See edit, not available on the M5. I would've liked active cruise. It's not there because the button space is used for the "M" button. Probably other reasons too. But then, the driving that it will do see's little in the way of cruise control anyway (especially any need for active cruise). Pretty sure not having park assist would make surround view rather pointless!
F10 BMW 535D
- Thread starter Styles
- Start date
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Sorry, i've only really skimmed this thread. If you're moaning that there is an annoying "M" button where the active cruise control button should be, and that the M5 doesn't have park assist - the M5 is well and truly not for you.
On the other hand, that doesn't mean a very very expensive 535i is either.
On the other hand, that doesn't mean a very very expensive 535i is either.
Don't let these *******s bully you into a car you'll never fully utilise. You sound like a gadget man so get a car with all your gadgets, **** the minor difference in depreciation at this bracket and get the car you are happy with even if it ends up losing you an extra few k in the round about. If you wanted an M5 you wouldn't need these guys to persuade you.
I see your point but surely gadgets a plenty are his thing and the M5 has plenty.
The best gadget of them all though is that engine and it's ability - when & if the mood takes you - to transform the driving experience.
A friend of my sister nearly bought a similar very very high spec e60 550i because he loved the gadgets ultimately though opted for an ex demonstrator M5 with a silly amount of options ticked mainly from a price comparison point of view yet found himself absolutely loving it.
I don't think he's ever pressed the magic button to wake it up mind you,tbh he's not a press on driving type at all,but, to him at least the very fact it has that almost ultimate gizmo button sat on the dash is more than enough!
The M is IMO something to consider at this price bracket, not necessarily for it's speed more that the whole car itself - as an M5 - is something of a sence of occasion, something no gadget laden 535d would or could ever be.....
Not that I need to tell you that as somebody who's had one I'm sure!
The best gadget of them all though is that engine and it's ability - when & if the mood takes you - to transform the driving experience.
A friend of my sister nearly bought a similar very very high spec e60 550i because he loved the gadgets ultimately though opted for an ex demonstrator M5 with a silly amount of options ticked mainly from a price comparison point of view yet found himself absolutely loving it.
I don't think he's ever pressed the magic button to wake it up mind you,tbh he's not a press on driving type at all,but, to him at least the very fact it has that almost ultimate gizmo button sat on the dash is more than enough!
The M is IMO something to consider at this price bracket, not necessarily for it's speed more that the whole car itself - as an M5 - is something of a sence of occasion, something no gadget laden 535d would or could ever be.....
Not that I need to tell you that as somebody who's had one I'm sure!
Last edited:
I just think people run away with spec because having spec is perceived as 'kudos' (Reminds me of those posts you get on other forums where people post about how they have a car thats FULLY LOADED in block capitals) and end up adding things that has no real value beyond being able to tell your mates down the pub that you've got XYZ option. Things like night vision and, lets be honest here, gadgets for rear seat passengers are firmly in that bracket. Best to either save the money or spend it on other options you've neglected because they don't sound cool enough.
The comedy priced B&O audio system has to be the worst con on the F10 options list right now, I can't imagine why anyone would spec that? It's £3300 and it's car audio, it's never going to satisfy the audiophile with a high end home system and for everyone else the 900 quid Harmon Kardon system is surely a decent enough upgrade.
Ditto self park. A fantastic option worth showing your mates, a bonus if it's there on a used car but not worth your own money. Also 4 zone AC. Really? Whats the point? What real benefit is there - thats worth hundreds of pounds to you - for having the ability to allow a rear seat passenger to have a temperature that's 2c different to the temperature on the same side in the front? The 5 Series, as standard, will pump climate controlled air into the rear. It's fine, it really is.
And the TV function? Really?
Yet some of the options on the list are genuinely useful - surround view is absolutely fantastic, a huge bonus, and worth the extra 200 quid over the cost of a reversing camera. Sports Automatic transmission - the BEST £150 you will EVER spend over the cost of the regular transmission.
Heck even the leather dash at a grand will probably make more of a difference to your daily driving life than the equivalent money on random stuff instead.
