Saturday, November 12, 2016

Car Under Repair

In for repairs from a rear end collision is my 2011 BMW 535i.  I had told a friend that the repairs were being done by Keith.  I told her that if you had a $200,000 car, he would be the one to do the repair.  That went over her head, but when I was talking to Keith, he pointed out a $180K car, a $150K car, an $80K car and so on.  "Occasionally we work on a boring car, like a BMW" he said.

Now then, I said, this 2011 model is the F10 body style of the 5 series, the first in the 2011-2016 run of that body style.  The new body style, called G30 is out now for 2017.

The 2011 model came in 5 configurations.  I would say the 535i with the 3.0 liter Inline 6 cylinder, twin turbo, giving 300 hp. is the most desirable overall.  It has plenty of power, 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, top speed of 140 mph/240 Km/pm.  And 30-31 mpg on the Highway

The 528i has a 2.0 liter twin turbo engine.   Better gas mileage but less power.

The 535i X Drive is all wheel driver, better for cold  and snowy climates (which we don't have)

The larger engines are somewhat of overkill/upsell for those wanting more:  550i with a 4.4 L V-8 engine and the M5, with a V10 engine, 500 hp.

This 535i comes in a very desirable color combo, Black exterior and Cinnamon Dakota Leather interior ( a $1400 option)

The 2011 models didn't come standard equipped with Navigation, heated seats or satellite radio.  Three less things to break.  I like to think it is hot rodded in that respect to lessen the weight.

Very sophisticated crash system with multiple airbags.  It even has a rear crash sensor which activated the headrests forward to reduce whiplash.  I can attest that it worked great.  So did the brakes which I had to put to the test.  It stopped on a dime.

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