Discussion
Happy Easter all.
My first PH post. I'm considering changing an A6 all road for 5 series touring, but am struggling between the two engines 540i or 530d so was wondering if anyone had any experience of which was better, they enjoyed more? Some more detail, i don't do that many miles, maybe 6-8000 per year and want a car that is practical but also fun. Fuel economy is not an issue for me. I'm a bit bored of my audi diesel hence considering petrol but most reviews i see seem to point that the 540i is really not that much different to the 530d, which is also quite a bit cheaper too. Any comments would be appreciated!
Also since I'm here does anyone have ant experience of the M sports suspension? I know from experience that S-line audis are quite harsh and not that easy to live with!
Clearly I will be test driving soon, but i'd still be interesting in any opinions, and pointers on what to look for in advance!
Many thanks
DR
My first PH post. I'm considering changing an A6 all road for 5 series touring, but am struggling between the two engines 540i or 530d so was wondering if anyone had any experience of which was better, they enjoyed more? Some more detail, i don't do that many miles, maybe 6-8000 per year and want a car that is practical but also fun. Fuel economy is not an issue for me. I'm a bit bored of my audi diesel hence considering petrol but most reviews i see seem to point that the 540i is really not that much different to the 530d, which is also quite a bit cheaper too. Any comments would be appreciated!
Also since I'm here does anyone have ant experience of the M sports suspension? I know from experience that S-line audis are quite harsh and not that easy to live with!
Clearly I will be test driving soon, but i'd still be interesting in any opinions, and pointers on what to look for in advance!
Many thanks
DR
Randolph said:
Happy Easter all.
My first PH post. I'm considering changing an A6 all road for 5 series touring, but am struggling between the two engines 540i or 530d so was wondering if anyone had any experience of which was better, they enjoyed more? Some more detail, i don't do that many miles, maybe 6-8000 per year and want a car that is practical but also fun. Fuel economy is not an issue for me. I'm a bit bored of my audi diesel hence considering petrol but most reviews i see seem to point that the 540i is really not that much different to the 530d, which is also quite a bit cheaper too. Any comments would be appreciated!
Also since I'm here does anyone have ant experience of the M sports suspension? I know from experience that S-line audis are quite harsh and not that easy to live with!
Clearly I will be test driving soon, but i'd still be interesting in any opinions, and pointers on what to look for in advance!
Many thanks
DR
Had a quick look on the configurator and the 540i (SE and M Sport) are only showing with X Drive i.e. AWD. My first PH post. I'm considering changing an A6 all road for 5 series touring, but am struggling between the two engines 540i or 530d so was wondering if anyone had any experience of which was better, they enjoyed more? Some more detail, i don't do that many miles, maybe 6-8000 per year and want a car that is practical but also fun. Fuel economy is not an issue for me. I'm a bit bored of my audi diesel hence considering petrol but most reviews i see seem to point that the 540i is really not that much different to the 530d, which is also quite a bit cheaper too. Any comments would be appreciated!
Also since I'm here does anyone have ant experience of the M sports suspension? I know from experience that S-line audis are quite harsh and not that easy to live with!
Clearly I will be test driving soon, but i'd still be interesting in any opinions, and pointers on what to look for in advance!
Many thanks
DR
I guess that's a difference you need to consider any pros/cons of. And unless you can get hold of a 530d X drive demonstrator, it might be harder to compare like for like.
You can delete M Sport suspension, that might be a better option if you don't like it assuming that you want the other benefits of M Sport. SEs in the past have always had, inmho, horrible seats.
I didn't spot adaptive suspension as an optional extra, so maybe that's standard?
If you're bothered about harsher ride, I wouldn't spec bigger wheels or the M Sport Plus package which includes.
I'm anti Run flat tires, however that's based on fitting for a 2009 3 series, they may have improved. I doubt there's any without so that will be a constant.
Hi Tea Pot One, I’m interested in your comment, is it because of DPF issues? Or just that for my mileage the petrol is just more fun even if more expensive to run?
Thanks for all your comments, I setting up a test drive of the 540 for a couple of weeks and will let you know how I get on.
Thanks for all your comments, I setting up a test drive of the 540 for a couple of weeks and will let you know how I get on.
I have that engine in a 340 xdrive. Mine has the optional MSSP (which is now a factory option here in Switzerland) but even in standard form it's is great.
From an engine perspective it's really impressive. It's powerful, lovely up to and at motorway speed and pulls rapidly all the way to 220kmh (I have German clients). It's also impressively economical on the motorway and mine is reading 7.9 l/100km average (35.8mpg) since getting it. Yes, it does do a decent amount of motorway, but I have to travel over the Julier pass to get there so it does see some 'enthusiastic' driving. It doesn't, however, see any town driving.
I've found BMW suspension less great. The larger wheels seem to be overly-hard. I have 19" in the summer and 17" in winter and I'm not looking forward to swapping the tyres back in May. I believe that the adaptive suspension which I have makes a difference though as almost no cars here don't have it (nor Xdrive) I haven't had the chance to compare.