The comedy priced B&O audio system has to be the worst con on the F10 options list right now, I can't imagine why anyone would spec that? It's £3300 and it's car audio, it's never going to satisfy the audiophile with a high end home system and for everyone else the 900 quid Harmon Kardon system is surely a decent enough upgrade.
Ditto self park. A fantastic option worth showing your mates, a bonus if it's there on a used car but not worth your own money. Also 4 zone AC. Really? Whats the point? What real benefit is there - thats worth hundreds of pounds to you - for having the ability to allow a rear seat passenger to have a temperature that's 2c different to the temperature on the same side in the front? The 5 Series, as standard, will pump climate controlled air into the rear. It's fine, it really is.
And the TV function? Really?
Yet some of the options on the list are genuinely useful - surround view is absolutely fantastic, a huge bonus, and worth the extra 200 quid over the cost of a reversing camera. Sports Automatic transmission - the BEST £150 you will EVER spend over the cost of the regular transmission.
Heck even the leather dash at a grand will probably make more of a difference to your daily driving life than the equivalent money on random stuff instead.
Had my XJ for 4 months now and the TV, quad zone climate and heated and cooled rear seats hasn't been used once in that time. Great that it all came with the car being a used car and all, but I would never pay for it out of my own money.
Some people do get a bit carried on the box ticking, you are right, although taking a slightly sensationalised stance I agree with your point. The self park I would say helps the car in the used market (although most new owners simply part-ex) or is for a family member who has trouble. The night vision is something I would absolutely LOVE to have I'm not ashamed to say, makes the kid in me smile 
Some things seem pointless and expensive but most are extortionate with this level of manufacturers anyway although I agree the B&O is in the brochure just for chumps.
To some people the initial price doesn't matter too much when it's such an important daily item, spec what they need on a nice decent engined luxury cruiser with toys to keep them happy, but to then step up to a performance car with the compromises and extra bills/maintenance when there's no love to utilise the cars potential seems more of a waste.
Some things seem pointless and expensive but most are extortionate with this level of manufacturers anyway although I agree the B&O is in the brochure just for chumps.
To some people the initial price doesn't matter too much when it's such an important daily item, spec what they need on a nice decent engined luxury cruiser with toys to keep them happy, but to then step up to a performance car with the compromises and extra bills/maintenance when there's no love to utilise the cars potential seems more of a waste.
Last edited:
Having said that I'm driving a 520d M Sport Plus at the moment with Harmon Kardon in it and frankly it doesnt sound much difference to my base audio system. Perhaps I am tone death, but my parents have the Professional system in their F11 and that sounds good.
The HK set up sounds great, I think the problem is BMW haven't had a speaker system like the Range or others for those posh twonks but it was always sufficient for the masses until the last decade or so. The bad point is that BMW didn't up the standard set-up with the inflated scale it needed and now provide a few different 'badge' set-ups to fill the boxes (and make them some change, granted).
A decent upgrade to the professional and then perhaps a high end system for the 'elite' should be more than enough.
A decent upgrade to the professional and then perhaps a high end system for the 'elite' should be more than enough.
The one thing I can solely disagree on, is the audio. The HK is fine, but the B&O unit is simply stunning. Spending 2.5 hours in a car, for me, audio is an absolute must. Having heard all 3 systems, and let's be honest, the standard BMW system is only just getting there, the HK had no shape, but the B&O unit left nothing to the imagination, even if it was MP3. 
You also can't get the leather dash on the M5 unless you speck the extended leather package. A nice £5k upgrade
You also can't get the leather dash on the M5 unless you speck the extended leather package. A nice £5k upgrade
I would go maybe so far to say it has virtually zero impact in the used market.
Nobody who has trouble parking so much they need an automated system to exclusively parallel park for them goes "I know, let's buy a 5 metre long 5 Series"
I reckon in London it would probably make a bit of a difference.
With the number of houses that only have on street parking in busy roads it becomes a chore to parallel park everywhere you go.