Hello from London! Aspiring to be a 530d owner
Discussion
Smuler: Going further adrift (120 miles) this weekend to see one from a private seller. Is a little bit further than I would normally drive and the car is higher mileage than I was looking for but after speaking with the owner it has been VERY well cared for so is worth considering. Still aiming for 530d.
Sushifiend: I considered the 535d with dual turbo but I want to keep a little more economy and a little less maintenance, the 530d will suit me fine. The pre 2005 530d is 218bhp and the post 2005 is 231bhp and post 2007 is 235bhp (I think, recalling from memory). I am glad that your experience has been a positive one. Truth be told I prefer the looks of the E46 but wanted something a little more modern.
On the 525d I believe that the early ones (2003-2007) were actually a 2.5l lump (M57TU2D25) but the post 2007 model had the same 3.0l lump (M57TU2D30UL) as the 530d just detuned, may be other differences as the engine model number is slightly different.
dave_s13: You may be right, there may be other components that are different but the 525d available are not any different in price than the 530d so as you said I may as well stick with that and consider a remap from there
Sushifiend: I considered the 535d with dual turbo but I want to keep a little more economy and a little less maintenance, the 530d will suit me fine. The pre 2005 530d is 218bhp and the post 2005 is 231bhp and post 2007 is 235bhp (I think, recalling from memory). I am glad that your experience has been a positive one. Truth be told I prefer the looks of the E46 but wanted something a little more modern.
On the 525d I believe that the early ones (2003-2007) were actually a 2.5l lump (M57TU2D25) but the post 2007 model had the same 3.0l lump (M57TU2D30UL) as the 530d just detuned, may be other differences as the engine model number is slightly different.
dave_s13: You may be right, there may be other components that are different but the 525d available are not any different in price than the 530d so as you said I may as well stick with that and consider a remap from there
Quick question for anyone familiar with the 5-series: Do you know where to look for the engine model and serial number? Presumably it is accessible on the engine block without much difficulty? Is it on a label on the inside of the engine bay as well to confirm engine has not been swapper out?
Cheers!
Cheers!
bigdom: Yeah, I figured the first thing to look at would be the receipts for work and the oil change history. I have read that there is a issue with the older design for oil separator/breather so I may look at whether that has been replaced as well (even read about minor issues with the newer vortex style separator). I will be looking for replacement of items like the thermostats as well. Car I am looking at had a recent DPF replacement from BMW so all should be dandy (if this has died from soot then I would be inspecting the inlet manifold and swirl flaps asap)
HustleRussell: I have made my mind up (I thought about other vehicles but I kept drifting back to the 5 series), and I did say up-to 18k because it depends on whether I am commuting to London by train/tube or commuting by car to other cities (purely work dependant). Either way I would be doing long hall drives every couple of weeks. If I was just looking for another utilitarian vehicle for £5-7k I would probably get an estate golf or focus (cheap and easy to service and replace parts, fairly reliable and not uncomfortable) but I am looking for a little more in the "fun" and comfort department while not drifting too far from sensible.
HustleRussell: I have made my mind up (I thought about other vehicles but I kept drifting back to the 5 series), and I did say up-to 18k because it depends on whether I am commuting to London by train/tube or commuting by car to other cities (purely work dependant). Either way I would be doing long hall drives every couple of weeks. If I was just looking for another utilitarian vehicle for £5-7k I would probably get an estate golf or focus (cheap and easy to service and replace parts, fairly reliable and not uncomfortable) but I am looking for a little more in the "fun" and comfort department while not drifting too far from sensible.
Again chaps, no need for a turf war, I appreciate everyone defending their positions of insight,opinion and experience...and all positions have a level of validity, so lets move on shall we? 
rb5er: I will get one and will post every gory detail about spends, the initial spends are going to look interesting, and yes, it possibly will get close to bankrupting me, although I hope not. The reason? A FWD CAN saloon is not a sporty RWD mid-luxury/executive saloon, you expect there to be more in the way of part consumption when you go for a more powerful and heavier vehicle. They are also not as easy to work on, but the part cost is not greatly different from any other modern car (some are a little more pricey which I have noted).
RWD_cossie_Wil: I am an idiot, ready and waiting to screw up and learn I also have one or two fairly local specialists (advice from people who have had good experience and reasonable prices) lined up on the back-burner for what I cannot fix. You are right, whatever I buy will probably never see a main dealer ever again unless I get something with low mileage. It is great to see your experience is so positive, I hope mine will follow the same example.
HustleRussell: Point taken but I am not just looking for another cheep and cheerful motor, you don't look to BMW for that. Don't get hung up on the mileage I am or may not do as this will be variable. If after a couple of years I just can't take the maintenance cost vs miles any more I would likely consider a swap out for a Passat cc or possibly an Audi A3 if I was looking for something smaller.
