[Mariuss]

BMWs are meant to be driven by people instead of computers, so I'd drop the Adaptive CC It always does poorer job than me anyway. I cancel the CC when I hit traffic and don't touch the brakes at all when on the motorway.

[Chuckyarla]

Originally Posted by andrew520d

I was at the launch of the g30 in my local dealer and they told me they would be offering low value trade ins to people ordering even existing 5 series owners due to current market conditions. They reckon they don't want to be stuck with a lad of overpriced used cars.
A friend of mine bought a pre reg 520d se during the summer for 10 grand below list from a BMW dealer.This is part of the reason the values of older cars are so low. In a year to 18 months the g30 will be similar as they are already giving 4K off before any additional dealer discount.

Re the op's dilemma, have you thought of a black car ?
Always looks ok with the chrome on the se model against it and is an easier resell than a white car according to my dealer. He recommends if you don't want to pay for paint black looks good and they prefer it when coming back.when I bought my first f10 I got black and used the money to go to the 18" wheels which improved the appearance no end to me. I'm not sure what the wheels are going to look like on the g30 however so 17" might be ok
Don't delete the fogs as the new led ones look very well .

I have thought of black. I've had black before and it does look good when clean but it's a nightmare to keep clean. It's a hard one to call. Re the wheels, once you go to 18'' you're into runflats. I'd prefer to give them a miss if possible. What colour are you driving now?

[Chuckyarla]

Originally Posted by Mariuss

BMWs are meant to be driven by people instead of computers, so I'd drop the Adaptive CC It always does poorer job than me anyway. I cancel the CC when I hit traffic and don't touch the brakes at all when on the motorway.

I get what you're saying but I had ACC on a previous car and I really liked it and missed it when I changed car.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by usmabmass

The value of the heated steering wheel really depends on where you live. I'm sorry to say that I'm fairly ignorant of Ireland's weather patterns, but I can tell you where I live (snowy Chicago) that a heated steering wheel is a MUST. Maybe I'm just spoiled, but I've had a heated wheel now since 2008 and I wouldn't consider another car without it. I guess I also wouldn't do something without a HUD... so maybe spoiled.

But heated wheels are great!

Heated Steering wheel is a must- even a cool night in th summer from the beach- it warms old hands ! Free therapy!

[andrew520d]

We have an imperial blue x5 which is very nice when clean and polished and a mineral grey 330e m sport which suits saloons well in my opinion. Imperial blue would suit the new 5 well I think as it's a classy colour with a lovely sparkle in it.
Black non metallic also looks fine on se spec as the chrome contrasts well.
I think overall on the new g30 I would stick with 17" unless going m sport. The car is very well specced as standard and if a comfortable ride is important then they are sensible option and bigger wheels won't be worth any more when you resell.

[jedpause]

Originally Posted by Chuckyarla

I'm coming back to BMW after a few years with Merc/Audi/Jag and Lexus. I have ordered a 520D SE with the following extra spec:

Alpine White/Cognac interior with brushed aluminium trim
Standard 10 spoke 17'' rims with non-runflat tyres (don't look great but best for ride round these parts)
Heated steering wheel
Reverse camera
LED foglights front
High-beam assist
Active cruise control with stop and go
Harman Kardon
5 year service pack
.

I know the dilemma! I'm in the UK. I have the F10 M Sport in Alpine white. I think the G30 in white looks great also in M sport and SE trim.

I've used my fog lights maybe 6 times in 5 years (I live by Heathrow) and the cold steering wheel, only a problem on perhaps 8 days in 5 years.

Personally you could drop them in my view, no sad loss. What I would get is the folding, anti-dazzle side mirrors before anything else.. Essential to stop supermarket bashes and drivers behind you with crap lights.

Stay with white and get more essential addons, that's my view.

I have ordered a G30 due in March, and was fortunate to be able to order metallic, but would not have been fussed if I could not, white is great IMHO.

[Chuckyarla]

Originally Posted by jedpause

I know the dilemma! I'm in the UK. I have the F10 M Sport in Alpine white. I think the G30 in white looks great also in M sport and SE trim.

I've used my fog lights maybe 6 times in 5 years (I live by Heathrow) and the cold steering wheel, only a problem on perhaps 8 days in 5 years.

Personally you could drop them in my view, no sad loss. What I would get is the folding, anti-dazzle side mirrors before anything else.. Essential to stop supermarket bashes and drivers behind you with crap lights.

Stay with white and get more essential addons, that's my view.

I have ordered a G30 due in March, and was fortunate to be able to order metallic, but would not have been fussed if I could not, white is great IMHO.

Thanks. It is hard (but fun) to decide how to spec up a new car. This time round I've gone for functional rather than cosmetic stuff. But I am tempted to go for Fine Wood Trim Poplar Grain Grey as opposed to the standard Brushed Aluminium. What do you think? The interior will be Cognac/Black.

