BMW 530D M SPORT
Discussion
I'd owned a Renault Sport Clio 220 Trophy for about 3 years, buying it as a compramise of a sporty hatch for me, but a small auto for SWMBO to drive around with ease.
It really ticked all of the boxes and we got on with it really well. Looked great, drove amazing and things like the gearbox and ride were nowhere near as bad as people made out.
However, there were a few issues. The lack of rook rack possibilites - no mounts and a paper thin roof so no way to use a suction rack - and the terrible fuel economy. In all honesty, we didn't expect amazing things fuel wise, but with my track ready Megane RS getting better MPG with a boot full of wheels and track tools, it just got to the point where it was getting a bit silly to keep runing the Clio - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
So it was time for a change.
Now at this point it probably best for me to explain that my knowldege of cars outside of Renault is low, pretty much zero when it comes to BMW. I've always been a hot hatch fan and never really had to look for a larger car.
I consulted a few mates, agreed a BMW 530D would be the best of all worlds (as it should also give me the option to tow the Megane if needed), so a search began.
And this is what I've come home with:
- BMW 530D M SPORT AUTO
- 67,000 miles
- FSH (EGR cooler replaced by BMW in 2019)
- 2 owners, last owner had it over 8 years!
Definitely gone from one extreme to another, but the lack of rattles and smooth ride is just sublime!
Plan is to daily it and use it as the workhorse... may look into the apple carplay retrofit at some point but for now I'll just get used to it I think.
[url]
It really ticked all of the boxes and we got on with it really well. Looked great, drove amazing and things like the gearbox and ride were nowhere near as bad as people made out.
However, there were a few issues. The lack of rook rack possibilites - no mounts and a paper thin roof so no way to use a suction rack - and the terrible fuel economy. In all honesty, we didn't expect amazing things fuel wise, but with my track ready Megane RS getting better MPG with a boot full of wheels and track tools, it just got to the point where it was getting a bit silly to keep runing the Clio - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
So it was time for a change.
Now at this point it probably best for me to explain that my knowldege of cars outside of Renault is low, pretty much zero when it comes to BMW. I've always been a hot hatch fan and never really had to look for a larger car.
I consulted a few mates, agreed a BMW 530D would be the best of all worlds (as it should also give me the option to tow the Megane if needed), so a search began.
And this is what I've come home with:
- BMW 530D M SPORT AUTO
- 67,000 miles
- FSH (EGR cooler replaced by BMW in 2019)
- 2 owners, last owner had it over 8 years!
Definitely gone from one extreme to another, but the lack of rattles and smooth ride is just sublime!
Plan is to daily it and use it as the workhorse... may look into the apple carplay retrofit at some point but for now I'll just get used to it I think.
[url]Thanks!
Seems whoever owned this previously did minimal miles (7k a year ish) and main dealer bmw took cars of everything else.
They really are good looking cars, I prefer the look to the saloon too.
Touring mode has been enabled, didn’t take long at all to get the rack and bike carriers on.
Seems whoever owned this previously did minimal miles (7k a year ish) and main dealer bmw took cars of everything else.
They really are good looking cars, I prefer the look to the saloon too.
Touring mode has been enabled, didn’t take long at all to get the rack and bike carriers on.
Had a good few months motoring with the 530, a few niggles but fixable.
Noticed a lot of sloshing of water in the rear, wet vac pulled out over 3l from the NSR footwell. Turned out to be a grommet up front failing (where the windscreen drain goes) and letting in water during heavy downpours.
Temporarily fixed it with some bathroom sealant, but picked up a new grommet for £20.
Also found a load of water in the boot, due to a piece of loose trim meaning the boot seal wasn’t sealing properly. Ended up shorting the resistor for the rear air suspension, which was pretty annoying, but £12 from main dealer and replacing a missing screw and its all sorted thankfully!
MPG isn’t amazing, high 40’s, but I do have a rack up top for the bike.
Needs a tow bar so I can pull the Megane next I think!
Noticed a lot of sloshing of water in the rear, wet vac pulled out over 3l from the NSR footwell. Turned out to be a grommet up front failing (where the windscreen drain goes) and letting in water during heavy downpours.
Temporarily fixed it with some bathroom sealant, but picked up a new grommet for £20.
Also found a load of water in the boot, due to a piece of loose trim meaning the boot seal wasn’t sealing properly. Ended up shorting the resistor for the rear air suspension, which was pretty annoying, but £12 from main dealer and replacing a missing screw and its all sorted thankfully!
MPG isn’t amazing, high 40’s, but I do have a rack up top for the bike.
Needs a tow bar so I can pull the Megane next I think!
Great car; looks great in silver too 
Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
d_a_n1979 said:
Great car; looks great in silver too
Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
Cheers! I wasn’t too sure about silver on silver wheels at 1st, but definitely a nice change to black wheels that a lot of cars seem to have.Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
I’m all over that thread, helped me diagnose the “yellow grommet” fairly quickly. Seem like these things leak live a sieve if you aren’t quick to track down the source haha
North3rn Monk3y said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Great car; looks great in silver too
Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
Cheers! I wasn’t too sure about silver on silver wheels at 1st, but definitely a nice change to black wheels that a lot of cars seem to have.Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
I’m all over that thread, helped me diagnose the “yellow grommet” fairly quickly. Seem like these things leak live a sieve if you aren’t quick to track down the source haha
I ran numerous silver alloys on my previous E39 touring that was Ttian silver & then settled on BMW ferric grey and that really worked IMO
Glad you're onto the 5 forums; it's a great source of info
d_a_n1979 said:
North3rn Monk3y said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Great car; looks great in silver too
Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
Cheers! I wasn’t too sure about silver on silver wheels at 1st, but definitely a nice change to black wheels that a lot of cars seem to have.Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
I’m all over that thread, helped me diagnose the “yellow grommet” fairly quickly. Seem like these things leak live a sieve if you aren’t quick to track down the source haha
I ran numerous silver alloys on my previous E39 touring that was Ttian silver & then settled on BMW ferric grey and that really worked IMO
Glad you're onto the 5 forums; it's a great source of info
Is a great forum, plan is to keep the 5 going long term and just keep ontop of the maintainence etc so been a great source of info!
