Differences between 530d & 535d M Sport

[Remster500]

I'm in the market for a 535d M Sport Estate (2005-2006) and have been watching the classifieds on here and Autotrader. I have a budget of £30k and can't help noticing that the next model down, i.e. 530d M Sport, commands a much lower price.

Can anyone explain the main differences between the 2 models to a BMW newbie? Is it simply engine? Can a 530d be re-mapped to give similar figures to that of it's big brother 535d?

Also, what are deemed the "must have options" on these models?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Otter's pocket]

I think the 535d has 2 turbos rather than the 1 on the 530d.
Spec-wise Sat Nav and leather must be the ones to have. That said ones with the half leather that comes as standard are a something of a discount.

[pgilc1]

Spec wise, the 535d will have climate control as standard as opposed to aircon, and an auto box as standard. That doesnt mean that someone might not have added those to a 530d anyway.

Whilst the 535d is undoubtedly quicker its how it delivers it that it impressive. One thing i loved about mine was that it didnt kick down half as much as a 530d does, plus it really does get up and go. You can remap a 530d to similar power to a 535d but it wont overcome the missing turbo at low revs, thus you get kickdown and less power below 2000revs. That doesnt mean that the 530d is slow or unrefined, just that the 535d is exceptional.

Is the 535d worth several thousand more? Hmmm. I went the extra and got one over a 530d, but i'd be inclined to drive them both and see what you think yourself.

[phelix]

New cost when specced like for like wasn't all that far apart. There are some low spec cars out there which are cheaper to buy but will be harder to sell. In that price range people generally expect an autobox, climate control and leather and sat-nav (preferably the professional version) and xenons are desirable as well.

[edb49]

Remster500 said:

Can a 530d be re-mapped to give similar figures to that of it's big brother 535d?

Yes, but a 535d can be remapped to give you a lot more oomph than a remapped 530d.

[dxb335d]

535d all day long. You will fall for the car big style.

You want Pro Nav, Bluetooth and leather.

Auto is the only tranny you can get with the 535d.

[gareth h]

I have to say I would go with a remapped 530d purely bacause it is available as a manual, I had a 330d auto which was fine for cruising around but really frustrating when you wanted to push on, even in tiptronic, it never changed when I wanted it to. Personal preference I guess, but an expensive mistake to make, try to get a drive in both.

[Johnbmw6]

Twin Turbo remapped is a real flyer, I would go with it for difference is cost it would be worth it IMO.

[pgilc1]

gareth h said:

I have to say I would go with a remapped 530d purely bacause it is available as a manual, I had a 330d auto which was fine for cruising around but really frustrating when you wanted to push on, even in tiptronic, it never changed when I wanted it to. Personal preference I guess, but an expensive mistake to make, try to get a drive in both.

530d manuals are not popular on the used market. Also, maybe you were experiencing what put me off the 530d, the kickdowns and it being off boost?

[phelix]

The 535d is the first automatic car I've ever owned or driven any great distance. On the motorway the box is fine and the normal and sport modes provide all the control I need. It's only in stop and go traffic where the box and I occasionally disagree about the choice of gear. Putting it in tip mode obviously solves the problem but defeats the purpose of having an automatic!

The 535d is a cracking drive with its huge low end torque. You can be lazy and let the torque carry you along or you can cane it and then it gets up and goes like the proverbial off a shovel. See if you can get an extended test drive under varying conditions to help you make up your mind.

[ROB_GTR]

Hi, with regard to this topic......

i currently drive a R33 GTR V-Spec with approx 450BHP bla bla bla

i am seriously looking at a 535D M Sport for around £20k which is 2004 - 2006 age

i have never owned / driven a auto so dont know what to expect upon test driving.....

is this car a fully automatic or do they have paddle shifts also?

i have read lots about remapping or chipping them? how big a job is it and how long does it take to do?

also whats the cost of mapping and what power / MPG figures would i expect to see?

i am not in the dark when it comes to changing the ECU for a fully mappable one & having it mapped due to my current car but with BMW i have no ideas...

any help and advice on this would be great!

thanks in advance! Rob

[physprof]

535D one of the fastest cars in the world

(based on observation it is only them, 520D/320Ds, 1.9Tdi VAGs and boy racer shopping trolleys come up behind me in z4M and then always have to massively overgun it past - WTF?)

