[Mud]

Very quick delivery! Mine was ordered the day after yours and expected delivery date pushed back to 20 June!

[xenon]

Yeah, the dealer pulled out all the stops and found one just going into build (as a demo) and made it "my" spec.

[m1bjr]

Very cool car

[RCUK]

Have the same car .. hit 143 on the autobahn in germany last week (GPS verified) and then got to drive the nurburgring in it.

One thing about the SE though (which i have) is that its very wallowy in corners and def doesnt inspire confidence.

[xenon]

Filled up last night and then through a 15-mile roadworks section with the cruise set at 40 and the range said 929 miles.....

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by xenon

the range said 929 miles.....

Ah- shut up Ian

[xenon]

Don't worry - soon got it down to 620.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by xenon

Don't worry - soon got it down to 620.

Oh- fcuk me, terrible

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by xenon

Picked it up on Friday

So far, so good - no problems and it has some really nice features. I particularly like the "black panel" dashboard which displays a variety of information in your eye-line (e.g. navigation directions, music playlists etc). The ride is much more compliant than the e92 (probably just down to the tyres) and it's very comfortable.

Hi Ian,
Welcome to the F10 side. Further to my reply to your earlier pm, how are you finding the on-centre steering feel?
Loads of F10 stuff over here: http://f10.5post.com/forums/index.php come and join in the discussion.
Jon

[xenon]

Hi Jon. I'll have a look at that site.

I'm finding the steering OK - perhaps the lighter engine = less assistance = more feel?

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

Car looks great - I really like these! Had one last week as a loan car for the day when the M3 went for a service. My only 'concern' was that the steering felt a little detached? Can't quite put my finger on it but it could bug me long term.

The dealer is having a 535D demo car in shortly and am looking forward to a drive of that

You're right to be concerned about the steering. I've had my 535d since last September and it's been an issue for me from the first week onward. For such a big car the F10 handles remarkably well in negotiating a series of bends with the suspension set in 'sport' or 'sport+' and provided that a positive cornering force is being applied to the wheel, the car is very responsive and a pleasure to drive. However, in a straight-ahead cruise the steering seems too light, lacks feedback and feels somewhat vague and unresponsive with the wheel on-centre, which results in constant corrective inputs being required in order to maintain a steady heading. This is evident in all suspension modes, but more noticeable with 'normal' or 'comfort' selected. The secondary effect of this is that the car has a tendency to wander off-line if you pay anything more than a fleeting glance to the sat-nav or idrive menu.
Like many other F10 owners, I share the view that this is an unwelcome side effect of the steering now being electric motor assisted as opposed to hydraulic and my recent drive in the F12 further qualifies this opinion. Certainly the 640i's steering was significantly quicker, doubtless due to different rack gearing, and combined with the stiffer suspension it resulted in very responsive and impressive handling through the corners. However the straight-ahead steering characteristics were very much like my F10, albeit to a lesser degree, and this has been commented on in some early motoring press reviews.
Having said all that, I'm becoming more accustomed to the less than precise steering and, to a very large extent, it's offset by the utterly sublime 35d engine/8 speed sport auto drivetrain - the power surge is exhilarating and very addictive.
Enjoy your test drive - I'd appreciate your thoughts on the steering.

[CardinalZeus77]

Nice car

I test drove one of these last weekend. It's a lovely car. Interior oozes quality.

[mv57]

Originally Posted by xenon

Yeah, the dealer pulled out all the stops and found one just going into build (as a demo) and made it "my" spec.

Ther you see no need to worry about production stopages.

[creepy coupe]

Some ideas for Ian

[xenon]

s'wikkid innit bro?

Actually, those wheels look quite nice - a bit like the M paras.

[willhollin]

Very nice Ian.

[Em135eye]

Ian - yours looks much nicer than the chaviotised version above.

[xenon]

I just noticed something - are those doorhandles chrome??

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by xenon

I just noticed something - are those doorhandles chrome??

Brushed alloy maybe, and you want them so bad.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by xenon

I just noticed something - are those doorhandles chrome??

They're chrome strip inserts set into the handles - think it's standard on 6cyl models.

[PurpleMonkey]

Nice

[xenon]

Originally Posted by Jon D

They're chrome strip inserts set into the handles - think it's standard on 6cyl models.

Even on the M-Sport with shadowline? Looks a bit odd on black.