F10 520d M Sport Auto - Magnificent, what a bloody car!
Discussion
This thread got me to thinking (dangerous thing, that) so I stopped down to the dealer and had a test drive in a 520d just now.
I love the car itself. But I can't stand the engine noise and vibration, or the modest acceleration. I suppose were I forced to choose between a pug 508 or a 520d, there would be no contest. The pug can be optioned up to about that HP, but the BMW is still superior to me.
As one of us mentioned earlier in the thread, some people these days just don't hear engine noise. Personally, I expect music from under the bonnet and out the exhaust. I may in a minority, but I am happy there. We already have two 4-pot diesels in the garage. I don't want another.
So it's back to shopping for an F10 535d. It seems that owners are holding onto them. The used prices are high. Even in Deutschland, this is the case. I see that as a positive factor.
I love the car itself. But I can't stand the engine noise and vibration, or the modest acceleration. I suppose were I forced to choose between a pug 508 or a 520d, there would be no contest. The pug can be optioned up to about that HP, but the BMW is still superior to me.
As one of us mentioned earlier in the thread, some people these days just don't hear engine noise. Personally, I expect music from under the bonnet and out the exhaust. I may in a minority, but I am happy there. We already have two 4-pot diesels in the garage. I don't want another.
So it's back to shopping for an F10 535d. It seems that owners are holding onto them. The used prices are high. Even in Deutschland, this is the case. I see that as a positive factor.
My 530d on '56 plate and 176,000 miles on it is in the original DPF and the exhaust back pressure is spot on. Same fuel pump, injectors and turbo.
I think people worry too much because anyone who has a failure writes about it on the internet but people like me who haven't don't. This creates a false impression.
Some people drive insanely mechanically unsympathetically and outside of the design parameters of the technology. If you're normal you won't and you won't have a problem.
Besides it's not as if a twin turbo common rail petrol engine with stop start and euro 6 exhaust is a mechanically simple unit without little to go wrong. This whole diesels is complex issue has gone in recent years as petrol got really complex as well.
Also the claimed mpg figures are pure lies for both fuel types but diesel lies less.
I think people worry too much because anyone who has a failure writes about it on the internet but people like me who haven't don't. This creates a false impression.
Some people drive insanely mechanically unsympathetically and outside of the design parameters of the technology. If you're normal you won't and you won't have a problem.
Besides it's not as if a twin turbo common rail petrol engine with stop start and euro 6 exhaust is a mechanically simple unit without little to go wrong. This whole diesels is complex issue has gone in recent years as petrol got really complex as well.
Also the claimed mpg figures are pure lies for both fuel types but diesel lies less.
But surely that depends on how and where you drive. You've 176,000 miles on yours... I'd put 6000 a year on. 4 mile trips. BMW have told me that will never be enough to start a DPF regen cycle. The savings of a diesel are for nothing if within a few years you've got spend a fortune replacing a clogged DPF or having the dealer charge hundreds to clear it for you?
RenoHuskerDu said:
This thread got me to thinking (dangerous thing, that) so I stopped down to the dealer and had a test drive in a 520d just now.
I love the car itself. But I can't stand the engine noise and vibration, or the modest acceleration. I suppose were I forced to choose between a pug 508 or a 520d, there would be no contest. The pug can be optioned up to about that HP, but the BMW is still superior to me.
As one of us mentioned earlier in the thread, some people these days just don't hear engine noise. Personally, I expect music from under the bonnet and out the exhaust. I may in a minority, but I am happy there. We already have two 4-pot diesels in the garage. I don't want another.
So it's back to shopping for an F10 535d. It seems that owners are holding onto them. The used prices are high. Even in Deutschland, this is the case. I see that as a positive factor.
This, the car was nice but u was thoroughly disappointed with the engine refinement. My old E38 728i was leagues ahead for that, and my E65 745i further still perhaps... Admittedly that's 7 vs 5 series but even so.... I love the car itself. But I can't stand the engine noise and vibration, or the modest acceleration. I suppose were I forced to choose between a pug 508 or a 520d, there would be no contest. The pug can be optioned up to about that HP, but the BMW is still superior to me.
As one of us mentioned earlier in the thread, some people these days just don't hear engine noise. Personally, I expect music from under the bonnet and out the exhaust. I may in a minority, but I am happy there. We already have two 4-pot diesels in the garage. I don't want another.
So it's back to shopping for an F10 535d. It seems that owners are holding onto them. The used prices are high. Even in Deutschland, this is the case. I see that as a positive factor.
GaryThomlinson said:
But surely that depends on how and where you drive. You've 176,000 miles on yours... I'd put 6000 a year on. 4 mile trips. BMW have told me that will never be enough to start a DPF regen cycle. The savings of a diesel are for nothing if within a few years you've got spend a fortune replacing a clogged DPF or having the dealer charge hundreds to clear it for you?
Stick with your petrols...I do 8 mile each way journeys, never any more.. I bought a 335d because I just wanted one, when required, the dpf would regenerate after around 5 miles into the journey (when coolant reached 70degs) but it still wasn't finished when home, so I'd end up doing another 10 miles out of my way just so it could finish. This happened roughly once every tank.
It was a great car but it was one of the reasons to get rid, that and the roads I use aren't really suitable for much more than pottering about. The 335d felt like it was really at home on fast DC's with plenty of roundabouts etc.
Gary. You only do 4 mile trips - you're a freak as far as the design engineering parameters are concerned so fair enough a modern diesel isn't for you. But as a freak you ought to refrain from dispensing your advice without an appropriate freak caveat.
I believe the McLaren P1 will do four miles on maximum attack on battery only. Perhaps look there?
;-)
I believe the McLaren P1 will do four miles on maximum attack on battery only. Perhaps look there?
;-)
Another F10 owner here, '10 plate 530D. It truly is a brilliant car, and the 6 pot is just beautifully refined. Put your foot down properly and goes like a bat out of hell, and with a long term average of 38mpg doesn't break the bank. It's just effortless, and the electric seats are fantastically comfy.
Also worth noting BMW customer service has been fantastic as well as every contact. Touch wood it continues
Also worth noting BMW customer service has been fantastic as well as every contact. Touch wood it continues
Andehh said:
Another F10 owner here, '10 plate 530D. It truly is a brilliant car, and the 6 pot is just beautifully refined. Put your foot down properly and goes like a bat out of hell, and with a long term average of 38mpg doesn't break the bank. It's just effortless, and the electric seats are fantastically comfy.
'10 plate 530d here too, I echo everything you say. It's a fantastic car.The only gripe I would have (and I imagine it will also get echoed by a few) are the speakers are a bit of a let down. Fine for 70% of general listening, but when I re-live some of the good ol' Prodigy/Pendulum/Saturday Night Dance Anthems the speakers quickly run out of grunt.
Will be a job for the spring to try and get them all replaced.
Will be a job for the spring to try and get them all replaced.
Possible counter argument in favour of 6 pot diesel.
I had an F11 530d (2010 reg) and thought it probably the best car I've owned. Sadly I averaged around 45 mpg and drove like grampa! On a daily commute however, are you really likely to want to drive agressively, particularly with a cement mixer of a four pot diesel up front?
I'm the first to admit that only by fairly extreme scrouge driving tactics could I get the computer to exceed 50 mpg ie completely unrealistic driving style; so I would contend that the 60+ mpg photographed earlier is around 10 mpg better than you could ever achieve in a 530d.
If you had been quick though, you could have bought my 530d with an extras list the length of your arm and with only 16k on the clock for probably £25k and enjoyed 45 mpg commuting economy with a super refined engine. Arguably a better deal (albeit hard to track down) than the 520d solution you are now enjoying.
I now have an F11 535d which is quicker but I'm not sure has the same refinement in stop start traffic which unfortunately central London often inflicts on me. I'm still able to achieve over 40 mpg, but I do have to watch the accelerator pedal more often than before!!
Peter
Peter
I had an F11 530d (2010 reg) and thought it probably the best car I've owned. Sadly I averaged around 45 mpg and drove like grampa! On a daily commute however, are you really likely to want to drive agressively, particularly with a cement mixer of a four pot diesel up front?
I'm the first to admit that only by fairly extreme scrouge driving tactics could I get the computer to exceed 50 mpg ie completely unrealistic driving style; so I would contend that the 60+ mpg photographed earlier is around 10 mpg better than you could ever achieve in a 530d.
If you had been quick though, you could have bought my 530d with an extras list the length of your arm and with only 16k on the clock for probably £25k and enjoyed 45 mpg commuting economy with a super refined engine. Arguably a better deal (albeit hard to track down) than the 520d solution you are now enjoying.
I now have an F11 535d which is quicker but I'm not sure has the same refinement in stop start traffic which unfortunately central London often inflicts on me. I'm still able to achieve over 40 mpg, but I do have to watch the accelerator pedal more often than before!!
Peter
Peter
marriedblonde said:
theboss said:
The 520d has a single turbo - if you had a 525d you'd have the N47 2.0 twin turbo.
The new 5 series 525d is a single twin scroll turbo according to BMW and their brochure...Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff