Update!
Took the 530d out for her 6th highway trip over the weekend! This has become our highway steed of choice and, because of the safety on offer, I don't think the other cars will be seeing any highway running at all.
Went via my favourite Mumbai-Nasik highway to our Deolali home. It was a 500 km round-trip. This car is seriously built for the open road. The monsoons have left their mark on the highway and the road quality wasn't good at many points. The suspension thoroughly impressed with its cushy ride. The refined engine, powerful headlamps and ready torque for instant overtaking made the night drive fun (left on Friday evening).
The trip reassured me of the 530d's practicality. The boot comfortably accommodated innumerable bags (as we were moving some stuff there). Through the entire trip - which included a fair share of rural-type roads & tall
jugaad speedbreakers - the 5 didn't scrape her underbelly even once. Filled up the tank before leaving and got back home with a lot of diesel to spare - love the long tank range. I again bring up the Jaguar XJ in my circle; the owner simply refuses to take it out of town because the Jaguar can't clear speedbreakers & needs premium petrol to run.
The way back was even more fun as I was driving alone! Ah, the simpler pleasures of life. The open road, a nice car and great music to give you company. The engine is absolutely ferocious...every time you floor it, she menacingly leaps forward. The gearbox is equally competent & undoubtedly the best AT on sale today. I let the beast loose on the one-way ghat section after Igatpuri. The sheer grip is insane and she can take corners at speeds impossible in a mass-market sedan. Equally, you feel the massive weight of the car through the curves. While she has immaculate poise, she does feel very bulky under hard cornering.
Bought Kinley 1-liter bottles and they wouldn't fit in anywhere! Sucks - how can you drive on the highway without sipping on a water bottle? Finally got Bisleri 1 liters which fit in the cup-holders (ahead of the gearlever). I'd like to meet the dimwit who designed the door pockets of this car.
Noticed that the HUD console creates an unwanted reflection at certain times when the sun is right ahead of you. Will add this to the opening page.
Last observation: Say you're cruising in 8th gear and want to overtake. It's just better to kickdown the accelerator instead of using the paddles. Reason? You have to pull the paddle all of 4 - 5 times! Instead, kickdown the accelerator and the gearbox will automatically drop 4 - 5 gears. On a related note, she's reluctant to go above 6th gear in Sport mode, so that the engine is always ready to respond. The difference in throttle response between comfort & sport on the highway is enormous (mainly because sport is always driving in a lower gear + higher rpm).
Quote:
Originally Posted by sammycoolster Also my car comes with the myBMW app to control the car etc, is that available in the Indian models too ? You can track your car using GPS map etc, lock unlock, sound the horn, turn on the AC remotely etc. |
Nope, not available in India.
Quote:
Posting a pic of the sensor on the door for full keyless entry. The same sensor is present on all the doors. You touch that area with those lines to lock, and hold the door handle anywhere to unlock. Agree its a big facility too, and BMW India should not have skimped on it.
|
This is the feature I miss the MOST.
Quote:
Originally Posted by maverhick I am based out of Sion, Mumbai and looking at a Pre-owned BMW that is 2009 and out of warranty. Do you have any suggestions on good FNG operating in and around Sion/Dadar that can do a good job on a high end BMW? |
Look no further than the brutally honest & very capable Sunil Shanbagh -
Team-BHP Directory.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sammycoolster Well the coding needs to be done, as well as, I think the wiring etc might be different. But I dont see why not, might be tricky but not tough. |
No alterations until year 2020 (my warranty is in place through 2019). Till then, better tubeless tyres is the only mod my 5-Series will see.