G30 540i or 535d
Discussion
My A6 is due to go back in a few weeks. I’ve had a G30 for a week and I really like. I’ve test driven the 540 and the 530 and can’t decide which to get.
The petrol 6 pot is lovely sounding and a little thirsty. The 530 has the torque and is better on fuel overall but I’m worried about any future changes to regs around diesels as I like in London.
Profile is 8k per annum with about 50% super low inner city speeds and 50% motorway.
The petrol 6 pot is lovely sounding and a little thirsty. The 530 has the torque and is better on fuel overall but I’m worried about any future changes to regs around diesels as I like in London.
Profile is 8k per annum with about 50% super low inner city speeds and 50% motorway.
Edited by MadProfessor on Saturday 4th November 21:29
I think you'll be disappointed if you rely on any of the BMW quoted mileage figures. I can't see the 540 doing better than high 20s in your situation.
Having said that, I haven't been able to test one of that model, my local dealer has been worse than useless in providing cars to test so I've gone elsewhere.
I won't say more but I would suggest you try other brands before deciding; the G30 isn't that special. IMO.
Having said that, I haven't been able to test one of that model, my local dealer has been worse than useless in providing cars to test so I've gone elsewhere.
I won't say more but I would suggest you try other brands before deciding; the G30 isn't that special. IMO.
Having driven a G31 520d for a a few days as a courtesy car, I was really impressed by the refinement and comfort aspect of it. Didn't like the 2.0d and ZF8 combo and it felt far more limo like than sporty.
For 8k miles I would certainly look at a 540i. It will have plenty of torque and it will be economical enough. The 520d struggled to get much more than 40mpg on a gentle run, so if a 540i gets 20 in town but mid 30s on a run I'd be happy.
For 8k miles I would certainly look at a 540i. It will have plenty of torque and it will be economical enough. The 520d struggled to get much more than 40mpg on a gentle run, so if a 540i gets 20 in town but mid 30s on a run I'd be happy.
How do you guys get a test drive for more than 20 minutes or so!
I'd second looking at other brands. I have a f10 530i at the moment and decided to drop into my local jag dealer yesterday. Really like the XE and XF. I couldn't see any difference in build or materials over BMW and the exterior look is miles better than the g30 or f10 imo. XE dash had this weird wrap around thing on the dash though which I'm not sure I could live with.
I'd second looking at other brands. I have a f10 530i at the moment and decided to drop into my local jag dealer yesterday. Really like the XE and XF. I couldn't see any difference in build or materials over BMW and the exterior look is miles better than the g30 or f10 imo. XE dash had this weird wrap around thing on the dash though which I'm not sure I could live with.
bmwmike said:
How do you guys get a test drive for more than 20 minutes or so!
I'd second looking at other brands. I have a f10 530i at the moment and decided to drop into my local jag dealer yesterday. Really like the XE and XF. I couldn't see any difference in build or materials over BMW and the exterior look is miles better than the g30 or f10 imo. XE dash had this weird wrap around thing on the dash though which I'm not sure I could live with.
Did you have a sit in the XE didnt you find it very tight and claustrophobic? I'd second looking at other brands. I have a f10 530i at the moment and decided to drop into my local jag dealer yesterday. Really like the XE and XF. I couldn't see any difference in build or materials over BMW and the exterior look is miles better than the g30 or f10 imo. XE dash had this weird wrap around thing on the dash though which I'm not sure I could live with.
I would take the 540i everyday, but the gap is closing with the petrols now feeling more and more like diesels anyway.
There will be no real financial saving, the overall cost difference between the 530d and the 540i (do we not get the tri turbo 540d over here?) will be around 1-2%. So just buy which you prefer. One thing I will say, when you have one of the only petrols in the UK come resale, you will sell it quicker.
I just don't like diesels, all a bit boring once the honeymoon period is over, but then with all the petrols being forced induction now I guess they have lost some of their charm, but the 5 series is about refinement, and as good as their straight 6 diesels are, the petrol is still on another level.
There will be no real financial saving, the overall cost difference between the 530d and the 540i (do we not get the tri turbo 540d over here?) will be around 1-2%. So just buy which you prefer. One thing I will say, when you have one of the only petrols in the UK come resale, you will sell it quicker.
I just don't like diesels, all a bit boring once the honeymoon period is over, but then with all the petrols being forced induction now I guess they have lost some of their charm, but the 5 series is about refinement, and as good as their straight 6 diesels are, the petrol is still on another level.
MadProfessor said:
My A6 is due to go back in a few weeks. I’ve had a G30 for a week and I really like. I’ve test driven the 540 and the 530 and can’t decide which to get.
The petrol 6 pot is lovely sounding and a little thirsty. The 530 has the torque and is better on fuel overall but I’m worried about any future changes to regs around diesels as I like in London.
Profile is 8k per annum with about 50% super low inner city speeds and 50% motorway.
I'd go with the 540i, at that annual mileage and journey profile - without question!The petrol 6 pot is lovely sounding and a little thirsty. The 530 has the torque and is better on fuel overall but I’m worried about any future changes to regs around diesels as I like in London.
Profile is 8k per annum with about 50% super low inner city speeds and 50% motorway.
Edited by MadProfessor on Saturday 4th November 21:29
bmwmike said:
Not that I noticed. It's a 3 series size. I did notice the odd wrap around shelf thing which was quite flimsy and.. odd.
Funny how we all see things ,as soon as I sat in it I sadly didnt like it. the windows are like portholes compared to the 3 series which seemed to me another size up space wisebmwmike said:
How do you guys get a test drive for more than 20 minutes or so!
I'd second looking at other brands. I have a f10 530i at the moment and decided to drop into my local jag dealer yesterday. Really like the XE and XF. I couldn't see any difference in build or materials over BMW and the exterior look is miles better than the g30 or f10 imo. XE dash had this weird wrap around thing on the dash though which I'm not sure I could live with.
I'd second looking at other brands. I have a f10 530i at the moment and decided to drop into my local jag dealer yesterday. Really like the XE and XF. I couldn't see any difference in build or materials over BMW and the exterior look is miles better than the g30 or f10 imo. XE dash had this weird wrap around thing on the dash though which I'm not sure I could live with.
Interesting to hear that. I gave my local dealer 10 days notice that I was coming in to have my 3.5 yo 530d serviced and I'd like to try a 530iSE or a 540iSE.
When I turned up he had nothing available. As I was waiting for my car he eventually found me a 520dM Touring, which I could have for an hour.
I ran it up the road for 10 minutes, found it quite uninspiring and in any case it wasn't a car I'd ever buy, so took it back. I did get a quote for a 540i with a few toys, list of about £54K but I genuinely felt that I was just a distraction.
2 days later I called in at my local Jaguar dealer and was taken for a test in an XF then loaned it for an hour. 2 days after that I went back with my wife and we were loaned a car again.
First time I've ever been in an XF. Steering, handling and ride are, IMO, better than the G30. The interior finish might not be quite up to BMW's standard but it's not far behind. It's certainly simpler, less fussy, in appearance which I like. I think the 2018 model has seen some improvements in quality after press criticism. The higher spec 'infotainment' is actually very good and again IMO, the XF is the better looker.
Having driven Jaguar's 2.0T 250hp, I figured it was all I needed. Very comparable on paper with the 530i, which I couldn't get to drive. I'm sure that's pretty good too.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff