One of the petrolheads has a garage with a 15-year age gap between his vehicles - a 2006 Ford Fiesta 1.6 and a 2021 Skoda Superb L&K.

BHPian GForceEnjoyer recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As per the classic Team-BHP tradition dating back to 2019, going strong through 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Please post the best pictures that you have of your vehicle! As specified in the thread title, they must be from 2023 only.

To begin, here's our Superb taking in the view from the side of a beautiful mountain road leading up to Horsley Hills.

Here's our Fiesta looking effortlessly timeless, chilling after a spirited 100-odd kilometre drive to a lake in the middle of nowhere.

Here's a "Superb" picture taken while the sun was getting low over us while at a rest stop on NH-44, during a drive from Pench to Hyderabad.

A picture taken while we had stopped for a drink of refreshing sugarcane juice on the way back from Ellora caves. We definitely needed it to keep cool, especially considering the wonderfully twisty roads that lay ahead!

Got drenched for this picture taken past 12:00 am on a rainy night, but it was absolutely worth it.

Does a picture of only the paint count? This is the Superb's Lava Blue shade in all its PPF-shielded glory.

Here's the Fiesta accompanied by some beautiful machines worth well over 7 times its price. Among this group, a FWD "ultimate driving machine" would be an apt description according to me.

This was the Superb looking all neat and clean as we set out on a monsoon drive to Pandharpur...

...Versus just a few hours later, at our hotel in Solapur. I guess this is proof that our Superb is anything but a garage queen. This picture is representative of all the fun you can have on an impromptu road trip; something we did a lot this year, carrying forward the positive trend from last year. Feels good after barely being able to travel during Covid19.

And to conclude this highly interesting and jam-packed year, here's a picture of both the cars together, from the time we took them both out at once. A 15-year age gap!

It's your turn now, fellow BHPians.

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

Always look forward to this thread, thanks for sharing.

My two favourite 4x4s. Why favourite? Fun, adventurous and most importantly, affordable. I'm a big fan of value-for-money fun machines that are accessible to all (versus say, a 70-lakh Wrangler or 1-crore Defender):

Both are incredibly special machines in their own way & a testament to how far the Indian car scene has come:

My longtime daily driver. 10 years up, and still fast, still luxurious, still terrific to drive, still great looking. A timeless machine:

Driving & Loving:

Open-top cruising in the festival of lights...

More open-top fun while road-tripping:

With my carefully-curated garage:

Between these, media test-drive cars and some others belonging to family / friends, I've driven about 50 cars this year:

A fun-mobile for all ages

Here's what BHPian shankar.balan had to say about the matter:

I LOVE posting pics of my vehicles so this thread is just perfect for me.

Here they are:

• The Gypsy - in the early morning sun in Ooty in Jan 2023 and after getting its Convertible Top in Bangalore in August 2023 and in my Friend’s Estate again in Jan 2023.
• The WRONGLER visiting Coorg (Harangi) in August 2023 and in the Ooty Grasslands in Jan 2023 and at a site in Bangalore in October 2023.
• The Mini in the Nilgiris in October 2023 and in Coimbatore and Valparai in December 2023. Also the Mini and the Mini Mini in Valparai - December 2023.

I am sorry but it struck me that while I have posted my favourite 2023 photo of my Mini with my Mini Mini, I hadn’t posted my second favourite 2023 picture of my Mini (the one at the early morning start with the wisps of exhaust smoke rising up), taken just a few days ago.

Here's what BHPian rahulcmoulee had to say about the matter:

Here are a few shots of my beloved Meteor 350

Here's what BHPian Dr.AD had to say about the matter:

Was eagerly looking forward to this thread. Some lovely photographs here.

Here are my favorite photographs of my cars in year 2023.

My 320d somewhere near Ooty, Tamil Nadu:

At my favorite place, Hampi, Karnataka:

On the hills near Yercaud, Tamil Nadu:

Another shot on the rural roads near Yercaud:

My beloved ride in my beloved land, Goa:

In May 2023, I bought a new Thar Petrol 4x4 AT, and managed several drives and a couple of off-roading days too. Here are a few pictures of my Thar in 2023:

Near Lonavala, Maharashtra:

Overlooking the lovely valley in the monsoon time near Satara, Maharashtra:

At some random trail in Karnataka:

On a hilltop near Yercaud, Tamil Nadu:

Another shot on the hills near Yercaud:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Will a RWD, adaptive suspension, six-cylinder engine and remap provide me with a significantly better driving experience than the Skoda?

BHPian ananbanka recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello, BHPians!

Quick Context:

I am currently driving a Superb 2.0 TSI since 2021, which I feel is amongst the best driving car in my family's garage. The garage has a 2.0 TSI Kodiaq, 2.0P Velar, 2.0 Hybrid Hycross, 1.0 Slavia, and Grand i10 (this is our beater car).

