2500 over 3 days
Not much time has gone past since I picked it up, but I have already managed to rack up some miles on the clock. Ended up driving to Poland last week on Wednesday, only to return on Saturday.
Long trip, many miles, but...what was it like?
Right after picking up the car, there was a first problem to do with the USB port, which was faulty and had to be replaced. Quite unusual on a brand new car I must say
Whilst the car was back in BMW possession, they somehow managed to put a nice, 4 inch gush on the nearside, front bumper
This has been repaired (yesterday) so it is all good.
I wasnt looking forward to the trip, considering it was going to be literally there and back arrangement. However, the fact it was going to be in a new car, which I was quite eager to test drive, made it all the better.
Following from another thread, Euro Tunnel for me each and every time. It is quick, it is convenient, it gives good flexibility re departure times.
It was a long drive, but left me smiling to myself for most parts. This engine and this gearbox are absolute work of art.
I have always adored the engine/gearbox combination in the E350 coupe, but the BMW seems to excel in this area, and let me add - not just by a marginal point.
Twin turbos ensure there are practically no lag when pulling off and the power just seems giving more and more, and that is in a normal mode. Set the the gearbox to Sport + and this gets even better. Each gear change is smooth, quick and with all the power just edging to kick in and keep pulling away.
I was somehow disappointed that the brake disks are solid all the way round. It would be nice if the front were drilled through, and I am inclined to say the E350 had a slight advantage in this department. I would not say that BMW's brakes were sluggish or spongy, but MB felt more responsive in particular at speeds over 140mph.
The dashboard, multi panel display and head up display are just work of art. All the details are where you want them, easily accessible and not too complicated.
Split screen function comes very handy, where you can combine the sat nav display with entertainment, trip computer, various map modes, etc.
Multifunction panel display, can be changed depending on the setting between Eco, Normal, Sport and Sport +.
Head up display is in full colour, which displays current speed vs road speed in the normal mode. When set, it also shows navigation directions, music content and the phone book. It will also show any warning messages such as low fuel and no seatbelt indicators.
Something I absolutely hated with the MB, was the foot operated handbrake. Well, no more of that crap, little button - on and off, makes so much more sense.
The coupe had slightly more comfortable seats than the bemer. Their shape and air cushions allowed for very individual seat setting, which leaves BMW slightly behind. There are still plenty of support from each direction, I just found the coupe's seats bit more comfortable.
The cab in the bemer is far more spacious, if feels large and gives more side and head room. But then, it is a bigger car, and that can certainly be observed when parking in tight spaces. The coupe went in and out with no hassle at all. 5-series takes a bit more planning and steering.
After just over 1 week ownership, I am really starting to regret ordering oyster leather. Yes I have been warned, yes it looks beautiful in combination with the black car, but I can already see it will be a nightmare to keep it clean
Slightly off topic, somewhere in Germany I have experienced an unusual situation. There was this white Audi estate that sat on my back for few miles, I wasnt doing crazy speed (about 100mph), but the inside lanes were busy, so I moved in and out when there was a gap for me to do so to let him past.
All I saw on his back was 2.0 TFSI, which did make me wonder as he literally shot past me like a rocket.
Some miles down the road, I caught up with him due to small congestion and I had another look. Definitely 2.0 TFSI on his back, but, wide wheel arches, double oval exhaust pipes either side...well, didnt take long to work out it a new RS4 in disguise.
I must say, I absolutely loved it
This was genuinely first time ever in my life, where somebody completely 'demoted' his car from fancy and known name, to a rather average bore.
It is one thing to remove all the stickers and emblems, but to actually put one on from a far lesser model, well that in my eyes deserves some credit
He did come off few junctions later, but before he did I pulled alongside him, showed him thumbs up, to which he smiled and returned the favor.
Now tell me again about Germans not having sense of humor