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Apologies for the late post. It's more than two months since I got the car. Also, I am not a good writer and mediocre with technicals. So, I would request you to overlook the shortfalls in this review. I just 'LOVE TO DRIVE'.
The Altis had run for 1,70,000 kms. We had disposed of the Esteem. It was time to pick up a new car. Had always dreamt about owning a BMW 530d someday in life. However, was skeptical about owning another German after the Skoda episode. Also markets were bad and investments stuck.
Options considered –
None. I had always wanted to own the BMW 530d. It was only about when to buy the car. Now or wait for a few more months till the construction markets stabilised. I would have continued with the Altis and got the family a small car for the city. We were thinking of the i20 or the Liva. Liva because of the eternal peace I had for 6 years while owning the Altis. The kids insisted on not procrastinating any further and buying the 530d right away. The cost appeared prohibitive but the EMI’s manageable. Also, was fast running out of age. Approaching 53. Therefore, decided to take the plunge. My choice was the white. The kids insisted on the carbon black and cinnamon brown combo. I was very reluctant but eventually yielded.
GTO’s thread had already escalated the choice to a very high level. GTO and Akshay1234 were continuously pestered for advice. Thank u guys for the back up.
Purchase -
Started negotiating with both Navnit and Infinity. Infinity gave a better deal. So booked the car on the 26th of March 2016.
Ex showroom price - Rs. 61,90,000
Registration - Rs. 8,54,700
Insurance - Rs. 2,43,213
Secure - Rs. 48,777
BSI 100,000 kms / 5 years - Rs. 6,32,384
Stamp charges etc - Rs. 6,586
Original quote as per new price list (all inclusive) = Rs. 79,75,660
Got the car for = Rs. 70,38,467. Technically got a discount of Rs. 9,37,193 on the new price list.
Finance acquired from BMW financial services.
Warranty -
Company warranty for 2 years, unlimited kms. Took all the possible insurance - the Secure and the BSI for 100,000 kms / 5 years.
Booking experience and delivery -
The whole purchase process was very smooth. No hiccups. Very quick sanction on the financing too. I requested them to conclude before the 31st which they promptly did. Winston was the guy who advised through the whole deal. Akshay1234 was very helpful in completing the purchase smoothly. Everything got done in super quick time and cordially. Decent experience with Infinity. No surprises.
Planned for delivery on Gudi Padwa day, the 8th of April.
8th of April - Well!! It was love at first sight. Nothing better could describe the gamut of emotions that rushed through me when I first laid my eyes on her.
The exterior glistening, the interior smelling of fresh leather, all wrapped and ready to go. Kids were in 7th heaven. Infinity had 20 deliveries on this day. It’s a wrong day to take delivery. Everybody is stretched. A small glitch – they goofed up on the number plate. However, they sent somebody home and rectified it with a new plate. Infinity also threw in the BMW interior mats.
Infinity to Siddhivinayak and straight on to the streets. No wasting time.
Features -
I am in love with the auto hold. What a feature. However, have a downside to it. While driving the other car, Altis tend to forget that she doesn't have the auto hold.
Another great feature is the heads up display. I can play my music, catch radio, make calls, navigate, watch my speed without taking my eyes off the road.
The paddle shifts are worth mentioning everywhere. Very helpful while arresting speed. A quick double tap on the downshift and the car gets into control.
Different driving modes. Sports mode almost does a wheelie. I have been driving mostly in comfort mode.
The white lights are so powerful. It's like magic when u flash and overtake. I have experienced cars ahead give way quickly.
I like the retractable screens for the rear passengers.
Like the sharkfin antenna on the roof.
Parking sensors are a boon.
I like the way the steering gets back into place after shutting down.
Safety and related equipment -
I believe there are 8 airbags and tons of safety related features. I hope we never get to a stage where we have the need to test any of them. At relatively high speeds the car gives a cocooned safe feel but it approaches vehicles ahead at a tearing pace. Gotta be careful with that. Also, from within the car high speeds can tend to be under estimated. People tend to misjudge the pace at which it approaches.
