Hi All,

Just joined this forum recently as I'm planning to purchase a second hand E61 525td and this forum is a great source of information.
I'm currently living in the UK (as a Dutchie) and planning to import a left hand drive BMW from Germany into the UK so that eventually I can take it back with me as moving goods to the Netherlands (and as such avoid the dreadful high Dutch taxes)
(for the ones interested, a vast amount of German cars can be found on their main car-search site: www.mobile.de)

I was hoping you could help me with the following:
If I buy the car in Germany very likely the iDrive (including Navigation) would be set to the German language. Do you know if this can be changed to for example English? (regardless of the fact the car was sold in Germany first?)

Also I'm having difficulties understanding when searching second hand 525td's and looking at the seller's car description which options are standard and which accessories are indeed extra. Does anyone have the 2004 spec of the 525TD so I can understand which ones are standard and which items aren't?

Last but not least: Once I've purchased the car I'm interested in replacing the standard Alloys with the 19" 167 (M6?) style wheels (each his own taste:-). From the different topics on this I understand that these do fit (back max 265mm, front max 245mm) without spacers, however can someone confirm how they experienced their change to bigger and wider tires? Does it influence the comfort a lot? I like good looking alloys however I don't want the car to feel like driving a go-cart afterwards...

Appreciate any comments you can share with me on above topics

Thanks!

Niek

 

Hi Niek,

Another Dutchman here, but I still haven't left the country. Funny to see you have the same question regarding the language. I already asked a local dealer to change the language and yes, it is definately possible (iDrive/Navigation/Voice Control). Unfortunately, they are not willing to do this (because it's an import car, duh), so I asked the (German) dealer to upload the Dutch software. I haven't got an answer yet, but I have this feeling they are going to help. Another guy told me it might take up to 8 hours (!) to complete the software upload, does anyone know if this is correct?

Just to tease you: I bought a 2006 530i Touring with the M-Sport package and a lot of options. I haven't finished the transaction yet, it will take a few more days. Can't wait...

Regards,
Harold

 

@ bertolli : welcome here !

@ harold : sold the cayenne than harold ?...

 

Huh? Cayenne? Never had one... Don't want it either :-)

 

Harold.
Thanks for the reply. It's a shame that the language setting can't be selected as a standard option. However at least I know now. Please keep me posten when you had the software updated (to understand where this can be done +cost indication)

Anyone else have any comments on the driving experience when changing the wheels to 19" and wider tyres?

Thanks!
Niek

 

Weird, the German dealer just told me they are not able to change the language. Ok, I understand, there is a difference between not being able to do this and not possible at all. How can we be sure it is possible or not?

Anyone else?

Harold

 

I have imported a E61-530D (08-2005) from Germany last year. After a while the Dynamic-Drive system had a failure. When I took the car to the dealer, the first thing they did was reload the newest software. Surprisingly this was the Dutch version! Unfortenately it took me another 2 times to get it fixed but in the end all was working fine, and everything was done under warrenty. Your question " is it possible" can be answered by YES!!!

 

Hi.

We're talking about two different things here.

1. The Idrive text language. This can be changed between german and english in the Idrive menu ("German car").
2. Voice input system. A change in language has to be done by a dealer. I had it changed from german to english. The programming took about two hours according to the dealer.

 

Thanks for explaining. At least being able to change the software to English is a good start.
Next to that I guess I'll have to brush up on my German until The other language is installed

quote name='BAK530dat' date='Nov 6 2007, 10:44 AM' post='490763']
Hi.

We're talking about two different things here.

1. The Idrive text language. This can be changed between german and english in the Idrive menu ("German car").
2. Voice input system. A change in language has to be done by a dealer. I had it changed from german to english. The programming took about two hours according to the dealer.
[/quote]