F11 525 2.0D things to look out for ?

[The Walrus]

Hello BMW community

After a long relationship with VW I am parting ways to try a BMW for the first time, after a long time lurking I am looking at taking the plunge on an 11 plate F11 525D 2.0 twin power engine and was after any known issues I should be looking out for and any typical service items I should be looking at with 65k on the clock ?

Many thanks for any advice and knowledge.

Henry

[Fox-]

The first thing to look out for is that it actually is a 2 litre because 11 plate was when they moved from the 3 litre engine to the 2 litre twin turbo engine on the 525d. Most 11 plate cars are 3 litre as IIRC the 2 litre engine wasn't available until July 2011.

IMHO the 3 litre variant is a better engine anyway, it is smoother, more refined, sounds less crap and is more befitting a 5 Series.

[scz4]

I have one.....

I believe cars built from Sept or Oct 2011 will be 4 cyl, mine is Nov 11.

I've only done 34k miles, only problem I've needed the warranty for is an EGR valve replacement and lose boot trim, twice. You'll be lucky to see 25k from a set of rear pads thanks to the electric handbrake Not even a DIY job as you need to put the calipers into "service mode".

Other than that, cracking car, can easily get 45+ mpg out of it, seen over 50mpg on a few runs. Agree 6 cyl will be smoother in the 525d 3.0 litre, but I've been burnt once before with a 3.0 6 cyl diesel in the previous geneation, mpg was shocking, so much so I changed it for a V8 after 2 months. Lets be honest, we only buy diesel for economy and I was cheated with the E61... Also not sure they have the 8 speed either, which is a must. Twin turbo also works better than the single turbo in the 3.0d in terms of lag. If the cold start doesn't bother you then go for it, once on the move it's certainly refined with all the soundproofing the 5 has.

Edited by scz4 on Monday 5th January 19:32

[scz4]

Now on Eibach springs, genuine M5 408M alloys and M Performance Rear diffuser

[Fox-]

scz4 said:

Other than that, cracking car, can easily get 45+ mpg out of it, seen over 50mpg on a few runs. Agree 6 cyl will be smoother in the 525d 3.0 litre, but I've been burnt once before with a 3.0 6 cyl diesel in the previous geneation, mpg was shocking, so much so I changed it for a V8 after 2 months. Lets be honest, we only buy diesel for economy and I was cheated with the E61... Also not sure they have the 8 speed either, which is a must.

All automatic F10/F11's have the 8 speed box.

And by the sounds of it your economy isn't too dissimilar to my F10 530d, which can touch 50 on a run if I'm taking it easy.

[anonymous-user]

scz4 said:

I have one.....

I believe cars built from Sept or Oct 2011 will be 4 cyl, mine is Nov 11.

I've only done 34k miles, only problem I've needed the warranty for is an EGR valve replacement and lose boot trim, twice. You'll be lucky to see 25k from a set of rear pads thanks to the electric handbrake Not even a DIY job as you need to put the calipers into "service mode". .

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 5th January 19:32

I've seen this before but don't understand how a handbrake can cause wear to the pads, given that it's only used when stopped?

I've only had my F10 since March, 10K miles, so don't know how the pads are doing. My last barge, a VW CC, had a similar arrangement and I always had auto hold on, but the rear pads were still going after 4 years and 60K.

[scz4]

REALIST123 said:

I've seen this before but don't understand how a handbrake can cause wear to the pads, given that it's only used when stopped?

I've only had my F10 since March, 10K miles, so don't know how the pads are doing. My last barge, a VW CC, had a similar arrangement and I always had auto hold on, but the rear pads were still going after 4 years and 60K.

I believe it's because the cruise control and to an extent traction control use the rear brakes.

Interestingly I had a "handbrake actuator" fitted when it was in for it's EGR valve, not sure if it's a recall... but it seems a common complaint.

Edited by scz4 on Monday 5th January 21:16

[Andehh]

Traction control works with the rear pads, even before the reaction light comes on. If you are looking out for it, I'm pretty sure you can just feel it braking slightly on swift exists from tight roundabouts.

[drmark]

Andehh said:

Traction control works with the rear pads, even before the reaction light comes on. If you are looking out for it, I'm pretty sure you can just feel it braking slightly on swift exists from tight roundabouts.

It's the TC that eats the rear pads. At least on the 3.0d. Not sure the 520 can get wheel spin

[anonymous-user]

So nothing to do with the handbrake.

The CC and TC can clearly have an effect but they are easily managed IMO.

[The Walrus]

Thanks gents it is a 2.0 ltr I checked under the bonnet just to be sure, it was reg in Nov 11 so after the changeover.

