[S350L-E240]

avishkar, I honestly have thought of this as one of the finest and most complete 4 door car in the world, and about the BSI well I still havent really paid for the car will do it on monday and am confused about 3 or 5 year package as mostly cars to not last for more then 2 years at home. Will update once complete.

platzaturbo, you sure have a great car and I do believe Audi has the finest way of using LED's on the lights, but just like you took your picture is there anyone who can help on how to take these pictures without the glare? Someone do help?

nkrishnap, thanks for your wishes and Jayabusa, talking of the cayman I had a cayman too in the US will post pictures of it once I find them. And while it was an insane demonishion believe me it was so much better and cars stayed home more then at the workshop and no more fear of being stuck on the highway!

akj53, While the RFT is worrying me, I do not think I can use normal tyres due to the boot space and mostly when we travel long distances the boot is well used so I think I will stick to the RFT's and honestly speaking this car is well made for RFT and honestly have no complains as of now on the ride. You sure have a nice garage would love to get the XF in future if they open a dealership here.

ashish22, thanks for your wishes, too soon to comment on the build quality of the car and also would be unfair to compare a whole new generation car to a previous generation car, esp. considering those were the worst years of Mercedes-Benz.

Some more observations today and some help if anyone can help me out?

1. GTO, in his review spoke about how out of place the plastics around the idrive screen feel? honestly even with the bigger screen there is a similar problem and assuming the screen I have is the largest size I do believe this is a BMW design flaw and I am sure the screen could have been better integrated without having those little dead panels on the side? or is there a larger screen?

2. There are 2 video inputs at the back, how exactly can I connect the xbox360 or PS3 there? What power cable / connector would I need? Any idea where do I source it from?
And how exactly do I ensure the console will stay steady? Is there any stand or something I can get? I asked the dealer who has no clue about this, so someone do help?

3. I always though the Sport / Normal buttons were only for the great ratios, guess I was wrong in the iDrive I can select if I want it to be applicable to the drivetrain or chassis or both

4. The ipod works fine with the car but hate the fact that it stays loose in the arm rest, a nice cradle would have been a good design touch. I know they probably do not do it due to the various MP3 players in the market but I do believe ipod is the standard now?

Regards,

Oh and the engine + transmission cannot be spoken about they just need to be worshipped.

[GTO]

Someone asked how the build quality is? Well, its of course top notch! However, this isn't a car that you judge by the door "thud". There isn't one. The new 5's doors are all aluminium and feel like a Civics to operate.

Originally Posted by S350L-E240

The biggest problem is no space for a spare wheel, and to have one extra one in the boot will use a lot of space so any suggestions from fellow members could help in long drives with the Run flats?

This is my only grouse with the new 5. How on earth am I supposed to go for a 1,000 kms highway trip without a spare? S350 : Look up Flyingspur's 320d thread. Get a space saver of a spare & wrap it up neatly. Will lose boot space, but I'd rather carry one bag less than be stuck with a flat in the middle of nowhere.

Originally Posted by avishar

But then getz is just a wee bit smaller,and i guess a few less buttons

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

The 3.0 engine should keep you grinning quite wide whenever the throttle is pinned down.

Remember, the 525d also has the same 3.0 engine. Only difference is in the engine mapping.

[crashoverride9x]

GTO- how much would be the difference in ride quality and comfort between the 17 inch alloys wheels and the 18's (the ones you took the test drive of) ??
As im planning to book the 525d.
And what do you suggest?
Is it recommendable??
And yes the 18's are dope.
ThankS.

[blackbeast]

congrats man, your write up is as good as your car. i enjoyed reading it. Getting a car without a payment upfront , you must be a well known face in the place wherever you are. Wish you a tons of happy miles

Please do post some pics of rear bench, centre console and the spare wheel in the boot.

[PlatzdaTurbo]

By the way, does the 530D offer individual climate control for the rear seats ? (as in does it have its own temperature knob and blower control ? ) or just the A/C vents.

[suhaas307]

Congratulations! You've got one of the best Bimmers today! The 530d is a stunning piece of kit, you should know! The sensation of having 'arrived' is what this BMW provides, and in dollops!

However, I'd like to ask you something.

When I went through the thread, I'd noticed that you hadn't looked at the other cars available in that price bracket. Did you consider any other car at all, considering the fact that Jaguar has entered the market with their oil-burning XF. I've also heard that the new E diesel is quite a machine! Although it's understandable, since you've had quite a bad experience with Mercedes.

EDIT: P.S. We need more pictures!

[S350L-E240]

GTO, Agreed about the doors they are so light that someones I end up opening and closing them again to confirm they are closed, and coming back to build qualtiy I'm seriously concerned with the glove box and will be taking it to the workshop tommorrow. And true the Getz bit is wierd but then it just was the amount of extreme people we are, and I still stand by what we did.

About the Space Saver, I know what you mean but honestly speaking the boot itself feels small and adding a tyre will just make things worst, but I am going to think of something, Rather I will have to. No matter how good this car is I have to say it's a litle unthoughtful of BMW to force the RFT's on us, and even after that to not leave a Niche for a space is a little uncalled for. While there are no long trips planned soon I do believe BMW should come up with a solution of some kind like maybe tie up with tyre makers who will ensure at certain points across the road network you can get the RFT's?

crashoverride9x, I'll answer until GTO responds, but I do not think he has tested the F10 on 18"s as I believe that is only on the 535i, and honestly speaking the 17" is doing a great job and the car does not feel bumpy as some of the other cars with RFT's but then again GTO can answer this better if at all he drove a car with 18"s. But go for the 525d it's a gorgeous car.

blackbeast, thanks for your compliment, sure makes me blush considering I thought I could not write as well as some others do on the forum. And no not well known, just know the owner very well. And will put up more pictures but coming to the spare wheel in the boot, well there is none and there is no space for any.

Platzaturbo, Nope no individual a/c for the rear which I believe will be made standard in few months including rear view camera, or those options probably could be a part of yearly updates to the car to keep some customers keep coming back and upgrading?

suhaas307, Thank you for the wishes, and about the other options do read my opening post there were none and this was bought without any prior thoughts and trust me I have no regrets, and coming to the W212, take a look at my avatar and you will know I am a die hard Mercedes-Benz guy but the W212 holds nothing compared to the F10 and I am not saying this because I have the F10, I have said it since months do read all posts including those of sales and GTO's reviews. Jaguar is an option I would like to conisder but I do not buy cars that have no dealership in my city, it's just extra bit of a pain.

Coming back to the car can someone please answer the XBOX / PS question? Please help as I have to get it ready before the lady arrives.

Regards,

[Warhound]

How exactly are you going to power the xbox and PS3 in the car ?

[S350L-E240]

Warhound, that is exactly what I am trying to ask in the forum, and also if there is a particular stand available to keep it stable.

Regards,

[nirmalkrishnan]

Congrats on your new monster . Its indeed the perfect 'luxury sedan' .By the way does your 530d come with dynamic damping control ?

Just remapped (claimed 284bhp) my car with superchips so that i can hold up against the new 530d's power.to take the photo without glare just reduce the exposure in your camera like this

[Amey]

Congrats on your new F10 Nice choice. The 530D must be super fun to drive! Miss those paddle shifts on my 525D lol

[petroguzzler]

OT:
@GTO
The Torque offered by modern common rails has made many petrolheads become dieselheads. Team-BHP could aptly be named Team-NM now.

[Dieselite]

hey S350L-E240 !

Incredible machine dude ! Congratulations ! Could you clarify my queries since i am going bonkers over choosing between the Jag XF diesel and 530d highline !

1. Does the 530d come standard with Night Vision?
2. Does the heads-up display come standard?
3. Do the rear screens come standard ? There is a fair amount of confusion about this !

thank you in anticipation !

[S350L-E240]

Amey, Yeah it is a great car to drive but I guess you are only missing a little bit of fun not much to really lose out on as the 525d itself is a great car!

Dieselite, Thanks for the wishes and if you were to blindly as me I would choose the 530d over the Jag XF, it's a little unique on our roads but for me that is not really a deal breaker.

Coming to your points,

1. Nope 530d does not have Night Vision nor is it planned for, future upgrades being looked at are Navigation system and Rear A/C for now.

2. Nope the HUD is not offered not even as an option.

3. Yes the rear screens are standard and I think they are the best in terms of how they are integrated compared to how the E-Class has clumsy looking add on screens.

Let me know if you have any other questions,

Regards,

[M00M]

S350: congratulations on the car. a friend of mine here in mumbai sold his bangle styled 5 series after using it for a year and has bought the new e class and he is very happy about it. infact he feels the mercedes service is better than the bmw. i guess all manufacturers are unreliable. it all depends on the car we get so if it turns out to be a lemon then thats it. as long as we have a good rapport with the dealer its good service.

i personally preferred his bmw to the merc and would someday choose to buy the bmw over a merc. i wish you miles of happy driving. please post some new pictures though. i think current 5 series is a great car except the weird un bmw ish steering set up and yes i hate the fact that we are they are rude enough to plonk the run flats on us. a country where punctures happen daily rft's are not the way to go.