F11 520d - high mileage land barge, ownership thread
Discussion
I've wanted an F11 for so long.
I'm not a rich man & nor do I have any need for such a big car, but I just wanted one - I think they're beautiful! The interior is peak car & if I needed to transport something unfeasibly big I could. I've been a Volvo man all my life, back to my parent's 340 and the S40 I'd owned for 15 years, yet a V70 just never seemed that special. Nothing could tempt me other than an L322, but I refer back to not being a rich man - even then, not sure it's got that much more over an F11 other than presence.
I've probably looked every day for about 3 years on AT etc for an F11, been to see a few and even bailed on what I thought was a dead cert but in the end I couldn't face a black one. And then a car came up with massive miles, just a 2l diesel, around the corner in Bradford and sold by a part-time trader. Price also increased between me ringing up and eventually buying. I also arranged viewing before any photos were added.
So no alarm bells there.
But it turns out so far to be the best purchase I've made. After a few weeks the car is just unbelievable, feels like it's new - not one squeak or rattle. It's also got so many toys (HUD, lane stuff, heated steering wheel) and in just 1500 miles it has a compressor problem and then the soft close driver door has packed in. And that part-time trader in Bradford? All sorted without argument in his own 3 month warranty he gave for this £6k car.
Otherwise, it just quietly and without fuss cruises about town or pelts up the outside lane. I absolutely love the damned thing already. One thing I didn't find much of on my research, was experience of high mileage ownership on here or other forums, possibly because why would you sell one? And if it's an N47 it'll kill itself.
So this is my small effort on a genuine ownership experience. I can't spanner, so it'll be modest on that front.
Chain silent, uses no oil.
So far a pair of Pirelli Cinturato P7 on the front to match the back and in next week for a stage 2 machine polish and interior refresh with a lovely chap. I'd like to swap the seats with rear TVs, for seats without them but lumbar support and maybe sport seats - don't think that needs coding.
I'd like carplay, but am not sure - don't want to cock up the existing system of cameras etc. Otherwise, drive it to visit Dad 300 miles away and also drive to Aldi in supreme comfort.
Meet big blue. Currently on 158k miles
I'm not a rich man & nor do I have any need for such a big car, but I just wanted one - I think they're beautiful! The interior is peak car & if I needed to transport something unfeasibly big I could. I've been a Volvo man all my life, back to my parent's 340 and the S40 I'd owned for 15 years, yet a V70 just never seemed that special. Nothing could tempt me other than an L322, but I refer back to not being a rich man - even then, not sure it's got that much more over an F11 other than presence.
I've probably looked every day for about 3 years on AT etc for an F11, been to see a few and even bailed on what I thought was a dead cert but in the end I couldn't face a black one. And then a car came up with massive miles, just a 2l diesel, around the corner in Bradford and sold by a part-time trader. Price also increased between me ringing up and eventually buying. I also arranged viewing before any photos were added.
So no alarm bells there.
But it turns out so far to be the best purchase I've made. After a few weeks the car is just unbelievable, feels like it's new - not one squeak or rattle. It's also got so many toys (HUD, lane stuff, heated steering wheel) and in just 1500 miles it has a compressor problem and then the soft close driver door has packed in. And that part-time trader in Bradford? All sorted without argument in his own 3 month warranty he gave for this £6k car.
Otherwise, it just quietly and without fuss cruises about town or pelts up the outside lane. I absolutely love the damned thing already. One thing I didn't find much of on my research, was experience of high mileage ownership on here or other forums, possibly because why would you sell one? And if it's an N47 it'll kill itself.
So this is my small effort on a genuine ownership experience. I can't spanner, so it'll be modest on that front.
Chain silent, uses no oil.
So far a pair of Pirelli Cinturato P7 on the front to match the back and in next week for a stage 2 machine polish and interior refresh with a lovely chap. I'd like to swap the seats with rear TVs, for seats without them but lumbar support and maybe sport seats - don't think that needs coding.
I'd like carplay, but am not sure - don't want to cock up the existing system of cameras etc. Otherwise, drive it to visit Dad 300 miles away and also drive to Aldi in supreme comfort.
Meet big blue. Currently on 158k miles
I also have a f11 520d touring (2014) and honestly been one of the best cars I’ve owned. had mine for 5yrs, bought for £11,300 with 95k on it and it’s now up to 177k
I meant to change the oil more often than is recommended, but never actually did and just stick to what the car tells me needs doing. So far only had regular consumable parts- tyres, brakes and suspension that have worn out over time.
when i do finally replace this, it going to be with a G31!
I meant to change the oil more often than is recommended, but never actually did and just stick to what the car tells me needs doing. So far only had regular consumable parts- tyres, brakes and suspension that have worn out over time.
when i do finally replace this, it going to be with a G31!
Agreed the the F10/11 was peak BMW interior they are fabulous, the only issue (for me) with cars of that era is the Dakota leather that most have finding one with M sport cloth/alcantara or nappa is a tough ask.
The point about the Bradford car trader (I know a few) is that everyone gets smeared and the area is written off but that's just wrong, I've bought 3 cars from a used dealer in Keighley (no not that one) and they have all been great and the dealer stands by his cars and runs a very successful business selling cars all over the UK so the PH trope is just that.
Edited by Wills2 on Friday 8th August 08:38
Another happy f11 owner here. That looks great OP and sounds nicely optioned up. Worth mentioning on the CarPlay front that if you opt for something like the andream unit (that’s what I have) you maintain full OE functionality but with the addition of CarPlay. So if I’m using CarPlay and put the car in reverse, it will pause whatever I’m listening to and show me the OE parking display with camera and distance markers etc. You can also use all the normal idrive stuff for checking oil, tyre pressures etc. Highly recommended by me and many others. Not expensive either.
Looks great.
The F11 really suits blue as well.
As for carplay, get a MMI unit (I've got the Mr 12 volt one). It pretends to be a CD but takes over control of the iDrive controller and screen.
It won't mess with any cameras or anything else because as soon as you hit Menu, options or anything else, the screen goes back to the BMW system.
The F11 really suits blue as well.
As for carplay, get a MMI unit (I've got the Mr 12 volt one). It pretends to be a CD but takes over control of the iDrive controller and screen.
It won't mess with any cameras or anything else because as soon as you hit Menu, options or anything else, the screen goes back to the BMW system.
Nice car OP, these have always been on my radar love the lighter interior, run a 320d 2012 same engine (170,000 miles), so while this is still running its staying.
In terms of the engine and timing chains, I have seen these way over 200, even 300k on the same chains and turbos used as taxi's, keep the oil and filter regular and all is well (...usually) - quite easy to DIY also the oil service, if you want to get your spanners out, all easy access.
Good luck with it, will look forward to your updates!
In terms of the engine and timing chains, I have seen these way over 200, even 300k on the same chains and turbos used as taxi's, keep the oil and filter regular and all is well (...usually) - quite easy to DIY also the oil service, if you want to get your spanners out, all easy access.
Good luck with it, will look forward to your updates!
Dannbodge said:
Looks great.
The F11 really suits blue as well.
As for carplay, get a MMI unit (I've got the Mr 12 volt one). It pretends to be a CD but takes over control of the iDrive controller and screen.
It won't mess with any cameras or anything else because as soon as you hit Menu, options or anything else, the screen goes back to the BMW system.
Does mmi not mean no touchscreen though? That’s what drew me to andream type units (on my third now in three consecutive BMW’s). You get all the same functionality, it still looks totally standard, you get touchscreen and it’s cheaper. I might be missing something important about the mmi type units but I just couldn’t see the benefit when I was first choosing. The F11 really suits blue as well.
As for carplay, get a MMI unit (I've got the Mr 12 volt one). It pretends to be a CD but takes over control of the iDrive controller and screen.
It won't mess with any cameras or anything else because as soon as you hit Menu, options or anything else, the screen goes back to the BMW system.
When I had my first child I bought a 318i. I liked the quality and the dynamics but it was dangerously underpowered. With the second child I have upgraded to a 520d (2016, 60k miles).
I can’t believe how good it is, and how much I love it. I’m not normally into this type of car but it is so well designed and judged to do what it does. I would hate to sell it (wife really wants something golf size). It’s not a very PH thing to say but you really don’t need more than the 2.0d - it’s so good with the low down torque. Try and go fast and it has literally no answer but you don’t need to go fast with this kind of car. You can do 90mph fully loaded and be achieving 30mpg. Amazing.
Currently in France with ours - yours looks great and it’s good to know these engines swallow the miles.
I can’t believe how good it is, and how much I love it. I’m not normally into this type of car but it is so well designed and judged to do what it does. I would hate to sell it (wife really wants something golf size). It’s not a very PH thing to say but you really don’t need more than the 2.0d - it’s so good with the low down torque. Try and go fast and it has literally no answer but you don’t need to go fast with this kind of car. You can do 90mph fully loaded and be achieving 30mpg. Amazing.
Currently in France with ours - yours looks great and it’s good to know these engines swallow the miles.
Gad-Westy said:
Does mmi not mean no touchscreen though? That’s what drew me to andream type units (on my third now in three consecutive BMW’s). You get all the same functionality, it still looks totally standard, you get touchscreen and it’s cheaper. I might be missing something important about the mmi type units but I just couldn’t see the benefit when I was first choosing.
Yeah no touchscreen.Personally I don't see the need for a touch screen in the F1x, the screen is too far away to do it safely (for me anyway).
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