Since the past few months, there's been an itch to drive something with a little more oomph; something that's more thrilling to drive. After moving from looking at a pre-owned TT, to a new Z4 M40i, to waiting for a CLE, to a pre-owned C43, I have finally zeroed in on a pre-owned 530D considering pricing and practicality. The Slavia will be sold in replacement of this 530D.

The Question:

I intend to tune the 530D with G-Power's map bringing the performance figures to 330HP and 700NM. While the BMW is over 200KGs heavier than the Superb, will a RWD, adaptive suspension, six-cylinder engine and remap provide me with a significantly better driving experience than the Superb? Will this sort of a 530D lean more towards entry-level sports car territory?

Also, remapping the Superb is not an option. Nor is buying a pre-owned sports car, or trading / selling any other car than the Slavia from the existing garage. The choice is precisely based on the difference between a stock 2.0 Superb and a tuned 530D!

It'll be great to have inputs from members who have driven both! If the experience is only marginally better, I would wait and invest in another car a little later. I understand that this can be fairly subjective, but would love the inputs!

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

Bud, I got to say, that is one heck of a garage! Well selected cars.

I own both cars, a tuned 530d and a Superb 2.0 TSI. The 530d is way, way more fun, way better crafted, and a lot more fun to drive.

Easily as fast as entry-level sports cars in the real world. That being said:

• G30 530d handles better. It's the best sporty sedan for India.
• F10 530d is more of a luxury sedan that also goes fast. It's got amazing grip levels, but it's soft and you feel the weight / body roll in corners.

Even the newest F10 is anyway too old to recommend as a used buy today. Get the G30 530d - it's a significant upgrade from the Superb in terms of build, quality, interior opulence, handling and has the best 6-cylinder diesel & AT combination in the world. Get your hands on a 6-cylinder diesel before they become extinct. In comparison to the Superb, you will laugh at the cramped rear legroom though.

Also, expand your search to see if you get lucky with a pre-worshipped M340i. Although the 530d will still be more practical (a segment higher, diesel FE on the open road, comfier suspension). But once you rev that M340i on the open road, you are gone… hook, line & sinker.

Here's what BHPian 100Kmphormore had to say about the matter:

I’d say keep the Slavia and sell the Velar, if it’s more than 5 years old and if you can. The Slavia is relatively newer and you have a Kodiaq too in the same segment.

I drove the G30 530d and was in love the moment I gunned the accelerator. Can’t go wrong with it. Compared to the F10 this felt much sportier. I’d say look for an M5 too, that is another beast in the stock form itself.

Here's what BHPian vredesbyrd had to say about the matter:

Get the G30 530D eyes closed. Recently drove a used G30 520D and I am blown away. This was the first time I drove a G30 chassis (have spent most of my selective BMW time around F30s and F10s).

It is exceptionally sorted and the handling is super-precise. Just like everyone has said, F10 is great too but more comfort-oriented.

Imagine a generic labrador vs a show dog. Both have great handling but the latter is a bit sharper.

My observations on the 520D

The good stuff:

• Exceptionally sorted chassis dynamics. Turns at triple-digit speeds would put you to sleep (that planted)
• While the 20D sounds rough, it pulls great. 190PS/400Nm is sufficient and can beat most vehicles on the road
• The ZF8 feels slightly quicker here but maybe I am just imagining things. It loves keeping the engine at around 1500-1800 rpm most of the time which is a great thing (Mahindra could learn).
• Downshifts at the drop of a hat. Full-throttle shifts happen at around 4200 rpm in D. No complaints here
• 360 camera is really helpful as the visibility is poor. Parking sensors all around
• Ground clearance is low but manageable. IDC Road (where Bird Automotive is located) has some terrible spots. But go slow and you won't have any issues
• Ergonomics is sorted. Everything falls right where you want it to. Seats are really comfortable except for the headrest
• The sheer length shrinks around you once you start driving
• Auto Hold is a godsend

The not-so-good:

• The drive mode buttons do not provide the correct tactile feedback. While it is bracketed in F30 and has individual buttons in F10, here it is just a weird surface. Needs muscle memory to use without looking
• The headrest felt weird and uncomfortable. Maybe it is my adjustment or maybe I need a neck pillow
• 360 camera has a mind of its own. Will only show the front view when the button is pressed in a stationary car. Only reversing would show the full 360 view
• Auto Start-Stop is garbage

Basically, if a 20D can make me so happy, I can barely imagine what a 30D will do to me. But not in a position to consider for at least 3-4 years.

Luckily, you can and you should. There are a few like a 530D.

Here are some pictures:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I simply love it and when I find myself in a car with a calf support, I use it even for a 20 min car ride.

BHPian Sahil recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Ottoman Seats are the best thing that happened to rear seat comfort since the introduction of the air suspension decades ago. Infact, they provide more tangible comfort than a cushy suspension does.

