Which E60 diesel??
Discussion
I did ask this on another related thread but I think it was getting lost amongst the other posts, so I'll start a new one. I'm hoping you helpful lot might be able to advise me further.
I'm looking for an E60/61 diesel for the missus, probably a manual as we prefer manual and they seem more economical. Max budget about 5k. Looking on autotrader I thought I'd set my targets on an LCI 520d because of the cosmetic updates and I was also led to believe increased economy and power in the 520d engine, from 163bhp to 177bhp (looking at the tech specs on Autotrader). However, after reading an official BMW pdf document with all the tech specs, it appears the LCI 520d still only has 163bhp and no improvement on economy?? Can anyone clarify this? Also after reading the other thread, the later N67 engine does not seem desirable?
So I'm left in somewhat of a quandry about what to go for? Is the LCI 525d a good option? Or a pre-LCI 530d? Budget won't stretch to a LCI 530d. Are the extra costs on fuel/tax/general running costs worth it?
The car will be used for a variety of different journey types.
Please help! Cheers :-)
I'm looking for an E60/61 diesel for the missus, probably a manual as we prefer manual and they seem more economical. Max budget about 5k. Looking on autotrader I thought I'd set my targets on an LCI 520d because of the cosmetic updates and I was also led to believe increased economy and power in the 520d engine, from 163bhp to 177bhp (looking at the tech specs on Autotrader). However, after reading an official BMW pdf document with all the tech specs, it appears the LCI 520d still only has 163bhp and no improvement on economy?? Can anyone clarify this? Also after reading the other thread, the later N67 engine does not seem desirable?
So I'm left in somewhat of a quandry about what to go for? Is the LCI 525d a good option? Or a pre-LCI 530d? Budget won't stretch to a LCI 530d. Are the extra costs on fuel/tax/general running costs worth it?
The car will be used for a variety of different journey types.
Please help! Cheers :-)
When it comes to longevity the earlier M47 four cylinder is as tough as old boots but the earlier versions had metal swirl flaps that can break off and once they go into the cylinder good bye engine... The same fault happens to the earlier M57 six cylinder diesel as well, but you can get blanking plugs to get around this problem. Later versions with the plastic swirl flaps don’t suffer as badly with this issue.
Things like vacuum hoses and other stuff can and do fail at this age so look for a car that has been cared for. The engine should start easily and settle to a smooth idle. Give it a gentle boot and watch for either black or white smoke from the exhaust. You want to see evidence of regular oil changes, and at around 90k the engine breather that sits in the cam cover may need changing as if this blocks the crank case will go over pressure and oil leaks ahoy...
I had an E61 530d SE touring and it was a manual, I thought it was a brilliant car and it was my first BMW in 2011 and I have a 535d F11 now, so that should tell you all you need to know.
If you go for a touring check the rear hatch glass opening springs and make sure the tailgate opens smoothly. There is also a fault where the rear wash wipe water jet tube pops off and causes problems so watch for this. The wiring to the tailgate from the body can sometimes fail but this is an easy fix.
When you go to look at any of these with a DPF put the instrument cluster into diagnostic mode and check the water themp
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RAXno0aPumc
If it goes up to around 70 degrees one of the thermostats on the engine is buggered. Simple job to change both. This can stop a DPF regen and cause it to block.
The usual checks apply, watch out for mismatched tyres, suspension clonks and creaks, and make sure all the toys work on the interior
Personally I would go for a pre LCI 530d as the engine is way nicer and there isn’t that much difference in economy and all that jazz. The 525d is a detuned version of the M57 3 litre engi e and could make a good buy. Always buy these cars on condition and not mileage
Happy hunting
Things like vacuum hoses and other stuff can and do fail at this age so look for a car that has been cared for. The engine should start easily and settle to a smooth idle. Give it a gentle boot and watch for either black or white smoke from the exhaust. You want to see evidence of regular oil changes, and at around 90k the engine breather that sits in the cam cover may need changing as if this blocks the crank case will go over pressure and oil leaks ahoy...
I had an E61 530d SE touring and it was a manual, I thought it was a brilliant car and it was my first BMW in 2011 and I have a 535d F11 now, so that should tell you all you need to know.
If you go for a touring check the rear hatch glass opening springs and make sure the tailgate opens smoothly. There is also a fault where the rear wash wipe water jet tube pops off and causes problems so watch for this. The wiring to the tailgate from the body can sometimes fail but this is an easy fix.
When you go to look at any of these with a DPF put the instrument cluster into diagnostic mode and check the water themp
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RAXno0aPumc
If it goes up to around 70 degrees one of the thermostats on the engine is buggered. Simple job to change both. This can stop a DPF regen and cause it to block.
