Nearly new 520d Touring
Nearly new 520d Touring
Author
Discussion

matt21

Original Poster:

4,401 posts

234 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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Hi all

I’m looking for a nice comfy daily Estate for 25k pa to replace my aging Passat. I fortunately have an M6 and CSL for weekends, so speed and performance is not important. Would prefer value and MPG tbh

I have found I can get some very high spec nearly new 520d within budget, the same spec 530d is a lot more

Everyone always says get the 6cyl, and having owned a 330d and father owned 2 x 530d I agree they are brilliant

However, it’s a sensible commuter with toys in the garage and I’m coming for a clattery Passat diesel which frankly is fine refinement wise on my commute

Has anyone had any real experience with the 520d and is it really that much worse than a 530d considering the higher MPG and much lower purchase price?

Thanks!

Dinoboy

2,600 posts

247 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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I've had 2 520d's and there absolutely fine as an extremely economical motorway cruiser.
A 6 cylinder is a nicer thing on startup etc but once your up and running there perfectly adequate.

hilly10

7,540 posts

258 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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I swooped my 5 2014 Touring and that was a supreme car for cheap motorway miles, I now have the G30 2.0d which is 100kg lighter and drives brilliantly. For what you need it’s the only car to buy

interstellar

5,086 posts

176 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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Great car for what you want. Mate did 200k in his and was gutted when it went.

Perfect for what you need by the sounds of it.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

254 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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I have had a few 20d's over the years, E46, E91, X3, and they all annoyed me and ended up back in the 30/35d or petrols again before too long.

I then bought a b47 520d Touring as it was the right price and spec and I also had a 130i and I was sort of trying to prove that even a newish 4 cyl diesel doesn't really save you all that much money wise.

I have been well impressed with it, the b47 engine is such a move on compared to the N47 or M47 engines.

Mine is mapped to 230hp and never feels sluggish, it is averaging 44mpg and will do 50+ on a run.

The difference in price between the 520d and 530d makes it a hard sell when it is a car for mile munching. If it is your only car that changes, but no big diesel really gets my juices flowing.

BFleming

3,918 posts

173 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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I have a slightly older 525d (2013) with the N47 2.0 engine, twin turbo, 218bhp as standard, but currently running 275ish. ZF 8HP gearbox (which is sublime). 43mpg long term average, but over 60mpg fully loaded driving from Spain back to the UK last summer. They're amazing cars. The newer G30 (or G31) is a lovely place to be. Do it - even in 520d guise. It'll serve you well.

matt21

Original Poster:

4,401 posts

234 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
quotequote all
Thanks folks. Think I’ll go ahead. Looking forward to the comfort, space and 700 miles on a tank!

Manmoths

87 posts

115 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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B47 is a LOT better than the older N47, you'll be fine.

BFleming

3,918 posts

173 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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Manmoths said:
B47 is a LOT better than the older N47, you'll be fine.
Less refined is what a lot of owners say, but time will tell if they're actually any better. Not that the N47's are all bad. I've had 2, one still in the family and on over 150,000 miles, mine on 142,000 or so, and both on the original chains. There are plenty more like that too. But also some that have let go. There are tens of thousands of N47 on the road in the UK currently without issues - it's not like they all grenade.

Ninja59

3,691 posts

142 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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BFleming said:
Less refined is what a lot of owners say, but time will tell if they're actually any better. Not that the N47's are all bad. I've had 2, one still in the family and on over 150,000 miles, mine on 142,000 or so, and both on the original chains. There are plenty more like that too. But also some that have let go. There are tens of thousands of N47 on the road in the UK currently without issues - it's not like they all grenade.
Yep less refined, less MPG and generally on regen some produce strange exhaust burbles.

In addition the underlying setup is mostly the same in relation to timing chains as the final N47's there is actually very few different bits in it. I now know of a few B47's that have suffered timing chain issues, one at 28,000 miles.

Regarding the rest of the engine then I do believe some got caught up in/are caught up in the EGR cooler saga, some have had plenty of EGR valves as well as they had issues on the B47.

I think most of the extra refinement at idle is mainly down to the switch back to piezo injectors unlike the N47/57.

matt21

Original Poster:

4,401 posts

234 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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Is the latest (non hybrid) 520d Euro 6 and does it require AdBlue?

BFleming

3,918 posts

173 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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Yes to both.Euro 6D and a 12 litre AdBlue tank.

QuartzDad

2,995 posts

152 months

Saturday 25th January 2020
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matt21 said:
Thanks folks. Think I’ll go ahead. Looking forward to the comfort, space and 700 miles on a tank!
Just got 610 miles from a tank, ‘16 535d. Had the trip + remaining totalling 730 at one point. The 50/60 zone on the M1 really sucks...

