I think it's about time i responded in here about the 525D i was looking at a couple of weeks ago.
I originally posted in here about it not for approval, but because i liked it, then i got all the 'impulse purchase, get a 530d or a newer 520d etc etc from Fox and his sheep (there were a couple of exceptions).
I had put a £500 deposit on the 525D a week after i had looked at it and test driven it, i had been looking over, and i have to admit, i was a little put off after it turns out it has projector headlights rather than xenons, that said, xenons weren't on my 'must have' list either.
I went to the BMW dealer last Monday ready to cancel the order and sacrifice my deposit after the nae sayers on here. I went through the whole BMW AUC catalogue in the showroom looking at newer 520D M sports, looking at 530D M sports etc, but there was not one car that matched what I wanted, i even tested a 520D M sport (15 plate) on site to compare but the long and short of it was, the 525D was what i wanted, it was the perfect example for me, the interior i would choose if i was buying new, the pro nav was essential for me, but the standard kit you get on the 5 series is plenty anyway. I'm not bothered about a HUD, don't even know what adaptive suspension does, tbh, not bothered. not bothered about Harmon Kardon either, to me, the sound is fine (i don't listen to loud music). It's quick enough (0-62 in 7s), economical (57mpg). The interior is like a brand new car, not a crease in the leater, not a mark on it. I took it out for a drive again with an open mind, this was with the xenons in mind and the fact i could choose any other car on the AUC network within budget. Fact is, there were no others with that interior (the most important factor for me), within my monthly budget, offering the warranty and the service package on a car i have taken a liking to.
Anyway, i expressed my concern with the lack of xenons even though i decided this was the car i wanted, they obviously wouldn't replace them, but they offered me another £200 off, and to replace the H7's with some BMW 'upto 105% brighter' bulbs, in the end, i decided i was buyin the car for myself and my partner (who loves it too), not for you lot
, so i signed on the dotted line and bought it. I wouldn't say it was impulsive, it was instinctive, it's everything I want and need in a package.
I've had the car for a week now, it's
****ed down every day since i bought it so i haven't had chance to enjoy it or even wash the immaculate bodywork yet. I've driven about 150 miles so far and i can honestly say i'm not dissapointed in any way, it's a much nicer drive than the current 520D, it's much smoother, if you didn't know it was 4 cylinders, you wouldn't be able to tell, it's more refined than my A6 2.7 was. The inside makes me smile everytime i get in, the pro nav looks great and voice control works pretty well. My only gripe is you can't remote open the boot without unlocking the car first. Literally, that's my only niggle.
So, anyway, there you go, if you don't like it, that's your problem, i love it
Couple of pics - not the best but it's not stopped raining
Just to disappoint Fox even more...
I'll get some better pics when the weather improves.