I pick her up this Saturday and will have a nice twisty journey back to see how it feels on both small country lanes as well as the motorway, certainly not that many around near me sub 25k with the spec I got so happy to hear that I HOPEFULLY shouldn't expect any major bills !

[scz4]

The Walrus said:

Thanks gents it is a 2.0 ltr I checked under the bonnet just to be sure, it was reg in Nov 11 so after the changeover.

I pick her up this Saturday and will have a nice twisty journey back to see how it feels on both small country lanes as well as the motorway, certainly not that many around near me sub 25k with the spec I got so happy to hear that I HOPEFULLY shouldn't expect any major bills !

Congrats!

525d does drive quite well for it's size, considerably lighter than the 3.0d model which is another benefit

Sounds like they're holding their money then. Although I got offered £16k-£18k at the weekend for mine as a trade-in, 34k miles and £8k of options on it, jokers!

Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 6th January 11:42

[The Walrus]

scz4 said:

525d does drive quite well for it's size, considerably lighter than the 3.0d model which is another benefit

Sounds like they're holding their money then. Although I got offered £16k-£18k at the weekend for mine as a trade-in, 34k miles and £8k of options on it, jokers!

Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 6th January 11:40

I paid 20 with from what I can work out between 9-11k worth of options difficult to work out what was or wasn't included 16-18 is a joke though for that mileage, the car I bought was 23k at Lister BMW in Nov last year with 60k on the clock.

[Fox-]

scz4 said:

considerably lighter than the 3.0d model which is another benefit

Considerably? The 3 litre variant is 3% heavier.

[The Walrus]

Fox- said:

Considerably? The 3 litre variant is 3% heavier.

Don't worry fox I think he must of be referring to the typical driver of a 3 litre d not the car itself, luckily for me I have a reasonable gut so although I offset the weight gain I improve the COG.

[scz4]

Fox- said:

scz4 said:

considerably lighter than the 3.0d model which is another benefit

Considerably? The 3 litre variant is 3% heavier.

Perhaps "considerably" wasn't the right word but 60kg isn't to be sniffed at. I've also saved 20kg by fitting the M5 alloys, 19" 351M alloys are ridiculously heavy, especially coupled with run flat tyres.

Plus the engine is set further back It definitely feels lighter to drive when I test drove a 525d vs 530d, but I guess the smaller wheels may have contributed to that.

Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 6th January 18:22

[HoHoHo]

scz4 said:

Now on Eibach springs, genuine M5 408M alloys and M Performance Rear diffuser

I'm not sure they're M5 wheels, they happen to be the right offset and fit the M5 amongst other vehicles in the range (6 series as well for example)

I have them on my F10 M5 as they are the only ones that fit (along with the 20" version) which allow you to use winter tyres.

The M5 only has 4 wheel options from new and the ones you have and I run in winter aren't on the list.

Still look the dogs and your car certainly looks lovely!

Mine on the same wheels in winter mode

[shim]

so the 5 series has to have one of the boring colours offered......but why on the M5 HoHoHo?

[scz4]

HoHoHo said:

I'm not sure they're M5 wheels, they happen to be the right offset and fit the M5 amongst other vehicles in the range (6 series as well for example)

I have them on my F10 M5 as they are the only ones that fit (along with the 20" version) which allow you to use winter tyres.

Firstly, lovely colour

What makes you say that? My set are most definitely the genuine M5 19" winter wheels, I bought them off my Managing Director when he sold his M5. I've also picked up a second set since. Or are you simply suggesting they're not unique to the M5, i.e. they are also the official winter wheels for the M6 etc? (which is true)

The offset is quite aggressive on a non ///M, 14mm wider at the back and 7mm wider at the front, but they fill the arches perfectly.

Previously with the standard 351M 19" rims I ran 12mm and 15mm spacers to improve the stance, no need with these

http://mfans2.com/parts/catalog/F10/Europe/M5-S63N...

As you correctly point out, there are only 5 genuine M5 wheels styles available.

http://mfans2.com/parts/catalog/F10/Europe/M5-S63N...

Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 6th January 19:39

[HoHoHo]

shim said:

so the 5 series has to have one of the boring colours offered......but why on the M5 HoHoHo?

Hi Shim

I'm not quite sure I understand what you've said however Silverstone II is only available on the M5, no other F10. I am also aware that you dislke all F10 colours!

Looks brilliant in the flesh and the Sakhir sets off the inside - very happy from where I sit and it gets very positive comments from everyone that I talk to.

Edited by HoHoHo on Tuesday 6th January 19:49