Exterior styling and design -
Looks classy. The lights all round gives it a regal feel. And yes, the blue and white BMW logo does the rest.
Build Quality -
Feels butch. The doors seem lighter. They don't thud like they used too in earlier cars.
Interior design and quality -
Supreme quality all round. Everything feels luxe. Rear entertainment needs some research with the manual. Too many options. Will do it when I have time. Right now I am busy enjoying driving the car. By the way, only one CD can be used at the rear. I think they discontinued with the multi CD player which was located in the glove box.
Every part exudes top quality. Love the feel of the steering. Very snug. Large sunroof. Only tested them. Haven't had the need to use them. I have a slight OCD towards dust collecting. I very rarely keep the glass down too.
The seats are awesome and plush leather. Many combinations to choose from and are very comfortable. Hugs you all round. The armrests are large and keeps the strain off.
Like the way the dash lights up when you hit sports mode. Actually, impressed with the entire lighting inside and outside the car. It's a great pleasure to flash and overtake.
Interior space and comfort -
The 530d gives u a feeling of being in a space capsule. In the cockpit feeling. Very comfortable and snug. But, my Altis feels more roomier and open. The rear legroom in the 530d is bad. The Altis will beat it hollow. However, since I sit very close to the steering wheel, friends in the rear did not feel much discomfort during our long trip. Laco of bottle holding space is an irritant. Large storage areas within the boot are very helpful to keep cleaning material.
Driving position and controls -
Very well co-ordinated. You feel in total control. Everything handy and around you at the touch of a button. Very comfortable steering. The HUD display, especially, takes the cake. Very convenient. The start / stop feature hasn't bothered me immensely. I have not yet used the manual driving mode.
Visibility and size of the mirrors -
Rear visibility is poor due to the size of the windscreen. Mirrors are good looking and adequate.
Aircon -
Supreme cooling. Separate vents in the front can be synced together. However, the rear blowers seem inadequate. Happened to sit for a few hours at the rear. Felt them unsatisfactory.
Audio system, sound quality and Navigation -
Clear sound with good volume. The navigation system is pathetic. Cannot find a lot of destinations on the highway. There is a field for street names which is a very difficult field to fill. Could not find Taj Bekal. Could not find Kabini. Could not find Hoppipola in Lower Parel. Or I must be doing something wrong.
Interior storage and boot space -
Glove box feels cramped. The Altis had two compartments. Biggest grouse is no place to keep water bottles. I could keep 4 in the Altis. The space around the central arm rest is decent. Boot space is eaten up by the spare donut. Despite the spare tyre hanging loose, the boot took in 4 large tote bags of 30” length each. So long distance travel for 4 people with 4 bags does not seem to be a big issue.
Engine performance and driveability in the city -
Haven't driven around the city much. But it is easy to manoeuvre this big car in city traffic. Not cumbersome as anticipated. Very easy to manoeuvre in traffic.
Engine performance and driveability on the highway -
Only one word - ROCKET.
Since this is my first automatic car, still trying to get used to synchronise the right timing for shifting the paddles. It is such a great engine though. Never disappoints or lags. Haven't touched the manual mode yet. Enjoying with the paddles alone. It's a matter of opinion but I think it's easier to descend the ghats on a manual transmission.
Phenomenal driving experience. The power is just insane. You tap the accelerator and it surges. High adrenaline rush. Responsive steering. The paddle shifts are a boon. Have got used to the engine shutting down and restarting. Powerful and bright lighting. I prefer using the regular headlights instead of the adaptive one, since they have a mind of their own. Likewise with the wipers. Got to get used to the adaptive lights, wipers and seat memory settings.
NVH levels -
Feels totally insulated. Blocks out the outside world.
Suspension and ride quality -
Suspension is good, although the run flats give you a stiff ride. You can feel it when it goes over cuts on the roads. The car gives a feeling of glide on undulated roads.
Handling and turning radius -
Handles well. Grips the road well too. Stable and no body roll. However, do not like the turning radius. Very deep.
Braking - Brakes very quickly. Confidence inspiring. But I use the paddle shifts before I hit the brakes. I use the downshifts extensively. The foot pedals are large and convenient. The dead pedal on the left is a boon.
Ground clearance -
Initially, went over every breaker very gingerly. But no sweat. Clears them well. My friend has a service centre in Nasik. I had the opportunity to go down the well and see the underside of the car. Brilliantly packaged belly. Everything in place. Very well secured.
Mileage -
City - 8.5 to 9 kmpl
Highway - 9.5 to 11.5 kmpl
I have done maximum runs in the Comfort mode. Sport mode was used only on the expressway.
Usage -
I have a weekly run of around 500 kms from Mumbai to Nasik, within Nasik city and back. Rest of the runs would be for weekends and holidays. I guess i might do about 2500 kms / month. i will avoid driving this car within the city. did 3 nasik runs this week.
Issues and after sales experience –
On the first drive back from Nasik a stone flew on to the windscreen and cracked it. This was within 20 days of delivery. Replacement was done under Secure. Total bill Rs.1,19,000. I had to pay Rs. 5000 as claim charges. Had to travel to Turbhe to get it fixed. Infinity offered to pick up and drop the car. Politely declined. Pleasant experience at the workshop, both during drop and pickup. Car was washed well. No delays both ways. Their driver dropped me to where I could get a cab on drop day. Took 2 days to process claim and replace. Back on the tarmac.
Tyres -
The rear left tyre kept dropping pressure on every run. The tyre pressure monitor warned me once. I duly filled air thereafter. The pressure dropped during the next two trips too. I did not get a warning on those two trips. Got to know when I checked after each run. Probably I didn't reset the monitor after filling air. Have planned to ask the advisors during servicing. After the third drop in pressure took it for a puncture check. Had a big nail embedded. Got the puncture repaired. Surprised that the car ran on the puncture for 3 Mumbai Nasik trips without any trouble. Amazed. Have always had my reservations about run flats but this was a pleasant experience.
Running so far -
Ran 9 trips to Nasik, one to Alibag and one 2600 km run from Mumbai - Mangalore – Bekal - Kabini and back via NH4. Car held up very well on this long run. No issues at all. Went comfortably through bad terrain around Kabini. The entire drive was a breeze. Trip duration 11 days.
Did Mumbai Udupi – 900 kms - in 13 hrs with 2 food and one fuel stop.
Did Kabini - Mumbai - 1145 kms - in 16.5 hrs including 2 food and fuel stops
Kabini - Sira was a slow patch. Could do only 255 kms in 5 hours.
Did Sira - Kolhapur a distance of 500 kms in 5 hours.
Kolhapur - Mumbai 390 kms in 5 hours.
Fuel averaged at 9 kms to the litre.
Current mileage - 7300 km in 75 days. Service due indicator shows at 8000 kms.
Family observations -
Kids are kicked. Son is waiting to get back from the US. Daughter had promised to clean the car. Two months plus and she has never come down once. Wife calls the car a lot of drama but she helps in cleaning with the jopasu and the micro fibre cloth. Have threatened the cleaner and have offered to pay him extra to clean the car the way I want. Was initially worried about whether it would fit into the existing parking slot in the building, but it does well. Find the carbon black very difficult to clean after a highway ride. Cleaning up the dead insect mess.
After going through GTO's thread there is very little to add to the likes and dislikes. However, this is my take.
Likes –
The insane power
The paddle shifts
The auto hold
Heads up display
The white lights
Tyre pressure monitor
Ease of handling the cell, music, navigation
Parking sensors
Minor dislikes –
Boot space being eaten up by the spare
Lack of bottle holding space
Inadequate rear legroom
Weak rear aircon blower
Slightly stiff ride
Large turning radius
Cramped ingress and egress
Inadequate rear windscreen
Navigation system
Cleaning the carbon black
Time consumed hunting for suitable parking
Last edited by Aditya : 28th June 2016 at 08:10.
Reason: Mention of high speeds
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15th June 2016, 10:42
(3)
Thanks
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