the N52 is a proper gem and love it in both this and the 130i.Seymour Pope get these and the saloon version in every so often; he's got 2 currently but both are the 2.0 version; he had the straight 6 saloon in a dark blue not so long ago
I'd be very interested in one myself as my next car; when I feel it's the right time to buy (just sold my 130i this morning with the N52) - superb engine
Personally not keen on the black grilles; but it's not my car
The white F11s look superb on the 19" 351M wheels and in ferric grey; just suits the white so well
My pal Chris's Dad has a 530D F11 (ex police car but not active service, was used as senior officer transport - so no holes anywhere) and he fitted some of these a few months back: https://www.lkperformance.co.uk/wheels/veemann/902...
Looks superb on them and with non RFTs; rides brilliantly too
I deliberated the grill, I like it but have the originals to retrofit should I decide against. Can't believe how easy they pull off....!
My current set-up would be great for winters, those wheels are nice and it definitely needs a better summer tyre. I really like the Style 37 M Parallels though.
Looks great.
I was considering a 528i when I started looking but fortunately found myself in a 535i instead.
I'd definitely look into a MMI box or similar to add carplay/AA to it. Makes a massive difference for daily use.
Be careful when you look for LCI steering wheels, the F10/11 have a larger shaft, so only the F10/11 wheels fit (so the wheels command a premium over f2x and f3x ones)
I was considering a 528i when I started looking but fortunately found myself in a 535i instead.
I'd definitely look into a MMI box or similar to add carplay/AA to it. Makes a massive difference for daily use.
Be careful when you look for LCI steering wheels, the F10/11 have a larger shaft, so only the F10/11 wheels fit (so the wheels command a premium over f2x and f3x ones)
Dannbodge said:
Looks great.
I was considering a 528i when I started looking but fortunately found myself in a 535i instead.
I'd definitely look into a MMI box or similar to add carplay/AA to it. Makes a massive difference for daily use.
Be careful when you look for LCI steering wheels, the F10/11 have a larger shaft, so only the F10/11 wheels fit (so the wheels command a premium over f2x and f3x ones)
Thank you, brilliant info to know re the wheel!I was considering a 528i when I started looking but fortunately found myself in a 535i instead.
I'd definitely look into a MMI box or similar to add carplay/AA to it. Makes a massive difference for daily use.
Be careful when you look for LCI steering wheels, the F10/11 have a larger shaft, so only the F10/11 wheels fit (so the wheels command a premium over f2x and f3x ones)
I'll also look into updating to carplay/AA, although the current infotainment has aged well, tech has came a long way since!
SitCet said:
Looks great in white. Does the N52 suffer less from the ££££ injector problems than the other sixes? I was very tempted by one of these last year but, dissuaded by internet stories, ended up in a (white) Superb. Which I'm bored with.
Yes; a much more bulletproof engine that just needs regular oil & filter changes (and probably all the gaskets replacing as like all BMW petrols, they like to turn to plastic and leak)The N52 I had in my 130i was a superb engine and loved to be used, hard
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