Summed up in three words - commensurate mile muncher. I don't think I've owned a car that's more apt at covering big distances in such comfort, without breaking a sweat.
It's the combination of powertrain, chassis and interior.
The engine and gearbox are quite an amazing combination, 700nm and the ZF 8 speed makes you think you're being propelled by a huge catapult. A mere flex of the right foot sees the car shoot at the horizon, often without shifting gear, such is the accessibility of all that torque. And when the gearbox does change cogs it's so smooth and so fast you need to look at the revs to notice.
The chassis is as you'd expect very impressive. A car running 20" wheels with 30 profile tyres (non-run flat of course) has no right to ride this well. The car has Variable Damper Control, default setting being Comfort. Most of the time this works well, but if you're driving with a little bit of pace it can feel a tad walllowy. Shifting to sport firms it all up, but this can feel a little too firm. When you're really pressing on Sport/Sport + are perfect IMO. The F10 is a big and heavy car, the VDC in Sport gives the car amazing body control. I'd love to drive a car with full Adaptive Ride. Comfort + is really only for motorways and backs off the dampers to really give a Bentley-esque ride compliance.
The interior of this car is another contributor to the serene comfort. The multi-adjustable Comfort seats and Lavalina hide mean your posterior are truly cosseted as the miles pass. The whole interior ambience with the full leather and colour combos is quite something. I don't think I'll ever tire of appreciating the beautiful craftsmanship of the interior, it's very special. Alpina luxury at its best
This car fulfils the Alpina mantra of iron fist in velvet glove. The engine revs out unlike any diesel I've driven, and is very linear with the power, not peaky like so many derv engines. It's got real pace and even sounds good for a diesel. But it does lack the character of a petrol engine, and especially those petrol engines that have been fettled by Alpina. My B10 V8S has a lot more soul and character. Perhaps a bit unfair to compare, but ultimately the car does lack a bit of soul - but this is more to do with being a diesel and less about it being an Alpina. Of course its party trick is all this performance with economy. The car regularly does 48mpg driving sensibly on m/ways. Overall including urban use it's doing 40mpg which I think is amazing given its size and performance capacity. It's the finest diesel car I've had the pleasure of owning and my perfect everyday vehicle. I absolutely love it
I bought the car in fine order, but the inevitable OCD approach has meant a few things have crept onto my to do list to keep it looking spot on.
The rear bumper had a few scuffs from parking knocks, and the side skirts and door caps had some lacquer damage - almost certainly from stone chips then being blasted with a jet washer jet. I entrusted a local bodyshop who restore Porsches to repaint the rear bumper, both side skirts and mirror caps. They did a superb job with a perfect colour and lacquer finish match.
I bought some number plates from Sytner Nottingham, which have the Alpina/Sytner logos on them. They're great quality and recommended as a nice finishing touch.
Last month I picked up a puncture on a front tyre requiring me to replace the tyre (TPM was a great feature at this time) - of course I had to replace the front pair to match. I was a bit gutted as my plan was to run the tyres down a bit more (rears on 3mm) and then refurb all 4 wheels and put some fresh tyres on all round. The PO put Yokos on, and the OCD in me was itching to put Michelins back on. So now I have some PS4s on the front. Full Lepsons refurb and new PS4s rears in the autumn is the plan.
Next on the list was transmission. The car has covered almost 87k miles now. I discovered recently that ZF actually recommend oil and filter changes on the 8 spd box after 60k miles. Of course BMW stick by the "no Sir, they're sealed for life". Given ZF make the box, I'm more inclined to follow their recommendation. It makes no sense that a box as complex as this one with all that torque to deal with would not need or benefit from fresh oil.
I found a really helpful post on the F10.5post.com forum where a chap local to me had done this work on his own F10 530d. I followed his own experience of this. I bought a genuine ZF service kit - this is a new sump with filter built in, new fasteners, seal and 8 litres of ZF Lifeguard 8. Not cheap!
I used a garage in Fleet that he highly recommended, and sure enough they came up trumps and did a spot on job following the correct ZF factory procedure and checks via the diagnostics.
I also asked them to change the diff oil (also sealed for life according to BMW) with Castrol 75w90 fully synthetic.
Both sets of oils weren't too dirty, but nonetheless I think this is good preventative maintenance after 87k miles. The gear shifts are even smoother now.
And some gratuitous shots after a wash
