420d, 520d or 330d?

[Rick-fgpe0]

What did you go for OP? I'm 29 but going grey and the kids make me feel 47, and just ordered one of these three. Interested to see which you went for

[T16OLE]

I've had numerous 20d & 30d's of both 3 & 5 series

I currently have a 640d & of similar age to you (28). Personally I would get the 30d motor, the 20d are "fine" but not really lovable.

A 30d coupled the 8-speed ZF auto in Touring guise would be my choice.

If you can I would recommend a BMW AUC for peace of mind and to sort any niggles without quibbling

[Fox-]

Trfcok said:

Yes the 5 is a bit plusher but the 3 handles better, is actually more economical and then there's is the HUGE difference in performance/driving experience.

Huge difference in performance?

There is about a passenger worth of weight difference between the equivalent 3 Series and 5 Series. There is no huge difference in performance.

[335d]

Fox- said:

Huge difference in performance?

There is about a passenger worth of weight difference between the equivalent 3 Series and 5 Series. There is no huge difference in performance.

A 33 stone passenger! There is 210kg between the F30 320d and F10 520d.

[Trabi601]

335d said:

Fox- said:

Huge difference in performance?

There is about a passenger worth of weight difference between the equivalent 3 Series and 5 Series. There is no huge difference in performance.

A 33 stone passenger! There is 210kg between the F30 320d and F10 520d.

Not enough to make up for the difference in refinement, though.

I do feel my 520d is slower than my old 120d with the same engine and gearbox - but not so much as to make a difference in daily driving.

[Helicopter123]

335d said:

Fox- said:

Huge difference in performance?

There is about a passenger worth of weight difference between the equivalent 3 Series and 5 Series. There is no huge difference in performance.

A 33 stone passenger! There is 210kg between the F30 320d and F10 520d.

Kerb weight of a 520d M Sport auto is 1560 kg compared with 1450 kg on a 320d M Sport Auto. Still a 110 kg difference but not enough to seriously dent performance.

[335d]

Helicopter123 said:

Kerb weight of a 520d M Sport auto is 1560 kg compared with 1450 kg on a 320d M Sport Auto. Still a 110 kg difference but not enough to seriously dent performance.

The 520d MS auto is 1705kg according to http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/bmw/bmw-5-series-5...

and 1720kg according to http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/...

A BMW brochure I have puts the 520d SE auto at 1700kg so these look about right to me.

[Fox-]

335d said:

The 520d MS auto is 1705kg according to http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/bmw/bmw-5-series-5...

and 1720kg according to http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/...

A BMW brochure I have puts the 520d SE auto at 1700kg so these look about right to me.

Straight from BMW themselves:

330d M Sport Auto F30: 1615kg
530d M Sport Auto F10: 1780kg

So it's a bigger difference than I thought. Still not sure it's enough to make the performance difference considerable.

[maccaRR]

Dunno what you went with in the end? I'm on my second 520d Msport (2017) having previously has a 2015, both company cars, both great at sucking up miles in comfort, both more engaging than their Merc/Jag/Audi counterparts for 30k miles a year driving but ultimately they're exec. barges and not that quick or sporty.
Owned several 320d Msports, all good, quick enough, fun to drive, economical and comfortable so a 420d is a good bet although tight on headroom in the backfrom the ones I've sat in if that's an issue.
Just ordered the missus a new 335d Xdrive shadow edition after a test drive, massive discount on new through drive the deal pitching it more or less at the same price as an equivalent 330d and not much more than a 320d so felt it would be rude not to go for one What it isn't is a diesel Mitsubishi Evo, its handling is slight less sharp thtan an RWD 3 series and it is doesn't have a particularly explosive power delivery, however it does have a fabulous planted feel, smooth turbine of an engine that picks up strongly from nothing and which suits the 8 speed auto perfectly and in the trim we're going for all the comfort and toys you reasonably need. Horses for courses really, but for a private purchase and if you enjoy your driving I'd recommend the big engined 3 series.

[Mr Tidy]

For nearly a decade I had diseasels - 320td then 123d, mainly due to HMRC mileage rates.

When that no longer mattered I got a Z4 Coupe (they are petrol only) and haven't looked back!

So if you don't "need" a diesel try a petrol - then the world will be a better place with less particulate emissions.

[diehardbenzfan]

Big GT said:

OP - Are you claiming you Business miles back? If so you will get around 2p per mile extra with the larger 3ltr which adds up!

