520d M Sport Touring

[gizlaroc]

I have gone from 535d touring to 335i sport touring and now a 320d sport touring.

Overall I much prefer the 3 series, my only concern was wether the 2.0 diesel would be quick enough, I have to say I am absolutely delighted so far, this thing is really quick for a 2.0d, not once have I felt it was underpowered and it returns 39-57mpg, which is not bad for an auto!!

I don't think the 5 series would feel any slower, take one out and see what you think, you will be surprised.

[StuH]

I've been a little surprised by the comments on here. I've recently gone fron an e39 M5 to a 535D touring, and I've been amazed by the all round abilities of the oil burner. I'm getting around 30mpg, which is a little lower than i'd hoped, but significantly better than the 18mpg i averaged with the M5.

However, the car went in for a service last week and i got a 520D as a courtesy car. I found it under powered and extremely dull. Of course it is cheaper to buy and run, but the 535D is by no means expensive compared to other cars with comparable performance, but the additional refinement and low down grunt, make it a fun and entertaining and effortless car to drive. The difference between the two cars is so wide that I'm not sure any comparison is fair or valid.

[Donut]

StuH said:

I've been a little surprised by the comments on here. I've recently gone fron an e39 M5 to a 535D touring, and I've been amazed by the all round abilities of the oil burner. I'm getting around 30mpg, which is a little lower than i'd hoped, but significantly better than the 18mpg i averaged with the M5.

However, the car went in for a service last week and i got a 520D as a courtesy car. I found it under powered and extremely dull. Of course it is cheaper to buy and run, but the 535D is by no means expensive compared to other cars with comparable performance, but the additional refinement and low down grunt, make it a fun and entertaining and effortless car to drive. The difference between the two cars is so wide that I'm not sure any comparison is fair or valid.

£10 to a penny you had an SE spec old engine car....

[StuH]

Donut said:

StuH said:

I've been a little surprised by the comments on here. I've recently gone fron an e39 M5 to a 535D touring, and I've been amazed by the all round abilities of the oil burner. I'm getting around 30mpg, which is a little lower than i'd hoped, but significantly better than the 18mpg i averaged with the M5.

However, the car went in for a service last week and i got a 520D as a courtesy car. I found it under powered and extremely dull. Of course it is cheaper to buy and run, but the 535D is by no means expensive compared to other cars with comparable performance, but the additional refinement and low down grunt, make it a fun and entertaining and effortless car to drive. The difference between the two cars is so wide that I'm not sure any comparison is fair or valid.

£10 to a penny you had an SE spec old engine car....

No idea. It was a 57 plate?

[alfaspiderman2]

StuH said:

I've been a little surprised by the comments on here. I've recently gone fron an e39 M5 to a 535D touring, and I've been amazed by the all round abilities of the oil burner. I'm getting around 30mpg, which is a little lower than i'd hoped, but significantly better than the 18mpg i averaged with the M5.

However, the car went in for a service last week and i got a 520D as a courtesy car. I found it under powered and extremely dull. Of course it is cheaper to buy and run, but the 535D is by no means expensive compared to other cars with comparable performance, but the additional refinement and low down grunt, make it a fun and entertaining and effortless car to drive. The difference between the two cars is so wide that I'm not sure any comparison is fair or valid.

I'd agree and think I made a similar point earler...however you've got to be comfortable with how much value (in terms of driver satsifaction) you get for the extra outlay. For me, a 520d + a Megane R26 (say) gives me much more than the 335i gave me (for about the same outlay)

[MK4 Slowride]

Have you driven the 520d M-sport Touring alfaman?

[alfaspiderman2]

no

got one on demo from 18th-21st (next weekend)

why?

[MK4 Slowride]

alfaspiderman2 said:

no

got one on demo from 18th-21st (next weekend)

why?

Depending on where in the UK you are I could be of assistance with test drives and purchase. Unless your already sorted for this?

[alfaspiderman2]

my lease company has arranged through BMW Park Lane, who are kindly lending me theirs next weekend

thanks anyway

[MK4 Slowride]

OK, I know them well. We get prospects coming in asking for test drives but as we definitely can't get the business we have to send them away. Sad but true.

[alfaspiderman2]

well, the demo car has just been collected from my office and I've got to say that I was very impressed with the 520d M Sport Auto Touring

my only grumble is that occasionally the lack of power catches out the gearbox and it strains and judders under load....but I found leaving the gearbox in 'sport' mode at low speeds resolved this

otherwise, a hugely impressive piece of kit for the (lease) cost and I think I'll be ordering one this week

[Russell B]

Im interested in this topic too. My wifes collecting a Clubman s in a couple of weeks so we shall require a bigger car for days out. Im going carp fishing in France the first week in May so Ive bagged a 520 d m sport auto with a few toys on. I will drive around 900 miles in that period so I should get a feel of the car.

TBH I love my 335d but on my commute I dont even scratch the surface of its capabilities(not that I could anyway) I will be interested to see if I can bond with a 4 cylinder car as its more about the delivery and characterics of the delivery than just the oomph to me.

Russ

Edited by Russell B on Monday 21st April 21:56

[TDi154]

I'm in the same situaion. I've got to order a replacment for my 2.5 year old E90 320d M Sport Auto this week. I really don't like the RFL tyres on the 3-series (my wies 330d SE Touring isn't much better), so we have narrowed it down to a C220 CDi Sport Estate and a 520d M Sport Touring..

My wife narrowly preferes the C-Class, I am undecided as I love the way the 5-series drives (plus the 53mpg gained on test drive), but the Merc has the torque advantage, and kicks harder...

... Plus, I can have Sat Nav DVD system on the Merc, wereas the BMW does with a basic analoge climate control system... Ahhhh

On the plus side, we shall be selling the 330d as Leaseplan want bugger all for my 320d with approx 85k miles... even my local BMW dealer said it was a steal.

[MK4 Slowride]

Russell B said:

Im interested in this topic too. My wifes collecting a Clubman s in a couple of weeks so we shall require a bigger car for days out. Im going carp fishing in France the first week in May so Ive bagged a 520 d m sport auto with a few toys on. I will drive around 900 miles in that period so I should get a feel of the car.

TBH I love my 335d but on my commute I dont even scratch the surface of its capabilities(not that I could anyway) I will be interested to see if I can bond with a 4 cylinder car as its more about the delivery and characterics of the delivery than just the oomph to me.

Russ

Edited by Russell B on Monday 21st April 21:56

Your taking a 520d on a 900 mile test drive?

[alfaspiderman2]

TDi154 said:

My wife narrowly preferes the C-Class, I am undecided as I love the way the 5-series drives (plus the 53mpg gained on test drive), but the Merc has the torque advantage, and kicks harder...

That was my shortlist as well. I found the 5 to be very close on performance but much nicer to drive. It feels like a class above (which, of course, it is). The 6 speed box on the 5 is a major benefit IMO.

[Russell B]

MK4 Slowride said:

Russell B said:

Im interested in this topic too. My wifes collecting a Clubman s in a couple of weeks so we shall require a bigger car for days out. Im going carp fishing in France the first week in May so Ive bagged a 520 d m sport auto with a few toys on. I will drive around 900 miles in that period so I should get a feel of the car.

TBH I love my 335d but on my commute I dont even scratch the surface of its capabilities(not that I could anyway) I will be interested to see if I can bond with a 4 cylinder car as its more about the delivery and characterics of the delivery than just the oomph to me.

Russ

Edited by Russell B on Monday 21st April 21:56

Your taking a 520d on a 900 mile test drive?

Their paying for the fuel too! plus my duty free etc.


















Only messing, a friend at works swapping motors with me for a few days

[alfaspiderman2]

interesting

having had a 335i previously, I thought it was all about the 'oomph' to me as well but the 520d is certainly appealing in the way it goes about it's business...as you say, the character of the way it delivers...never thought I'd bond with a 2.0 diesel but I rather did

I'm even considering NOT debadging such is my lack of shame in opting for the bargain basement model

[MazDave]

Wear your 520d badge with pride

If you take the badge off everyone assumes you're embarrassed about your choice of car anyway

[Deva Link]

MK4 Slowride said:

We get prospects coming in asking for test drives but as we definitely can't get the business we have to send them away. Sad but true.

I was quite stunned when I experienced the same attitude in a BMW dealership.

MK4 Slowride said:

Your taking a 520d on a 900 mile test drive?

What would be wrong with that? I did that kind of mileage in several cars, inc a delivery mileage Merc C220CDi estate, before I got my last car. BMW denied an extended test drive facility exists, so I don't have one of their cars.

Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 23 April 17:15

[Welshbeef]

Deva Link said:

MK4 Slowride said:

We get prospects coming in asking for test drives but as we definitely can't get the business we have to send them away. Sad but true.

I was quite stunned when I experienced the same attitude in a BMW dealership.

MK4 Slowride said:

Your taking a 520d on a 900 mile test drive?

What would be wrong with that? I did that kind of mileage in several cars, inc a delivery mileage Merc C220CDi estate, before I got my last car. BMW denied an extended test drive facility exists, so I don't have one of their cars.

Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 23 April 17:15

Crazy really as your going to be spending min £25k on a replacement car with them and they will not give you an extended test drive... not very sensible.

Provecta do offer extended test drives BMW's included and its usually drop off 9am monday morning pick up 5pm Friday (or you keep it the full week). I know of some people cannot recall the makes who have had 2 week test drives (and then not chosen that car) and these are 50-80k a year drivers