[Bungle009]

My 330d M-Sport is in for Rusty Hubs to be painted (under warranty) and i have an F10 530d se auto as a courtesy car. (Thankyou Barons)

Have to say its a nice car. Very refined. The 8 speed auto is a big step up from the 6 speed ZF box in the 330d. It is more responsive and very high geared. (8th = 95mph @ 2000 rpm. 70 is about 1500 RPM) As gear ratios are a little closer, when it changes up the engine doesn't drop out of the sweet zone for pulling power, ie it normally remains above 1500 rpm. This is my biggest gripe with the 330d auto which often drops to 1200 - 1300 rpm when it changes up, and is a little lifeless at those RPM's.

Its not particularly a looker as an SE with no dynamic pack, but its very polished. Doesn't feel sporty (well it is an SE) in fact its a bit floaty when pressing on. But overall quite a nice car.

The navigation screen is bigger than E90, but is not quite as crisp. Looks very slightly out of focus.

Just had a play on the configurator and a reasonable spec (not extravagant)530d M-sport touring comes in at over 50k !!! (Dynamic Pack, Media, Pano roof, Auto, Speaker upgrade, sun glass)

At that sort of money it can wait till somone else has enjoyed it for 6 months, then pick it up for <35k.

[toxicnerve]

Hubs being painted under warranty???

How the hell did you bag that?

[ghosty]

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Hubs being painted under warranty???

How the hell did you bag that?

+1 that's just what i was thinking!!

[SteveF1]

How the he'll did you bag a new 5 as a courtesy car when all Ive ever had was a bog standard 1 or 3!

[Osian85]

hubs painted under warrenty eh? wonder how many people are gonna try that one now! i know i am....

[ghosty]

well if theyre a warrenty item...then mine are definatley rusty!

[Bungle009]

If you buy a 6 month old car and the rubs are husty, surely that is a warraty claim. My dealer didn't flinch when I asked them to deal with it.

[Bungle009]

A few other observations after some more driving.

The steering is a little numb.
The indicators are not very positive in their action, ie theres a lot of movement required before activation.
Did I mention the auto gearbox was much improved ???
And it does feel like a big car. (no shit sherlock !!)

[Em135eye]

Evo mag mentioned that without the optional suspension upgrade, the handling is actually a bit pantaloons.

Will be watching with interest though to see if a 540d Touring comes out...

[toxicnerve]

I drove a 535i with the DCT box and that was pretty tight to be honest. Didn't feel boaty at all. Big car for sure but goes like stink and handles suprisingly well considering it's bulk.

[Irnbrukid]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

Evo mag mentioned that without the optional suspension upgrade, the handling is actually a bit pantaloons.

Will be watching with interest though to see if a 540d Touring comes out...

No 540d its staying as 535d think its 296bhp now.

[Em135eye]

A shame although the 40d unit is hardly a quantum leap over the 35d unit.

[TMP]

this months Top gear mag seemed more than happy with standard setup....they liked both 520d and 30d. This has already been debated on here, but top gear questioned why on earth the 530d was 9k more than the 520d!

I think the 40d is quite a leap forward (as it's based on the new N57)

[jwbmw]

Drive a 5er back to back against a Jag XF! F10 on either suspension can not match an XF on the UK roads. Basic F10 suspension not up to handling 530d power IMO, far to soft in the springs to over compensate for the run flats.

Autocar's review:

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

A shame although the 40d unit is hardly a quantum leap over the 35d unit.

It is the same block as the 40d, just that they are keeping the 535d name as it was such a good seller and such a desirable model.

[Oil Burner]

intersting to here your thoughts, starting to look around now for when my lease is up on the E93 next year, and F10 is on my possibles

[iamjim]

Rusty hubs? They are not treated or anything...

The face of a disc will even rust (even after a wash) but a bit of breaking soon removes the rust here but leaves the hub part looking a bit naff...

I still to this day don’t know why manufactures don’t treat the hub section with hamerite before packaging (inc. OEM parts).

[xenon]

breaking or braking?

Lots of discs are zinc passivated but BMW choose not to.

[Em135eye]

Had a look at one just now at Ocean - pretty nice IMO.

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by Irnbrukid

No 540d its staying as 535d think its 296bhp now.

I could have sworn I saw a press release earlier in the year that mentioned a 540d was in the offing.

In any case I am seriously tempted by the new F11 which is due soon. I think I read the M versions will be out in the new year.

I think it would take a 540d touring to make me move as right now there is nothing on the market that makes me want to trade my E91 335D

[M3-FAST]

Drove a F10 520D SE this evening - cabin feels a nice place to be and the 8 speed auto gearbox is fantastic, even in 2 litre guise.

The engine feels very willing and the auto box always felt like it was in the right gear.

Very impressed, and can't wait to drive the Msport version.

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by m@rk

I could have sworn I saw a press release earlier in the year that mentioned a 540d was in the offing.

In any case I am seriously tempted by the new F11 which is due soon. I think I read the M versions will be out in the new year.

I think it would take a 540d touring to make me move as right now there is nothing on the market that makes me want to trade my E91 335D

And then as if by magic, the BMW UK website was updated overnight and now shows the full F10 and F11 range including all the M Sport models and a 535D sitting at the top of the range.

I might be tempted after all even though they have labelled it a 535 and not a 540. Still the same engine.