BMW and M Power Owners

I originally intended on getting an Audi A4 black edition. Even this is leagues better than the A4. I'm paying £320 / month for this. An extra £2.5k for a 530D would be another ~ £50 a month over 4 years. More than i want to pay. But then, hell, why not just pay an extra £30 a month and get a 535D? You have to draw the line somewhere. I'm happy paying £320 a month, i wouldn't be happy paying £370 a month.

I'm being sensible leaving myself in a position where i can still save a good amount of money a month, i still have a nice car, i don't have to worry about unexpected bills for the next 2 years, and then, i'll still be in a position to get another warranty at a decent price to cover the 2 years after that. For what i've paid, i believe i have a decent car at a decent price, so it doesn't have xenons, (as i've been informed). I've never had them before so i'm not going to miss them. I've got the most important (to me) features i was looking for.

If i really wanted, i could retrofit the xenons for ~£2k and still be under £25k for the car.
 
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Retrofitting xenons would be a complete waste of money, surely? £2k would've bought you a better car!

If low miles really means that much to you, then enjoy it. I wouldn't be happy spending that much on that car just because it's got low miles. As long as it's under 60k for the cheap BMW warranty, sod it.
I personally would've got something with a lot more spec, but just as well everyone's different. Just be glad that all the spec you want seems to be standard on the F10 :p
 
Ask if you can test drive it after 5 p.m and try and find some dark country lanes. It might change your mind...

I swear BMW make their halogen lights purposely rubbish so that people upgrade
 
I'm currently driving a 64 plate 1 series m sport with halogens. It's no different to what I'm used to it the audi.
 
If all you wanted was 'no different to my Audi' and you are happy that what you never had you cannot miss why buy a 24 grand car in the first place?

When most people upgrade they want something better otherwise why bother. Part of the appeal of a car like this is modern tech and being happy with a 4 cylinder one you were in a good position to get a really good one for your budget. As I said when you first linked to it you could probably get a brand new one for that 'monthly cost' as they are available with heavy discounts - a new 520d M Sport auto with similar or better spec is just under 30k, a 525 just over. This translates into similar monthly payments if that's how you prefer to look at things.

The price of some of these used ones is too close to discounted new price to make any sense. Its odd how much they still cost used.
 
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You can lead a horse to water...

I don't think we're trying to wee on your parade so to speak, but there's 5 series coming up every day and for what you are paying you could get a better spec car.

Fair enough 525D's don't come up as often as 520 or even 530's but it was about 2 weeks between me deciding I wanted an F11 and one coming up within my budget and min spec requirements (And actually slightly above it)
 
I don't understand why anything without xenons is such a no-go for some of you on here. Yes xenons provide a cleaner, brighter light and look nicer, but halogens work fine and certainly should not be the deciding factor in buying a particular BMW or not.

I have an X3 with halogens and 330 with xenons and both provide enough light to see where I'm going (although the low beams on the 330 are angled a bit too low but that's nothing to do with the type of bulb).
 
I've had loads of cars with Halogens that were fine.

The halogens on my 330D LCI felt dangerous at times. To be fair I probably could/should have spent £30 to change the bulbs though.


Edit - Exactly that - Now imagine that 330 with halogens instead of Xenons angled really low on the road!
 
wez130 said:
OK, apart from xenons, what else am I missing that I apparently 'need'?
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Adaptive cruise, HUD, ventilated comfort seats, sun roof, rear entertainment, lane assist, night vision, comfort access, dynamic drive, surround view and sports auto. Oh, and Individual extended leather.
 
It does make me laugh that you knew so little about the car you were buying that you thought it had Xenons, and then justified it by saying "Oh well, only £2k to add them later if I fancy" :eek:
 
[TW]Fox;28767560 said:
If all you wanted was 'no different to my Audi' and you are happy that what you never had you cannot miss why buy a 24 grand car in the first place?

When most people upgrade they want something better otherwise why bother. Part of the appeal of a car like this is modern tech and being happy with a 4 cylinder one you were in a good position to get a really good one for your budget. As I said when you first linked to it you could probably get a brand new one for that 'monthly cost' as they are available with heavy discounts - a new 520d M Sport auto with similar or better spec is just under 30k, a 525 just over. This translates into similar monthly payments if that's how you prefer to look at things.

The price of some of these used ones is too close to discounted new price to make any sense. Its odd how much they still cost used.
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The main thing I wanted in this car that I didn't have in the audi is good music options, the ability to play music over Bluetooth, DAB, My audi had none of that. The mmi is dated. Apart from that I liked my audi but it's getting old and starting to cost money, it's getting electrical niggles, vibrations under acceleration. Not everybody has the same requirements in a car. This car (apart from xenons) is how I'd spec it up. Yes I'm a bit disappointed knowing it doesn't have xenons but I've paid a deposit to hold the car now, and it's not worth losing that over some lights. I still like the car very much and tbh, lack of xenons isn't a deal breaker for me. Again, I still haven't paid over the odds. As for buying new, surely they are going to be base level models with options like pro navigation etc adding quite significantly to the monthly cost.
 
mjt said:
Adaptive cruise, HUD, ventilated comfort seats, sun roof, rear entertainment, lane assist, night vision, comfort access, dynamic drive, surround view and sports auto. Oh, and Individual extended leather.
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LOL, and I NEED all that! I don't want to spend 500 a month on a car.

I had a list of requirements that I wanted and I've met every single one bar 4wd. Xenons weren't even in that list.
 
I picked up the M5 yesterday. Few initial thoughts...

It's a very different car to the RS6. In the wet it's very lively even with the traction control on full. It's very hard to get the power down whereas the RS6 in rain, shine or snow can use every inch of its performance. When I test drove it in the dry it was very quick indeed. Hopefully the weather improves soon.

The interior is gorgeous. It's the first time I've driven an F10. The layout is so logical and ergonomic compared to the Audi, even the C7 lags way behind.

Fox, you're right about the headlights. Sorry web130.

Harmon Kardon sound is definitely a worthwhile upgrade. Much sweeter and more musical than the Bose in the RS.

Looks.... I don't love it, I don't hate it.

Ride and body control are fantastic. Not too firm, not too soft. Perfect for road use. We'll see how it copes with the Nurburgring in the new year.

Economy. I managed 25mpg last night at motorway speed. 13.8mpg on my 9am commute compared to 8mpg in the RS, mostly thanks to stop start I'm sure.

I'll post a proper review in a couple of months if anyone is interested.
IMG_2601.JPG
 
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