In a chauffer driven market like ours, these seats are fast catching on but I think they further need to gather some pace. They now exist in cars right from the GLS Maybach to Toyota Innova Hycross ZX.

This one feature is enough to make a car a hit even if it looks like a 'dabba' aka The Vellfire. Several others have done well in our market such as the Kia Carnival.

From the Sedans currently only the higher end models like the S,7 and A8 offer this. I hope with the new E LWB and 5 LWB due next year, we see this feature catching on.

I simply love it and when I find myself in a car with a calf support, I use it even for a 20 min car ride.

What your take on it?

I hope this poll compels more car makers to explore adding this to their rear seats! Or even front passenger seat like the Nissan Tian did over a decade ago!

Here's what BHPian Shreyas_Jain had to say on the matter:

Frankly, not enough people have had the experience of ottoman seats to have a poll of consequence. This is still a feature beyond the mass market. The closest it has come to being democratised has been the top ZX model of the Innova HyCross. But even that has been a blow hot - blow cold kind of car with its extremely limited availability and overall cost cutting which kills the interior ambiance and feel.

Ottoman seats require a big car with a very long wheelbase and loads of legroom. Indian mass market cars are simply not big enough for this to catch on and become a trend like sunroofs.

Here's what BHPian ron178 had to say on the matter:

Tried them in a Toyota Vellfire and they made the whole experience a lot better.

But in shorter-wheelbase models like the Innova Hycross they can at best improve thigh support when set to their mid-position (feet just below the front seat). Even with the seat as far back as possible, for most people they will be impossible to extend fully without flexing their knees.

Given the option, I would certainly choose "depends on car".

Here's what BHPian Haze had to say on the matter:

As a 6'0" guy, I have tried them in various overnight Volvo buses, and disliked them in every single one of them.

So my vote would have been "Strongly dislike".

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say on the matter:

Can’t say I ever had the pleasure of sitting on such a seat on a car.

However, I do have such a reclining leather seat as a stand alone chair at home.

It has travelled with me all over the world. Nobody sits in my chair other than me. As soon as I sit down and recline the cat will jump in my lap. She knows I ain’t getting up.

My wife and my kids call it my old git chair! I don’t care, super comfy and relaxing

Jeroen

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The new car will be mostly used 1-2 days a week (for city meetings) & for Sunday drives, so require it to be well spaced in the back seat as we are now used to comfort of our S class.

BHPian alashkari recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

This is my first post on Team-BHP. First of all I would like to thank the community for the knowledge i have gained from the last one year since I have gone through various posts.

Last year in October we bought a Tata Harrier Automatic which is my daily driver & a Tata Punch automatic for my wife. We also have a pre-owned Mercedes S class (V221) which we got 2 years back & is mostly used on Sunday drives by me or when my father goes to his meetings outside the city. Extremely happy with the car but have spent close to 6-7 Lakhs for its upkeep. We also have a 14 year old Honda civic which is mostly used once a fortnight by my father just for the upkeep of the engine & the car. Both the S class & Civic are driven by the driver.

Since the last 2 months there is a itch to get a new car as the Mercedes is also 14 years old. Mostly if in the future there are major issues in the car will keep it for its vintage value . The new car will be mostly used 1-2 days a week (for city meetings) & for Sunday drives, so require it to be well spaced in the back seat as we are now used to comfort of our S class. The car will be driven by me + our driver & we both like normal sedate drivers. We like the car to be filled with lot of gizmos as we have the mentality that paying such a hefty amount we want all the features to be available.

We have checked the below car & on further knowledge gained from the forums & other YT videos have deduced the below observations-

• BMW 6GT- Quite a stunner & have reclining rear seats which is a big positive for both my father & myself. Also have rear set screens. Car shall be driven by the driver & myself. The only drawback is that I have read that car shall be discontinued from this year onwards. Got quote for OTR @ Rs. 84 Lakhs.

• BMW 330 GLi- Have read positive reviews on the internet. Have the BMW driving pleasure + rear seat space. The front touchscreen looks amazing. Car luxury feel is not at par with the mercedes.

• Mercedes E class LWB - Good looking & amazing interior but found a lot of semblance to our S class. No USP for us. Got quote of OTR price for Rs. 85 Lakhs.

• Audi A6- Went just for checking the car for the sake of it but came out exteremely happy. Timeless design + Amazing interior + lot of gizmos. Got quote for OTR with Matrix light @ Rs. 77 Lakhs.

• Ioniq 5 - Saw the car on the road & it was mesmerised by the design. Went to the dealership & the car was very unique unlike other cars that we have seen above. Car is full of Gizmos & the rear seat, front seat comfort is quite good. If we go ahead with this car it will be our first EV & then will be our daily driver. Harrier will be relegated to the highway drives. Got quote for On road price of Rs. 48 Lakhs. The only thing is that the car doesn't have the german cars badge value.

