Description
OWNERSHIP
Owned by me for eleven years and since 15k miles. The full ownership history:
1st registered 13/ 9/ 2006 by John Clark BMW to a Mr Dow in Aberdeen, who passed away, and it was then registered to his wife (listed as the second owner) who then sold it to Graham Robertson of local car dealer Bridge of Don Garage, who registered himself as an ‘owner’ rather than dealer to use the car for a holiday (hence 3 prior owners showing on the V5). I purchased it from Bridge of Don Garage on 28/ 3/ 11 at 15, 371 miles. I have a small car collection and wanted something suitable for client days…hence the very low mileage – it has averaged only c. 4k miles pa from new.
DRIVING
Meticulously maintained, it drives superbly.
Having read a review in EVO magazine, I decided to have it upgraded by DMS Automotive which significantly improves the driving experience and even brings an improvement in mpg. It does produce more power but the key is a substantial uplift in torque at low rpm and improved engine smoothness which makes for relaxed and effortless performance …with instant acceleration on tap with just small amounts of throttle. During my ownership I have twice gone to replace it with newer versions (the last a new M4) but I have still come back to the E61 – it is just so nice to drive. The M-sport suspension works really well in this body…giving a well-controlled but supple ride with surprisingly agile handling for a large car. A couple of other things help: First, there has been much written that the suspension was designed for non run-flat tyres, and if run-flats are fitted they result in a compromised ride quality – absolutely true. I changed them and the improvement in ride quality was a revelation (I added a BMW spare wheel kit too). Second, changing the gear box oil (not inexpensive) ensures very smooth gearchanges.
SERVICE HISTORY
Both keys and all books are present, along with comprehensive service history and all invoices and every MoT certificate (see detail below) from 2009-present. As can be seen in the detailed history below, everything is attended to as it is needed. Bills for over £8500, mostly from BMW main dealers.
Latterly, whilst I had the M4 I haven’t covered the mileage to trigger the BMW condition-based servicing, so have done interim oil and filters, etc, at home. Anew battery fitted last autumn and coded to the car by BMW.
CONDITION
Always garaged, it is in truly exceptional condition for its age. As can be seen in the photos, it is more like a 3 year old. The metallic silver paint is still lustrous. Excepting a few minor stone chips the body is in excellent condition and virtually unmarked. Similarly, the black interior is free of any significant marks nor tears. I doubt the rear seats have seen more than a dozen hours use in 11 years. Every 6 months I treat the leather and ensure all the drains are kept clear, including the difficult-to-access nearside front (often the cause of expensive knock-on problems, if unattended). I had some 3M film professionally tailored to the rear bumper to protect the paint when loading/ unloading. The tyres are all in good condition, the fronts recent, the rears about half worn.
EQUIPMENT
The 535d is well-equipped and comes with privacy, glass, a full leather interior, front sports seats with electric adjustment and extending thigh support, heated front sports seats, adjustable multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, dual climate control, satnav, quality BMW stereo and CD multichanger, Bluetooth, alarm, remote door locking, parking sensors front and rear, electric windows and mirrors, airbags, abs and traction control, alloy wheels (fitted with matching Goodyear tyres)…etc.
DMS AUTOMOTIVE UPGRADE
Independent reviews of the DMS upgrade on this model:
Auto Express: “The 535d felt awesome. The engine felt smoother and more linear than standard – a testament to DMS’ know how.
EVO magazine: “We’ve experienced the wizardry of DMS and know the quality of its work – but the figures for this twin turbo are of the double-take variety. The conversion itself is faultless, the engine losing none of its flexibility but gaining an awful lot in usable power. The 535d motor in standard from is already one of the very best diesel engines we’ve ever tried; it leaves the factory with 277bhp and 413lbft. Some clever remapping by DMS liberates 344bhp and 506lbft at 2000rpm (more than the M5’s 383lbft). Reduces 0-60mph to 5. 5sec, and an astonishing 13. 4s 0-100mph.” (Full test included with the car files).
REGISTRATION NUMBER
Note the cherished registration is excluded. I will request the DVLA re-instates the original registration (which they usually do).
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE HISTORY
19/ 5/ 08 10, 365 miles John Clark BMW Service £290
16/ 9/ 08 11, 064 miles John Clark BMW Pollen Filter £104
7/ 9/ 09 12, 893 miles Autotech MoT £55
2/ 9/ 10 13, 583 miles Autotech MoT £55
17/ 12/ 09 13, 391 miles Autotech Service £345
22/ 8/ 11 15, 371 miles Bridge of Don Garage MoT £55
1/ 9/ 11 16, 354 miles Chandlers BMW Service £463
4/ 11/ 11 18, 130 miles DMS Automotive ECU Update £999
12/ 3/ 12 21, 308 miles DMS Automotive Replace MAF £393
10/ 5/ 12 22, 441 miles Chandlers BMW Service £193
14/ 5/ 12 22, 441 miles Chandlers BMW Service £399
15/ 5/ 12 23, 363 miles Chandlers BMW MoT £55
15/ 8/ 12 23, 363 miles Chandlers BMW MoT £55
4/ 2/ 13 Micheldever Tyres Tyres £419
28/ 8/ 13 27, 372 miles Cooper BMW MoT £55
15/ 10/ 13 27, 699 miles Cooper BMW Service £232
15/ 8/ 14 33, 470 miles Chandlers BMW MoT/ Service £194
6/ 2/ 15 33, 768 miles Chandlers BMW Service £359
17/ 8/ 15 36, 392 miles Chandlers BMW MoT £55
30/ 10/ 15 37, 646 miles Chandlers BMW Service £173
7/ 6/ 16 41, 076 miles Chandlers BMW Service £612
17/ 8/ 16 42, 529 miles Chandlers BMW MoT/ Service £525 * Incl Gearbox oil change
21/ 8/ 17 48, 409 miles Motornet Services MoT £55
4/ 10/ 17 49, 990 miles Micheldever Tyres Tyres £480
27/ 12/ 17 51, 865 miles Interim Oil change Castrol Edge £65
2/ 1/ 18 51, 986 miles Ocean BMW Sp. Wheel kit £175
7/ 2/ 18 53, 823 miles Diagnostec OE coil springs £564
1/ 6/ 18 57, 541 miles Chandlers BMW Service £205
3/ 9/ 18 61, 066 miles Motornet Services MoT £55
23/ 12/ 18 61, 720 miles Bosch Wiper Blades £29
30/ 8/ 19 63, 313 miles Motornet Services MoT £55
7/ 10/ 19 63, 340 miles Pagid Front pads £59
12/ 11/ 19 63, 415 miles Chandlers BMW Service £89
24/ 6/ 20 64, 678 miles Bosch/ Castrol Edge Oil/ filters £101
18/ 8/ 20 65, 087 miles Motornet Services MoT £55
4/ 7/ 21 65, 232 miles Black Circles Tyres £197
28/ 8/ 21 68, 589 miles Motornet Services MoT £55
28/ 8/ 21 68, 589 miles Motornet Services MoT £55
28/ 8/ 21 68, 589 miles Bosch Wipers £35
14/ 9/ 21 70, 002 miles Autoglass Windscreen £100
20/ 10/ 21 70, 500 miles Bosch/ Crossland Air/ cabin filters £54
20/ 10/ 21 70, 500 miles Exide (4-yr wty) New battery £80
26/ 11/ 21 70, 902 miles Chandlers BMW Wheel key £11
26/ 11/ 21 70, 902 miles Black Circles Tyre £99
30/ 11/ 21 71, 500 miles NAD UK 4-wheel align. £146
25/ 2/ 2022 73, 899 miles
