F10 test drive feedback

[astroboy]

Had an opportunity to get behind the steering wheel of an F10 523i..

VIP DY very "kan cheong" getting ready to undress the beauty..

Begging to be touched?!

Checking her inside out!

Touch touch.. press press..

DY one hand behind the wheel, another busy exploring buttons.. Comfort, Normal, Sport Comfort, Sport..

On the fast lane! Rempiting with a 535i.. closing in..

Thank you Auto Bavaria! :top:Took the rear seat while DY had the steering, halfway I hop on to the driver seat. DY was mostly tackling straights, while I handle the bends.. :love: Halfway sweeping a bend, DY switch drive mode from Sport to Comfort Car immediate wobble.. Cool!The 4 wheel steering need a little getting used to because this is my first 4 wheel steer experience. On few slow bends, I almost instinctively counter steer think I had oversteer.. The steering is light compared to my non active steering E90, even though when in Sport mode which claimed to stiffen the steering..4 suspension settings which I think a little too many. The 8 speed gearbox when do manual down shift, engine braking don't tarik the car enough due to the close ratio 8-speeder, must one time drop 2 gear.. Mid console a little raised, bulkier and made it look more luxury. It doesn't give u the few of driving a big car when weaving maneuver is perform.. :top:The sophistication on the steering and mid console [buttons and dials] making E60 interior looks like a national car..

 

[vish]

the sophistication on the steering and mid console [buttons and dials] making e60 interior looks like a national car..

:13::13::13:

 

[Schwepps]

Good looking car, albeit to me a bit conservative overall and bland at the rear. Good 'executive' look though. Van Hooydonk has taste, but isn't putting his head on the chopping block. I hope the F30 will be a bit more flamboyant.

 

[astroboy]

The rear trunk lid is no longer using the hydraulic damping lifter, it's on spring now, just like the W210, identical!.. Lifting up is easy but closing, u need to fight with the spring and get the boot lid down. Not that refined for a car with such heavy price tag but it's certainly a proven mechanical technology.

There's a KERS gauge on the dash with a battery logo.. interesting. During the test drive, I keep watching the gauge and try to feel the difference.. can't really tell.. but I was told the lady in the back seat almost rip the had grab off from the ceiling while I drive, hangging on to her dear life..

 

[ALBundy]

Just drove the 535 with a few participants and it's a great car with sporty engine induction note.

The comfort seats, bigger LCD screen and 16 speakers sound system (600w) are a big hit with those that have tested both units.

All in all, after driving the f10 and getting back into my E60 'lead car', the e60 suddenly feels very 'basic' and a lot less luxurious.

 

[thule]

Went to Ingress Auto last Sat (15/5) to test drive but the showroom was swarmed with people... all wanted to try the new F10... sigh!! Guess I'll have to wait for another week or two before going back again...

 

[macdaque]

I also tested in Sime Darby Property Gallery. My observations:
- very nice finishing touches, like the ambient lighting under the interior door trim, etc. (even sales ppl didn't know that this feature existed). Attached is pix, did any of you see the interrior? I drove during the day, so missed it all. Will try to go over and look at it tonight. Interior quality impressive.
- good vehicle control at high speeds
- 523i a little underpowered compared with e60 525i or e90 325i (target replacement markets for the f10 523i), HP and torque figures notwithstanding
- lack of navi is a BIG disappointment
- takes potholes quite well in comfort mode
- price tag very steep at 398k
- motorised headrest at front driver side a welcome addition
- sales people didn't know enough about the intricate details about the car, only can say that it's worlds apart from the e60
- boot very difficult to close, esp for women / those vertically challenged

 

[astroboy]

Yes... boot lid a challenging to close. If not careful, it will fight back and bump your jaw off..

 

[MSport]

If jaw tak kena, nose surely kena.

 

[macdaque]

Yes... boot lid a challenging to close. If not careful, it will fight back and bump your jaw off..

However, that being said, still better to watch a lifting boot, than a falling boot. Once had a japanese car which I put too much heavy insulation, almost chopped off head when it slammed down whilst my head over boot.

