Introducing The Diesel Driver’s New Long-Term Car: the 2014 BMW 535d – The Diesel Driver – The Joy of Diesel Driving

The Lighting Package includes Adaptive Full LED Lights.  Both the low- and high-beam lights are LED units that are located on the horizontal ribs of the center of the two light rings (typically called “angel eyes”).  In the rear, the recently redesigned sedan has contoured LED light strips in its rear light assembly.

BMW 535D INTERIOR

The 535d comes with an updated iDrive, version 4.2.  The redesigned system features a new cockpit controller with a built-in touchpad that facilitates inputting information for destinations, phone numbers, and other functions.  This has worked surprisingly well in our tests on other 2014 BMWs.  In addition, BMW ConnectedDrive now offers a dictation feature for composing text messages and e-mail.  It too works extremely well.

My favorite car seats: ventilated multi-contour (“Comfort”) seats with massage are part of the Luxury Seating Package (which was specified for our car) and mark the return of side bolsters, which had disappeared for a while but are now standard with the seating package. The seats are so comfortable that the entire editorial staff here would commission one as a desk chair.

Favorites include head-up display and BMW Apps, which connects to my iPhone and gives the car additional capabilities including access to Tune-In Radio, which allows the driver to control web radio from the iDrive controller and display. Other apps that also become accessible via iDrive include Facebook, Twitter, and Pandora.  Also provided are Last Mile Navigation (walking directions to your final destination after parking) and Vehicle Finder.

Another favorite feature is keyless (“Comfort”) access with a twist: a virtual “air” pedal that opens the trunk.

In addition, we specified the sport automatic transmission with paddle shifters, parking assistance, power rear and rear side manual shades, and automatic high beams.

Finally, the car is equipped with BMW’s Bang & Olufsen sound system, which is one of the world’s best automotive audio systems. It gives the listener a perfect sound stage and excellent reproduction thanks to its Acoustic Lens Technology and sixteen active speakers powered by a total of 1,200 watts.

SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES

The M-Sport package includes 19” summer performance tires, which provide superior handling and traction in warm weather.  That having been said, it’s currently cloudy with a temperature of 37.5° F (3° C) in Munich and summer tires, in temperatures below 45° F (7° C), harden and lose traction.

Germany and many other European countries require the use of winter tires in the winter season.  In contrast to summer tires, winter tires retain their elasticity and grip at much lower temperatures.

Indeed, winter-tire equipped cars stop more quickly and corner faster. Studies have shown that winter tires can improve braking by 25% and that having winter tires reduces the likelihood of an accident by as much as 38%.

BMW offers a solution for customers taking European Delivery in the winter.  In conjunction with its partner ED Winter Tires, customers can rent winter tires for the duration of their trip.  Once we complete the delivery process, the next stop is the ED Winter Tires tire shop, located just a few minutes away.

Click here to continue to Page 3 – European Delivery, the BMW Welt, and Full Specs

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