We are yet to take the test drive of all the cars listed above.

Request your opinion should we go with the Ioniq or the Audi/BMW.

Thank you!

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

The Ioniq 5 is a phenomenal EV and technologically ahead of most cars that you've listed. It has a big "wow" factor to it and is an all-rounder too, easily useable as a daily driver or on the highway. I think it is one of the best cars you can buy today for 50 lakhs.

If you love it, go for it. But I can tell you that, as great as the Ioniq 5 is, it won't match the sheer quality & luxury of a car like the 6-Series. End of the day, you are comparing the quality of a 50-lakh car with a 90-lakh one. If you want luxury, then the 6-Series is best for you. Whoever owns the car absolutely loves it.

Since you have experience with the S-Class & used cars, I would actually suggest you get a late model W222 facelift model. One of the best S-Class ever made IMHO. A late model W222 will offer you acceptable reliability too.

If you want to spend 50-lakhs, go for the Ioniq 5.

If you want to spend 80 - 90 lakhs, then the new 6-Series or a late model W222.

Here's what BHPian zandot had to say on the matter:

I love my Ioniq5, it is the ultimate daily driver and when it boils down to it, it has more features than my ‘22 5 series. Not only does it drive better, cheaper to run, as luxurious inside, turns more heads and gets more comments from people that have much nicer cars.. but when it boils down to it - a BMW is a BMW.

Are you looking for simple badge value? Then a Hyundai won’t cut it, but if you’re looking for an incredible piece of tech that actually delivers almost everything what an EV should be.

Ultimately would you be happy buying a Hyundai instead of an Audi/BMW?

I personally ended up getting a used 5 series instead of a new one just so I could have the Ioniq too. See how you feel after the test drive, EVs aren’t for everybody. Perhaps you could get a lightly used 6 series/A6 down the line as there are some fantastic deals out there to go with the Ioniq.

Here's what BHPian Actuator had to say on the matter:

From your garage, it is evident that you tend to keep your cars for a long time. Although EVs have captured many enthusiasts' attention, ICE cars, ostensibly in their swansong, are still the purists' choice. While the Ioniq 5 looks futuristic and striking, I don't see it justifying its price tag in the long run, especially with an unproven track record of EVs' battery degradation, replacement timeline and cost. However, if you have your heart set on switching to electric, you could probably check out the Volvo XC40 Recharge which should provide a better badge value in the same price band.

The W214 has already been launched internationally and is expected on our shores next year, so you should probably hold off buying the last-gen facelift. The A6 looks like an ideal proposition and considering the quoted price, seems value for money too.

Here's what BHPian vattyboy had to say on the matter:

If you have a budget for E class or 6 series or A6 then go for one among them. They will provide you with luxury and you will earn some respect from the public on the roads, your relatives and friends.

If you are price-conscious then connect to 3- 4 Audi dealers in your state or nearby states, and you will get a good deal on it surely below 77 lakh.

Here's what BHPian Vijay_T had to say on the matter:

Your garage allows to have Ioniq IMO instead of German sedans.

As many have pointed out,it's badge value is less but you will have fun driving it with all those gizmos available at your disposal along with sheer pulling power.

Ultimately it should be a decision of heart over head when one has such a fantastic garage.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Once you get used to these, it’ll be very hard to justify a new car purchase at any price point.

BHPian GT3 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I would like to share my experience of owning 4 decade old Germans in this thread. I am not well versed in writing an expert review on cars. I will just share my genuine thoughts on the ownership experience of these cars. My dream was to own an E60 530D, but before I could do that I bought 3 other Germans.

Purchase 1: 2006 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI

Our first German car was the Skoda Octavia TDI, which we got from a Dealer. We purchased it in 2013 and sold it in 2015, only because of boredom. It had run 1,10,000 kms when we got it and had it till 1,50,000 kms. It was a 3rd owner's car and was not company maintained, so there was no guarantee regarding the genuinity of the odometer. We took a leap of faith and purchased it. Thankfully it was a fruitful ownership experience and we got to experience first hand the depth of engineering these cars had to offer. Sadly I don’t have any pictures of the car now. Will share in the future if I retrieve any photos.

Pros:

• It is the Innova of the German cars. It will run 5,00,000 kms trouble free even if abused.
• The 1.9 TDI had linear acceleration without any turbo lag. I also like the gruff and crude noise of this engine.
• Fuel efficiency of 18-20 kmpl.
• It just demolishes bad roads with ease and I never slowed down for bad roads like I did with the other cars mentioned below.
• Stable handling with a feelsome steering.
• Built like a tank.
• Excellent VFM as a used buy at that time.
• Cheap maintenance.

Cons:

• The car was too low to the ground, elderly people might have trouble getting in and out. The ground clearance was also an issue.
• Honestly couldn’t think of any other con. I feel the car was way ahead of it’s time when it was launched in India.

