Hello from London! Aspiring to be a 530d owner

Hello from London! Aspiring to be a 530d owner

Author
Discussion

bigdom

2,072 posts

144 months

Thursday 1st October 2015
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rb5er said:
Try like for like as per the OP. 2005 - 2007 cars.

BMW 530d saloon is listed as 1710kgs on parkers website which is a fair bit more than the 1560kgs of a mondeo on the same website.

I have also had a look in ECP and yes much cheaper. Looks like you are looking for the most expensive mondeo parts vs the cheapest BMW parts.

Nobidy has been talking about the latest shape mondeo from what I can tell.

Edited by rb5er on Thursday 1st October 14:22
Wrong, yet again... Trying to change the goalposts to an discussion is very childish.

As for fanboy, just one of my cars. Do you want to do a comparison against my Smart fourtwo Brabus?






rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Thursday 1st October 2015
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Where have I tried to move the goalposts?

I have the benefit of a pc now that I am home and can see that I was indeed looking at estate weights, my mistake. Hands held up for using a mobile phone. Very surprised the 5 series is comparable in weigh to the mondeo, it feels much bigger and heavier to drive.

Not sure what you think is childish about making a mistake and holding my hands up to it. I`m not the one doing the juvenile "your momma" jokes

And previous poster with the £300 a month repair bills shows the sort of situation that I am familiar with having friends that own these cars.


Edited by rb5er on Thursday 1st October 20:49

530dTPhil

1,374 posts

217 months

Thursday 1st October 2015
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Some interesting points of view on here. Perhaps some real life experience with 530d Tourings will add a little to the debate.

E39 530d M Sport manual. Bought new in June 2002 and run to 125,000 miles over five years. Turbo went at 70,000; this was a common problem on the E39. Front suspension lower wishbone bushes changed at 80K. From memory nothing else was replaced. This one was remapped at 70K from 193bhp to 230bhp. Sold to a colleague who ran it for another 15,000 miles without problem.

E61 530d M Sport auto. bought at six months old, ex-BMW demo with 2,200 miles. Ran this to 125,000 miles over three and a half years. One front sidelight bulb replaced and that was it apart from service items. Remapped at 3,000 miles from 231 to 270bhp.

F11 530d SE auto. High spec, ex demo bought at 2,200 miles and six months old. Just had it's second MOT and has covered 139,000 miles. Two rear suspension airbags replaced in the last year and both lower front wishbones in the last two months. Other than that, just service items. Going to keep this one for a good while longer; it's the best one yet. This one wasn't remapped but 245bhp and an eight speed box is more than enough for everyday driving.

As with any car, I am sure that it's all down to whether you use them or abuse them. I drive quickly and enjoy the performance and handling, so it has a busy working life.

No Bend

591 posts

121 months

Thursday 1st October 2015
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The BMW 3 litre engine really does have a nice noise to it (to my ears at least)

I'm after one myself, looking at the size of the modern 5 series estates really makes me wonder how OP will deal with it in London carparks.

The newer 3 series are plenty big. I was definite on finding a 535/335 but think i'll end up with 530/330 due to the bigger choice and budget.

Kateg28

1,351 posts

162 months

Friday 2nd October 2015
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rb5er said:
. Very surprised the 5 series is comparable in weigh to the mondeo, it feels much bigger and heavier to drive.
Completely agree with this. I ran a 2001 Mondeo Estate for several years and relatively good cheap motoring. The BMW is 2007 but the 2007 Mondeo is still the same model as mine was and the BMW feels much heavier.

The Mondeo fell apart at 104k miles (but it did have a hard life and coped very well indeed, I still have a soft spot for it) but the BMW is now 103k miles and feels so much more solid. It is a looked after vehicle so we are hoping it will last longer. It is an awesome car.

Vee

3,094 posts

233 months

Friday 2nd October 2015
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hman said:
Exhaust Manifold
EGR valve
Swirl Flaps
Thermostats
Leaking Auto box
Injectors
HPFP
Lower pulley
drop links
ARB bushes
Lower and upper suspension arms

All of these were toast at 125k - at 80k none of these faults were present.
Listen to this OP - good summary of what is likely to go wrong - I'd add DPF to it.
My 126k mile 335d is running very well but has had most of these things done over the past 30k miles.



Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Monday 5th October 2015
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rb5er said:
I never "slated" the OP for wanting a 530d. I merely stated about aspirations. Nobody aspires to that. "WELL, you may not, but then you would rather aspire to a 4-pot FWD POS?!?!"

Its not a fractional difference over parts prices, everyone is free to compare for themselves, just remember we are talking 2005-2007 cars here. The car does weigh 150kgs more than a mondeo of the same vintage. "And has a 3 litre 6 cylinder motor to more than cope with the weight difference - which 6 cylinder DIESEL Mondeo should the OP consider as an option? Oh dear, there isn't one is there??"

