[S350L-E240]

Note from Mod : A detailed Test Report of the F10 BMW 525d has been uploaded here. Please continue the discussion over on the review thread. This thread is closed.

You got it right, time for Mercedes-Benz India to get more pro-active with the W212 (E) cause the greatest 4 door mid size luxury sedan (BMW 5) is coming in the last week of April or early May.

Initially only 535i. Other models will arrive in few months, but cannot wait for this car to come in. (Source : BMW Dealer)

P.S I apologize if there is a thread for this but could not locate.

[theragingbull]

I reckon there'll be an increase in price too. This one should be an E killer. Now with much more space inside, buyers will hardly find anything to complain about.
BMW should rather bring in the 530d first

[avishar]

BMW is following the top down launch approach too.I guess the 520d is also worth waiting for its uprated 185bhp.

[PlatzdaTurbo]

Beautiful ! best piece of news iv heard in a long long time. Have been waiting with baited breath for this beauty queen to arrive. We are contemplating on buying 1 out of the Audi a4 3.0 tdi or the f10 BMW 530D. Earlier was interested in the 535i but it doesn't make much sense as both 535i & 530D would be sold world over for nearly the same pricetag and where the 530D is just about 2 secs slower to 100kph than the 535i ( 535i takes 6.1secs, 530D - 6.3 secs ), it literally pulverizes the 535i in the the 80 - 120kph sprint. Check this out -


Performance


Top speed in km/h

250 535i

250 530d


Acceleration 0–100 km/h in s

6.0 [6.1] 535i


6.3 530d


Acceleration 80–120 km/h in 4th/5th gear in s

5.9 535i




5.0 530d



Moreover, the timings of the 535i are with the 97 octane fuel which is not easily available and also very expensive here in India. So basically, the advantage of diesel (cheaper fuel), similar power ( humongous) to the petrol and much cheaper running costs in comparison to the 535i made me go for the 530D. I would be visiting the showrooms as soon as the f10 530D hits our shores.
Just that i doubt if the dealer who gave u this information has his facts verified, because , as far as i know, the EUROPE launch of the f10 would be in April and it normally reaches the US and Indian markets a little later. Most mags and people are suggesting that it should hit Indian shores anytime between July - September 2010. I find that realistic enough. April seems too good to be true. But if it is, i would be the happiest person. 530D ,here i come :P

[tacho]

Originally Posted by PlatzdaTurbo

Acceleration 0–100 km/h in s

6.0 [6.1] 535i


6.3 530d





Moreover, the timings of the 535i are with the 97 octane fuel which is not easily available and also very expensive here in India. So basically, the advantage of diesel (cheaper fuel), similar power ( humongous) to the petrol and much cheaper running costs in comparison to the 535i made me go for the 530D.

Where did you get the performance figures from? I am surprised the petrol needs 97 Octane. At least in the US, 91 octane is sufficient for that engine.

[PlatzdaTurbo]

Originally Posted by tacho

Where did you get the performance figures from? I am surprised the petrol needs 97 Octane. At least in the US, 91 octane is sufficient for that engine.

Just go to the international website of BMW AG & in choice of vehicles, select bmw 5 series sedam. In there, you will see a model comparison area. All details from A to Z are given side by side in tabular form for comparison. I have just listed a small part of the performance area. Verdict is , both of them, 535i & 530d are pretty much fair & square. Well about the fuel, its a fact here in India, the petrol engines of these big cars cant unleash their complete potential unless high grade fuel is used. The normal speed , extra premium fuel on offer is not good enough. ..& well the US, its a different story all together. The fuel there sure is more than good enough for these petrol monsters...infact, BMW have NO IMMEDIATE PLANS OF LAUNCHING THE f10 530D in the USA ANY TIME SOON. SO U CAN IMAGINE HOW POPULAR THE PETROLS ARE IN THAT NATION.

[Sahil]

BMW certainly is feeling the heat from the E for them to speed up plans. I've always wanted to see the 535i on our roads, a twin-turbo petrol monster ! It's illogical to buy one considering the price you pay for 97 octane, but like they say, it's dillogical

[PlatzdaTurbo]

Originally Posted by Sahil

BMW certainly is feeling the heat from the E for them to speed up plans. I've always wanted to see the 535i on our roads, a twin-turbo petrol monster ! It's illogical to buy one considering the price you pay for 97 octane, but like they say, it's dillogical

True, but considering that the F10 530D would offer almost identical performance to the 535i, i suppose there wouldn't be any so called 'exclusivity' left about it apart from the '535i' logo at the back which would be much rare compared to the 530D ,i presume

[GTO]

Now we're talking . The F10 is so much better looking than the E60, not surprising since it borrows heavily from the 7. I cannot wait to test-drive the 535i. Mercedes & BMW are now officially at war with each other (Link to thread), BMW will inevitably price the entry-level petrol / diesel well.

God bless competition.

[Nitronium]

Wuhaay!!

I did read an article in Autocar where initial impressions of the F10 were given. If that is to be believed, then the steering which was always so direct in prior generations of the 5 series is missing. What use is a Beamer then? :P

I certainly hope they manage to keep The Ultimate Driving Experience alive

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by theragingbull

This one should be an E killer.

Uh oh... arent we jumping the gun here boy. I for one would never buy the F10 5 series simply because it doesnt looks as good. Its in the middle of a huge identity crisis. 3 series on steriods or a hunkered down 7 series?

[PlatzdaTurbo]

Originally Posted by Nitronium

Wuhaay!!

I did read an article in Autocar where initial impressions of the F10 were given. If that is to be believed, then the steering which was always so direct in prior generations of the 5 series is missing. What use is a Beamer then? :P

I certainly hope they manage to keep The Ultimate Driving Experience alive

i read the same report your are talking about (testing was done by autocar UK) and also a few more. The steering feel isnt exactly missing, according to them, it feels a bit OVER-assisted ,thanks to the active steering assist ( a 1st in class according to BMW), its electronic , not hydraulic. They claim it makes the car fantastically agile, even more than it already is. But any which ways, the active steering assist would be an option and if not opted for then one might end up with the usual 'BMW' feel steering. Also a new scintillating 8-speed auto transmission is an option along with the 6 speed already available on the e60 and the 8 speed is mated as unbelievably excellent and smooth,highly rec recommended by them. Anyways, whenever GTO ends up testing this baby, we are sure to get the best verdict out of him

[theEnd]

Originally Posted by PlatzdaTurbo

it literally pulverizes the 535i in the the 80 - 120kph sprint
...
Acceleration 80–120 km/h in 4th/5th gear in s

5.9 535i
5.0 530d

Now if you wanted to "sprint" from 80-120 km/h then you wouldn't really be in 4th or 5th gear, would you? Try the same in 2nd/3rd and it would be a whole different story (and much shorter timings).

Roll-on timings in high gears are simply an indication of how responsive a car is to a lazy driver who doesn't want to downshift. These tests are the best way to try and sell a diesel. Conversely, somebody could try to measure the time taken to get from 2500rpm to 7000rpm in 2nd gear. Let me guess the timings for that... 535i: 4 seconds, 530d: infinity!

[vinaydas]

what is Toyota doing?
Its about time you guys got Lexus into the market !!!.

[ImmortalZ]

Twin turbo petrol? Remap heaven!