535D Questions
Discussion
Hi All,
I am looking at a large, swift, comfortable and economical car and the 535d seems to fit the bill rather well.
So is there anything I am not seeing as this looks like the perfect car for the job and can be mapped to be fairly quick etc. So any ownwers etc have any views on the pros and cons of the car.
Also I want the M Sport because it looks nicer but is there any other difference between the M Sport and the others. Also whats the difference between the M Sport and the Sport.
Cheers!!
I am looking at a large, swift, comfortable and economical car and the 535d seems to fit the bill rather well.
So is there anything I am not seeing as this looks like the perfect car for the job and can be mapped to be fairly quick etc. So any ownwers etc have any views on the pros and cons of the car.
Also I want the M Sport because it looks nicer but is there any other difference between the M Sport and the others. Also whats the difference between the M Sport and the Sport.
Cheers!!
Hi There
Wise choice!
The Sport was made between Oct 04 and Sept 05. It was superceded by the M Sport. The only differences i've come across are the M Sport has chrome grille inserts, and has push button start rather than key start. The major revision was the introduction of the LCI versions from something like build date 28th March 07 onwards. This had the 335d engine with 286BHP, totally new electronic gearbox, LED rear lights, revised headlights, revised interior trim and revised rear suspension. The gearbox and engine changes add around 4MPG to the cycle.
I've had both a 535d Sport and an LCI 535d M Sport.
Fantastic cars. Respond very well to remapping if thats your thing.
I had no major problems with mine. It failed its MOT on a track rod end being worn, which i thought was a little premature.
I'd recommend either buying one from a main dealer to get the extended warranty OR buying an aftermarket warranty from someone like www.warrantydirect.co.uk for around £420. It will cover repairs by main dealer, and all the bits that you might otherwise worry about.
To me, minimum spec should be Sport / M Sport, full leather, Pro Nav / Media Pack and the 19s (to me the 18 inch MV2's dont do the car justice but thats just me - oh and it means you get away from run flats!!). Nice to haves for me are (ie, things i wouldnt walk away from an otherwise perfect car for if it didnt have them) are Xenons, comfort seats, heated seats, darkened rear windows, HUD (Heads up display).
Bluetooth comes with Media Pack but there are retrofit kits if required.
Sport / M Sport over SE spec came with half leather sports seats as a minimum, sports suspension, anthracite headcloth, dechromed around the windows, 18 inch alloys, sports bumpers and slightly lowered sports suspension.
Wise choice!
The Sport was made between Oct 04 and Sept 05. It was superceded by the M Sport. The only differences i've come across are the M Sport has chrome grille inserts, and has push button start rather than key start. The major revision was the introduction of the LCI versions from something like build date 28th March 07 onwards. This had the 335d engine with 286BHP, totally new electronic gearbox, LED rear lights, revised headlights, revised interior trim and revised rear suspension. The gearbox and engine changes add around 4MPG to the cycle.
I've had both a 535d Sport and an LCI 535d M Sport.
Fantastic cars. Respond very well to remapping if thats your thing.
I had no major problems with mine. It failed its MOT on a track rod end being worn, which i thought was a little premature.
I'd recommend either buying one from a main dealer to get the extended warranty OR buying an aftermarket warranty from someone like www.warrantydirect.co.uk for around £420. It will cover repairs by main dealer, and all the bits that you might otherwise worry about.
To me, minimum spec should be Sport / M Sport, full leather, Pro Nav / Media Pack and the 19s (to me the 18 inch MV2's dont do the car justice but thats just me - oh and it means you get away from run flats!!). Nice to haves for me are (ie, things i wouldnt walk away from an otherwise perfect car for if it didnt have them) are Xenons, comfort seats, heated seats, darkened rear windows, HUD (Heads up display).
Bluetooth comes with Media Pack but there are retrofit kits if required.
Sport / M Sport over SE spec came with half leather sports seats as a minimum, sports suspension, anthracite headcloth, dechromed around the windows, 18 inch alloys, sports bumpers and slightly lowered sports suspension.
