Joining the E60 Camp
01-06-2008 | 10:21 AM
#1
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
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From: Reading, UK
My Ride: 2005 535D, Mystic Blue with Black Exclusive Leather;
Active Steering | Comfort Seats | Dark Poplar Wood | Front & Rear Seat Heating | Head-up Display | Headlamp Washers | Logic 7 | High Beam Assist | Media Package | Rear Electric Blind | Sun Protection Glass | Visibility Package
This week I said goodbye to my gorgeous fully-loaded sapphire black with light beige leather interior E46 330Cd coupe and said hello to my lovely new mystic blue E60 535D.
To be honest there was nothing wrong with the 330Cd except that I now have a 6 month old son and the passenger seat had to go all the way forward to accomodate the baby seat sitting in the back. If I could have justified keeping it and buying the 535D in addition, I would have done, but the 330Cd would have barely been used unfortunately.
It's taking a bit of getting used to the 535D, not least because it's quite a lot bigger than the 330Cd, and also because it's alarmingly quick! I'm sure I'll grow to love it as much as I did the 330Cd.
Anyway, here's a few pictures of the old and the new:
2004 (04) E46 330Cd
2005 (55) E60 535D
To be honest there was nothing wrong with the 330Cd except that I now have a 6 month old son and the passenger seat had to go all the way forward to accomodate the baby seat sitting in the back. If I could have justified keeping it and buying the 535D in addition, I would have done, but the 330Cd would have barely been used unfortunately.
It's taking a bit of getting used to the 535D, not least because it's quite a lot bigger than the 330Cd, and also because it's alarmingly quick! I'm sure I'll grow to love it as much as I did the 330Cd.
Anyway, here's a few pictures of the old and the new:
2004 (04) E46 330Cd
2005 (55) E60 535D
01-06-2008 | 10:26 AM
#2
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,459
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From: Vancouver, BC , Canada
My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Congratulations , your new car looks great( so did your 3) You'll love the practicality of 4 doors
and the extra size, with no loss of performance or handling !
Cheers
and the extra size, with no loss of performance or handling !
Cheers
01-06-2008 | 02:50 PM
#3
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Members
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
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From: Reading, UK
My Ride: 2005 535D, Mystic Blue with Black Exclusive Leather;
Active Steering | Comfort Seats | Dark Poplar Wood | Front & Rear Seat Heating | Head-up Display | Headlamp Washers | Logic 7 | High Beam Assist | Media Package | Rear Electric Blind | Sun Protection Glass | Visibility Package
This is my third BMW. The first was an E36 328i, which I replaced with the E46 330Cd, which has in turn been replaced by the 535D.
Each time I've changed, the character of the car has become more civilized and refined. The 328i was a complete nutter - it wanted to go everywhere at 120mph and to get there as quickly as possible while pulling your face off. It was a lot of fun. The 330Cd was very sporty and nimble. It's handling was a bit more exciting than the 535D in my opinion, and there was more of a feeling of being directly in control of the car, in touch with the road. It also seemed to want to behave in a more beligerent manner than the 535D, constantly egging you on to push a little harder. The new car is more refined than the previous two. The power is more linear and progressive - I'm not sure it has the same pin-you-to-the-seat feeling when you floor it between 30-70mph, but all in all there is no doubt that it is the quicker car. It feels a lot bigger than the 3, though the active steering is a fantastic system and compensates nicely for the size of the car.
I do miss the bright interior of the 330Cd. The light leather, combined with the sunroof and the huge coupe windows made for a very pleasant cabin, and the driving position was the best I've ever had. I tried to replicate the position in the 535D, but with the seat slung back and low the HUD became difficult to see, so I've had to change that somewhat.
All in all though, I'm very pleased with the 535D. I'd have prefered sapphire (or carbon) black with a light interior, but mystic blue is certainly unique. I can't quite decide what colour it's supposed to be, as it looks so different in sunlight, cloud, twilight and rain...