Anyway 330d - That engine and gearbox will make you smile genuine supercar in gear shove. I had the 430d and for me that engine glossed over the modern BMW problems, road noise, vague steering, Idrive, stupid drive modes etc. The 2ltr will not do this.

What a thing to say! Nail on the head, i agree with the steering and road noise but the engine is just so good, it makes me forget about it, I had a 320d courtesy car and I couldn't wait to get my car back

[smashy]

That engine is fantastic (3ltr) power surge if you want very fast ...went to worthing and back from west london yesterday 54mpg

[PorkInsider]

Fox- said:

Straight from BMW themselves:

330d M Sport Auto F30: 1615kg
530d M Sport Auto F10: 1780kg

So it's a bigger difference than I thought. Still not sure it's enough to make the performance difference considerable.

But OP is considering either a 330d or a 520d, not a 530d.

There is a vast difference in performance between a 330d and a 520d, not to mention in engine refinement and noise. Admittedly they're both diesel but one sounds ok and the other like an old tractor (imo).

The 330d is very economical, too. I used to regularly see well over 50mpg out of mine on any sort of a decent run, even when doing business miles at buy times of day. And I never purposely set out to save fuel, it's just how good they really are.

Edited by PorkInsider on Sunday 18th June 15:39

[Fox-]

PorkInsider said:

But OP is considering either a 330d or a 520d, not a 530d.

I've no idea why you would consider either a 330d or a 520d but not a 530d. I can only assume he overlooked it.

[PorkInsider]

Fox- said:

PorkInsider said:

But OP is considering either a 330d or a 520d, not a 530d.

I've no idea why you would consider either a 330d or a 520d but not a 530d. I can only assume he overlooked it.

The thread title and his first post say not.

That's why the big difference in performance has been pointed out.

[Helicopter123]

PorkInsider said:

Fox- said:

Straight from BMW themselves:

330d M Sport Auto F30: 1615kg
530d M Sport Auto F10: 1780kg

So it's a bigger difference than I thought. Still not sure it's enough to make the performance difference considerable.

But OP is considering either a 330d or a 520d, not a 530d.

There is a vast difference in performance between a 330d and a 520d, not to mention in engine refinement and noise. Admittedly they're both diesel but one sounds ok and the other like an old tractor (imo).

The 330d is very economical, too. I used to regularly see well over 50mpg out of mine on any sort of a decent run, even when doing business miles at buy times of day. And I never purposely set out to save fuel, it's just how good they really are.

Edited by PorkInsider on Sunday 18th June 15:39

Disagree on the noise - from the inside, not much in it - the noise insulation is FAR better in the 5 series than the 3 series. Granted the 320d sounds ghastly from inside, and the 520d awful from outside, but having done 20k miles in each the noise from inside will not be the issue!

Over 20k miles I saw c. 43mpg in the 330d and am sitting on 44mpg with the 520d, both driven in an identical fashion over the same routes. Conclusion is that MPG will be the same accross either car.

[PorkInsider]

Helicopter123 said:

Disagree on the noise - from the inside, not much in it - the noise insulation is FAR better in the 5 series than the 3 series. Granted the 320d sounds ghastly from inside, and the 520d awful from outside, but having done 20k miles in each the noise from inside will not be the issue!

To be clear, I was talking about external noise.

[Keith R]

I've had my F31 330d for well over a year. Recently it went into the dealers to have an electrical fault fixed and I was given a 520d loaner. The interior build quality on the 5 was on another level, and the ride quality and comfort equally so. But to drive it was dull and significantly underpowered compared to the 330d and, quite honestly, I couldn't wait to get my car back. I can forgive its hard, crashy ride, numerous rattles and creaky door rubbers because that engine and drivetrain combination is just spot on!

So in conclusion, if you want comfort, refinement and the feeling of being cosseted on your daily commute, get the 520d. If you love driving get the 330d.

[aaron_2000]

Take into account the fact the 5 Series is now a previous model, where as the 3 Series is still a current one. I'd rather drive a current shape 330d than a previous generation 520d. I'm interested to know what OP bought.

[Mike335i]

aaron_2000 said:

Take into account the fact the 5 Series is now a previous model, where as the 3 Series is still a current one. I'd rather drive a current shape 330d than a previous generation 520d. I'm interested to know what OP bought.

Why? Do you not have cars that have been replaced?

The 3 will be replaced next year so then they will both be out of date. Does what would you do then?