Purchase 2: 2011 Jetta DSG

Towards the end of 2019, while still searching for that elusive E60 530D, I also started searching for a well maintained Jetta, Laura, Passat. While browsing through the OLX app(which is my favorite social media and time pass) I came across a doctor owned New Shape 2011 Jetta DSG which was with the 3rd owner. It had run 1,00,000 kms and was fully company maintained. Even though a 3rd owner car might ring alarm bells, it was in an excellent condition and a major service was done. The tyres and battery were replaced recently. I bought the car after getting it inspected at the service center.

I used the car for close to 1.5 years and 20,000 kms and sold it.

Pros:

• Extreme value for money. I bought it at a price less than that of the base model Renault Kwid.
• Excellent engine with a good balance of performance and efficiency. I got an average of 15-16 kmpl.
• Balanced ride and handling.
• Very reasonable maintenance costs.
• Average Reliability.
• Compact size and reasonable ground clearance for a D Segment sedan.

Cons:

• Missing Bluetooth and Reverse Camera in my Model Year.
• Body parts are hard to source.
• The 2011 model, didn't have LED headlights, so it might look like a Vento to some.

Purchase 3: 2010 MB E350 CDI

Towards the end of 2020, since no well maintained E60 530d was available, I also started searching for other 3.0 diesels. Saw a few X5's but did not like them. Then again a doctor owned 2010 MB E350 CDI came up on the radar. It was with the second owner and had run 85,000. Just like the Jetta, the MB was also recently serviced and had its tyres and battery replaced. It was not fully company maintained but the service history was available.

It has run 1,30,000 currently. I might replace it with a L322 Range Rover, W221 S350 CDI, Facelift W212 E350 CDI or the Endeavour 3.2.

Pros:

• Excellent comfort, it feels like you are floating on the road.
• The performance is good, if not excellent for a 3.0 diesel.
• The prestige associated with the 3 pointed star.
• Solid build quality and the car feels like a tank.
• Reasonable VFM. Got it for the price of a mid-variant Ciaz.
• The interiors still look brand new considering it is a 13 year old car.
• It is more suited to our road conditions than the E60.
• Good reliability.

Cons:

• Not a fun to drive car. The engine, gearbox and suspension are suited towards comfort. It might not be a con for the target audience.
• Spares are eye wateringly expensive.
• It is not fuel efficient like the new age 3.0 diesels, I get an average of 8-10 kmpl.
• Body parts are hard to source.

Purchase 4: 2008 BMW 530D

As usual, I was still scanning through OLX and other classifieds, for an E60 530d. Then one fine day, towards the end of 2022 my known contact in KUN BMW, informed me of an E60 530D that had come in for exchange during a used car festival at KUN BMW, Chennai. I immediately went to Chennai the next day from Coimbatore. Saw it, drove it, checked the service history and bought it immediately. It had done 90,000 kms when I saw it. Like my previous purchases, a major service, tyres and insurance were done recently by the previous owner.

It has run 1,00,000 kms currently. I might sell the car, since it is too stiff for the most of our roads, but it is a dream on smooth tarmac. I might replace it with the F10 530D or Panamera or a Cayenne.

Pros:

• A dream to drive on perfect tarmac. No other car comes even close to this at this budget.
• Still looks stylish and contemporary after close to 20 years since it was designed.
• Bomb of an engine and handles like it’s on rails.
• Extreme VFM. Got it for the price of a Middle Variant Swift.
• Average reliability.

Cons:

• Extremely stiff ride which is not suitable for most of our Indian roads. I thought it’ll be manageable, but it’s not, even after replacing the struts.
• Rubber parts are showing signs of ageing, since it’s 15 years old.
• It is not fuel efficient like the new age 3.0 diesels, I get an average of 8-10 kmpl.
• Interiors don’t have the same quality as the Mercs of similar vintage (Though newer BMW's have improved vastly nowadays). There is a huge difference.
• Body parts are hard to source.

My general thoughts after owning 3 old Germans

• These cars are excellent VFM as used buys. Once you get used to these, it’ll be very hard to justify a new car purchase at any price point.

• If you want peace of mind I would suggest getting a car 5 year old German. Even though 10-15 year old cars are reasonably reliable it will not be a rosy path as there will be constant minor niggles. God forbid, there is a fair chance you might end up with a white elephant.

• But if you are someone like me who wants to experience different flavours of cars without hurting the wallet much and you are someone who changes cars frequently and you don’t mind the small niggles and is willing to take the risk, I would suggest getting 10 year old Germans.

• A competent FNG is a must. Otherwise don’t even think about owning a 10 year old German.

• Go for a model that is generally reliable. For example, avoid brands like Land Rover, Jaguar, etc. Also avoid cars with air suspension, as they will entail huge replacement costs. But it is altogether a different story that I am dreaming of owning a L322 Range Rover or the W221 S Class.