That’s identical to my F11, except mine has the fairly rough and slightly gutless 20d engine.
Mines had some initial problems with the self-levelling suspension, which needed airbags and control valve replacing. Since that was sorted out, I’ve run it from 45,000 miles to 115,000 in the last 3 years, and it’s only required basic servicing (and the EGR cooler recall).
My only regret is that when I bought it, there was a 535d estate for sale at the same time; same year, 8,000 miles more than mine, pro-nav and £2k more expensive. I definitely should’ve gone for that 3 litre version over the 2 litre. 185bhp is not a lot to lug around such a big car.
Nice comfy car though for the motorway journeys that make up most of the mileage.
Mines had some initial problems with the self-levelling suspension, which needed airbags and control valve replacing. Since that was sorted out, I’ve run it from 45,000 miles to 115,000 in the last 3 years, and it’s only required basic servicing (and the EGR cooler recall).
My only regret is that when I bought it, there was a 535d estate for sale at the same time; same year, 8,000 miles more than mine, pro-nav and £2k more expensive. I definitely should’ve gone for that 3 litre version over the 2 litre. 185bhp is not a lot to lug around such a big car.
Nice comfy car though for the motorway journeys that make up most of the mileage.
North3rn Monk3y said:
d_a_n1979 said:
North3rn Monk3y said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Great car; looks great in silver too
Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
Cheers! I wasn’t too sure about silver on silver wheels at 1st, but definitely a nice change to black wheels that a lot of cars seem to have.Your issues are well known, unfortunately. A great thread (and forum) here for it all; well worth joining too if you haven't already:
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/116098-heavy-rain-w...
I’m all over that thread, helped me diagnose the “yellow grommet” fairly quickly. Seem like these things leak live a sieve if you aren’t quick to track down the source haha
I ran numerous silver alloys on my previous E39 touring that was Ttian silver & then settled on BMW ferric grey and that really worked IMO
Glad you're onto the 5 forums; it's a great source of info
Is a great forum, plan is to keep the 5 going long term and just keep ontop of the maintainence etc so been a great source of info!
My touring was kept very clean due to it being quite rare on these shores; but over winter it only ever got contactless washes (snow foamed, rinsed and glass towel dried etc) and it never looked dirty even though it was filthy
Can't say the same about my current azzurite black F01 730D; that looks filthy even after it's been washed and used briefly
Court_S said:
Good to hear that it’s largely been a good other car other than the water ingress!
Ferric grey wheels would look cracking on it.
Depending on the version of idrive, CarPlay can be retrofitted relatively painlessly. I paid £150 for I on my M140i which was running ID6 of the NBT nav.
I’ve been looking at the carplay retrofit, would like one eventually but it seems ok at the mo.Ferric grey wheels would look cracking on it.
Depending on the version of idrive, CarPlay can be retrofitted relatively painlessly. I paid £150 for I on my M140i which was running ID6 of the NBT nav.
Still trying to figure out which system I have though.
In the meantime, definitely need the maps updating, currently on 2012 maps which has cause a few interesting route choices!
Edited by North3rn Monk3y on Monday 3rd January 09:10
3,000 miles down, in 3 months… loving the F11, its like driving a LazyBoy down the road.
Haven’t washed it, just been using it as the workhorse.
Tested the length the other day with a 2m board, swallowed it no bother and the Mrs got new shelves in the kitchen cupboards.
Also, the heated seats have been superb, especially after a -2deg night ride on the MTB .
Definitely need to find some time to update the maps though, read a few guides and seems simple enough. They haven’t been updated since 2012, so I’m often floating over fields!
Haven’t washed it, just been using it as the workhorse.
Tested the length the other day with a 2m board, swallowed it no bother and the Mrs got new shelves in the kitchen cupboards.
Also, the heated seats have been superb, especially after a -2deg night ride on the MTB .
Definitely need to find some time to update the maps though, read a few guides and seems simple enough. They haven’t been updated since 2012, so I’m often floating over fields!
After the recent downpour that seems to have lasted what feels like weeks, I noticed the passenger floor getting wet again.
Got the wet vac on it and must have pulled 5-6l out of the footwell.
Noticed it was bubbly and smelled like washer fluid… that bloody yellow grommet.
Managed to pull it out pretty easy, was very loose and… well look at it!
New one fitted, fingers crossed.
Got the wet vac on it and must have pulled 5-6l out of the footwell.
Noticed it was bubbly and smelled like washer fluid… that bloody yellow grommet.
Managed to pull it out pretty easy, was very loose and… well look at it!
New one fitted, fingers crossed.
Eco run in the 530 for the easter weekend - roof bars and bike rack in place but no bikes.
230 miles driven, indicated 56.4mpg and 640miles still in the tank!
Super comfy too, managed to go from J8 to J32 on the M6 only using cruise control.. benefit of leaving late at night I suppose.
230 miles driven, indicated 56.4mpg and 640miles still in the tank!
Super comfy too, managed to go from J8 to J32 on the M6 only using cruise control.. benefit of leaving late at night I suppose.
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