We did think about a 540 when we got it last spring but at the time the Touring wasn't available. From memory there are a multitude of chassis options, not only on the 5 series but on any car of this class which doesn't make things easy. On the 5 series I think you have the additional options of 4 wheel steering or the adaptive drive. I haven't had the option to try either but I have driven RR Wraith & Dawns which have what sounds like the RR version of Adaptive drive & the RR suspension is amazing. If it can be 50% of what that is I'd be ticking that (expensive) option.
When we were looking I also tried a Mercedes and if I hadn't decided to go for a smaller car would have probably gone for that over the 5 series. I don't think you get the option of the E400 in the UK (shame, especially as we have the choice to spec the traditional Merc grill on it) but the E43 is a nice car. As with the BMW it was very easy to be adding 30% of the price in options to get something nice, without ticking all the options (like massage seats). MB have the option of sports air suspension.
From an engine perspective it's really impressive. It's powerful, lovely up to and at motorway speed and pulls rapidly all the way to 220kmh (I have German clients). It's also impressively economical on the motorway and mine is reading 7.9 l/100km average (35.8mpg) since getting it. Yes, it does do a decent amount of motorway, but I have to travel over the Julier pass to get there so it does see some 'enthusiastic' driving. It doesn't, however, see any town driving.
I've found BMW suspension less great. The larger wheels seem to be overly-hard. I have 19" in the summer and 17" in winter and I'm not looking forward to swapping the tyres back in May. I believe that the adaptive suspension which I have makes a difference though as almost no cars here don't have it (nor Xdrive) I haven't had the chance to compare.
We did think about a 540 when we got it last spring but at the time the Touring wasn't available. From memory there are a multitude of chassis options, not only on the 5 series but on any car of this class which doesn't make things easy. On the 5 series I think you have the additional options of 4 wheel steering or the adaptive drive. I haven't had the option to try either but I have driven RR Wraith & Dawns which have what sounds like the RR version of Adaptive drive & the RR suspension is amazing. If it can be 50% of what that is I'd be ticking that (expensive) option.
When we were looking I also tried a Mercedes and if I hadn't decided to go for a smaller car would have probably gone for that over the 5 series. I don't think you get the option of the E400 in the UK (shame, especially as we have the choice to spec the traditional Merc grill on it) but the E43 is a nice car. As with the BMW it was very easy to be adding 30% of the price in options to get something nice, without ticking all the options (like massage seats). MB have the option of sports air suspension.
Randolph said:
Hi Tea Pot One, I’m interested in your comment, is it because of DPF issues? Or just that for my mileage the petrol is just more fun even if more expensive to run?
Thanks for all your comments, I setting up a test drive of the 540 for a couple of weeks and will let you know how I get on.
Good luck with that. I gave my dealer 10 days notice for a test drive but when I got there all they had was a 520d Touring. 5 minutes in that had me off to the local Jag dealer. Thanks for all your comments, I setting up a test drive of the 540 for a couple of weeks and will let you know how I get on.
Adaptive Drive is an option, by the way, VDC may be standard.
I’d also try the 530i if I were you. Don't need to have XDrive, fuel consumption will be way better and the latest 2.0T4s are very smooth.
You won’t have the ultimate performance but most of the time you won’t know the difference. I’ve seen reviews that say the 4 pot is less intrusive than the 6 which is said to be quite noticeable when pushed.
I'm always intrigued by comments that say anything under 12-15k you have to go petrol. In the past few years I have had a 530d a 330d and now a 435d. I drove a 440i but decided I preferred the 435d. I do about 10k a year and I really enjoy driving a torquey diesel. I've never had an issue with anything clogging up. Maybe when they get a little longer in the tooth it's an issue, or maybe I've just been lucky. I do some decent miles, along with short runs.... That said I'd like a 540i, but I wouldn't like having to pay for it.
Edited by Gary Kinghorn on Tuesday 3rd April 19:20
Many thanks for all the replies, its much appreciated. I hadn't really appreciated the issues with Diesel and low mileage, i had thought it all got sorted when Audi had all the DPF problems with their smaller 'city cars'. I remember a dealer chatting to me about being embarrassed about flogging 2.0 TDI A3's to London drivers and then waiting for all the DPF issues to come in!
I've set up a drive with Park Lane BMW for later in the week so fingers crossed! Its the saloon version not the touring but that should be fine for a test drive. Part of me is intrigued as to how you can do a test drive in central London without sitting in a queue for the duration. I'll let you know how i get on, and if we manage more than a mile!
I've set up a drive with Park Lane BMW for later in the week so fingers crossed! Its the saloon version not the touring but that should be fine for a test drive. Part of me is intrigued as to how you can do a test drive in central London without sitting in a queue for the duration. I'll let you know how i get on, and if we manage more than a mile!
Randolph said:
Many thanks for all the replies, its much appreciated. I hadn't really appreciated the issues with Diesel and low mileage, i had thought it all got sorted when Audi had all the DPF problems with their smaller 'city cars'. I remember a dealer chatting to me about being embarrassed about flogging 2.0 TDI A3's to London drivers and then waiting for all the DPF issues to come in!