Kateg28: Cheers for the insight, hope it keeps on running you to your goal
Bigdom: Thanks for the price list
rb5er: I will get one and will post every gory detail about spends, the initial spends are going to look interesting, and yes, it possibly will get close to bankrupting me, although I hope not. The reason? A FWD CAN saloon is not a sporty RWD mid-luxury/executive saloon, you expect there to be more in the way of part consumption when you go for a more powerful and heavier vehicle. They are also not as easy to work on, but the part cost is not greatly different from any other modern car (some are a little more pricey which I have noted).
RWD_cossie_Wil: I am an idiot, ready and waiting to screw up and learn
I also have one or two fairly local specialists (advice from people who have had good experience and reasonable prices) lined up on the back-burner for what I cannot fix. You are right, whatever I buy will probably never see a main dealer ever again unless I get something with low mileage. It is great to see your experience is so positive, I hope mine will follow the same example.HustleRussell: Point taken but I am not just looking for another cheep and cheerful motor, you don't look to BMW for that. Don't get hung up on the mileage I am or may not do as this will be variable. If after a couple of years I just can't take the maintenance cost vs miles any more I would likely consider a swap out for a Passat cc or possibly an Audi A3 if I was looking for something smaller.
Kateg28: Cheers for the insight, hope it keeps on running you to your goal
Bigdom: Thanks for the price list
PS: On forum advice I purchase a K-Line Diagnostic Cable to take along with me to the car viewings so I can have a more in-depth look at the hidden details of the car:
http://www.cable-shack.co.uk/
http://www.cable-shack.co.uk/
hman: given that experience, that is food for thought. Ouch! What I know about those:
Exhaust Manifold - Cracks, needs to be replaced with a cast one. Not cheap for the part, work can be done at home
EGR valve - People do EGR delete, valve can die
Swirl Flaps - scary if not removed, can be done at home
Thermostats - £100 each, can mostly be done at home
Leaking Auto box - That is a worrying problem....
Injectors - Wear and tear
HPFP - .... will need to look this one up
Lower pulley - .... will need to look this one up
drop links - .... will need to look this one up
ARB bushes - wear and tear... will need refresh. not sure if home or garage work
Lower and upper suspension arms - wear and tear... will need refresh. not sure if home or garage
Thanks for the breakdown...will have to get the accountant (wife) to weigh those up
Exhaust Manifold - Cracks, needs to be replaced with a cast one. Not cheap for the part, work can be done at home
EGR valve - People do EGR delete, valve can die
Swirl Flaps - scary if not removed, can be done at home
Thermostats - £100 each, can mostly be done at home
Leaking Auto box - That is a worrying problem....
Injectors - Wear and tear
HPFP - .... will need to look this one up
Lower pulley - .... will need to look this one up
drop links - .... will need to look this one up
ARB bushes - wear and tear... will need refresh. not sure if home or garage work
Lower and upper suspension arms - wear and tear... will need refresh. not sure if home or garage
Thanks for the breakdown...will have to get the accountant (wife) to weigh those up
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
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
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
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
cerb4.5lee: It seems to be a good one, love the combo 
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!)
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!)
Just fell through, but not from the buyer's end. Wife's job situation has changed and gunna have to put the purchase on hold, unlikely that the seller will wait until it is sorted out. Cancelled holiday that required a car so the pressure is off as far as time goes :/
Bye bye car deposit
Dave_S13: Cheers for the advert, will keep an eye on it in case the situation changes and I get more cash to up to an LCI.
Bye bye car deposit
Dave_S13: Cheers for the advert, will keep an eye on it in case the situation changes and I get more cash to up to an LCI.
RWD cossie wil: Cheers dude, hoping to kick back into gear early December and find a car, one I was going to purchase will probably be sold by then (it was awesome spec and really looked after).
renorti: I hear ya, when I have been test driving I have been listening for knocking or rubbing while doing sharp stopping and acceleration as well as taking around roundabouts hard. Have been doing visual inspection of suspension components as well (as much as possible). I don't understand why DPF replacement is so expensive and no one can tell me why. It is a £300 part which should be bolt on/off from the exhaust track (and disconnect and reconnect sensor cables). Obviously there are a few things to remove to get to it but it did not look difficult, so why do I hear the horror stories of £2500 to replace it?
renorti: I hear ya, when I have been test driving I have been listening for knocking or rubbing while doing sharp stopping and acceleration as well as taking around roundabouts hard. Have been doing visual inspection of suspension components as well (as much as possible). I don't understand why DPF replacement is so expensive and no one can tell me why. It is a £300 part which should be bolt on/off from the exhaust track (and disconnect and reconnect sensor cables). Obviously there are a few things to remove to get to it but it did not look difficult, so why do I hear the horror stories of £2500 to replace it?
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff