520d Auto 5dr Estate

A dream to drive

Replaced my 2008 520d Touring with this one from a BMW main dealer. The 2008 car was disappointing; it was my first BMW and I couldn't make out what all the fuss was about . Drive was so-so,the gearbox awful, the gearing not suited to our 30mph speed limit, the run-flats tramlined until warmed-up, and there were numerous rattles. Even the wipers swept the "wrong" way for rhd! Then I had to take it in to a main dealer to have the tailgate replaced (rust coming through) and they gave me a 2011 model as a loan car. What a difference! I took the plunge and bought a similar model.
It is a serene driving experience. The car is very quiet and handles beautifully. The 8-speed auto gearbox has an almost seamless change, and seems ideal for our range of speed limits. Yes it is a big car - but you soon get used to it.
I knew when I bought it that I was the wrong sort of driver: I do occasional 15-20 mile round-trips and it takes 7 miles for the engine to reach operating temperature. This means I average about 42mpg and can probably expect the dpf to start complaining. Drive the car on a motorway, on the other hand, and you realise this is what it was built to do. However, I knew this before I bought it, and don't have any regrets.
The interior fit and finish are excellent, and the seats comfortable. The driving position, though, is low - even with the height raised to maximum.
The car has a Business sat-nav. The Professional would have been better as, for one thing, it can store music on the car's hard disk drive. I have to plug in a usb drive into the port in the centre console. The console lid still closes, but it would be easy to damage the drive if rummaging around in the centre console for something.
Complaints? Only one: as Honest John points out, the windscreens do tend to be thin. Mine produced an 8" crack today when a stone hit it. BMW said they did not have a replacement screen in the country and that there was a six-week back-order!! I had to have a windscreen repair company source an identical screen from Pilkington, with the BMW logo etched out. BMW Customer Services have failed to explain why a third party can source replacement screens but they can't. Oh dear, BMW. Very poor.
Nevertheless,I love the car. I have never been so relaxed when driving!

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