• If you are someone who doesn't need the badge value or a 3.0 diesel, I would suggest getting a VW or a Skoda, as they offer 90% of what a BMW or a Mercedes offers, including the Fun To Drive part(but a 3 Litre is a 3 Litre and there is no replacement for displacement).

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Since, I was not very sure, I decided to stay & check the work. He removed the side skirt, managed all sensors carefully, then an old fellow took a heat gun & softened the hanging fiber part.

BHPian anki_252hp recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I bumped my 5 Series into a very low metal railing in a very crowded market in Noida & even though I was just parking & almost crawling, I got my driver side side skirt badly damaged & I was sure I had to get it changed. Attached picture for reference at the end of post.

Next Morning, I called BMW service center & I was quoted 40K for the side skirt & since it was just start of my Insurance, I did not want to give up 1 zero dep claim out of 2 at the start of the policy. So I asked them if they can repair it & they said, they can do it for 13K with some "Repair Kit" which I was not sure about.

I was happy with that but though about just checking some other options, I searched on Google about "Bumper repair shops" as it was a plastic part & found the shop named Lala Bumper Repair ( also known as S & D Automobiles) just opposite of my office.

I just went there to ask if they can repair it, I was not even driving that car so showed him picture & the person who attended me, said they can do it, I will need to show his brother ( who is knows as Lala) and he can definitely fix it properly. But I was not sure as I knew there will be sensors under the side skirts & was not sure if I should get it repaired like that.

Next day, I decided to get it done from BMW itself but since this shop was just few meters away from BMW Deutsche Motors Noida, I just went there to get it checked from the main guy.

Once he saw the damage, he was very sure that he can bring it back to the original shape & convinced me that he has worked on many luxury cars such as BMW, Mers, Audis and more. He also told me that his workshop can repair & paint it to make it just like new. Somehow, after seeing his confidence & as it was an external part, I decided to go for it, He initially quoted 6K for the job but later agreed on 5K which includes paint job too.

Since, I was not very sure, I decided to stay & check the work. He removed the side skirt, managed all sensors carefully, then an old fellow took a heat gun & soften the hanging fiber part. A different guy then did plastic welding to bring it back to original shape.

After that, they fully installed the side skirt to check the alignment which I found unnecessary first, but later I realized alignment can't be checked without installing the side skirt. They had to remove it once again to align it properly.

After this process, I came back to my office & he followed up with me on whatsapp & updated me about the progress. I was very impressed with overall work, his knowledge & professional behavior.

I gave my car around 11AM & got it back on same day 5.30PM.

Location

Things I Liked

• Big Space, can accommodate good no. of cars & office to sit & check the work
• Reasonable Pricing
• Experienced staff with good knowledge of dealing with luxury cars
• On time delivery

Things which can be improved

• Since they don't have a paint booth, you may get some dust particles in paint
• They did not do clear coat on top of paint which would be very good for the car.

I am attaching some pictures of damage, process & final result.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The car was certainly priced at a premium over the market price, but it's always worthwhile to pay the premium at the first instance in return for the peace of mind.

BHPian Jagatvir recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Here's the latest acquisition, is it just another impulsive decision or is it a vehicle that will sketch long lasting memories, only time shall tell.

Like most of us, after some mindless scavenging through the classifieds this beauty propped up for sale, luckily it was within the same vicinity. When I say the same vicinity, it truly was less than a KM away from my residence. Quickly dropped a text and the person who owned the car turned out to be an acquaintance. It's always an added bonus when you know of the owner of the car who's word can be trusted for.

The car in question is a one owner, 2013 BMW 530d M Sport that had run 56,000 KM. The owner of the car had always taken the car to the BMW authorized workshop for each and every service. Heck, even the run flat tyres were ordered and replaced at the dealership itself.

The car was certainly priced at a premium over the market price, but it's always worthwhile to pay the premium at the first instance in return for the peace of mind.

The car is an absolute joy to drive. It's truely incredible that despite being ten years old, most of the elements of the car are very much relevant today. The design has aged really well and it looks fairly contemporary even today.

Enough has already been said about the N 57 inline 6 cylinder engine and the wonderful ZF 8 speed gearbox, both of which work seamlessly together.

Still, the urge to get more power doesn't get satiated so easily.

Would like to get suggestions if I should go ahead with a stage 1 remap. If yes,

What are the possibilities of the reliability being affected?

I'm situated in Chandigarh, who should I get the remap done from?

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Congrats! Our cars are very, very similar (year, colour, odometer reading & even the choice of Team-BHP sticker).

Would suggest enjoying the car first. Put in a couple of months getting to know her & understanding her. There is enough power on tap in stock mode. Then, move onto mods = engine remap, gearbox remap, tubeless tyres (when your current tyres wear out). Other than these, there is not much to do to the 530d. It has everything.

