4 or 6?

[Yorkie55]

Morning all. I'm in the fortunate position to be looking for a new car. After getting into cycling last year, I'd very much like a 5 series F11. The obvious debate is 525d or 530d? The 520d is a definite no. I've a 2010 Golf GTD with similar power in a smaller body. If I'm increasing body size, then I'm definitely looking for a bit more pull.

I've seen a thread on here from 2013, but it talks about the 525d in 6 cylinder guise. Is the current 4 pot any good, or is the not much to be gained? Someone even told me recently that they're twin turbo??

My other question is, can a bargain be had by purchasing a pre face lift with low mileage, or are these worth avoiding like the plague due to age of life faults with electrics etc? On the flip side, is a face lift model with above average miles also a worthwhile purchase, or are these also worth avoiding?

A common place for buying and selling in the uk has a 2011 60 plate 530d for just under £19k with 40k miles.
A 63 plate 530d with 68k miles for almost the same money and a 65 plate 525d with 27k miles for just under £23

Help!!

[SBN]

As always by on condition...

Definitely try to get a 530d over a 525d

Then look at spec and see what each has to offer... for example Professional Media will be a lot better than business media

[bmwmike]

LCI gets xenon as standard.
I have a pre LCI 530i and the only thing I'd change is the rubbish halogens. That said I wanted the engine and HUD so had to compromise somewhere. Never drive at night anyway.

[Wills2]

The halogens are dreadful like candles in jam jars.

[Yorkie55]

I'm looking for a M Sport. They come with Xenon lights.

[bmwmike]

Yorkie55 said:

I'm looking for a M Sport. They come with Xenon lights.

Mines an msport.. it does not have xenon it has candles. Pre 2013/4 it was an option regardless of suspension and plastic options.

[Fox-]

Yorkie55 said:

I'm looking for a M Sport. They come with Xenon lights.

No they don't. Xenon light presence is completely unrelated to trim level.

Pre LCI cars (Produced until July 2013) only came with Xenon headlights if the option was selected. Post LCI cars (Produced July 2013 onwards) had Xenon headlights as standard.

[Wills2]

Yorkie55 said:

I'm looking for a M Sport. They come with Xenon lights.

Well you're in the clear then

[Yorkie55]

The cars I've looked at have xenon lights. I'm only going by the adverts on Auto Trader.

Forgetting lights for just a minute, nobody has answered my other age and mileage questions...

[Lozw86]

Price will vary widely with spec, mileage, condition, service history and based on the sellers estimation of what they can get for it, or there outright audacity

I'd personally be looking for a late BMW approved used 530d, with a warranty

Use Parkers price guide to ensure asking prices are reasonable

[Wills2]

Yorkie55 said:

The cars I've looked at have xenon lights. I'm only going by the adverts on Auto Trader.

Forgetting lights for just a minute, nobody has answered my other age and mileage questions...

Because they aren't easy to answer, what is this bargain pre facelift car you talk about? Electrical issues worrying you? Then buy an AUC car.

There are thousands of them for sale, pick a colour and budget and go buy one if you want peace of mind then buy AUC.

Oh and at least get the 530d it's a heavy car and the 525d isn't a ball of fire, M sport on passive suspension and 18" gives the best ride/handling, VDC isn't worth it, on 19" they suffer from nasty crashy suspension even with VDC, but if you find a car with adaptive drive (active roll bars and dampers) then that's the best of the bunch.

Face lift gives they better nav option with touch control from 2014 onwards power rates for the 530d changed from launch to facelift

I've done 100k in 3 F10s that I've owned never had an issue, they are as solid as a rock in my experience if that helps.

If it was me I'd get a M sport 530d facelift on 18" with passive suspension AUC (as I doubt you'll find an adaptive drive optioned car) I wouldn't be bothered about mileage more the condition and spec.

There is a wealth of info on this US website N.B not all features and specs will be the same as UK but I doubt there is a bigger BMW forum.