BFleming

3,918 posts

173 months

Saturday 25th January 2020
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QuartzDad said:
The 50/60 zone on the M1 really sucks...
Great for MPG though! I still can't quite fathom why one section is 60mph & then the next is 50mph. It must catch some less observant people out.

swiftguy

68 posts

104 months

Saturday 25th January 2020
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Hi Matt21,

I'm in the same boat, also looking at a 520d touring for motorway commute, also around 1yr old or maybe 2yr old depending on deal.
Would be very interested what deal/offer you get, my first time dealing with a dealer, would be good to have something to compare to when negotiating with dealer.

Cheers,

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

254 months

Sunday 26th January 2020
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Some of the G31 520d Tourings have been at dealers for months and months.

I have been looking at 540i Tourings, you know, just in case, and I keep seeing the same 520d Tourings come up time and time again.

So I would guess deals to be had.

I was offered an 18 plate 530d Touring from Coopers Teeside before xmas for £22450, was up for £26k then £24k, with 18k miles on it.
I replied yeah, thought that was a good buy, but he came back and said someone bought it earlier in the day. Not surprised really, it was a good price, so I guess if all the sale guys called round people who had been 'considering' a 5 series touring, a 530d from a main dealer at £22500 was a bit of a no brainer?

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

254 months

Sunday 26th January 2020
quotequote all
QuartzDad said:
Just got 610 miles from a tank, ‘16 535d. Had the trip + remaining totalling 730 at one point. The 50/60 zone on the M1 really sucks...
What size tank is in the new one?


Just looked, 14.5 gallons. So probably takes 15 gallons including filler neck. So you probably get 14.3 in if running it really low? About 65 litres, £80 worth?




Edited by gizlaroc on Sunday 26th January 01:31

swiftguy

68 posts

104 months

Sunday 26th January 2020
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gizlaroc said:
Some of the G31 520d Tourings have been at dealers for months and months.

I have been looking at 540i Tourings, you know, just in case, and I keep seeing the same 520d Tourings come up time and time again.

So I would guess deals to be had.

I was offered an 18 plate 530d Touring from Coopers Teeside before xmas for £22450, was up for £26k then £24k, with 18k miles on it.
I replied yeah, thought that was a good buy, but he came back and said someone bought it earlier in the day. Not surprised really, it was a good price, so I guess if all the sale guys called round people who had been 'considering' a 5 series touring, a 530d from a main dealer at £22500 was a bit of a no brainer?
Thanks, gives some figures to go on. Looking on Auto-Trader, a lot of G30/G31 520d M Sport all between £24,500 - £25,000 all with around 12k miles.
If as you say, lots have been in dealers for months, wondering why they are not shifting - wondering whether this is down to the Road Tax - which I believe is £465 - a steep jump from previous models at £30. A big factor holding me back as well. Add in servicing costs, all mounts up.

Also, think there is a new face-lift model due some time this year, which may also have an impact on residuals, also approaching March 2020 new registrations, so probably lots of trade-ins coming in.



Edited by swiftguy on Sunday 26th January 11:19

matt21

Original Poster:

4,401 posts

234 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
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Well I finally bought one. Carbon black touring delivery miles, Comfort Pack, Luggage Pack, M Sport Plus pack and few other toys. Drove beautifully.

I have a couple of M cars but looking forward to my first nice sensible daily in years, having run bangers as a daily!

Pick it up on Saturday. Can’t wait

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

254 months

Friday 31st January 2020
quotequote all
matt21 said:
Well I finally bought one. Carbon black touring delivery miles, Comfort Pack, Luggage Pack, M Sport Plus pack and few other toys. Drove beautifully.

I have a couple of M cars but looking forward to my first nice sensible daily in years, having run bangers as a daily!

Pick it up on Saturday. Can’t wait
Nice.

I do keep thinking about swapping my F11 520d, but the reality is, I bloody love it. Also, it is mine, it is paid for, I would get £10k for mine, it is an LCI with 90k on it and feels so tight still, they really do eat the miles well, far better than the E61 and E39 did in regards to not munching through suspension parts.
It doesn't have a single clunk, or feel loose in any way whatsoever and I am a proper fussy fecker when it comes to that area, a car has to feel like new, it gets money thrown at it, if I can't track down the noises..... it goes.

I guess I would be throwing in at least £15k to get into a newer one, simply not worth it when this still gives so much pleasure.

I think the thing for me is the fact I don't have any finance on it, if I was paying £400 a month I would have swapped for a G31 by now I'm sure.

But enjoy it mate, they are crackers.