Thinking about a 530d M Sport
Discussion
Bought exactly the same car at the beginning of March. A 2009 Auto M Sport in platinum grey. Extras I'd really recommend to look for if you can find them are:
- Media package (pro satnav & bluetooth)
- Visibility package (adaptive xenons) much better than standard lights which I've heard are hopeless
- 19” ‘spider’ effect alloys look much much better than the 18” alloys, they are a pain to clean though!
- USB interface for ipod/iphone connectivity (if you have one of course) plus you need cable from BMW which I think is £40.
Have got a few extras as the car was an ex demo then had one owner. It’s got an M Spoiler, heated front leather seats. Also have 6 cd changer in glovebox.
I'm on the road a lot with my job and I think it's a great car, there are a few minus points but the positives far outweigh those. I'll give you my experience so far, I’ve covered just under 5,000 miles already:
Standard stereo is ok, but not great. I've heard you can upgrade the tweeters fairly easily. If you are able to find it the Logic7 system is the one to go for, but seems hard to find.
MPG so far on a long motorway run at 70(ish) can be between 45-55 mpg and everywhere else (urban, dual carriageways etc) I'm averaging around 35-38mpg.
It costs around £95-100 to fill up at todays prices and you can expect a tank to last anywhere between 530-600miles depending on how you drive it.
Haven’t had it serviced yet, but I’m expecting it to cost a lot from a main dealer. Brakes from dealer I’ve heard can cost up to £1k!! If you can source them yourself they’ll be much much cheaper. Tyres for my 19’s will be £900+ for all four.
The car as an overall drive is precise, it feels like you’re driving a much smaller car, then you realise you’re shifting a hefty lump! The auto gearbox is great for normal driving, very smooth. You can shift it across to DS mode and this holds the gears longer, the DS mode is much better when you want to ‘press on’ as in standard mode the gearbox can’t seem to make its mind up when you’re accelerating out of a corner.
If you want to know anything else please ask as I’ve found a lot more things with the car but don’t want to bore you with an essay! Overall I’d say go for it, just don’t expect it to be a very cheap car to run, because it won’t be!
John.
- Media package (pro satnav & bluetooth)
- Visibility package (adaptive xenons) much better than standard lights which I've heard are hopeless
- 19” ‘spider’ effect alloys look much much better than the 18” alloys, they are a pain to clean though!
- USB interface for ipod/iphone connectivity (if you have one of course) plus you need cable from BMW which I think is £40.
Have got a few extras as the car was an ex demo then had one owner. It’s got an M Spoiler, heated front leather seats. Also have 6 cd changer in glovebox.
I'm on the road a lot with my job and I think it's a great car, there are a few minus points but the positives far outweigh those. I'll give you my experience so far, I’ve covered just under 5,000 miles already:
Standard stereo is ok, but not great. I've heard you can upgrade the tweeters fairly easily. If you are able to find it the Logic7 system is the one to go for, but seems hard to find.
MPG so far on a long motorway run at 70(ish) can be between 45-55 mpg and everywhere else (urban, dual carriageways etc) I'm averaging around 35-38mpg.
It costs around £95-100 to fill up at todays prices and you can expect a tank to last anywhere between 530-600miles depending on how you drive it.
Haven’t had it serviced yet, but I’m expecting it to cost a lot from a main dealer. Brakes from dealer I’ve heard can cost up to £1k!! If you can source them yourself they’ll be much much cheaper. Tyres for my 19’s will be £900+ for all four.
The car as an overall drive is precise, it feels like you’re driving a much smaller car, then you realise you’re shifting a hefty lump! The auto gearbox is great for normal driving, very smooth. You can shift it across to DS mode and this holds the gears longer, the DS mode is much better when you want to ‘press on’ as in standard mode the gearbox can’t seem to make its mind up when you’re accelerating out of a corner.
If you want to know anything else please ask as I’ve found a lot more things with the car but don’t want to bore you with an essay! Overall I’d say go for it, just don’t expect it to be a very cheap car to run, because it won’t be!
John.
I bought mine (58 plate auto M-Sport) mid January.