Immediately, what I'd recommend is debadging, sporty black grille, coding & a long highway drive . Many options in the hidden menu. Some which I found very useful are putting the idling start / stop OFF by default, ORVM fold when you long-press the lock button etc. Go to a coder and play around with the options in the hidden menus.

Here's what BHPian avira_tk had to say on the matter:

Congrats on getting a great car with low running from an acquaintance, something only most people wish they could.

The car is serviced at BMW, but according to them, the gearbox is sealed for life, given the car's age, do you think it needs transmission oil change?

Here's GTO's reply:

I have NEVER believed the "sealed for life" claims for any gearbox. If it's mechanical, it requires maintenance. Period.

ZF itself disagrees with BMW as they recommend a fluid change at the 7-8 year mark. I have gotten it done for my car. I forgot how much, but the gearbox took in a lot of oil and there was a special filter etc.

@ ZF-owners, don't miss this crucial maintenance for your lovely gearbox.

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Apart from the all-electric powertrain, BMW will offer the new-gen 5 Series with petrol, plug-in hybrid and diesel engine options.

BMW has announced details of its new-generation 5 Series lineup. The German carmaker also dropped the first official teaser of its fully-electric 5 Series sedan, the i5, while confirming it will be available in both sedan and touring body styles. BMW also confirmed that an all-electric M Performance version will be included in the lineup.

The teaser image depicts the i5 under covers, although its LED headlights can be seen. The image also shows an outline of the large kidney grille up front and the sedan silhouette, which will be identical to the standard 5 Series range. While there will also be an i5 Touring model, it is expected to debut sometime later in 2024. Oliver Sipse, Chairman of Board of Management, BMW AG, confirmed that a fully-electric Performance model from BMW M GmBH, will also be included in the new 5-Series lineup. It will be offered exclusively with a sedan body style.

Apart from the all-electric powertrain, BMW will offer the new-gen 5 Series with petrol, plug-in hybrid and diesel engine options. BMW also claims the new 5 Series will be the most dynamic & comfortable version yet. Inside, the new 5 Series will get the next-gen Curved Display, running BMW's 8.5 iDrive, but could upgrade to the iDrive 9 once introduced.

The new-gen BMW 5 Series will be manufactured in the Dingolfing plant in Germany alongside the 7 and 8 Series. The plant will also manufacture the electric motors and high-voltage batteries of the i5.

Source: CarScoops

I showed my family the BMW range at the dealer showcase in our town. I am very certain that I want a BMW sedan only and will not consider other options.

BHPian ashish2135 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello everyone!

I am so grateful to be posting here finally. We are a family of 7 including my grandmother. Our current garage consists of (2017) Hyundai Creta diesel, (2017) Hyundai Verna petrol, (2018) Maruti Suzuki Baleno petrol and (2021) Tata Safari.

The Creta is the daily driver for my father and me as the seating position is best for him and I love the torque of the diesel engine. My wife usually drives the Baleno for her office commute which is 2 kms daily at max. Safari is used by my brother and me mostly as it is an automatic. Verna is the spare car at home which is used by my mother as per requirement. My parents both hate the high seating position in SUVs. We usually do not keep our cars for long and change within 3-5 years but not necessarily upgrade.

Our annual usage is 5-6k kms at max and mostly within city as everything is within the 5-6km range. Our highway usage increased after getting the Safari but only marginally.

I am the only car nut in the family. For everyone else, any car would do as long as it gets them from point A to point B. It has taken years of cajoling to finally convince my family to get our first German luxury car. Being an enthusiast and a sedan guy myself, I showed my family the BMW range at the dealer showcase in our town. I am very certain that I want a BMW sedan only and will not consider other options.

We test drove the 330Li and the 620d. My elder brother liked the 6 Series better and said that we could consider the 530i as well. I feel that we should stick to the 330Li only even though the 530i would be my dream machine! A little more pushing and we could also start looking at the 530d but I don’t want to get too greedy!

My reasons for sticking with 330Li are:

• Given that it is our first luxury car I do not want to get a more complexed and powerful machine with higher maintenance costs in the future.
• Our low usage doesn’t really justify the stretch to a higher segment vehicle.
• I do not want to unnecessarily increase the budget though the difference is not much.
• 330Li is 70% the same car as a 530i.

I would like the thoughts and inputs of other BHPians on this conundrum.

Here's what BHPian NarediAni7518 had to say on the matter:

The 530i has much better interior quality in comparison to a 330Li. Also, the 530i is a much mature car, it’s more premium and is definitely worth an upgrade. The 530i is not a complex machine by any chance, and the power figures are lesser for the 530i as compared to a 330Li. And the maintenance costs also won’t change much. Remember one thing, the 5-Series is one of the best cars in the world one can get, go ahead with the 5 as it’s your first luxury car, make it a special one.

