So came the day when it was time for a new car. Unplanned and in a way unwanted, but nevertheless it's always nice to have a new car. With all the excitement focused on the F10 and the soon to be presented F11, I kind of inadvertently lowered my expectations of this car. Yes new, but otherwise the same. Just different colour and 0 on the clock.

So I was totally blown away when I first saw the car. Jesus, what a beauty! The combo of sportiness and style is just right and I have to start thanking many of you who helped me choosing this color combo. Thanks guys - this forum really rocks!




The weather wasn't too good yesterday so I waited with pics until today... didn't help much, still cloudy with some rain and occasional outbursts of confused sunbeams. Typical Scandinavian weather, I'm afraid. So more exciting pics will be posted as the weather improves.

Back to the car. I was pleasantly surprised to notice that:
1. The volume control give a chunkier and much improved quality feel - there's a clearer and "heavier" click-click now than before. And you cannot move it sideways, which you could do a lot with pre-LCI's and also a little bit with my old -07.
2. Carpets are beige! I thought only the sides would be beige, but oh no, it's the "full monty". Beautiful when new, but it will be a challenge to keep clean...
3. The indicator is visible in the HUD. A little improvements that really helps - I have more than once wondered if I switch the indicator on or off and have had to move away from the HUD, refocus and check the instruments. And I have a sneaky feeling it's a late change. it's not indicated (!) in the user manual (I'm one of those who reads everything - as a true nerd) which makes me guess that's it's actually an F10 feature that has gone into my car. Happy to hear more input from other owners with HUD and MY10.
4. And the biggest of them all: Run Flat tyres work. Ok, I need to drive a little bit more, but boy was I surprised that gone was the noise, the harsh ride and the impossible task of driving in a straight line. The RFLs have really improved! Yes, they may not be superior of a "real" tyre, but the difference is now down to a minimum. Amazing. And I'm driving on 19" on Swedish roads...

The handover of the car was very nice. After fighting a hard battle against BMW to accept that they couldn't fix the old car, they have since they admitted that I was right really walked that extra mile. So when the whole family came to the dealer yesterday I was greeted by the CEO, who gave me a lot of nice stuff:
1. A BMW watch
2. A bottle of a nice red wine
3. Late income changes from me (side airbags for rear doors and a floor mat) for free

A nice touch, don't you think?

Also, the CEO being bit of a nerd like me, he found and saved the production slip which shows all the details form the production. For example, my car started production 06.04.2010 at 14.24.00 and was finalised 07.04.2010 14.54.00. On the record is "06.04.2010" as production day, but now I know that that is only the production start date.

The best feature of the car is of course iDrive 3.0. Jeez, what an improvement! I was told by the CEO that BMW had different target groups around the world to get the usability it now boasts. And Google Earth. Actually, if they hadn't updated the iDrive before launching the F10/F11 I would probably not have gone for a new E61 - that car would have been soooo old in comparison.




I have already started the modding process. BMW's new Tablet DVD's have been installed today, and as you see in the picture the kids are fascinated by watching Donald Duck in the car...



Below's the full option list. Please don't ask me what the llist price of this car was. There should a be a law against expensive cars like this!

But do I love it? Oh yes...

Order options
No. Description
1CA SELECTION COP RELEVANT VEHICLES
2NR M LT/ALY WHEELS DOUBLE SPOKE 172 M
2PA LOCKING WHEEL BOLTS
2TB SPORTS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STEP.
230 EU SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
261 SIDE AIRBAG FOR REAR PASSENGERS
302 ALARM SYSTEM
320 MODEL DESIGNATION, DELETION
337 M SPORTS PACKAGE
386 ROOF RAIL
4AT INT.TR.FINI. BLACK HIGH-GLOSS
402 PANORAMA GLASS ROOF
423 FLOOR MATS, VELOUR
428 WARNING TRIANGLE
431 INTERIOR RR VW MIRROR W AUT ANTI-DAZZLE
442 CUPHOLDER
453 ACTIVE SEAT VENTILATION, FRONT
456 COMFORT SEATS, ELECTRIC. ADJUSTABLE
464 SKIBAG
470 CHILD SEAT ISOFIX ATTACHMENT
494 SEAT HEATING F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
496 SEAT HEATING FOR REAR SEATS
5AC AUTOM. HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHTS CONTROL
502 HEADLIGHT WASHER SYSTEM
508 PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC)
522 XENON LIGHT
534 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING
544 CRUISE CONTROL WITH BRAKING FUNCTION
563 LIGHTS PACKAGE
6FL USB-/AUDIO INTERFACE
6S4 LANGUAGE VERSION SWEDISH
6UH TRAFFIC INFORMATION
609 NAVIGATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL
610 HEAD UP DISPLAY
644 PREP. FOR. MOB. PH. BLUET. INTERF.
698 AREA-CODE 2
704 M SPORT SUSPENSION
710 M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
715 M AERODYNAMICS PACKAGE
752 INDIVIDUAL AUDIO SYSTEM
760 INDIVIDUAL HIGH-GLOSS SATIN CHROME
761 INDIVIDUAL SUN PROTECTION GLAZING
775 INDIVIDUAL ROOF-LINING ANTHRACITE
8SA COUNTRY SPEC. RELEASE OF NAVIGATION
8SM VIN, VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE
8SP COP CONTROL (will that reduce the possibility for speed tickets )
8S8 COUNTRY SPEC.NAVI CONTROL (ACC)
8TG ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
850 ADD FUEL TANK FILLING FOR EXPORT
863 EUROPE/DEALER DIRECTORY
877 DELETION CROSS-OVER OPERATION
885 SWEDISH/OWNERS HANDBOOK/SERVICE BOOKLET

Series options
No. Description
1CB CO2 CONTENT
548 SPEEDOMETER WITH KILOMETER READING

 

Awesome ride! Congrats!!

 

Looks fantastic. Must be a good feeling to own a brand new car, especially like this one. Take good care of it. My best advise is that you bring it straight to a detailer/polisher and get some protection on the paint.

 

Scheduled 27-28th May. Will include covering the front bumper in some plastic fabric to keep it new.

 

Congratulations!

 

OMG I just love it! Stunning color combo! So much much better than a full beige interior...

Congrats on the great choice an on ordering the mighty E61 in its last model year and also best form ever!

The F11 is surely a beauty but the E61 will remain a class of its own

 

That is one GREAT looking car!!

One question: The iDrive; do you know when they started to use version 3.0?

And... More pictures (of iDrive and car) please...

 

Congrats......beautiful car..

 

Very smart. When do the mods start then? 20" wheels, lowering etc?? ;-)

 

Congrats!!!
We're related by car.
Mine was delivered in 30 march 2010!
The diffrent is color of inside - i've black (nasca leather) and alcantara roof.
Congratulations again !!!!!

BMW E 61 RLZ!