[jedpause]

Nice contrast, I find the browns too old fashioned.grey lasts longer trend wise in my view. But this part of the trim is pure personal taste. I prefer the brushed aluminium /M Sport colour trim myself

[AP]

I think you have to go for what YOU think is best. Ask 10 of us here and you will get 10 different answers!

We will of course be asking for pictures and a full in depth review when you pick it up!

[Chuckyarla]

Originally Posted by AP

I think you have to go for what YOU think is best. Ask 10 of us here and you will get 10 different answers!

We will of course be asking for pictures and a full in depth review when you pick it up!

Very true. But it's interested to hear people's opinions. Re the pics and review - absolutely!

[P1 PET]

€53,472 for 520d? It seems expensive man, but it will be a nice car for sure.

[andrew520d]

That price is after a 4000 euro discount BMW are giving in the new 5 in Ireland at the moment.
You guys in the UK live in a car buyers paradise compared to us in Ireland

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Chuckyarla

Thanks. It is hard (but fun) to decide how to spec up a new car. This time round I've gone for functional rather than cosmetic stuff. But I am tempted to go for Fine Wood Trim Poplar Grain Grey as opposed to the standard Brushed Aluminium. What do you think? The interior will be Cognac/Black.

Have you checked out the new matt wood finish? I thought it looked nice in a video a saw.

[MMY]

Originally Posted by andrew520d

That price is after a 4000 euro discount BMW are giving in the new 5 in Ireland at the moment.
You guys in the UK live in a car buyers paradise compared to us in Ireland

Yes, there seems to be a €4000 contribution available here in Ireland, can't recall that on a brand new model at launch before...BUT I think the dealers will just pocket it and still lowball trade in value. The huge discounts available in the uk in the last couple of years combined with the more favourable exchange rate means that higher spec English cars are knocking used values here for six. And other brands seem reluctant to take a Five series trade in....I'm going to wait until mid year to see if some sense returns to the market...at which stage some uk G30s might be making their way here...

[Chuckyarla]

Originally Posted by remmib

Have you checked out the new matt wood finish? I thought it looked nice in a video a saw.

I have checked it out but I saw the high-gloss poplar grey in a photo with the cognac leather and I was very impressed.

[Chuckyarla]

Originally Posted by MMY

Yes, there seems to be a €4000 contribution available here in Ireland, can't recall that on a brand new model at launch before...BUT I think the dealers will just pocket it and still lowball trade in value. The huge discounts available in the uk in the last couple of years combined with the more favourable exchange rate means that higher spec English cars are knocking used values here for six. And other brands seem reluctant to take a Five series trade in....I'm going to wait until mid year to see if some sense returns to the market...at which stage some uk G30s might be making their way here...

I think BMW responded to the Mercedes 10% discount with the €4,000 off. But as you say they only have to reduce your trade-in by €4,000 and you're back were you started. Buying new cars is a mugs game financially speaking. But if it gives you pleasure then why not - if you can afford it.

[Chuckyarla]

Originally Posted by remmib

What about M-sport? Then you get 18" and fogs, and to me, a much nicer car.

Just remember that if you want to add 18" wheels later on the SE, wheels from other BMW won't fit anymore (apart from the new 7-series). So it might not be that easy to find cheap wheels for the G30.

Why won't they fit?

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Chuckyarla

Why won't they fit?

Because the wheels has a different bolt pattern, 5x112, on new Gxx series BMWs. It used to 5x120.

[Chuckyarla]

Originally Posted by remmib

Because the wheels has a different bolt pattern, 5x112, on new Gxx series BMWs. It used to 5x120.

Ok. thank you. I didn't know that. So, only 7-Series wheels will fit - is that correct?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Chuckyarla

Ok. thank you. I didn't know that. So, only 7-Series wheels will fit - is that correct?

G11/G12 7 Series and F48 X1 bolt patterns are the same as the new G30 5 Series, but their offsets are different.
So they are not direct replacements

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Chuckyarla

Ok. thank you. I didn't know that. So, only 7-Series wheels will fit - is that correct?

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

G11/G12 7 Series and F48 X1 bolt patterns are the same as the new G30 5 Series, but their offsets are different.
So they are not direct replacements

The X1 wheels are too narrow and the offset are too high for the G30, but I believe the G11 has the same offset as the previous 7-series (F01), and they'll most likely fit on the G30, just like the F01 wheels fitted on the F10.

Tires on the G11 are one profile size too big for the G30 though. Like 245/50/18 vs 245/45/18.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by remmib

The X1 wheels are too narrow and the offset are too high for the G30, .

Yes, just mentioned it as another model that has changed the pattern