F10 528 Mini-Review
#1
Lexus Champion
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First off, these are just some basic impressions, I have no intention of trying to live up to both Mike's very high standards for automotive reviews. ![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
I spent four days last week with a brand new (only 600 km) F10 528, while my X5 was in the shop for the third time in three weeks.![Mad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif)
To be honest, I wasn't expecting much, as I expected it to be a base 528. I was very pleasantly surprised with many of the improvements of this car. I came very close to buying an E60 535xi just before I settled on our X5.
The F10 seemed much more luxurious and modern than the previous generation. The gauge cluster was the first thing that really jumped out. They actually have different colors and it isn't highlighted by the terrible orange glow and pixelated numbers on older BMW's. It had the "Efficient Dynamics" meter as well, that I couldn't quite figure out....lol. You can also see in the pic, that it appears that lane departure assist is an available option. The current gen Idrive is very good....much better than what I have in my '08 F.
There is ample space in the rear and the material quality is decent throughout the vehicle. It was noticeably quieter and rode very smoothly than the SUV's I'm used to piloting.
The handling/feedback was typical BMW and very good. What I was surprised with was how quick the car was. I really expected very little from such a large car with a small motor. I've had 328's before and think that they are absolutely terrible and pseudo luxury. The 528 is much nicer inside and performs enough for most drivers I'm sure. Sometimes we forget that the vast majority of drivers aren't interested in the "performance" aspect of their vehicle purchases.![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
While I was pleasantly surprised with this car, I certainly wasn't in love with it. The exterior styling is very bland. I realize the M-sport package adds alot and this car looks very different than a 550 or the upcoming M5 which are more aggressive.
The gas mileage was also disappointing considering the small engine. I only saw about 24 mpg on the highway, which is tough to swallow when I'm getting 5-6 mpg in my much heavier, less aerodyamic, diesel SUV's.
One thing that still drives me up the wall, is why can't BMW figure out how to make a freakin' functional cupholder.![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
The ones in this car are ridiculously bad, almost to the point of being non-functional.![Thumb Down](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsdown.gif)
Overall, I can understand why the new 5 series has been selling as well as it has been. It is a very good car that offers a nice balance of performance and luxury.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
I spent four days last week with a brand new (only 600 km) F10 528, while my X5 was in the shop for the third time in three weeks.
![Mad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif)
To be honest, I wasn't expecting much, as I expected it to be a base 528. I was very pleasantly surprised with many of the improvements of this car. I came very close to buying an E60 535xi just before I settled on our X5.
The F10 seemed much more luxurious and modern than the previous generation. The gauge cluster was the first thing that really jumped out. They actually have different colors and it isn't highlighted by the terrible orange glow and pixelated numbers on older BMW's. It had the "Efficient Dynamics" meter as well, that I couldn't quite figure out....lol. You can also see in the pic, that it appears that lane departure assist is an available option. The current gen Idrive is very good....much better than what I have in my '08 F.
There is ample space in the rear and the material quality is decent throughout the vehicle. It was noticeably quieter and rode very smoothly than the SUV's I'm used to piloting.
The handling/feedback was typical BMW and very good. What I was surprised with was how quick the car was. I really expected very little from such a large car with a small motor. I've had 328's before and think that they are absolutely terrible and pseudo luxury. The 528 is much nicer inside and performs enough for most drivers I'm sure. Sometimes we forget that the vast majority of drivers aren't interested in the "performance" aspect of their vehicle purchases.
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
While I was pleasantly surprised with this car, I certainly wasn't in love with it. The exterior styling is very bland. I realize the M-sport package adds alot and this car looks very different than a 550 or the upcoming M5 which are more aggressive.
The gas mileage was also disappointing considering the small engine. I only saw about 24 mpg on the highway, which is tough to swallow when I'm getting 5-6 mpg in my much heavier, less aerodyamic, diesel SUV's.
One thing that still drives me up the wall, is why can't BMW figure out how to make a freakin' functional cupholder.
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
The ones in this car are ridiculously bad, almost to the point of being non-functional.
![Thumb Down](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsdown.gif)
Overall, I can understand why the new 5 series has been selling as well as it has been. It is a very good car that offers a nice balance of performance and luxury.
#3
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Wow, nice concise review with considerable miles driven too. I've been curious about the new 5 but haven't taken the time to drive one yet. They are very popular here.
#6
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j/k. It was pretty good. I've only driven the 535ix so the comparison is a little different with the E60 being more powerful and all wheel drive. Also keep in mind that I went from an SUV to a sedan so the handling felt pretty sharp...lol. Not as engaging as my F, but fully capable for a car in this class and still more connected than the W212 E.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
They're those hideaway ones that you can see in front of the shifter. Stupidly, they sort of pop up and/or are spring loaded. We stopped into Starbucks and struggled to get the cups to fit and stay in their slots. Without enough weight in the cups they kept popping out of place. Absolutely ridiculous!
