First impressions of the F10

[PatrickC23]

Keep in mind my previous cars were an e46 330ci, e46 SMG M3, Range Rover Sport Supercharged and C63 AMG (pre-LCI slushbox), so this is a big step up for me imo.

First off, loved European Delivery, European being the key word, HATED US re-delivery. My car was stuck in the VDC black hole for 18 days. I feel for guys like ScottinFL and DesertEagle whose cars are currently lost in space. I'll start by saying that each situation is unique, but the fact that you cannot do anything once your car is in VDC is not true. I patiently waited as my car sat in US Customs for 8 total days since I knew BMW had no control over that. As soon as my car reached 7 days in VDC I wrote my dealer an email stating that since I had paid for the car, and was nearing the 8 weeks BMW promised me my car in, I needed their help in getting it. One day later my car arrived at the dealership - I have no clue what was done, but its the exact reason I chose to travel one hour to a dealership where I considered the CA's to be fellow enthusiasts (as well as a mod friendly and official Dinan service shop). My car arrived at noon yesterday, and they said I could pick it up anytime that night since they would do dealer prep on it immediately - they even offered to pick me up. I'll go into more detail in another thread regarding my dealer because I believe they deserve some props for getting me my car in time for a wedding I need to attend this weekend in Newport (I had no car for ten weeks).

First impression of the car seeing it outside, it didn't look nearly as large as it did inside the Welt. Outside it looked like any normal sized car - driving it it doesnt feel as large either, but once I enter my parking garage and navigate the spaces and pillars, it feels like a behemoth.

Getting in the car, it just felt right, that distinct BMW new car smell from my 2002 e46 M3. One word I'd use to describe this car .. refined. It is so comfortable that 65 mph really feels like 30 mph, granted I drove home in D/Comfort/Efficient/Comfort.

Some others here have complained that they prefer the creeping when letting off the brake, but I was so happy to be back in a car that didnt move until I hit the throttle. I played around with shifting in program 1 and 2 - nothing like SMG, again refined versus raw. I was very surprised at how well the 19's took bumps in the road, considerably more comfortable than my C63. I opted for the 19s since I have Modulare B18s ready to go in 20s. I personally dont think the 19s are ugly as some think, I belive it give the M5 a more sporty/track look as opposed to the executive saloon look the OEM 20s give it. My other surprise was that I was comfortable with the wheel gap, I didn't feel it was excessive, and with the more aggressive offset of my 20's hopefully it'll look even better.

I share the car with my wife so I wont be heavily modding it in terms of performance - the IND cosmetic package went on today, clear bra and tints tomorrow, then Modulares next weekend.

Two funny things I'd like to mention, when I got home from delivery my wife came down to meet me to go for a drive. Her first comment was "hot car", then proceeded to tell me to turn doen the radio so she could hear the exhaust (No B&O option justified!). When we walked into the condo the first thing she did was take out the owners manual and began to read. Five minutes later she asked me "Do you know that you cannot depress the brake right away? Its a two step process, you need to turn on the ignition first, then hit the brake to turn on the engine. Same thing when you shut it off, you have to hit it twice." I replied "No, I didnt know that".

Couple questions, do you guys leave the car in gear or in neutral when you shut off the ignition? Does it matter, or the car will always go into Park when you shut off ignition?

Also, does everyone use the Parking brake all the time?

Anyways here are some pics -

[PatrickC23]

How do I make my pics larger in size? Not resolution but physical size in the threads? Mine always show up small like they do above.

[RPiM5]

ED Euro Plates FTW!!

Sweet bro! You should look up Chudak18 since he lives in your neck of the woods.

[M54ccibo]

Right on! ED is the only way to pickup a M5! Love your color combo too...but I am a bit biased!

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

ED Euro Plates FTW!!

Sweet bro! You should look up Chudak18 since he lives in your neck of the woods.

Yea I was shocked they came on the car. I had heard they dont ship them, or the truckers usually steal them. My rear plate was in the trunk and the front still affixed. Coming off tomorrow with clear bra going on but really happy I got them - I took the warning triangle and first aid kit as well.

