F11 523i

Skidder

Skidder

Skidder

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Anyone driven the F10/F11 523i?

I've seen one locally and might go for a test drive. I have an E61 pre LCI 523i which I find a little uninspiring but it is a manual SE and the new (i know now replaced by the 4 pot turbo) 523i does have better power output.

My one has around 170hp and the new one is around 204hp I think so should feel a bit more interesting to drive.

I don't want a 520d and this seems like an upgrade. It's an M sport with quite a few extras.

My alternatives are a 530d gt which gives me a better engine but less practical boot with dogs. Or an older X5. The F11 m sports looks lovely. Anyone driven one / have a view?
 
It's the same engine as the one in my parents previous 525i. Whilst it was never 'wow, this is fast' it was never 'crikey, this is slow' either. Perfectly adaquete (in the context of a 5 Series, it is for example considerably swifter than a Focus 1.6!) in the performance stakes. It does not, however, offer sufficiently more power to make it 'more interesting to drive' if you were dissapointed by your 170bhp 523i.

It is fitted with the N53 engine which gives you really rather fantastic fuel economy figures at the expense of reliability, though with an F10 I'd imagine you'd keep the warranty up so no issues there.
 
[TW]Fox;22367440 said:
It's the same engine as the one in my parents previous 525i. Whilst it was never 'wow, this is fast' it was never 'crikey, this is slow' either. Perfectly adaquete (in the context of a 5 Series, it is for example considerably swifter than a Focus 1.6!) in the performance stakes. It does not, however, offer sufficiently more power to make it 'more interesting to drive' if you were dissapointed by your 170bhp 523i.

It is fitted with the N53 engine which gives you really rather fantastic fuel economy figures at the expense of reliability, though with an F10 I'd imagine you'd keep the warranty up so no issues there.
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I've learnt the hard way in terms of letting the warranty lapse on the E61 just before the gearbox went pop. That won't be happening again.

I'm not sure I need wildly more power it's more the idea of a bigger engine as I was set on a 530d gt. The reality though is a lot of short journeys which I am not sure the diesels are suited to. I do also like the smoothness of mine.

As you know the market's flooded with 520ds and I just can't do it. I test drove one and didn't feel special. Not sure how often I've actually needed more power than I have, when can you use it really:p

The car is a really nice spec, m sport: 19" M Double-spoke style 351M alloy whee
Ext. mirrors - folding. auto dimming
Fineline Anthracite wood
Media package - BMW Professional
Metallic paint
Roof rails. High-gloss Shadowline
Seat heating. front
Sport automatic transmission
Sun protection glass
Visibility package

Anything major missing from that?

I'm really struggling. I much prefer the look of the F11 to the GT and the practicality, the X5 has its merits in terms of practicality. Making me very indecisive which isn't normally a trait of mine!

Don't think I'll find a 530i or 530d anywhere near the £25-26 bracket but may be a 525d.
 
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There's one with a virtually identical spec and mileage for around 3k more at another nearby dealer. I'm tempted to get this bought:) I'd probably even choose the colour combo or very similar if i was buying new.
 
It's great.

I believe somebody in another thread has just paid about £7000 more for a 2011 F11 that looks identical to that... becuase its a diesel.
 
The are a lot of these around now after BMW had a bought of discounting them hard but I wouldn't (actually didn't) chose one over the F10/F11. Nice cars, just ugly from some angles and look big but not in a good way.
 
I came really close to buying a GT twice before but something is holding me back. They are great inside but agree they are a bit of a struggle from the outside. My wife isn't too keen on the GT either.

It's basically go for the car I really like with a more modest engine but more practicality (the F11), a car I am a bit torn on with a better engine but to be honest pretty rubbish for my dogs in the GT, or an older x5 which will have plenty of power, space and third row seating as a bonus but not sure I want the 4x4 aspect 99% of the time (and they are ten a penny around here). Grrrrrrrr
 
Knew after reading what Housey put that without reading the link it was going to be a 5 series GT. :p
 
[TW]Fox;22367733 said:
It's great.

I believe somebody in another thread has just paid about £7000 more for a 2011 F11 that looks identical to that... becuase its a diesel.
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Less than £5000 more I believe. But wow that 523i is amazing value, I might keep my eye on those.
 
Although the GT has a bigger luggage capacity with the seats down than the Touring, it's not as practical due to the slope of the rear window. IMO, the Touring will be much more practical for dogs. The 523i you posted looks much nicer too.

My dad complains that the GT is just too big and long.
Car parks can be a nightmare, especially tight underground ones, and parking on the street can be a pain too apparently.

I don't have the dimensions to hand, but the GT does have a longer wheelbase.
Having said that, with the rear wheel steer the turning circle is excellent :p
 
Em3bbs said:
Less than £5000 more I believe. But wow that 523i is amazing value, I might keep my eye on those.
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was that for the 530d that someone got?

Have someone pricing up a 528i for me at the mo (more money but hoping they are keen to shift it) - it's the original F11 528i so 6 cylinders not the 4 pot turbo
 
That 523i is awesome value and a nice spec too. Didn't SDK spend about that for a new 118i? I know what I'd rather have! :D
 
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