Trying a BMW 520D tomorrow

***Dave*** · 29-08-2006, 11:40

Well the missus's new 1 series has some discolouring to the rubbers around the door, so has to go back to the dealers for investigation & ultimately rubber replacements. Guess the price of new rubber seals........ £450

Just aswell I'm not paying it.

Anyway as the car will be away for a couple of days, I've arranged for the replacement car to be a new 520D Auto

Grown to like these cars over tha last year. At first it was the usual "Bangle's made a a mistake" attitude, as I always liked the previous shape car. But as with the 1 series, I've grown to like the looks. I'm assuming the 2 litre diesle should be enough for the car, as we have the same engine in the 1 series & with 4 adults onboard the other day, it still shifted

Will be interesting to see what it's like to drive

, although will I end up going mad with that I-Drive system

***Dave*** · 30-08-2006, 18:10

Well it turned up, so I thought I'd chuck some snapshots on here for you :-

1st impressions are it looks aweseome with the optional M-Sport kit.....like the metallic blue, but hate that sand coloured leather interior

The auto box is brilliant.......boot it & you can;t feel it change gear, so makes for very smooth progress. The 2 litre Diesel is more than enough to push this car along, but I must admit a 3 litre would be more fun.

Very comfortable, even with sports suspension. Dissapointed with the steering though, which was way too light. I wouldn't like to try & correct this thing for oversteer , as you couldn;t get enough feedback from the steering

Odd as well that you have the I-Drive system, with full colour LCD screen, but then you have a turn know for digital climate & it isn;t dual zone. Also a turn knob for directing air flow to vents in the car. Very old fashioned & bit cheap when the missus's 1 series has dual zone digital climate control as standard on her 1 series

Anyway off in it tonight to see a firend about fixing my TiVo

. Shall get to try it out properly then

**Sonsey** · 30-08-2006, 18:43

Looks very nice indeed mate, and I have to admit I do like the sand interior though

Enjoy your drive tonight, try to keep it out of the hedge

sillyconguru · 31-08-2006, 02:48

I'm sorry, but I've got to say it...

EEEUURRRGGGHHH!!!

***Dave*** · 31-08-2006, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by sillyconguru

I'm sorry, but I've got to say it...

EEEUURRRGGGHHH!!!

Is that for the whole car, or just the interior ?

***Dave*** · 31-08-2006, 11:56

Well took it down the motorway last night to my friends & have to say it cruises very quietly at some decent speed

On the way back I took it down the back roads. Sorry but you can't have an Auto for any so called sports driving. Kickdown takes too long to engage. I do take back my comment about the steering though, as it weighted up nicely when the car was under load.

So final thought are, M-Sports kit makes it look the past, but really you need a 3 litre with manual to class it a sports package. For nomral cruising the 2 litre diesle linked to an Auto is good, but yet agin the 3 litre would be nicer

Ah well back to the 1 series tomorrow

sillyconguru · 31-08-2006, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Is that for the whole car, or just the interior ?

The whole car.

**Markulous** · 01-09-2006, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by sillyconguru

The whole car.

I'll second that - tho' extend it to ALL Beamers! Biased? Moi? LOL!

***Dave*** · 01-09-2006, 10:01

Chris Bangle has a long way to go with some folk then

**Markulous** · 01-09-2006, 17:17

Well, as a former employee of Fiat (OK, I had to look him up!), he has an even greater distance to go!

***Dave*** · 01-09-2006, 17:37

Ah, but FIAT own Ferrari

**Markulous** · 01-09-2006, 17:42

Hey, I'm trying to live down the fact that Mini's owned by BMW! The shame! (And intense amusement from them that know/knew my thoughts on BMWs)

01-09-2006, 18:17	#13 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 16,765