All I was pointing out was that a 530d WILL cost more than a 2.0tdci mondeo like for like. Not quite sure why you fanboys are getting your knickers in a twist over it. The BMW is a nicer car and you pay a premium for that. No need to try and pretend the running costs would be the same. Odd.

And your last sentence just shows the kind of juvenile mentality I am having to deal with.
Please take your Mondeo and park it where the sun doesn't shine FFS. punch

OP, if you want a 530d just go for it and enjoy it for what it is (as in not a f*****g Mondeo) - ignore the "juvenile mentality" displayed by the likes of rb5er! Sh*t, it isn't even half-term yet!


rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Monday 5th October 2015
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I can tell you have trouble reading or perhaps its just the comprehension that you struggle with?

I never suggested to get a Mondeo. Try reading and comprehending next time (if you know what that means)

th3h1ghlander

Original Poster:

38 posts

102 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
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bigdom/hman: cheers for the additional info, where possible I will be doing the work, I really need to make a list of what work I will be doing initially but realistically once I pick a car and buy it I will get it up on some axle stands, pull off the engine cover and under-tray and do a good visual assessment of steering/drive/suspension parts.
Will also need to plan to take off/out filters, oil breather/separator, manifolds etc. to check condition.
Saw a car at the weekend that I am considering and have looked around it, driven it, and ran INPA on it too (checked boost, piston stats, alternator and battery, all sensors etc.) all came up clean bar the fogging sensor which requires changing.

Vee: The one I saw had had a BMW dealership DPF replacement done 2 yrs ago, drop links were also renewed along with thermostats and glow plugs
Swirl Flaps, EGR valve and Exhaust Manifold have not been touched so I will need to check on the condition of these during my investigation if I purchase. Most of the other items are not a great expense to replace from what I can see (If I do the work)

HustleRussell: That is what I am hoping for, I expect to do some work on refreshing components and then have something that will run well for a few years before another major overhaul

530dTPhil: Wow, you really chew through the miles! Glad to see your cared for vehicles have been robust and enjoyed. With respect to your remapped cars, if you don't mind saying, what insurer did you go with? My current insurer will not touch any modifications of any kind (chipped or remapped)

No Bend: good luck with your search. I will not have an issue with the car size, The 530d is only about 4.84m for saloon and 4.85m for tourer which is not that big, turning circle is OK on these so fitting into small parallel parking spaces is a no no but not difficult to fit into standard spaces. Mostly I will be parking in other cities, not London.

Kateg28: Thanks for the notes on your experience, sounds good smile

Mr Tidy: Thanks for the support, I have chosen this make and model because I want the experience to go with it, I am not just looking for what is cheapest and most economical.

rb5er: Thanks for being the alternate voice of reason, this is appreciated

530dTPhil

1,374 posts

217 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
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th3h1ghlander said:
530dTPhil: Wow, you really chew through the miles! Glad to see your cared for vehicles have been robust and enjoyed. With respect to your remapped cars, if you don't mind saying, what insurer did you go with? My current insurer will not touch any modifications of any kind (chipped or remapped)
Company car in a three hundred vehicle fleet. Didn't really expect the insurer to refuse! wink

th3h1ghlander

Original Poster:

38 posts

102 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
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530dTPhil: Ah, well that is a good loophole. So all I need to do is find a vehicle fleet to insure wink
Until then, I will stick with my insurer until such time as I find an insurer who will accept chipped/remapped cars with a half decent premium smile

th3h1ghlander

Original Poster:

38 posts

102 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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Looking at this one smile Well cared for by an Engineer with a love of cars. Seems like a safer bet than dodgy second hand car garages (and wow are they far more dodgy than I remember!)

cerb4.5lee

30,175 posts

179 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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Really like that colour combo, hope its a good one. smile

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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cerb4.5lee said:
Really like that colour combo, hope its a good one. smile
Yes, I agree. But make sure you check it's just the number plate someone stole wink

best of luck

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
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That backdrop looks promising. An obvious enthusiast if he's got a TVR.

At this age and price buying from a non auc dealer is much riskier than finding a private car owned by a like minded chap.

Have you got a link to the advert?

Edited by dave_s13 on Wednesday 7th October 20:16

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
quotequote all
Smuler said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Really like that colour combo, hope its a good one. smile
Yes, I agree. But make sure you check it's just the number plate someone stole wink

best of luck
Maybe it was on the private plate and the pic was taken mid change over?

th3h1ghlander

Original Poster:

38 posts

102 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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cerb4.5lee: It seems to be a good one, love the combo biggrin

Smuler: I stole the numberplate...with this https://pixlr.com/web

dave_s13: Yeah he is an enthusiast, currently building an AC Cobra replica. Will link the advert when I get to a computer, if it has not been taken down yet. Plate comes with the vehicle

I will be picking it up next weekend (GET IN THERE! WOOOOOOOOO!)

cerb4.5lee

30,175 posts

179 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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Great stuff thumbup

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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Great result. Enjoy smile




No Bend

591 posts

121 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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Nice one, keep us updated with progress and what you think of it pls!