The link is to the LCI update info

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84221...

Edited by Wills2 on Tuesday 8th August 20:29

[Yorkie55]

So the car that stands out is a 530d F11 from BMW Derby for £25,800 with 27k miles.

[Fox-]

Wills2 said:

There are thousands of them for sale, pick a colour and budget and go buy one if you want peace of mind then buy AUC.

There are only thousands of them for sale if you want a 520d - if you want a 6 cylinder one there are very much less than thousands for sale and it can take a very long time to find the right one unless you are happy to bust the budget and buy nearly new.

Wills2 said:

on 19" they suffer from nasty crashy suspension

Disagree, the ride on mine with 19's, RFT's and M Sport suspension is absolutely fine. And I hate crashy rides (A big reason I sold a 335i M Sport after 3 months).

Wills2 said:

Face lift gives they better nav option with touch control from 2014 onwards power rates for the 530d changed from launch to facelift

The facelift only added the touch controller - the NBT iDrive appeared from September 2012 production onwards. There was one power change for the 530d, it moved from 245 to 258bhp from September 2011 production.

[Wills2]

"Thousands" i.e. plenty, English isn't always a literal language, go bust? It's a diesel 5 series not a Ferrari 456 you don't have buy nearly new to get an AUC either 6 year old cars available.

My F10 with VDC and 19" had a nasty habit of crashing over high frequency road imperfections the dampers would lose composure, the M sport on passive and 18" didn't and neither did my F10 M5 on 20" with EDC but VDC is a waste of time and money. So disagree but that's what I experienced, the rest of time if just floated along like the heavy inert barge it is (and is designed to be)

I said there was a power bump between launch and LCI which there was.

[Fox-]

Wills2 said:

"Thousands" i.e. plenty, English isn't always a literal language, go bust? It's a diesel 5 series not a Ferrari 456 you don't have buy nearly new to get an AUC either 6 year old cars available.

I disagree that there are plenty - if there were it wouldn't have taken me so long to find mine (Probably about 6 months in the end). Unless you genuinely don't give a stuff what colour it is the 530d's are considerably rarer on the used market than the 520d's. In all the time I was looking my local dealer only ever had a single 530d in stock under £30k and it was sadly Carbon Black.

As a quick check there are only a total of 131 F10 530d M Sport's advertised on Autotrader currently in the entire country. There are 611 520d M Sport's. Interesting you should mention Ferrari because if you did fancy one then you'll be pleased to note that there are almost as many Ferrari California for sale as there are 530d M Sport's

Wills2 said:

I said there was a power bump between launch and LCI which there was.

And I felt it was helpful to clarify exactly which production date it took effect from.

[Yorkie55]

Fox - messaged you on Wednesday as PH had blocked new account members from posting on the forum. You're right though. I've been watching Auto Trader for a while and am struggling to find a car in my price range from a main dealer / AUC. Although there are a few of interest from independent traders.

One is in Petersfield. A 2014 M Sport 530d with 40k miles for £23,490. It's listed as having VDC plus other extras, but only comes with a 6 month warranty.

Is it really that crucial to get AUC or are independents ok?

While I'm listing examples, "car giant" have listed one with 43k miles also on a 14 plate for 20 grand exactly. Even AT lists it as " priced low " but, it's another independent.

As silly as it sounds, I'm struggling to know where to draw the line. I really didn't think I'd have to go this expensive to find a good one....

[bmwmike]

Sub 60k you can put a BMW warranty on it provided the service history is up to date. Doesn't need to be full BMW SH either just no DIY or missed services.

I bought mine from an independent for approx 19k which had full BMW SH until the selling dealer decided to give it an oil change prior to handing over to me and got their non BMW stamp in my book. Bit annoying but no harm done as warranty is fine.

[Yorkie55]

What's the cost of increasing a warranty?

That car I mentioned with in Pertersfield has gone.