[koxal]

Congrats bud..
Hope to spot ur car in the neighborhood soon... Worst case at Cando

If the gear is in N and you shut the engine off, it doesnt go to PARK. You have to shut it off while in gear (either D or R)

[PatrickC23]

And in response to the M5 being a dude magnet - as I was taking pics of the car this guy comes over and gawks at the car, and proceeds to tell me about every car hes owned and how he destroyed them all, then tries to give me some pointers on driving, really??!

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by koxal

Congrats bud..
Hope to spot ur car in the neighborhood soon... Worst case at Cando

If the gear is in N and you shut the engine off, it doesnt go to PARK. You have to shut it off while in gear (either D or R)

You'll see me there soon, now that I have a car Ill be back there 5 times a week. Hope to meet up some time. If it helps to find me, Im asian, haha.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by koxal

If the gear is in N and you shut the engine off, it doesnt go to PARK. You have to shut it off while in gear (either D or R)

Actually, not trying to be a know it all or anything, but the DCT will go to P if you shut off the car in N. I do it all the time. I can shoot a quick video if you'd like.

[koxal]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Actually, not trying to be a know it all or anything, but the DCT will go to P if you shut off the car in N. I do it all the time. I can shoot a quick video if you'd like.

you have to press the on/off button twice to get it in P position.
otherwise it wont go P.

if you shut the car off in D or R position, it goes to P right away..

At least, this is the way it happens in my car

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by koxal

you have to press the on/off button twice to get it in P position.
otherwise it wont go P.

if you shut the car off in D or R position, it goes to P right away..

At least, this is the way it happens in my car

Yes - but you are always supposed to hit it twice. First time you hit the button, it turns the ignition off, second time it turns off all the accessories and goes to park.

[PatrickC23]

One other thing I noticed, I was able to add a destination route with the i-drive while in motion. Isnt it supposed to be disabled?

[koxal]

Originally Posted by PatrickC23

Yes - but you are always supposed to hit it twice. First time you hit the button, it turns the ignition off, second time it turns off all the accessories and goes to park.

When you lock the doors, it cuts off everything anyways (if car is in P)...
Thats why I shut the engine off in D or R position to get it in Park position then lock the doors to cut off the rest...

[DesertEagle50]

Congrats on getting your car Patrick! Looks great!

[dhirm5]

Originally Posted by PatrickC23

One other thing I noticed, I was able to add a destination route with the i-drive while in motion. Isnt it supposed to be disabled?

Not on my 2009, or my wife's 2011 X5d. There are cars that do this, but not BMWs (thank goodness).

[jmh]

Originally Posted by PatrickC23

One other thing I noticed, I was able to add a destination route with the i-drive while in motion. Isnt it supposed to be disabled?

Nope. iDrive always allowed you to enter NAV destionations while in motion

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by jmh

Nope. iDrive always allowed you to enter NAV destionations while in motion

This is correct. However I always enter addresses using the concierge button - really a killer feature.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

This is correct. However I always enter addresses using the concierge button - really a killer feature.

I've never tried that before. How does it work??

[Bokke]

COngrats!!! It's screaming for B18's!!

[stealth.pilot]

I'm really impressed that your wife read the owners manual right off the bat. Very impressive woman.

I don't think she's right about the startup procedure. I think you can start with a single press if you apply the brake first. However I'm not certain because the startup process is in my limbic brain - i.e. its a reflex action and the conscious part of my brain knows nothing about it!

[lumberman]

I always shut the car off in N and press twice the SS button, to avoid extra load on the transmission, not sure if it helps, just my driving style

I use the P brake in traffic too, cos the car will roll if you don't apply brake or throttle

[Scott_in_FL]

Patrick, I'm glad to hear that you got your car. It looks great!!

I sent the letter that you've seen to BMWNA, they acknowledged having received it, and they assigned someone to research exactly what is going on. However, that was Monday, and I haven't heard a thing from this person nor have I been able to reach her by phone (I've tried calling her probably 3x a day since then). Up til now, BMW had done a terrific job every step of the way. But these last few weeks have been a disaster with lies and failed promises (at the dealer CA level), and a complete lack of responsiveness (from BMW NA). It seems that once they have your money, you're screwed.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Enjoy your car in good health!

PS. I see that you do not have the green euro registration sticker in the lower right corner of your windshield. Did you remove that, or did the dealer remove it on prep?