Buying advice - E39 530/530d?

[[TW]Fox]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

True BUT the V8 models have 60/40 weight distribution and recirculating ball steering whereas the Straight Sixes are 52/48 IIRC and rack and pinion..

[fluffnik]

[TW]Fox said:

True BUT the V8 models have 60/40 weight distribution and recirculating ball steering whereas the Straight Sixes are 52/48 IIRC and rack and pinion..

The V8s are not nose heavy and while the steering might be a little numb dead ahead there's plenty feel as soon as it loads up...

[clobemonman]

[TW]Fox said:

I have a Dec 01 530i Sport and my father has a Feb 02 530d SE.

When I first decided I wanted a 5 Series, obviously, it had to be a diesel. I mean, the performance is good and it does 40mpg so why wouldnt you want the diesel?

Well..

Firstly, everyone wants a diesel so supply and demand is such that a good 530d Sport will cost about £2-3k more than an identical 530i Sport. So, you need to do a lot of miles before you even break even.

Secondly, despite not exactly being unreliable, injector issues and turbo failiure on the 530d are not rare occurances and the 530i has none of these problems. So, it's a more reliable prospect as well.

So I figured it would actually be cheaper to run the 530i, so looked into them. And wow. The 3.0i is a fantastic engine and is noticeably quicker than the 3.0d at everything other than those lazy occasions when you just wish to boot it in 4th or 5th. Change into the powerband and no 530d will keep up, I suspect, not even a remapped one.

I drive both the 530d and the 530i regularly and to be honest I like them both, but for me at least the 530i is the car I prefer.

MPG wise..

Town:

530i: 21-22mpg
530d: 29-30mpg

Motorway:

530i: 36mpg
530d: 44mpg

Hi Folks,

I'm currently averaging 32 mpg from a 523i manual (2.5l). Considering an E60 530i auto. Do you think I might be able to average 28+ based on the consumption of the 523i?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Clobemonman.

Edited by clobemonman on Monday 11th February 23:42

[Fatboy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Or you could get an LPG conversion for £2k, and be quids in

[gjm2008]

i own a e39 530d sport(chipped) and a 330 ci sport convertible , the diesel is a far nicer drive plus feels quicker for sure , 330=231 bhp 530=240bhp ,,,,,,i take the 530d on country runs every time ,unless sunn splitting the trees !!!!!!