535d or 545i/550I

535d or 545i/550I

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GreenArrow

Original Poster:

3,551 posts

116 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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As well as looking at 3 series' BMWs (see my other thread on this forum) I have been looking around at the prices of E60 535ds, which have always appealed to me, especially the sport model, which I think looks the dogs danglies. Two things put me off; a) the price of even 10 year old cars with less than starship mileage and b) potential big bills on a second hand car such as swirl flap ingestion, turbo, DPF etc.... I then noticed a 545i for sale locally for about 7-8 grand and it occurred to me that this might be a suitable alternative, given my 11,000 mile a year average.....there are even a couple of 550is for sale in the 8-9 grand bracket, which is almost E39 M5 pace for the price of a 3 year old Mondeo TDCI.

Has anyone owned a 545/550 who has also driven a 535d who could comment on the relative strengths and weaknesses of each model?

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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I owned the 535d sport touring, 2005 model, so pre the MY07 updates, fuel economy was pretty poor, 22mpg round town, 34mpg on a run, 27mpg average over 18 months and 40,000 miles.

The 545i I had for a few days, although saloon, was around 2mpg behind the diesel in all areas.

I think if you get into a 57 plate 535d the economy is a fair bit better, maybe 5mpg more, but then many say the 550i is around 3-4mpg better than the 545i.

The 545i was glorious compared with my 535d, it wasn't quicker as mine was DMS mapped, but it felt so much more special.

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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Had a 520d touring and they drive nicely and are very comfortable and cover big miles with ease, had the same engine as the 550i(V8 4.8) in a X5 and its a wonderful engine, it sounds nice and is really smooth but pretty thirsty in X5 guise.

Also got the 535d engine or very similar in a 640d and its very effective and offers very decent performance yet still returns 40mpg.

At 11k miles a year I think I would stick with petrol and try to get hold of a nice 545i/550i and enjoy that lovely petrol V8.

Lovely cars the 5 series are I reckon.

Theophany

1,069 posts

129 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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Get in the E62 beading thread! The N62 is a fantastic lump to have in front of you, wouldn't bother contemplating a diesel tbh.

philmots

4,630 posts

259 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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I owned a 335d (same as lci 535d) and now have a 550i Touring..

Unless mpg's are an issue I can't think of any reason to go for the diesel.

My 335d averaged 32mpg, the 550 does about 20.. But I probably drive the 550i harder as I enjoy it A LOT more! This does go up to high 20's on motorway and DC's etc, mine stops on mainly B roads.

The V8 does have its issues, I'd say the Diesel engines more so though.

As long as you're happy with fuel costs and have an ounce of petrol in your blood you'll love the V8, it makes the car really quite special.

Spuffington

1,203 posts

167 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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Can only echo the above. I did 18k in an E60 535d LCI and then swapped out for another E60 LCI but a 550i and did around 12k in it.

I can tell you that the latter is the definitely the more special car. The 535d was great, hushed for a derv and effortlessly quick, but the 550i felt special every time the starter button was pressed.

I got an overall 32mpg from the 535d and 23mpg from the 550i. An acceptable premium to pay for a much more special car.

Blisteringly quick once wound up too.

philmots

4,630 posts

259 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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My 335d was standard, but my 550i is faster at all points in the rev range..

The torque holds right through where as the diesels (slightly higher) figure is only a peak for around 1000rpm.

But it just pulls and pulls to the red line and makes a lovely noise.

It's a decision you make with your heart rather than head!

trickywoo

11,705 posts

229 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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philmots said:
It's a decision you make with your heart rather than head!
This. I've had a 545i for almost a year. I had to spend a fair wedge (almost four figures) on new 'top end' gaskets but it's been worth it. 26mpg without trying. Effortless overtakes and creamy v8 sound. Mine has dynamic drive and the only thing stopping you from proper B road action is its physical size which is an asset in other long distance work. For the money it's hard to think of anything that will cover distance with such a good compromise of efficiency and fun.

eliot

11,364 posts

253 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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I'm averaging 26mpg on my e65 7 series - i used to own a e39 540 and the best it would do on a run was very low 20's.
The 4.8 lump really seems to return relatively good mpg for what it is.

GreenArrow

Original Poster:

3,551 posts

116 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
quotequote all
philmots said:
I owned a 335d (same as lci 535d) and now have a 550i Touring..

Unless mpg's are an issue I can't think of any reason to go for the diesel.

My 335d averaged 32mpg, the 550 does about 20.. But I probably drive the 550i harder as I enjoy it A LOT more! This does go up to high 20's on motorway and DC's etc, mine stops on mainly B roads.

