E61 Touring Discussion The touring is also known as the wagon version of the 5 series.

Hello from sunny manchester

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Old 07-04-2009, 12:00 PM
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Hello everyone, I took the plunge today - the RX8 has provided plenty of per mile, but it's time to move on and I've ordered a new 535D M Sport Touring. I've spec'd a number of options and I would be grateful for some advice - or opinion!

A couple of questions really:

1. Requested option 229 - Dynamic Drive. Marked as optional against 535D M Sport. Dealer confused because the system won't let him specify it... I'm confused because the brochure shows it as an option, but the UK BMW website won't let me specify it either! Could someone explain if there are any practical reasons why this option shouldn't be available? And as an aside, if anyone has any opinions on whether it makes a big difference to ride quality or not, that would be great.

2. On the back of various posts around the web re:ride quality/run flats etc, and a quick chat with the dealer, I've left the wheels as the stock M double-spoke style 135M - 18 inch. I was considering ordering the 172Ms - 19 inch. Bad idea? My wife and two daughters are all old enough to moan if their spines get compressed every time we go over a bump. Any views.

3. Have I missed anything obvious on the spec. I have a small amount of time where I can change it...

Model Designation Deletion
Media Pack
Visibility Pack
Metallic Paint
Leather
USB audio interface
Logic 7 hi fi
Anthracite Bamboo wood high gloss
Rear side airbags
Heated Front Seats
Ext mirrors - folding, auto dimming
Extended interior light package
Sport auto transmission
Active Steering
Dynamic Drive [to be confirmed]
Panoramic Sunroof
Seal & Protect
18" standard alloy wheels

Looking forward to driving this awesome machine...
Thanks again
Sp.
Old 07-04-2009, 12:16 PM
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Welcome to the forums and congratulations on your choice! You will enjoy both the car and the forums I believe !

About your questions:
1) Can't help sorry.
2) 19" wheels with non-runflats would be your best choice
3) Those 19" wheels!
Old 07-04-2009, 12:46 PM
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One question first: City or United?
Old 07-04-2009, 12:58 PM
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Seal and protect is probably 90% dealer profit.

At least a few years ago DD and the sport package were mutually exclusive.

Heated rear seats for the kiddies? Or are they still in child seats?
Sun protection glass?
Old 07-04-2009, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by phelix' post='932678' date='Jul 4 2009, 11:58 PM
Seal and protect is probably 90% dealer profit.

At least a few years ago DD and the sport package were mutually exclusive.

Heated rear seats for the kiddies? Or are they still in child seats?
Sun protection glass?
Oh gosh sport package of course!
Or anything that covers Mtech kit!
Old 07-04-2009, 01:31 PM
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Hello and welcome, good choice
Old 07-04-2009, 01:55 PM
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In the states I believe the LCI model is equipped with Dynamic Drive when the sports package is ordered.
An extremely easy way to check and see if you have dynamic drive is to look under the car behind the rear tires.
if the rear sway bars have a big cylindrical module in the center then your vehicle is equipped with dynamic drive.

The dynamic drive is an excellent option to have. when driving aggressively the suspension and steering tighten up.
when approaching a turn you can actually feel the difference when driving slow or fast.
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Old 07-04-2009, 02:17 PM
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Wow, thanks for the response

Wheels. Runflats seem to be mandatory. I know I could change the tyres later, but maybe the best bet is to go with the 18s now, and then look into other wheels/tyres later. BUT if someone can confirm the ride quality isn't massively firm with the 19s and runflats [think UK roads + wife + 2 teenagers], then I'd be seriously tempted to go for them now. ?500 option.

City or United? Well it would have to be United... so I guess I can wave goodbye to any help from anyone now

Seal & Protect - thanks for the warning. I'll have to do a few searches to see if people "seal" their paintwork or not. Or whether the whole idea is a load of old rubbish.

DD/sport mutually exclusive? Am coming to this conclusion. Will wait for the dealer to come back to me in the week to confirm, but I bet you're correct. Am assuming I'm still better to stick with the sport package and ditch DD than go with SE.

Thanks for the suggestions re: wheels, heated seats, sun protection glass etc. If the DD is a no-go, then I guess I'll throw in some other options in instead - the kids are 14 and 13 (and then some), so heated rear seats would be good in the winter. Sun protection glass sounds great (there seem to be 2 options - darkened glass or climate comfort laminated glass, I'd prefer the latter BUT both options seem to come with a windscreen with a green shade band which just sounds a bit, well, 1970's? Why not do it properly and have HIS & HER'S name across the top ).

And I'll probably remove the Seal & Protect!
Thankyou for such a warm welcome
Sp.
Old 07-04-2009, 03:26 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
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Originally Posted by sparkle999' post='932723' date='Jul 4 2009, 05:17 PM
City or United? Well it would have to be United...
Good man. Welcome to the forums. My paternal grandparents were from Manchester and United fans.
Old 07-04-2009, 03:45 PM
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My Ride: 2008 535i Monaco blue/cream beige, light poplar trim, sport, nav, premium, Logic 7, 6 speed manual My other rides: Departed: 2006 530xi Silver gray/black, anthracite maple trim, cold, sport, nav, premium, Logic 7, 6 speed steptronic, bluetooth, adaptive xenons Departed...2002 525i White/beige, 5 sp manual
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I'm not certain with the UK models, but I aren't the new Touring's all AWD, which don't come with dynamic drive? Sport package on my AWD 530 is strictly cosmetic. With dynamic drive the handling is completely flat in the curves...really just amazing! If you have to have the touring version though, you may not have a choice. Honestly, though, I think it is one of the top options to have...IMO.

Welcome to the forums by the way...!


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