Here's what BHPian 316kmph had to say on the matter:

Dear Ashish2135,

You will not go wrong with either cars, both are great choices. While like NarediAni7518 mentioned, the 5 series is more premium car, and that too for not much more money, it's at the end of it's life cycle. Whereas the 3 just got it's mid life facelift (LCI) and will be around for a while. The LCI brings in the latest of gadgets, tech and styling. The 3, now is only available as a long wheelbase implying the legroom at the rear is not only class leading, but also more than the 5 possibly. I don't think the will be much between two in terms of ownership costs, but there might be some deals on the 5.

So, it boils down to what you want.

Pick the 3 series for space, latest model and tech, fun to drive (definitely not in same league as the regular wheelbase 3) without much of a compromise, except that you pay next segment money (you get an ES or A6 for similar money).

Pick the 5-Series for a more premium experience (mature ride, refinement, better materials) but an outgoing model, might miss out on a couple of the latest gizmos.

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The car is driven by my uncle who is 60. Just like me, he is a big fan of sedans so has no intention of buying an SUV as he has been recommended by many.

Hello everyone!

The time has come to finally upgrade our 2016 Skoda Superb L&K TDI DSG. The car has done approximately 80k kms and will run out of its add on warranty this month as well. We have been pretty happy with the car so far in terms of its performance and most of all the oodles of passenger as well as luggage space it offers. I believe, it has the largest boot space in its class.

I however cannot say that the car has been as reliable as it should have been in the past 06+ years as it has had its share of failures - AC compressor, fuel pump, window winders, water pump and other minor niggles which were all fortunately covered under warranty.

The car is driven by my uncle who is 60. Just like me, he is a big fan of sedans so has no intention of buying an SUV as he has been recommended by many.

I have told him to specifically to choose between the following in the said order:

• BMW 530i Sport
• Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro (I believe they have discontinued this?). I also feel the Audi might be pretty similar in terms of (VAG) feel to the Superb.
• Mercedes E250 petrol.

I advised him to look at a petrol engine due to the limited running, higher maintenance costs of a diesel car and diesel prices being almost the same as petrol and also I had advised to move to a higher engine spec over the current 2 litre for a better driving experience. The car is driven out of town once a month.

We will begin the hunt for a new car next week so would like your suggestions on what we should consider from the above options.

Here's what BHPian IshaanIan had to say on the matter:

I don't have much experience with cars from this segment especially the new ones but for what it may be worth, I can tell you what I have observed in my circle of friends; more people I know who buy a 5 series, swear by the product and the brand buying the next generation of the car as soon as it comes out, compared to the E or the A6. That said, might a Volvo S90 be a more ideal upgrade from a Skoda Superb considering the price to space value, than the German trio?

Here's what BHPian AJ56 had to say on the matter:

I’m assuming you’re only considering new cars. There are no non 2L petrol engines in the choices you’ve listed, the closest would be the E53 AMG. Also, there is no E250 you have to chose between the E200 petrol and E220d/350d. Same deal with A6, only 45 TFSi with the turbo 2L engine currently on sale.

A6 is not as quick as the 5 and neither does it handle corners as well as the 5 and it’s FWD so that should be the first elimination. S90 is a dated design and if cabin ambience is important nothing can touch the E class among these. Don’t forget Lexus ES, best exterior design I find next to the G30 5 series, unfortunately it’s limited to 180 km/hr so don’t buy if that’s important to you (so is the S90 for that matter).

There’s also the Jag XF but again that’s quite an old design now and nearing its end of lifecycle. To me it’s between the 530i M sport and E200 (as you rightly don’t want any diesel). E has a better ride (plusher) but is also slower by over a whole second 0-100 and due to its LWB is lumpy around corners, 530i is faster and handles better but doesn’t have the interior ambience the E has. Test drive both and decide.

Here's what BHPian iliketurtles had to say on the matter:

Hiya! Always a fun feeling to go car shopping, isn’t it?

Going through your post, I sense your weariness with your Škoda’s reliability (or the lack of it), and sense you want a modicum of reliability from the next ride.

With that in mind, I think the 530i should be a top pick for you. Fantastic build quality inside out, adaptive suspension works a charm, won’t leave you wanting for features, and the 5 year BSI/warranty plans makes owning one of these an absolute breeze. A calm cruiser that can quickly get its freak on when you want to put the hammer down.

The only fly in the ointment IMO is the space at the back, which, while acceptable, might not be up to the mark for your use case (4-5 people on board when touring). Only you can tell if it has enough space for your needs. If the 530i doesn’t, give the 330 LI a dekko.

And since you’re still evaluating cars, do check out the Lexus ES300 too. It doesn’t have the driving verve of the 5, but as a city car plus highway cruiser, it is excellent. And Lexus’ reliability and service standards are legendary for good reason.

Those would be my top few picks from your list. By all means check out the Audi, but I’m not sure your uncle would want to remain under the VAG umbrella, and I’d personally pick the 5 over the E, all things considered.

Happy hunting!

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