The usual checks apply, watch out for mismatched tyres, suspension clonks and creaks, and make sure all the toys work on the interior
Personally I would go for a pre LCI 530d as the engine is way nicer and there isn’t that much difference in economy and all that jazz. The 525d is a detuned version of the M57 3 litre engi e and could make a good buy. Always buy these cars on condition and not mileage
Happy hunting
Edited by Huskyman on Monday 19th March 09:28
Thanks all for the responses, really appreciate it!
So in summary, avoid the 4 cylinder 520d, the pre LCI ones aren't overly economical for what they are and the LCI ones are unreliable due to the swirl flap issues.
So I'm thinking a good compromise could be an LCI 525d; I think I'm right in saying these are the 3 litre 6 cylinder from the 530d but de-tuned?? This would provide a mix of the LCI styling benefits with the preferred 6 cylinder engine, with a mix of decent economy and power.....?
Does that sound about right?
So in summary, avoid the 4 cylinder 520d, the pre LCI ones aren't overly economical for what they are and the LCI ones are unreliable due to the swirl flap issues.
So I'm thinking a good compromise could be an LCI 525d; I think I'm right in saying these are the 3 litre 6 cylinder from the 530d but de-tuned?? This would provide a mix of the LCI styling benefits with the preferred 6 cylinder engine, with a mix of decent economy and power.....?
Does that sound about right?
Paul_B said:
Thanks all for the responses, really appreciate it!
So in summary, avoid the 4 cylinder 520d, the pre LCI ones aren't overly economical for what they are and the LCI ones are unreliable due to the swirl flap issues.
So I'm thinking a good compromise could be an LCI 525d; I think I'm right in saying these are the 3 litre 6 cylinder from the 530d but de-tuned?? This would provide a mix of the LCI styling benefits with the preferred 6 cylinder engine, with a mix of decent economy and power.....?
Does that sound about right?
No it’s the pre LCI early M47 and M57 that can have swirl flap issues, the post LCI N47 can have timing chain issues. You’re right in stating the 525d has a detuned version of the 530d engine and can be a good buySo in summary, avoid the 4 cylinder 520d, the pre LCI ones aren't overly economical for what they are and the LCI ones are unreliable due to the swirl flap issues.
So I'm thinking a good compromise could be an LCI 525d; I think I'm right in saying these are the 3 litre 6 cylinder from the 530d but de-tuned?? This would provide a mix of the LCI styling benefits with the preferred 6 cylinder engine, with a mix of decent economy and power.....?
Does that sound about right?
Paul_B said:
Thanks all for the responses, really appreciate it!
So in summary, avoid the 4 cylinder 520d, the pre LCI ones aren't overly economical for what they are and the LCI ones are unreliable due to the swirl flap issues.
So I'm thinking a good compromise could be an LCI 525d; I think I'm right in saying these are the 3 litre 6 cylinder from the 530d but de-tuned?? This would provide a mix of the LCI styling benefits with the preferred 6 cylinder engine, with a mix of decent economy and power.....?
Does that sound about right?
I have an E61 LCI 525d Touring from the correct year range to have the 3l engine. I bought it as it had none of the common failure points (swirl flaps, DPF) and was a decent 6 cylinder engine (unlike the newer F11 cars where the 525 is a 4 cylinder 2l). It's a decent enough thing. Powerful enough without being particularly fast. Economy is OK. We mostly drive around town with a few longer blasts on the motorway and are getting about 30mpg. All motorway can see this up between 40 and 50 mpg depending on speed and whether the roof box is on. Not sure how many manuals are out there. When I was looking there were only autosSo in summary, avoid the 4 cylinder 520d, the pre LCI ones aren't overly economical for what they are and the LCI ones are unreliable due to the swirl flap issues.
So I'm thinking a good compromise could be an LCI 525d; I think I'm right in saying these are the 3 litre 6 cylinder from the 530d but de-tuned?? This would provide a mix of the LCI styling benefits with the preferred 6 cylinder engine, with a mix of decent economy and power.....?
Does that sound about right?
robbieduncan said:
I have an E61 LCI 525d Touring from the correct year range to have the 3l engine. I bought it as it had none of the common failure points (swirl flaps, DPF) and was a decent 6 cylinder engine (unlike the newer F11 cars where the 525 is a 4 cylinder 2l). It's a decent enough thing. Powerful enough without being particularly fast. Economy is OK. We mostly drive around town with a few longer blasts on the motorway and are getting about 30mpg. All motorway can see this up between 40 and 50 mpg depending on speed and whether the roof box is on. Not sure how many manuals are out there. When I was looking there were only autos
Thanks for this info. 525d seems like a happy medium.I have found an LCI 530d touring within budget, it is an auto but seems to tick all the other boxes, and looking at the stats doesnt seem to be much less economical than the 525d...
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