The standard stereo is acceptable. No more than that.
Very comfortable. The gearbox is smooth. Lots of torque, so overtaking is a breeze.
I do 80+ miles a day - A+B roads.
Mine is on 19" wheels but with normal tyres (not runflats).
Handles pretty well for the size too.
The standard stereo is acceptable. No more than that.
Very comfortable. The gearbox is smooth. Lots of torque, so overtaking is a breeze.
I do 80+ miles a day - A+B roads.
Mine is on 19" wheels but with normal tyres (not runflats).
Handles pretty well for the size too.
Cheers guys now please don't flame me but I am also looking at the 123d as well.
I have had 3 series in the past so tknow the BMW mark. I currently drive a Leon Tdi CR FR which is a nice car to drive but not a BMW and fancy getting another Beemer.
I like the look of both however the 1 series will be about the same insurance as the Leon (Aviva) it is also about 5K difference.
I have alsoways said I would get a 3.0 diesel though but struggling to make my mind up.
I probable find it harder to justify the 5 series as most of my driving is local or B roads.
I have had 3 series in the past so tknow the BMW mark. I currently drive a Leon Tdi CR FR which is a nice car to drive but not a BMW and fancy getting another Beemer.
I like the look of both however the 1 series will be about the same insurance as the Leon (Aviva) it is also about 5K difference.
I have alsoways said I would get a 3.0 diesel though but struggling to make my mind up.
I probable find it harder to justify the 5 series as most of my driving is local or B roads.
I'm really glad you started this thread as I am looking at the same...
Couple of other questions:
1) Auto or Step-Auto? Is it simply the case that the latter has paddles?
2) Insurance - Grp 18 - How much are people paying for Business Use?
3) I keep seeing 'LSI' or something like that referring to later models - what is this?
4) What are the service intervals? Any big ones to be wary of?
Thanks chaps!
Chris
Couple of other questions:
1) Auto or Step-Auto? Is it simply the case that the latter has paddles?
2) Insurance - Grp 18 - How much are people paying for Business Use?
3) I keep seeing 'LSI' or something like that referring to later models - what is this?
4) What are the service intervals? Any big ones to be wary of?
Thanks chaps!
Chris
I have an LCI 535d, love it. It is not cheap to run, about what was quoted above. Brakes are more on the 535 I think (larger discs etc). Just about to experience tyres for the 19" rims, looking at £250 a corner for something decent. It does feel smaller than it is to drive.
I needed a 5 as now have baby, isofix, large boot etc. If you don't require that a 1-er will clearly be cheaper to run, and prob more fun day to day for mostly B roads.
I needed a 5 as now have baby, isofix, large boot etc. If you don't require that a 1-er will clearly be cheaper to run, and prob more fun day to day for mostly B roads.
1. I was looking for paddle shift when I was searching for my car. It seems to be pretty rare and the chap at the dealer said they are hard to find. Personally I’m not too bothered that it doesn’t have paddles as so far in the month I’ve owned it I haven’t wished that they were there. I’ve seen some people on forums retrofit them, which I guess that anything is possible, but costs lots of £! Plus you’d have to get them coded in... Even rarer to find is a 530D in manual...
I’d recommend get the best car you can with your budget that has as much kit on it as possible, if you need to wait longer for money reasons then do so as there are plenty of 5 series out there, it’s just searching for or waiting for the right one. Personally I’d recommend the media package and visibility package they make a big difference.
2. I’m using mine for business & personal use. 26 years old, 8 years NCD, no claims, g/f named driver, I’m main driver and I’m getting it from direct line at £800 a year (did get a very good 0% interest offer which is now finished though) Tax is £210 a year.
3. LCI is lifecycle impulse. Here’s a link to a google pdf which explains every single detail of what LCI means! https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:EF3...
Basically look for cars 2008 onwards and you’re guaranteed it will be a LCI model. These meant stronger engines, tiny bit more power, more economical, and lots of changes on interior and exterior of the car. The LCI 5 series is the one to go for.
4. The service intervals don’t look too bad, my cars saying brake checks in 25,000 miles, service in 7,000 miles. I can’t comment too much yet as I haven’t had to do anything with it yet!
John.
I’d recommend get the best car you can with your budget that has as much kit on it as possible, if you need to wait longer for money reasons then do so as there are plenty of 5 series out there, it’s just searching for or waiting for the right one. Personally I’d recommend the media package and visibility package they make a big difference.
2. I’m using mine for business & personal use. 26 years old, 8 years NCD, no claims, g/f named driver, I’m main driver and I’m getting it from direct line at £800 a year (did get a very good 0% interest offer which is now finished though) Tax is £210 a year.
3. LCI is lifecycle impulse. Here’s a link to a google pdf which explains every single detail of what LCI means! https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:EF3...
Basically look for cars 2008 onwards and you’re guaranteed it will be a LCI model. These meant stronger engines, tiny bit more power, more economical, and lots of changes on interior and exterior of the car. The LCI 5 series is the one to go for.
4. The service intervals don’t look too bad, my cars saying brake checks in 25,000 miles, service in 7,000 miles. I can’t comment too much yet as I haven’t had to do anything with it yet!
John.
Edited by JohnE60 on Thursday 5th April 14:48
In theory they 'updated' the swirl flaps. There was a forum where someone removed an old style swirl flap and compared it with the updated version. Basically the updated version looks a bit more 'beefed' up.
You can just remove them and get blanking plates for the holes. Searching on google will give plenty of suppliers that have the blanking plates. Personally I'm not too concerned but may get round to doing it eventually...
You can just remove them and get blanking plates for the holes. Searching on google will give plenty of suppliers that have the blanking plates. Personally I'm not too concerned but may get round to doing it eventually...
JohnE60 said:
In theory they 'updated' the swirl flaps. There was a forum where someone removed an old style swirl flap and compared it with the updated version. Basically the updated version looks a bit more 'beefed' up.
You can just remove them and get blanking plates for the holes. Searching on google will give plenty of suppliers that have the blanking plates. Personally I'm not too concerned but may get round to doing it eventually...
Thanks - didn't realise they could be completely removed - does that affect performance?You can just remove them and get blanking plates for the holes. Searching on google will give plenty of suppliers that have the blanking plates. Personally I'm not too concerned but may get round to doing it eventually...
Well I went to look at 1 and 5 series car and ended up buying a 330s se auto 
5 was nice but to be honest bigger than I needed, 123d sport was very hard suspension wise and was like a cave with its black interior. Drove the 330 out of interest and fell in love with it. AS its not a sport its ride well on the road, the auto (my first) was smooth and the interior (Oyster and black) was light and airy which I loved. The car also had business sat nab and bluetooth.
Looking forward to getting it
5 was nice but to be honest bigger than I needed, 123d sport was very hard suspension wise and was like a cave with its black interior. Drove the 330 out of interest and fell in love with it. AS its not a sport its ride well on the road, the auto (my first) was smooth and the interior (Oyster and black) was light and airy which I loved. The car also had business sat nab and bluetooth.
Looking forward to getting it
The 1'er will drive you nuts with its suspension settings. IMO it's just too bouncy and harsh - not one on BMWs finest set ups.
I came from a 520d M Sport to a 123d, lasted 6 months in it before getting into a 325d M Sport.
The 5 is a great car, the right spec and colour with the right wheels still looks superb.
The 3 litre diesel is a gem if an engine with the auto box. Average fuel consumption on a commute over mixed roads will be over 40 unless you tear out of every roundabout.
So in summary - get a 3 litre 3 Series.
Edit to add: you have! That'll teach me for not reading all the posts
I came from a 520d M Sport to a 123d, lasted 6 months in it before getting into a 325d M Sport.
The 5 is a great car, the right spec and colour with the right wheels still looks superb.
The 3 litre diesel is a gem if an engine with the auto box. Average fuel consumption on a commute over mixed roads will be over 40 unless you tear out of every roundabout.
So in summary - get a 3 litre 3 Series.
Edit to add: you have! That'll teach me for not reading all the posts
Edited by carsarecool on Sunday 8th April 21:01
Edited by carsarecool on Sunday 8th April 21:02
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