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
This is also why I prefer the third stalk set-up in our ML. It keeps the console area cleaner and doesn't impede any hand movements in the area.
#7
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Thanks for the review OP. I really like the F10 5 series. I strongly considered the 550 before eventually choosing the M3.
Last edited by INHOCJP; 03-25-11 at 09:54 AM.
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#8
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I have the same issue with my M3. I spilled my coffee everywhere one time I used it. It spilled over to the HAVC controls and radio controls. Some of those buttons are really sticky now.
#9
Lexus Fanatic
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![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
You can also see in the pic, that it appears that lane departure assist is an available option.
The current gen I-Drive is very good....much better than what I have in my '08 F.
Sometimes we forget that the vast majority of drivers aren't interested in the "performance" aspect of their vehicle purchases.
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
![Agreed](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/boink.gif)
The gas mileage was also disappointing considering the small engine. I only saw about 24 mpg on the highway, which is tough to swallow when I'm getting 5-6 mpg in my much heavier, less aerodyamic, diesel SUV's.
One thing that still drives me up the wall, is why can't BMW figure out how to make a freakin' functional cupholder.
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
Some people (and maybe you are one of them) can drink coffee, juices, etc.... safely and use cupholders while driving. But too many people can't.
#10
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Like a BMW. ![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
j/k. It was pretty good. I've only driven the 535ix so the comparison is a little different with the E60 being more powerful and all wheel drive. Also keep in mind that I went from an SUV to a sedan so the handling felt pretty sharp...lol. Not as engaging as my F, but fully capable for a car in this class and still more connected than the W212 E.
Ummm....it hardly holds cups.![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
They're those hideaway ones that you can see in front of the shifter. Stupidly, they sort of pop up and/or are spring loaded. We stopped into Starbucks and struggled to get the cups to fit and stay in their slots. Without enough weight in the cups they kept popping out of place. Absolutely ridiculous!![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
This is also why I prefer the third stalk set-up in our ML. It keeps the console area cleaner and doesn't impede any hand movements in the area.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
j/k. It was pretty good. I've only driven the 535ix so the comparison is a little different with the E60 being more powerful and all wheel drive. Also keep in mind that I went from an SUV to a sedan so the handling felt pretty sharp...lol. Not as engaging as my F, but fully capable for a car in this class and still more connected than the W212 E.
Ummm....it hardly holds cups.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
They're those hideaway ones that you can see in front of the shifter. Stupidly, they sort of pop up and/or are spring loaded. We stopped into Starbucks and struggled to get the cups to fit and stay in their slots. Without enough weight in the cups they kept popping out of place. Absolutely ridiculous!
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
This is also why I prefer the third stalk set-up in our ML. It keeps the console area cleaner and doesn't impede any hand movements in the area.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
but one time i went to mcdonalds, and the whole way driving home (thank god it's only 2 mins), i had one hand holding on to the drink. amazing
for m3, on mine there is actually another cup holder in the arm rest (ac cooled too!), but i think they took that out for later yrs. don't ask me why
if you guys think the 3 and the new 5 is bad, the 6 series would shock you
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![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I dont think they drink coffee over there in Europe. At least I think cup holders are after thought.
I have the same issue with my M3. I spilled my coffee everywhere one time I used it. It spilled over to the HAVC controls and radio controls. Some of those buttons are really sticky now.
I have the same issue with my M3. I spilled my coffee everywhere one time I used it. It spilled over to the HAVC controls and radio controls. Some of those buttons are really sticky now.
![Frown](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#11
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![](http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r39/ucsdsig/idrive.jpg)
#12
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Judging by the picture of the meters, I'm guessing the EfficientDynamics part is just the car using regenerative braking to recharge the 12V battery. Just a guess based on the pictogram.
#13
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i'd guess that pic is showing radar-based cruise, showing whether the car is getting too close to what's in front, or maybe behind for parking...
#14
Lexus Champion
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I also believe that Next is correct in how BMW's Efficient Dynamics works.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Edit: It is "Lane Departure" and "Active Blind Spot Detection" and the brakes do charge the battery with "Efficient Dynamics"
#15
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Efficient Dynamic is banner for different technologies that ... make car more efficient :-).
One of those is alternator being disconnected when not needed, and then connected again during braking. It isnt brake energy recovery like in hybrids (and thats also not needed for 12v battery of course).
One of those is alternator being disconnected when not needed, and then connected again during braking. It isnt brake energy recovery like in hybrids (and thats also not needed for 12v battery of course).