Forgot to refer to rhe RFT question!
Ref top gear:
If you saw Tiff Needell driving 100mph on 4 flat tyres - then you would be very impressed, You would go for them.

The feeling I like is; that I know if my missus, Sarah, and our baby are doing 100mph down the motorway and she has a blowout, then they won't end upside down in the ditch! Also I don't have to worry about her changing a big wheel in the dark of night in some shitty neighbourhood!
The ride obviously is harder - but it's quite acceptable.

 

Welcome MTRHEAD!

I would echo all the points made by everyone else. With regard to Logic 7, justify it to yourself like this. If you were to go and buy an aftermarket "upgrade" to your car stereo, you would typically spend at least ?800, right?

Well I promise you, there is no aftermarket ?800 upgrade that will get anywhere near the sound quality from the L7 system.

Go for it and good luck1

 

STU: You let your wife drive your car?

-james

 

Either that or the Sun Protection Glass

 

Hi MTRHEAD!

I think I'm one of the few whose bought a 530D manual! My brother in law who works for Sytner wanted to have a drive just for the novelty value

Anyway, I'm finding it a good combination overall, just a few comments:
1. It's very easy to hit the rev limiter, its just so smooth and free-revving!
2. It pulls like a train when you time the gearchange right.
3. It outdrags the auto (my Father has one now as well) if you are in the right gear to use 2000-3500 rpm. By the time the auto kicks down, you're off.
4. I found a smooth change from first to second very difficult to time well. Whether to go early or wring first gear dry - that is the question.
5. You get more time to play with the gadgets in an auto .

In a nutshell, after moving from a 530i E39 auto to my 530d E60 manual, and having driven my fathers 530d E60 Auto, I'll not be such a skinflint next time and go for the auto.

I'd suggest you drive both before deciding though. Good luck with the choice - it's a nice one to have to make!

 

I wonder if 18" will look good without sports suspension? Sometime it is difficult to imagine by looking at the pics.

 

Here's a pic of mine on 18's w/o the sports suspension..

 

and mine without the sports suspension!
Very hard to see any difference. (PS wish I'd bought upgraded hifi , active steer and nav!)

 

Hey, at least you got the mother of all options; the sliding armrest !

 

My armrest slides forward as well. I didn't know I had it unitl It moved forward by my mistake. It is not really advertised on US spec cars.