I've set up a drive with Park Lane BMW for later in the week so fingers crossed! Its the saloon version not the touring but that should be fine for a test drive. Part of me is intrigued as to how you can do a test drive in central London without sitting in a queue for the duration. I'll let you know how i get on, and if we manage more than a mile!
Maybe he will let you go north up park lane along bayswater rd then up gloucester terrace on to the M40 when you can really stretch your legs and do a fantastic 40mph!I've set up a drive with Park Lane BMW for later in the week so fingers crossed! Its the saloon version not the touring but that should be fine for a test drive. Part of me is intrigued as to how you can do a test drive in central London without sitting in a queue for the duration. I'll let you know how i get on, and if we manage more than a mile!
We are in a similar situation and chose the 530d for a few reasons, it’s fast enough, the car cruises really well with that engine and the fact the 540i only came with x-drive, we didn’t want x-drive. In the end it’s a great car where you can have nice long trips on it, very confortable. We have big wheels and adaptive air suspension no crashing. Thoroughly recommend it. Took it to Lake District recently from south of England it was really nice.
Depends what you are looking for but I would recommend the 530d. I do have a 340i and love it but on the 5 series we went diesel.
Depends what you are looking for but I would recommend the 530d. I do have a 340i and love it but on the 5 series we went diesel.
You certainly shouldn't be getting a 530d with that mileage. There is so much more emissions technology for the diesels than the petrol, most of which will choke up if you don't do the proper mileage. DPF's, BluePerformance stuff, you don't want it.
540i you should go for. I'd get it purely for that sound (which the M-Performance exhaust makes much more sweeter).
540i you should go for. I'd get it purely for that sound (which the M-Performance exhaust makes much more sweeter).
Gary Kinghorn said:
I'm always intrigued by comments that say anything under 12-15 you have to go petrol. In the past few years I have had a 530d a 330d and now a 435d. I drove a 440i but decided I preferred the 435d. I do about 10k a year and I really enjoy driving a torquey diesel. I've never had an issue with anything clogging up. Maybe when they get a little longer in the tooth it's an issue, or maybe I've just been lucky. I do some decent miles, along with short runs.... That said I'd like a 540i, but I wouldn't like having to pay for it.
I was thinking the same thing when I read the first 2 or 3 replies. Its a simple case of get what you like. Yes the petrol will drink more but if you like it you also won't care. I have had diesels even for 8k a year millage but they always get used to its full rev range freq.
I tend to find with any engine that the more its "pampered" the more problems it has.
OP personally the 40i engine is a peach, just get it and enjoy
XMT said:
Gary Kinghorn said:
I'm always intrigued by comments that say anything under 12-15 you have to go petrol. In the past few years I have had a 530d a 330d and now a 435d. I drove a 440i but decided I preferred the 435d. I do about 10k a year and I really enjoy driving a torquey diesel. I've never had an issue with anything clogging up. Maybe when they get a little longer in the tooth it's an issue, or maybe I've just been lucky. I do some decent miles, along with short runs.... That said I'd like a 540i, but I wouldn't like having to pay for it.
I was thinking the same thing when I read the first 2 or 3 replies. Its a simple case of get what you like. Yes the petrol will drink more but if you like it you also won't care. I have had diesels even for 8k a year millage but they always get used to its full rev range freq.
I tend to find with any engine that the more its "pampered" the more problems it has.
OP personally the 40i engine is a peach, just get it and enjoy
However, I get at least 500 miles per tank, the way the 335d revs out is just brill, its ability to keep most sports cars in check and the fact that it pisses off FF 4WDs on the white stuff on our local 1:6 hills means I'm unlikely to be tempted to bmw petrol - unless it's M5 shaped - new one that is - though its difficult to drive with one arm and one leg.
Would have to be the 540i for me, the extra refinement and the soundtrack when pushing on is something I can't ignore.
With the petrol you have more linear power, so when crawling round it is really smooth, couple that with near silence and then the ability to get passed 3000rpm and hear it come alive and rev out properly and you have best of both worlds.
I have a Merc E350 petrol and a BMW 530d, I like both engines really, but I would swap the 530d for a 540i in a heartbeat if I could afford to do it.
Buying new? No brainer.
Also, the 530d vs 540i is not like the old 530d vs 530i debate, which was Forced Induction vs Naturally Aspirated, there are now of course both turbo, just one is more refined and relaxed lower down the rev range, has a better rev range and sounds nicer than the other, what is not to like?
With the petrol you have more linear power, so when crawling round it is really smooth, couple that with near silence and then the ability to get passed 3000rpm and hear it come alive and rev out properly and you have best of both worlds.
I have a Merc E350 petrol and a BMW 530d, I like both engines really, but I would swap the 530d for a 540i in a heartbeat if I could afford to do it.
Buying new? No brainer.
Also, the 530d vs 540i is not like the old 530d vs 530i debate, which was Forced Induction vs Naturally Aspirated, there are now of course both turbo, just one is more refined and relaxed lower down the rev range, has a better rev range and sounds nicer than the other, what is not to like?
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