The V8 does have its issues, I'd say the Diesel engines more so though.

As long as you're happy with fuel costs and have an ounce of petrol in your blood you'll love the V8, it makes the car really quite special.
On the subject of "issues", is it correct that they need valve stem oil seals done at higher mileage? Saw an approx. 100,000 mile 545i for sale which had just had them done at cost, supposedly of 5K...eek!! Cant remember the last time I heard of a modern petrol engine car needing valve stems done! Last car was my wife's old 205 GTI!

philmots

4,630 posts

259 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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I saw that advert, he just wants to sell the car!

Mines on 98k and its not burning any oil when doing the test, some are worse than others apparently, it'll never be a drastic problem other than burning the oil..

Cheapest I've seen the job done was £1100 at a garage in Hexham. one of them things, if mine ever needs doing I'll just get them done. I'd suggest it's the only real worry, and it's not going to leave you stranded.

eliot

11,364 posts

253 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
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philmots said:
I saw that advert, he just wants to sell the car!

Mines on 98k and its not burning any oil when doing the test, some are worse than others apparently, it'll never be a drastic problem other than burning the oil..

Cheapest I've seen the job done was £1100 at a garage in Hexham. one of them things, if mine ever needs doing I'll just get them done. I'd suggest it's the only real worry, and it's not going to leave you stranded.
My 750 will puff smoke if left idling for a few minutes (115k). Consumes about a litre of oil 4-5k miles.
So unless it gets drastically worse i'm not going to touch it - as said its not going to bork and leave you stranded.
Mine seems to have improved with the very long motorway driving i do.

There is a special tool kit that allows you to change the seals in situ - but as said i'm not opening mine up for such a relatively minor issue.


Edited by eliot on Sunday 29th November 08:46

scz4

2,497 posts

240 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
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I've had an E61 530d and 550i.

Without a doubt get the 550i! I sold the 530d after just a few months, worst car I've owned (mostly down to the auto box). The 550i replaced it and was a fantastic family barge, on the same journeys it was only 4-5mpg worse off. No brainer really.

GreenArrow

Original Poster:

3,551 posts

116 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
scz4 said:
I've had an E61 530d and 550i.

Without a doubt get the 550i! I sold the 530d after just a few months, worst car I've owned (mostly down to the auto box). The 550i replaced it and was a fantastic family barge, on the same journeys it was only 4-5mpg worse off. No brainer really.
Very interesting! Am I right in thinking Tiff Needell owned a 550i and it was the car he was famously done for speeding in, before Mr Freeman got him off? Tiff is a fairly shrewd judge of cars, so if he likes them...

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
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If you do go for one 535d make sure it's the LCI vastly superior economy and performance plus the non LCI is now a pretty old car.


What prices are you seeing?


philmots

4,630 posts

259 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
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The best thing you can do is go see and drive one..

When I went to see mine, i started it up with the drivers door open. That was when the love affair started!laugh


Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
philmots said:
The best thing you can do is go see and drive one..

When I went to see mine, i started it up with the drivers door open. That was when the love affair started!laugh
535d really smile.

I'd never do that in mine I did every day in the RS6

GreenArrow

Original Poster:

3,551 posts

116 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
If you do go for one 535d make sure it's the LCI vastly superior economy and performance plus the non LCI is now a pretty old car.


What prices are you seeing?
Well, I live near Bournemouth and there was a remapped LCI for sale near me recently,58 reg, went for £11,400. Cheapest LCI I have seen with less than 150K miles within 100 mile radius, £10K. There is an 05 reg near me with only 69,000 miles at a dealer, £9995. Quite a lot of cash. The 545i touring, which seems to have already sold, was up for £8K.
There is a 550i on Autotrader on a private sale where the seller wants £7995, 06 reg car. Mileage around 110K I think.... So the 535d seems to carry a premium over the 545/550.....



cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
philmots said:
When I went to see mine, i started it up with the drivers door open. That was when the love affair started!laugh
I echo this and when I had that engine in my X5 I always left the drivers door open and then I couldn't stop revving it and listening to that V8 roar...I miss that engine big time and its been the most favourite BMW engine I have had. thumbup

Theophany

1,069 posts

129 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
I echo this and when I had that engine in my X5 I always left the drivers door open and then I couldn't stop revving it and listening to that V8 roar...I miss that engine big time and its been the most favourite BMW engine I have had. thumbup
I struggle to think of any V8 noise that doesn't give me a chub. wobble