Tell me about BMW F10 535i
Discussion
As above, and that particular model. During my usual quick browse of Autotrader I noticed these are becoming ever more affordable and for me they are the quintessential BMW saloon car, big six, smooth power, excellent ride/handling compromise and last of the 'old school' vibe. And, maybe the last really classy looking BMW saloon? What goes wrong?
Having come to same conclusion to you, all be it last year, I started looking for the F11 535i. I need the practicality of an estate but the same merits still apply.
I wanted the most modern 5er that still had buttons and knobs instead of a touchscreen and kept at least some semblance to older versions.
I wanted a late low mileage car which will hopefully keep me going for a good while. I was lucky finding a Jap import with less than 50k miles and was a late 2017 car so one of the very last made and has a unicorn spec list. My Readers ride thread is here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Going with the principle that a late model car has had much of the models niggles ironed out during the lifecycle….hopefully.
The engine is super smooth and very quiet and driving it is a pleasure. Whilst not the fastest or nimblest of cars it is still a great place to be and covers big miles with ease.
I think regular oil changes are the most important factor to having a reliable motor (like most cars i guess). So a comprehensive service history would be a must i feel. There are plenty of tuning options for the N55 and they seem to handle more power without too much added jeopardy, though I'm happy keeping mine stock as it’s enough for my needs. Try to find the best specced car as it makes all the difference to how nice the car will feel. VDC variable damper control is a sought after option as this helps the ride especially if running on runflat tyres and 4 wheel steer is nice for making car parking a doddle. As they can be kitted out pretty much upto a 7 series standard there is a lot of options available but I found U.K. cars we’re usually lacking which was a plus for the jap import route as these tend to be better equipped and also much better condition underneath than a U.K. car. Happy hunting, I’m sure you will find one that ticks your list of requirements.
I wanted the most modern 5er that still had buttons and knobs instead of a touchscreen and kept at least some semblance to older versions.
I wanted a late low mileage car which will hopefully keep me going for a good while. I was lucky finding a Jap import with less than 50k miles and was a late 2017 car so one of the very last made and has a unicorn spec list. My Readers ride thread is here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Going with the principle that a late model car has had much of the models niggles ironed out during the lifecycle….hopefully.
The engine is super smooth and very quiet and driving it is a pleasure. Whilst not the fastest or nimblest of cars it is still a great place to be and covers big miles with ease.
I think regular oil changes are the most important factor to having a reliable motor (like most cars i guess). So a comprehensive service history would be a must i feel. There are plenty of tuning options for the N55 and they seem to handle more power without too much added jeopardy, though I'm happy keeping mine stock as it’s enough for my needs. Try to find the best specced car as it makes all the difference to how nice the car will feel. VDC variable damper control is a sought after option as this helps the ride especially if running on runflat tyres and 4 wheel steer is nice for making car parking a doddle. As they can be kitted out pretty much upto a 7 series standard there is a lot of options available but I found U.K. cars we’re usually lacking which was a plus for the jap import route as these tend to be better equipped and also much better condition underneath than a U.K. car. Happy hunting, I’m sure you will find one that ticks your list of requirements.
Philv8s said:
Having come to same conclusion to you, all be it last year, I started looking for the F11 535i. I need the practicality of an estate but the same merits still apply.
I wanted the most modern 5er that still had buttons and knobs instead of a touchscreen and kept at least some semblance to older versions.
I wanted a late low mileage car which will hopefully keep me going for a good while. I was lucky finding a Jap import with less than 50k miles and was a late 2017 car so one of the very last made and has a unicorn spec list. My Readers ride thread is here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Going with the principle that a late model car has had much of the models niggles ironed out during the lifecycle .hopefully.
The engine is super smooth and very quiet and driving it is a pleasure. Whilst not the fastest or nimblest of cars it is still a great place to be and covers big miles with ease.
I think regular oil changes are the most important factor to having a reliable motor (like most cars i guess). So a comprehensive service history would be a must i feel. There are plenty of tuning options for the N55 and they seem to handle more power without too much added jeopardy, though I'm happy keeping mine stock as it s enough for my needs. Try to find the best specced car as it makes all the difference to how nice the car will feel. VDC variable damper control is a sought after option as this helps the ride especially if running on runflat tyres and 4 wheel steer is nice for making car parking a doddle. As they can be kitted out pretty much upto a 7 series standard there is a lot of options available but I found U.K. cars we re usually lacking which was a plus for the jap import route as these tend to be better equipped and also much better condition underneath than a U.K. car. Happy hunting, I m sure you will find one that ticks your list of requirements.
Thanks man, appreciated. Your car is stunning. I wanted the most modern 5er that still had buttons and knobs instead of a touchscreen and kept at least some semblance to older versions.
I wanted a late low mileage car which will hopefully keep me going for a good while. I was lucky finding a Jap import with less than 50k miles and was a late 2017 car so one of the very last made and has a unicorn spec list. My Readers ride thread is here https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Going with the principle that a late model car has had much of the models niggles ironed out during the lifecycle .hopefully.
The engine is super smooth and very quiet and driving it is a pleasure. Whilst not the fastest or nimblest of cars it is still a great place to be and covers big miles with ease.
I think regular oil changes are the most important factor to having a reliable motor (like most cars i guess). So a comprehensive service history would be a must i feel. There are plenty of tuning options for the N55 and they seem to handle more power without too much added jeopardy, though I'm happy keeping mine stock as it s enough for my needs. Try to find the best specced car as it makes all the difference to how nice the car will feel. VDC variable damper control is a sought after option as this helps the ride especially if running on runflat tyres and 4 wheel steer is nice for making car parking a doddle. As they can be kitted out pretty much upto a 7 series standard there is a lot of options available but I found U.K. cars we re usually lacking which was a plus for the jap import route as these tend to be better equipped and also much better condition underneath than a U.K. car. Happy hunting, I m sure you will find one that ticks your list of requirements.
Edited by biggbn on Tuesday 28th October 06:11
I have had my 2012 F11 535i since July last year and based on my experience so far I would say buy one! 
They have a fantastic blend of comfort and performance, and even with the firmer M-Sport suspension on mine I don't find it overy crashy or filling loosening, and I enjoy every drive in it. It currently has 141K miles on the clock but it looks and feels half that as it has been very well looked after, backed up by a decently thick folder of service and maintenance invoices.
RC thread here, although there's not much in it yet as I've mainly just been driving it. Note to self: Really need to get the thread title changed
They have a fantastic blend of comfort and performance, and even with the firmer M-Sport suspension on mine I don't find it overy crashy or filling loosening, and I enjoy every drive in it. It currently has 141K miles on the clock but it looks and feels half that as it has been very well looked after, backed up by a decently thick folder of service and maintenance invoices.
RC thread here, although there's not much in it yet as I've mainly just been driving it. Note to self: Really need to get the thread title changed
Also noticed the 7 series is now quite affordable, even higher mileage G11s are relatively affordable. A 740Li or 730d would be eminently sensible for two people and a 40 mile commute, wouldn't it?
A late model F01 might be a safer bet than an early G11 though..always thought run out cars are the most reliable versions of any model...
A late model F01 might be a safer bet than an early G11 though..always thought run out cars are the most reliable versions of any model...
Where it's only the two of you, the actual 6 series is a very good option & they're not as (like the 7 series) popular as the 5 series.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510297...
GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510086...
640d:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505272...
d GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502209...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508135...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510297...
GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510086...
640d:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505272...
d GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502209...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508135...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 2nd November 15:13
Like PhilV8s I went for a Touring early this year which had been imported from Japan. It’s been great so far. I’ve done 15k miles since March. It’s beautifully comfortable but the real surprise is excellent performance in the twisties… I was expecting a boat having been used to lighter, smaller cars.
Mine is 2013 and was absolutely pristine underneath at 45k miles. Those Japanese seem to know how to care for a car. It’s currently having an underbody protection applied as the UK won’t be as kind to it.
Let me know if any specific questions!
Mine is 2013 and was absolutely pristine underneath at 45k miles. Those Japanese seem to know how to care for a car. It’s currently having an underbody protection applied as the UK won’t be as kind to it.
Let me know if any specific questions!
ZX10R NIN said:
Where it's only the two of you, the actual 6 series is a very good option & they're not as (like the 7 series) popular as the 5 series.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510297...
GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510086...
640d:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505272...
d GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502209...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508135...
I like the 6 series but prefer the idea of a 'traditional' four door saloon. Thanks for this post, very useful. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510297...
GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510086...
640d:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505272...
d GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502209...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508135...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 2nd November 15:13
DRE7 said:
Like PhilV8s I went for a Touring early this year which had been imported from Japan. It s been great so far. I ve done 15k miles since March. It s beautifully comfortable but the real surprise is excellent performance in the twisties I was expecting a boat having been used to lighter, smaller cars.
Mine is 2013 and was absolutely pristine underneath at 45k miles. Those Japanese seem to know how to care for a car. It s currently having an underbody protection applied as the UK won t be as kind to it.
Let me know if any specific questions!
Thanks for this. I have seen a few imports and they do always seem immaculate. Did you have any issues with insurance? Mine is 2013 and was absolutely pristine underneath at 45k miles. Those Japanese seem to know how to care for a car. It s currently having an underbody protection applied as the UK won t be as kind to it.
Let me know if any specific questions!
I see some 5 series, (mostly/only estates?) and many 7 series have air suspension. I watched Logbook YouTube channel yesterday and he was able to buy an unit for less than £400 and then a couple of hours fitting; BMW wanted £1500 plus vat...
How does the aftermarket price of air struts compare to traditional suspension on these cars. I think pre 2013, 7 series have traditional suspension but thereafter rear suspension is air, and in the newer models its air all round? Are these essentially 'service' items, I read somewhere 5 year, 70/80k life span?
I notice most/all of the cheap(ish) barges I like have air suspension, Lexus, the big Hyundai Genesis etc... Its easy to buy an expensive car cheaply but when it goes wrong...its still an expensive car...
How does the aftermarket price of air struts compare to traditional suspension on these cars. I think pre 2013, 7 series have traditional suspension but thereafter rear suspension is air, and in the newer models its air all round? Are these essentially 'service' items, I read somewhere 5 year, 70/80k life span?
I notice most/all of the cheap(ish) barges I like have air suspension, Lexus, the big Hyundai Genesis etc... Its easy to buy an expensive car cheaply but when it goes wrong...its still an expensive car...
biggbn said:
DRE7 said:
Like PhilV8s I went for a Touring early this year which had been imported from Japan. It s been great so far. I ve done 15k miles since March. It s beautifully comfortable but the real surprise is excellent performance in the twisties I was expecting a boat having been used to lighter, smaller cars.
Mine is 2013 and was absolutely pristine underneath at 45k miles. Those Japanese seem to know how to care for a car. It s currently having an underbody protection applied as the UK won t be as kind to it.
Let me know if any specific questions!
Thanks for this. I have seen a few imports and they do always seem immaculate. Did you have any issues with insurance? Mine is 2013 and was absolutely pristine underneath at 45k miles. Those Japanese seem to know how to care for a car. It s currently having an underbody protection applied as the UK won t be as kind to it.
Let me know if any specific questions!
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