[rjberry]

Inevitably the time has come and for once, it wasn't entirely my decision.

After 15 months of fun, the order is in and so my Ruby days are counting down. I am actually quite gutted to be trading in this time, the plan was always going to keep this one but life changes and sometimes you just have to suck it up and move on.

Everything about this car was right, until the back seat space issue has reared its ugly head again. My car was never going to be the main mode of transport for us all but now it's changed and trying to squeeze two high back car seats and another child in between just doesn't work.

So, onwards and upwards...

I've now ordered the new 540i touring, plenty of room in the back for the kids to stretch out and a hugely impressive engine up front. I took one out for a test drive and it was fantastic. Even Mrs B was impressed

There we go, deal's done for collection some time in September. Build status is 0077 so no idea yet.

[willjames]

540i...nice. Got the 5er brochure recently and they look really smart. Would consider one myself next time. Just wonder if it's a little too big around town, parking up etc for me. Would need to test drive. Enjoy👍

[Three Bell Load]

Another individual colour?

Someone's going to be getting a nice used 340.

Unless you donate it to the forum as a courtesy car?

[PurpleTT]

Hope the circumstances leading to the change aren't too bad old chap.

Yes, come on spill the beans on the spec.

Emerald green individual paint?
Aubergine purple leather?

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by willjames

540i...nice. Got the 5er brochure recently and they look really smart. Would consider one myself next time. Just wonder if it's a little too big around town, parking up etc for me. Would need to test drive. Enjoy👍

I had a test drive and it was a very nice place to be. The interior was nice, the exterior was more in line with the range, overall a nice car.

The engine though is a beast. I thought it would be similar to what I've got but I think the xdrive must take it up a notch as that thing flew! The three little petrol heads in the back all had massive grins so I knew I was onto a winner!

[gr4z]

Nice. The 540i would be the only thing at the moment to temp me out of the 440i.

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by Three Bell Load

Another individual colour?

Someone's going to be getting a nice used 340.

Unless you donate it to the forum as a courtesy car?

Not this time

This time it's just plain Carbon Black. The 5 series paint choices aren't fantastic but time is against me so I don't have the luxury of picking an individual option.

If the part ex price had been lower I'd have considered the forum loan car idea, but sadly it's just enough to be bearable

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by PurpleTT

Hope the circumstances leading to the change aren't too bad old chap.

Yes, come on spill the beans on the spec.

Emerald green individual paint?
Aubergine purple leather?

A combination of old injuries catching up and small children growing up. The extra space will help out on both fronts.

The spec is very subdued...


Carbon Black
Ivory White Nappa Leather
Poplar Grey Trim
Visibility Pack
> Headlight Wash
> Adaptive LED Headlights
> High Beam Assist
Technology Pack
> Display Key
> Head-up Display
> Enhanced Bluetooth with Wireless Charging
> BMW Gesture Control
> WiFi Hotspot Preparation
Comfort Pack
> Headlight Wash
> Comfort Seats, front
> Exterior Mirrors - folding with anti-dazzle
> Parking Pack Plus
M Sport Plus Pack
> 20" BMW Ind V-spoke 759 alloy wheels
> Sun Protection Glass
> Loudspeaker System - Harman/Kardon Surround Sound
Adaptive Drive
Model Designation Deletion
Panoramic Glass Sunroof
12v Power Sockets
Remote Services

I also added a few other accessories - dashcams, mats, boot liner, key case, phone case, fuel etc

If I'd have known I could get the Emerald paint with aubergine leather that would have sealed the deal right there! Sadly, my youngest is more of a Batman fan than the Joker

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by gr4z

Nice. The 540i would be the only thing at the moment to temp me out of the 440i.

You should try one, it was a blast!

The only things I noticed was the steering feel and the standard suspension. I've added the Adaptive Drive though which I think should iron out most of what I noticed. It probably doesn't help that I've had VSS in this car which I'm used to now.

[JustChris]

Congrats, new 5 is a beast.

[dbramley]

Is it that much wider in the back? In the F10 the side bolsters were so big it made little difference in the width of the car.

[Bibbles]

I've just also had a test drive and now I'm sitting in front of a quote and contemplating the G31 540i as well.

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by dbramley

Is it that much wider in the back? In the F10 the side bolsters were so big it made little difference in the width of the car.

There's probably an extra 4-5 inches of usable seat in the middle of the back seats. Normally in my car, the Bubble Bum we use barely squeezes in and even then the seat belt buckles are impossible to get to. In the 5, the Bubble Bum went in easily and all children could buckle themselves in and out quite easily. It's not much, but this is the photo I took whilst we were trying the seats out.

The seat bolsters now seem to be less invasive so it all just seems to work better.

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by dbramley

Is it that much wider in the back? In the F10 the side bolsters were so big it made little difference in the width of the car.

I'll try the photo again. Stupid app!

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by Bibbles

I've just also had a test drive and now I'm sitting in front of a quote and contemplating the G31 540i as well.

Do it, but haggle hard! Don't fall for that "new car, so no discount" line, there's always a deal to be done

How was your test drive? Do you know if the car had anything other than the normal suspension?

[scostu]

Originally Posted by rjberry

I've now ordered the new 540i touring, plenty of room in the back for the kids to stretch out and a hugely impressive engine up front. I took one out for a test drive and it was fantastic. .

......DAMN......

[Bibbles]

Originally Posted by rjberry

Do it, but haggle hard! Don't fall for that "new car, so no discount" line, there's always a deal to be done

How was your test drive? Do you know if the car had anything other than the normal suspension?

Yes I've been haggling hard and they seem to be pretty much matching the coast2coast quote. I'll see if they'll go further. I was very impressed on the test drive, it's definitely a step up in quality and refinement from the f31. It also didn't feel as big and cumbersome as I thought it would. It didn't have the adaptive suspension but had the msport suspension and it was fine. I've not spec'd adaptive as it seems far too expensive and it's not like I'll spend a great deal of time hooning this size car around some B roads to really need it. I only drove the 530d as they didn't have a 540i available. What was the 540i like? I'm assuming it was nice not listening to a tractor engine from outside.

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by Bibbles

Yes I've been haggling hard and they seem to be pretty much matching the coast2coast quote. I'll see if they'll go further. I was very impressed on the test drive, it's definitely a step up in quality and refinement from the f31. It also didn't feel as big and cumbersome as I thought it would. It didn't have the adaptive suspension but had the msport suspension and it was fine. I've not spec'd adaptive as it seems far too expensive and it's not like I'll spend a great deal of time hooning this size car around some B roads to really need it. I only drove the 530d as they didn't have a 540i available. What was the 540i like? I'm assuming it was nice not listening to a tractor engine from outside.

Excellent, you've got to start somewhere just keep pushing till the colour starts to drain!

I found the test drive fantastic in the 540i. Like you say, the car didn't feel like a big car and it was a definite step up in class. The engine is a minx, it'll keep wanting more and more and it will keep delivering that power all the way. I think the xdrive keeps that power nicely going down into the tarmac so the grip is there.

I did hoon around on a few of the twisties around here and that's where I felt the normal suspension started to run out of the comfortable parameters. Body roll was noticeable and the steering felt a bit vague at that point. That's why I went for adaptive, 90% of the time I doubt it'll get to the point where I'll use it but for the other 10% I want to push it that little bit further and enjoy the ride!

It's a wonderful car though isn't it?

[Bibbles]

Originally Posted by rjberry

It's a wonderful car though isn't it?

Yes it was great to drive and the technology in there is phenomenal. I still wish they'd release the 550 over here but this will do for now.

[Steve_M_Sport]

A 540i Touring sounds like a great car.

When I collected my new car from Sytner Coventry on 25 May they had a brand new Ruby Red 335D M Sport Touring in the show room. It looked to be fully specced as list was £53k OTR and they were asking £43k for it - presumably there was a bit more margin to chip away at. It looked fantastic in RR as yours does too.

[CazuaLLUK]

Originally Posted by willjames

540i...nice. Got the 5er brochure recently and they look really smart. Would consider one myself next time. Just wonder if it's a little too big around town, parking up etc for me. Would need to test drive. Enjoy👍

I'd love one but in Portsmouth it would be completely useless for parking reasons.

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by Steve_M_Sport

A 540i Touring sounds like a great car.

When I collected my new car from Sytner Coventry on 25 May they had a brand new Ruby Red 335D M Sport Touring in the show room. It looked to be fully specced as list was £53k OTR and they were asking £43k for it - presumably there was a bit more margin to chip away at. It looked fantastic in RR as yours does too.

Thanks!

That sounds fairly similar to what my Ruby Red was priced up to so there should be more room to negotiate on that. It is a beautiful colour and I would definitely have gone for it again if I'd have the time to wait for it.