Each time I've changed, the character of the car has become more civilized and refined. The 328i was a complete nutter - it wanted to go everywhere at 120mph and to get there as quickly as possible while pulling your face off. It was a lot of fun. The 330Cd was very sporty and nimble. It's handling was a bit more exciting than the 535D in my opinion, and there was more of a feeling of being directly in control of the car, in touch with the road. It also seemed to want to behave in a more beligerent manner than the 535D, constantly egging you on to push a little harder. The new car is more refined than the previous two. The power is more linear and progressive - I'm not sure it has the same pin-you-to-the-seat feeling when you floor it between 30-70mph, but all in all there is no doubt that it is the quicker car. It feels a lot bigger than the 3, though the active steering is a fantastic system and compensates nicely for the size of the car.
I do miss the bright interior of the 330Cd. The light leather, combined with the sunroof and the huge coupe windows made for a very pleasant cabin, and the driving position was the best I've ever had. I tried to replicate the position in the 535D, but with the seat slung back and low the HUD became difficult to see, so I've had to change that somewhat.
All in all though, I'm very pleased with the 535D. I'd have prefered sapphire (or carbon) black with a light interior, but mystic blue is certainly unique. I can't quite decide what colour it's supposed to be, as it looks so different in sunlight, cloud, twilight and rain...
01-06-2008 | 04:52 PM
#5
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,972
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From: The State of Southern NJ!
Lucky you ... in the United States we should be able to get the new diesel cars later this year. My first BMW was a '86 524TD ... after 300K miles I retired it for an e32 740. I've read the specs for the 535d - does it feel that strong in real life normal driving?
As for emissions - here BMW will require a special, and expensive, fuel additive. From what I've read, the additive refill will be covered during the 4 year 50K mile maintenance coverage. But, after that it's the owner's responsibility.
Do the diesels across the pond require these special emission reducing additives too?
As for emissions - here BMW will require a special, and expensive, fuel additive. From what I've read, the additive refill will be covered during the 4 year 50K mile maintenance coverage. But, after that it's the owner's responsibility.
Do the diesels across the pond require these special emission reducing additives too?
to the board!! 
01-06-2008 | 10:42 PM
#8
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 158
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From: Southampton, United Kingdom
My Ride: 530d Sport Touring (E61). Silver Grey, Automatic, Professional SatNav, Black Leather, Heated Seats, Folding Mirrors, 6CD changer, Bi-Xenons, Bluetooth
Originally Posted by luigi524td' post='514528' date='Jan 6 2008, 07:52 PM
Lucky you ... in the United States we should be able to get the new diesel cars later this year. My first BMW was a '86 524TD ... after 300K miles I retired it for an e32 740. I've read the specs for the 535d - does it feel that strong in real life normal driving?
As for emissions - here BMW will require a special, and expensive, fuel additive. From what I've read, the additive refill will be covered during the 4 year 50K mile maintenance coverage. But, after that it's the owner's responsibility.
Do the diesels across the pond require these special emission reducing additives too?
As for emissions - here BMW will require a special, and expensive, fuel additive. From what I've read, the additive refill will be covered during the 4 year 50K mile maintenance coverage. But, after that it's the owner's responsibility.
Do the diesels across the pond require these special emission reducing additives too?
01-07-2008 | 05:38 AM
#10
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Reading, UK
My Ride: 2005 535D, Mystic Blue with Black Exclusive Leather;
Active Steering | Comfort Seats | Dark Poplar Wood | Front & Rear Seat Heating | Head-up Display | Headlamp Washers | Logic 7 | High Beam Assist | Media Package | Rear Electric Blind | Sun Protection Glass | Visibility Package
Originally Posted by luigi524td' post='514528' date='Jan 7 2008, 12:52 AM
I've read the specs for the 535d - does it feel that strong in real life normal driving?
Coming to the 330Cd from the 328i, I had reservations about going with diesel, but I test drove a 330Cd and a 330Ci and although the engine of the the 330Ci sounded a bit more exciting, and it was a little quicker away from a standing start, beyond 30mph the diesel felt hugely more powerful.
I'd have no problem recommending BMW's performance diesel cars to anyone. Now with the 535D, that recommendation is further reinforced.