E61 but which one

[stevemcs]

Given the choice between a 530d slightly higher miles or a 2 year newer 525d with slightly less miles would you still chose the 530d or is the 525d acceptable ? The 525d has better tyres and history the newer nav system less miles and is £600 cheaper, the 530d has the benefit of xenons and has black leather not beige, the 530d would need 4 tyres as its on budgets and £500 spending on paintwork.

[b14]

As these cars get older, I think it is more and more important to buy on condition. The 525d will be a bit slower but in all other respects sounds like the better bet - it's lower mileage and has been treated better (judging by the budget tyres on the 530d and the bodywork). It hasn't got Xenons but that's not the end of the world, and can be mapped anyway if you need more power.

Assuming the 525d is in better condition and has been looked after better, I'd say go for that one.

[d_a_n1979]

As said, buy on overall condition and maintenance, more so if it's got solid history and bills/receipts to show etc

The 525D is more than adequate for our roads and if you wanted, a decent 1st or 2nd stage remap would have it flying past a 530D

However, if the 530D is good with a good spec and equally as well looked after; it may be worth going for that as it'll have a better resale value when you decide to move it on; they are more sought after

If not already; join the BMW 5 forums: http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/

The E60 tech section is very popular and with a wealth of knowledge. Lots of owners on there can give you their advice etc

[LGriffiths88]

I’ve been keeping an eye on several E61s.

As Dan has mentioned, sign up to the 5 series forum. Very handy bunch on there!

[stevemcs]

LGriffiths88 said:

I’ve been keeping an eye on several E61s.

As Dan has mentioned, sign up to the 5 series forum. Very handy bunch on there!

Have you found anything yet ? I thought you were looking at unicorns (530i's ?) I started looking at E Class's but have now changed to 5 Series.

[LGriffiths88]

Nah nothing yet pal. Waiting to sort out my finances. But literally been researching what I want from the car.

I like the look of the e class (in sport) but know it’s not a 5.

I know I want an lci ideally 59/10 plate with the cic drive. Which is another unicorn breed now.

[clockworks]

I had a 525d E61 for 3 years. Performance was perfectly adequate for normal driving.

It's the same engine as the 530d, just with a smaller turbo. Bit less power, but not enough to worry about.

[stevemcs]

I'm still playing the autotrader game, a few 520d's with cloth have appeared - i love cloth, i'm aware of the n47 issues ... but all the 525/530s seem to have dried up.

[LGriffiths88]

Know what you mean! I took a 525d for a test drive the other weekend. Was good, Was enough power on the motorway to overtake. One local to me sold today.


Also noticed about the climate control... the 6 pot e61s have dual zone CC as standard compared to the 2litres. Makes the interior look much. Iced.

2 Litre


6 pot

[b14]

Only on the LCI. I had an early E61 530i that had the crappy standard climate. In reality it was fine of course but looked a bit budget.

[911gone]

Pretty sure the 525 has no swirl flaps, so you don't have that worry. As said, you can remap to bring performance and economy up.

I had a 530d saloon. Absolutely fantastic car and after a remap it was no slouch.

[LGriffiths88]

[redacted]

[StuntmanMike]

Buy a 550i. Dont mess about op, you know it makes sense.

[stevemcs]

Still watching them, although budget creep is kicking, so much so i'm almost in F series territory, current E61 535d or F11 520d ...

[d_a_n1979]

stevemcs said:

Still watching them, although budget creep is kicking, so much so i'm almost in F series territory, current E61 535d or F11 520d ...

535D for me, wouldn't touch a 520D if you paid me, but that's personal preference

But both my Dad & father in law have had numerous issues with their (F10 and X3); they're both now in the 3.0D with zero issues and a much better engine full stop

What is your budget?

[stevemcs]

Was 4-5k, budget creep has seen me closer to 7k. N47 issues with chain i'm not too bothered about as we have done them at work, although finding time to do them is a different matter.

[d_a_n1979]

stevemcs said:

Was 4-5k, budget creep has seen me closer to 7k. N47 issues with chain i'm not too bothered about as we have done them at work, although finding time to do them is a different matter.

Personally I'd rather spend a higher amount on a well looked after and maintained 535D than a leggy and poorer spec F11 520D

I think £5500 to £6500 should get you a decent 535D; there are a few good ones out there, also a few that are very overpriced IMO, like the blue one on eBay, c£9k, not a chance

[stevemcs]

d_a_n1979 said:

Personally I'd rather spend a higher amount on a well looked after and maintained 535D than a leggy and poorer spec F11 520D

I think £5500 to £6500 should get you a decent 535D; there are a few good ones out there, also a few that are very overpriced IMO, like the blue one on eBay, c£9k, not a chance

9k or the one at 8k ?

[d_a_n1979]

stevemcs said:

9k or the one at 8k ?

Sorry, £8k

It's a c£6500 car every day of the week really... £8k is pushing it

[d_a_n1979]

This has done 160k miles, but it's worn them very well and the car looks very well looked after

If I were spending £6k on a touring, I'd deffo be giving this one a lot of thought:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-530D-Touring-SE-3-0...