HELP! AGAIN! E90 or E60

[LGriffiths88]

g'day all!

posted a few recent topics trying to get some advice/help on choosing a new car.

been set on having a e90 diesel (325 or 330), but looking around, a 5 series diesel look tempting. bigger engine and iDrive on most used cars out there. but most are high milage and autos, and I prefer manuals. but how does the 5 perform? is there much difference in a facelift version?

any other car recommendations? (e.g. (cough, cough) Audi's? VW's?) Perhaps a diesel, unless it's a petrol with good economy and power (due to work commute, don't want to sacrifice power too much), needs a decent sized boot too. BM wise ideally looking for M Sport variants

many thanks

[jdcampbell]

I have a 2007 E90 330d Manual M Sport. It's a great car but, having had a 330d for nearly 5 years now I do have a hankering for a change and have been looking for a while for a manual 530d. However they are very very rare and decent low mileage ones are very inconsistently priced.

In the 5 series LCI models are supposed to be more economical especially the autos, which benefitted from an updated box.

The 5 series is far more composed on the bumpy rural roads which comprise a lot of my daily driving and it is that which appeals to me. However the 3 series is more chuckable.

So I think your choice should be dictated by what kind of motoring you do; go for a 3 series if you want more of a chuckable motor and a 5 series if you want a more mature "cruiser".

Edited by jdcampbell on Monday 11th February 15:22

[caymanbill]

I just randomly bought a rather leggy (171K miles) 2005 530d touring this weekend for 2.5K and absolutely love it so far. Seems to have been very well looked after and drives better then my old VW polo which had less then half the millage. I would highly recommend the 5 series if you want a luxo-barge .

[Monty Python]

Before you dismiss the auto, try one. They also have the advantage of no DMF to worry about.

Also, don't overlook the SE - most come with M Sport suspension and sport seats so all you miss are the different bumpers and side skirts.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Had both and given there's little penalty in terms of weight for the 5er, I'd simply get the best one that comes along in whatever form. I have had an e91 and an e61 and have to say I like the size and comfort of the 5 and I'd miss that in 3... But the 3 seemed to have a slightly sharper chassis

[Shirt587]

E61 (and presumably E60 by extension) boot is massive. Had an E90 loan car for a week and it was incredibly irritating how small the boot access was.

[andy118run]

Always amuses me (#I'm easily amused#)when people resurrect these old threads, almost 3 years to the day in this case. I was thinking OP is probably long gone from here but a quick look at his posting history shows he posted a what car? just a few days ago and he currently has a Mondeo, so maybe he never got that E90/E60.

[anonymous-user]

I had e60 when almost new. Easily the worst & most unreliable car I've had the misfortune to own . 10+ dealer visits in 2 years & sold it the second the warranty expired ..