Edited by a_bloke on Wednesday 19th August 10:09
Edited by a_bloke on Wednesday 19th August 10:11
Hi,
I have run a 535d sport for 18 months now and I think its a fantastic car. Been totally reliable apart from a suspension issue sorted under warranty.
I dont get to drive it everyday (Mrs has it most of the time)so still impressed by the torque, havent felt the need to remap it (yet). Superb blend of performance, economy, and still looks smart, especially on the optional 19" wheels. Ride quality is not the car's strongest point, and also some of the interior switchgear feels a bit cheap.
I think the differences between the SE and sport were all cosmetic, not sure if the seats are different as I never looked at the SE model. I too would like to know the difference between M sport and sport, I always thought it was just a marketing thing, perhaps someone could confirm?
If you are buying, I would strongly recommend you get one with the Media & Visibility packs, for resale if nothing else. Mine has virtually every optional extra fitted (was stealer MD's car) but I think those two items are most important.
Cheers,
B
I have run a 535d sport for 18 months now and I think its a fantastic car. Been totally reliable apart from a suspension issue sorted under warranty.
I dont get to drive it everyday (Mrs has it most of the time)so still impressed by the torque, havent felt the need to remap it (yet). Superb blend of performance, economy, and still looks smart, especially on the optional 19" wheels. Ride quality is not the car's strongest point, and also some of the interior switchgear feels a bit cheap.
I think the differences between the SE and sport were all cosmetic, not sure if the seats are different as I never looked at the SE model. I too would like to know the difference between M sport and sport, I always thought it was just a marketing thing, perhaps someone could confirm?
If you are buying, I would strongly recommend you get one with the Media & Visibility packs, for resale if nothing else. Mine has virtually every optional extra fitted (was stealer MD's car) but I think those two items are most important.
Cheers,
B
silver16v said:
I think the differences between the SE and sport were all cosmetic, not sure if the seats are different as I never looked at the SE model. I too would like to know the difference between M sport and sport, I always thought it was just a marketing thing, perhaps someone could confirm?
From my post above RE: Sport / M Sport and SE, and just to save anyone retyping ;-)a_bloke said:
The Sport was made between Oct 04 and Sept 05. It was superceded by the M Sport. The only differences i've come across are the M Sport has chrome grille inserts, and has push button start rather than key start.
And RE: Sport / M Sport vs SEa_bloke said:
Sport / M Sport over SE spec came with half leather sports seats as a minimum, sports suspension, anthracite headcloth, dechromed around the windows, 18 inch alloys, sports bumpers and slightly lowered sports suspension.
As earlier, ride quality ( I understand 19" non runflats better than the standard 18" runflats), I also found some of the interior plastics a bit cheap looking. The boot is long but quite shallow too.
Oh yeah, BMW main dealer labour rates are a rip off too, but thats not the cars fault!
Oh yeah, BMW main dealer labour rates are a rip off too, but thats not the cars fault!
Zanderman said:
I would be looking at around a 2006 model (due to costs) with the media option at least. Have done quite a bit of searchinf on the net and they seem to be universally well thought of.
Any negatives?
Fuel economy isnt stunning around town, but then no car is really. I averaged about 30mpg in my pre LCI one.Any negatives?
Other than whats already been said, no i cant think of any negatives.
phelix said:
silver16v said:
I have run a 535d sport for 18 months now and I think its a fantastic car. Been totally reliable apart from a suspension issue sorted under warranty.
What was replaced - just curious?and replaced it under warranty. My confidence was a little shaken initially but the car has been superb ever since.
I have a pre-LCI 535d M Sport. Agree with all the previous posts, just a great car.
Fear of issues with warranty and insurance have prevented me from having it mapped but to be honest it is not exactly slow in standard form.
Boot is huge for a saloon I'd say - perhaps agree it is a touch shallow but take a look at one - it'll hold most things. The other option you might want to consider are the folding rear seats. You might not need or want them which is fine but don't assume they are there - they were an optional extra and aren't fitted to that many cars.
