[day841]

Hi everyone,

I would just like your opinion on what would be the best optional extras to get on a 520d msport f10. I need something that will include navigation and iPod playback so was wondering if anyone could recommend any of the optional extras to get when ordering.

Many thanks

[xenon]

Media Professional and Visibility Pack are essential options IMO, anything else is a bonus! You will get full iPod integration with pro. media.

[day841]

Is the Media Professional package the highest pack with regards to entertainment and navigation? Or is there another step up?

[xenon]

Nope, that's the highest. You can add other bits to improve the quality of the output, eg. Logic 7 (which is a better amplifier and speakers) and a different speaker package. In terms of integration it's the same. There's also an option to allow streaming of music via Bluetooth if that's your thing.

[Shake n Bake]

Prof Media 100% It's half the car without it in my opinion. Sports Auto with sports steering wheel would be my second recommendation, it's superb. The one thing I did not get which I wish I had was the ambient lighting.

[UKMS]

In addition to what has already been said ........ if you like music and spend a lot of time in the car (and your budget allows) worth considering the Pro speakers, I have them on my current F11 and they are awesome ..... and in light of the other thread ..... the full black panel is now a zero cost option !

M

[day841]

Thats great, so definitely the professional media package! What about driving aids such as adaptive steering? I've been looking at reviews and it seems the majority say that it isn't worth the money

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by day841

Thats great, so definitely the professional media package! What about driving aids such as adaptive steering? I've been looking at reviews and it seems the majority say that it isn't worth the money

What car are you coming from? This is my first 5 series and I am absolutely delighted with it. But reading these forums since December it seems clear to me that there has been an intentional model move towards luxury and comfort and away from the "driving machine" as was. Absolutely perfect for me but if you are coming looking for a large car that handles nimbly then you will need to add the active suspension (I think that's what it is called). From what I read that costly extra gives you the ride and the comfort.

I am guessing that your choice of a 520d probably means you don't intend to be racing the car a whole lot and couldn't give a toss for this option

I really cannot think of anything else that I wish I had added. Things like the all round cameras sound pretty cool but unless I was living in london and parking on their busy streets I would never need it. I'm struggling to think of anything else. Why not take a test drive in one that's fully loaded and see what you like.

Oh, I thought of one. I have an F11 and I wish I had bought the boot liner. When I am hustling around the country roads or a roundabout I find things do roll about back there quite a lot.

[Mud]

usb in the arm rest....

[xenon]

USB in the arm rest is standard with Professional Media and you can get the F10/F11 boot-liner from the dealer anyway.

I haven't got the active suspension stuff - the review in What Car? said it was a must...

[Mud]

USB in the glovebox is standard I thought. The configurator is showing the USB in the armrest as £75 seperate option even with Prof nav selected

[xenon]

I think you're thinking of the Phone Integration USB, the USB for music is standard.

[Mud]

ah yes probably

[day841]

Originally Posted by Shake n Bake

What car are you coming from? This is my first 5 series and I am absolutely delighted with it. But reading these forums since December it seems clear to me that there has been an intentional model move towards luxury and comfort and away from the "driving machine" as was. Absolutely perfect for me but if you are coming looking for a large car that handles nimbly then you will need to add the active suspension (I think that's what it is called). From what I read that costly extra gives you the ride and the comfort.

I am guessing that your choice of a 520d probably means you don't intend to be racing the car a whole lot and couldn't give a toss for this option

I really cannot think of anything else that I wish I had added. Things like the all round cameras sound pretty cool but unless I was living in london and parking on their busy streets I would never need it. I'm struggling to think of anything else. Why not take a test drive in one that's fully loaded and see what you like.

Oh, I thought of one. I have an F11 and I wish I had bought the boot liner. When I am hustling around the country roads or a roundabout I find things do roll about back there quite a lot.

I took the demo car that my local garage had out for a test drive, it was the 520d msport the exact model that I have been looking at and it had all the options that I wanted. The car had put 5,000 miles on the clock since march, but they have knocked off around £8,000 as buying it new would be roughly £43,000 but they put it down to £34,995. Are there any issues coming with ex-demo cars that have clocked up so much mileage in such little time? I'm quite iffy about saying yes mainly because of the mileage and I'd prefer a car from new but £8,000 off the price is definitely shouting out at me. Oh and I'm coming from a Seat Bocanegra so quite a jump up!

[xenon]

Blimey what options does it have? I bought a brand new 520d M-Sport with professional media, visibility pack (adaptive xenons are brilliant) and the cool reversing camera, and I still paid less than that!!

[day841]

I got the salesman to email me the full spec of what the car had with it, just out of interest xenon how much did you pay for yours and how come it was a lot less including all the extras?

BMW 520d M Sport Saloon

in Jet Black

with the following options:


Run-flat tyres
Sport automatic transmission
Alarm system (Thatcham 1)
Model designation deletion
Reversing Assist camera
Floor mats, velour
First Aid Kit & Triangle
Ext. mirrors - folding, auto dimming
Rear-view mirror, auto dimming
Smokers package
Elec Fr Seats + Driver Memory
Seat heating, front
Ambient lighting
Headlight wash
Park Distance Control (PDC), front and rear
Air conditioning, automatic with extended features
Park Assist
Head-up Display
Loudspeaker system - BMW Professional
USB audio interface
Telephone USB audio interface
Mobile application preparation
Black panel display, full
M rear spoiler

Visibility package
High-beam Assistant
Adaptive Headlights
Xenon headlights

Media package - BMW Professional
BMW Assist online portal
Navigation system-BMW Professional Multimedia
BMW Assist
Bluetooth phone prep + telematics
Voice Control

M Sport Package
Fineline Anthracite wood
Sport seats, front
M aerodynamic bodystyling
Venetian Beige Dakota Leather
Exterior trim, High-gloss Shadowline
Alpine White
Headlining, Anthracite
M Steering Wheel
Variable Damper Control (VDC)
19" M Double-spoke style 351M alloy wheels

[xenon]

Mine had all that except:

No VDC
18" wheels not 19"
No HUD
Manual not auto

Mine's Jet Black too!

Those options I guess are about £2-3k so the list is less than 43000. Have you gone on to the configurator with exactly those options?

this is mine

[day841]

Yeah I have and it came up with £44,980. But that was with the car in Alpine White which I would prefer, also I wouldn't particularly want the Head-Up Display. What difference does the Variable Damper Control make if anyone knows or xenon how is your ride at the moment?

[xenon]

I have no problems at all NOT having the VDC, I think the car handles very well for such a car and I just came from an e92 M-Sport. What Car? magazine seemed to think it's a must but I haven't driven one so-equipped. I think the ride and handling is good though, other than the vague straight-ahead steering which VDC wouldn't address anyway. Those options are more than I thought - my list was £36,420 I think but I paid less than that.

It's a great car though - if you can afford it, go for it, but I'd personally be wanting a bit more off.

[day841]

Also coming from a car that doesn't have VDC I guess it wouldn't make much difference at all. I think I may just order a brand new one instead of going for the demo. I was looking at the configurator and was wondering what the Voice Control was and what functions it had?

[xenon]

Voice Control is standard with professional media - I love it

I've sent you a PM.

*edit* no I haven't - you haven't been on long enough. I was going to send you details of my contact who *will* give you the best deal.

Post your email address up and I'll send it - you can remove it after

[day841]

Oh sounds good!

It's day841(at)hotmail.com thanks a lot