 

[macdaque]

Oh yes, also love the flowing lines of the tail lamps. Looks like 7 series at night.
Also love the oyster / black combination - nice light colour on seats and overhead, and practical black carpets and at areas where it usually gets dirty. Hope this is offered in the SKD.
Keyless entry of the 535i is not missed in the 523i - actually keyless entry very dangerous as third party can enter driver's door (maybe even other doors) when key within vicinity. I understood from the e60 days that this is a security problem which BMW wasn't able to resolve? Is that true?

 

[thule]

I actually tried closing the boot on that day itself. Quite hard compared to the E60 I reckon... had to slam it real hard
I didn't notice the ambience lightings :top: cool stuff!
But for 523i which is priced at almost 400k, I wonder how much the 528i would be when it's introduced at a later stage. on top of it, the iDrive screen is just puny.. nothing compared to those of 535i. And with M-Sport specs thrown in (hopefully), the mid-range F10 I guess will be in the range of RM460-480k! Well, that's my opinion.
Another thing is... (not really sure about this) I noticed that the gear stick of 523i and 535i are different. Can anyone confirm about this?
As per what fellow macdaque said, those salespeople just wanna get the commission but they certainly forget that good product knowledge is essential to convince potential customers that this is the ride they have been waiting for. Masdaque will definitely be the top salesperson if he's one :top: :vroam:

 

[astroboy]

Seriously, the 523i and 535i is too far apart in price and power gap. 100hp and RM200k gap. Competitor will see opportunity in the gap.

 

[dzuljazz2001]

:motz:..weyyy....wait till u sit beside me in my 5d3 and l will definitly make you feel "basic n a lot less!!!" ....:burnout::burnout:


...........

making E60 interior looks like a national car..

:motz:alooo fren...how can you compare a bimmer with the national car weyyyy.....:thefinger::thefinger:

 

[ALBundy]

Seriously, the 523i and 535i is too far apart in price and power gap. 100hp and RM200k gap. Competitor will see opportunity in the gap.

I think there is more than just the 100hp difference.

Of course the engine sounds a lot more meaty with 16 speakers, comfort seats, m steering with paddle shift, 18 inch wheels with bigger brakes, sun/moonroof, navigation, reverse camera plus bigger screen and etc.

Perhaps the gap in specs between the entry level 523 and 535 is a little wide. But if the 528 is ever introduce here, it won't be cheap as well, then again we never know as the euro has dropped almost 20% the past couple of months with no signs of rebound anytime soon. Let's hope car prices will show some reduction!!!

 

[macdaque]

Word's out that the SKD 523i will be available at the end of this year, with 528i to follow. Price probably the same for the 523i with additional Navi (which AB says is worth more than 20k), basic version though with the usual 7" LCD. The 528i available in UK market, also comes with Navi basic. Likely price would be RM450k? Apparently, I the f10 523i is intended replacement for the e60 525i, and the f10 528i replacement for the e60 530i. So features and price should be paralel, save a few nice additions?
Thule: I agree that the LCD is rather puny. I like the 10" 535i LCD. Not sure about the gear shift stick though, will report if I can find out.

 

[macdaque]

Another pic.

 

[ALBundy]

Word's out that the SKD 523i will be available at the end of this year, with 528i to follow. Price probably the same for the 523i with additional Navi (which AB says is worth more than 20k), basic version though with the usual 7" LCD. The 528i available in UK market, also comes with Navi basic. Likely price would be RM450k? Apparently, I the f10 523i is intended replacement for the e60 525i, and the f10 528i replacement for the e60 530i. So features and price should be paralel, save a few nice additions?
Thule: I agree that the LCD is rather puny. I like the 10" 535i LCD. Not sure about the gear shift stick though, will report if I can find out.

The 535 gear lever is different from the 523.

Not too sure bout the 528 though. In overseas Market the 523 and 528 share the same 3.0 block. Over here the 523 is still the n52 engine but with an increase in Hp to 204 from 190 previously.

Is there a 528 or 328 engine that belongs to the n52 variant? It is unlikely BMW will bring in the high pressure injection units due to the poor fuel quality.

 

[macdaque]

How is gear lever different, ALBundy? Any pics and comparative differences? No pics or info over the internet on this.

 

[astroboy]

Didn't notice head up display the F10. Ada ka?