With the exception of HUD mine has just about every extra going - stick to the advice above, electric memory seats, lighting packs etc are nice to have but add nothing to the ownership experience. The 19" 172M wheels looks great too (although I've got different wheels just for a change - I've kept the 172s and will swap them back when I feel like it). Beware the wheels are prone to kerbing (at least they are if your wife drives like mine!!) and can be expensive to refurb properly.
I do 20-25k per annum with around half that on motorways and the rest in urban areas. I've averaged 32.4 MPG over 50k miles - pretty good for a car of this type I'd say. (Understand the LCI version is around 4 MPG better).
Tyres and servicing are expensive (but not that much more than my wife's E90 320d M Sport) but it is that type of car.
Go for it I say - you won't regret it I'm sure.
Fear of issues with warranty and insurance have prevented me from having it mapped but to be honest it is not exactly slow in standard form.
Boot is huge for a saloon I'd say - perhaps agree it is a touch shallow but take a look at one - it'll hold most things. The other option you might want to consider are the folding rear seats. You might not need or want them which is fine but don't assume they are there - they were an optional extra and aren't fitted to that many cars.
With the exception of HUD mine has just about every extra going - stick to the advice above, electric memory seats, lighting packs etc are nice to have but add nothing to the ownership experience. The 19" 172M wheels looks great too (although I've got different wheels just for a change - I've kept the 172s and will swap them back when I feel like it). Beware the wheels are prone to kerbing (at least they are if your wife drives like mine!!) and can be expensive to refurb properly.
I do 20-25k per annum with around half that on motorways and the rest in urban areas. I've averaged 32.4 MPG over 50k miles - pretty good for a car of this type I'd say. (Understand the LCI version is around 4 MPG better).
Tyres and servicing are expensive (but not that much more than my wife's E90 320d M Sport) but it is that type of car.
Go for it I say - you won't regret it I'm sure.
Zanderman said:
Thanks for all the responses so far!!
So with regards to mapping, it seems to divide people. Something worth doing? What are the pros and cons?
Cheers!
I've never bothered with mine. So with regards to mapping, it seems to divide people. Something worth doing? What are the pros and cons?
Cheers!
It's basically a big, swift, family barge and should be treated as such. They do drive much better than their Audi or Mercedes competitors but if you want either a really quick, or a really sporting, drive, then buy a different car rather than buggering about with it.
I have, so far, been very happy with mine. It's primarily used for long distance runs with the family aboard and, in this context, I think is difficult to beat. The ride quality could be better and, as previously mentioned, some of the fittings are a little shoddy but otherwise they seem pretty pain free.
I've got the 535d MSport Touring. Anthracie bamboo inside which is smart, full leather, DAB, ipod connector in the glove box etc...
It's fantastic. Bags of space, loads of torque, flappy gear shift. The sports box is brilliant and when in sport mode the shifts are noticeably quicker.
Get one. Now.
The 18"s are fine. A mate of mine has the saloon with 19"s and it does look smart though the ride is less comfortable and even Micheldever prices make your eyes water. Pay your money, take your choice.
Oh, and the deals available on 6 months old cars are pretty damn good. The only issue with the 6 monthers is that the specs aren't as good as if you were going for a full priced tick every box one and you might have a wait for your preferred model.
It's fantastic. Bags of space, loads of torque, flappy gear shift. The sports box is brilliant and when in sport mode the shifts are noticeably quicker.
Get one. Now.
The 18"s are fine. A mate of mine has the saloon with 19"s and it does look smart though the ride is less comfortable and even Micheldever prices make your eyes water. Pay your money, take your choice.
Oh, and the deals available on 6 months old cars are pretty damn good. The only issue with the 6 monthers is that the specs aren't as good as if you were going for a full priced tick every box one and you might have a wait for your preferred model.
Edited by Nickellarse on Thursday 20th August 15:52
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