Quite like it - auto on big'ish cars suits them fine. If you get one re-badge to down to 525D or 530D, you'll not be suspected of being a total 4rse then.

[a_bloke]

physprof said:

535D one of the fastest cars in the world

(based on observation it is only them, 520D/320Ds, 1.9Tdi VAGs and boy racer shopping trolleys come up behind me in z4M and then always have to massively overgun it past - WTF?)

Quite like it - auto on big'ish cars suits them fine. If you get one re-badge to down to 525D or 530D, you'll not be suspected of being a total 4rse then.

I've had two 535d's and not (to my knowledge) been suspected of being a total arse!!

Great cars.

To the O/P. Do the 535d if your budget will manage. Its so much more than a 530d with a remap.

[ROB_GTR]

i amreading that pre 2007 cars have some issues with the gearbox? can anyone shine any light on this?

also could anyone answer any of my questions from my previous post?

cheers

[a_bloke]

ROB_GTR said:

i amreading that pre 2007 cars have some issues with the gearbox? can anyone shine any light on this?

also could anyone answer any of my questions from my previous post?

cheers

I had an 05 one and i had to get the gearbox reprogrammed (?) as it 'shunted' when coming to a stop. All fine after that thought the post Mar 07 box is a world apart.

[a_bloke]

is this car a fully automatic or do they have paddle shifts also?

IIRC the 535d only came with the auto box, no paddles, though there is tiptronic functionality on the gearbox which means you can tap it up and down gears manually.

i have read lots about remapping or chipping them? how big a job is it and how long does it take to do?

No more than a couple of hours. You should be able to find endless threads on here about it!

also whats the cost of mapping and what power / MPG figures would i expect to see?

As little as £250 upwards. The 'big players' charge maybe £350 upwards. DMS are around £700 i think. You should get an easy 330BHP and 500lb/ft torque. You can also get it delimited and that should take you up to around 172MPH. You shouldnt see any significant detriment in fuel economy with a remap - other than you may drive it harder and impact consumption that way.

thanks in advance! Rob
[/quote]

[ROB_GTR]

when you say the post 07 box is a world apart,.... what exactly do you mean?

as an every day car would you recommend one?

i also like the 335D m sport but they are a bit over budget really

i want a nice looking car that is reasonably economical but with some performance too so th 535 seems to match my criteria

[a_bloke]

ROB_GTR said:

when you say the post 07 box is a world apart,.... what exactly do you mean?

as an every day car would you recommend one?

i also like the 335D m sport but they are a bit over budget really

i want a nice looking car that is reasonably economical but with some performance too so th 535 seems to match my criteria

The post 07 box - you wouldnt know it is even changing gear most of the time its that smooth, due to reduced internal resistance it adds to the fuel economy of the car (the post 07 car is approx 4mpg more efficient overall), its more 'intuitive', there is a 'P' for park button on the top of the stick, meaning no pointless changes into park mode, and also you dont even have to hit the 'P' button - it puts it into Park mode itself when you switch off.

Not that the pre 07 box is bad, just that the new box is exceptional.

535d overall is a superb car. Handles surprisingly well given its size too. I'd highly recommend one!

Edited by a_bloke on Friday 28th August 19:28

[2kwik]

thank God for that then...
Picking mine up in a few weeks time (BMW approved used car) and you can get a reasonably recent car with low mileage and still save 50% of the current list price - even with all the toys on.
Checked out the 535 against the 530 and thought both superb but the delivery is sooo much keener on the 535. Started thinking twice about it when reading some dross on here about 535 drivers/owners (really thinking it's a M5? I don't think so)but then realised how some like to read their own horse ....
I think I will leave the re-mapping for a while. Goes quick enough for me, it's a great car and has it's place in most garages, I guess. Nuff said.

[catty64]

pgilc1 said:

gareth h said:

I have to say I would go with a remapped 530d purely bacause it is available as a manual, I had a 330d auto which was fine for cruising around but really frustrating when you wanted to push on, even in tiptronic, it never changed when I wanted it to. Personal preference I guess, but an expensive mistake to make, try to get a drive in both.

530d manuals are not popular on the used market. Also, maybe you were experiencing what put me off the 530d, the kickdowns and it being off boost?

The 535d is a must.remapping a must.egr removal a must.dpf delete a must.370 bhp 730 nm torque .