5 series touring

[stevemcs]

I’m thinking of replacing the Mondeo with a 5 series, although I’d prefer a 3 I don’t think they offer enough space.

Question is, would you go for an earlier 530d around 2011/2 or a later 2015/6 520d

[InitialDave]

If you insist on buying a diesel, 6 pot all the way.

[stevemcs]

I’d much prefer the petrol, but they are rare and usually jap imports

[d_a_n1979]

Yup; 530i tourings rarely crop up, same with the 535i

If you can get a Jap import one; I'd go for that

Personally I wouldn't touch a 520D, but each to their own

[outnumbered]

Apart from the timing chain issues, a 520d is plenty powerful enough for normal use. Obviously a 6 pot is more PH, but an 11 year old one might not be as economical as you’d think, if that matters to you. We had a 2010 530d GT, and that averaged around 30mpg iirc.

[squareflops]

I’ve had both 30d and 20d in F11 guise and I loved the power of the 3.0. I now have the N47 (with timing chain replaced) and find it perfectly adequate.

Better spec is easy to find with the N57 so watch out for low specced 520s.

Just got 53mpg out of mine today on a run, was looking high 30s in the 530d

I’ve had an E91 recently and have an F31 currently and you’re right that the 5 is appreciably roomier

[bigdom]

stevemcs said:

I’m thinking of replacing the Mondeo with a 5 series, although I’d prefer a 3 I don’t think they offer enough space.

Question is, would you go for an earlier 530d around 2011/2 or a later 2015/6 520d

Depends on a few things, and whether they're important. If current Mondeo, a 5 is still smaller inside.

530d is a nicer drive, 520d is fine for most things. 530d are all auto, and buying a 520d manual would be a mistake. The 8 speed auto is so much nicer.

The F series had a facelifit in 2014 (LCI). One of the benefits is all cars came equipped with Bi-Xenon headlights as standard. Normal halogen BMW lights have been close to a flickering candle since the dawn of time.

You'll really notice the difference between 30-70 ish mph between the two cars, so it really comes down to how and where you drive? Both will cruise at >100mph on continental roads all day long.

A 530d at that age won't be ULEZ compliant, whereas a 520d will be. Either way, you really want the 535d

[squareflops]

It’s an interesting point re the gearbox. my 530d was auto of course and I really liked the smoothness of it and it really suited the premium feel of the car.

My 520d is manual. Reasoning for this was cost. A service for the ZF is £475 and it weighs quite a bit more than a manual box which increases fuel consumption on top of the auto being not quite so frugal as a manual.

That tipped me to a manual box in my 520 and changing gears myself like a proper peasant

[_Hoppers]

squareflops said:

It’s an interesting point re the gearbox. my 530d was auto of course and I really liked the smoothness of it and it really suited the premium feel of the car.

My 520d is manual. Reasoning for this was cost. A service for the ZF is £475 and it weighs quite a bit more than a manual box which increases fuel consumption on top of the auto being not quite so frugal as a manual.

That tipped me to a manual box in my 520 and changing gears myself like a proper peasant

IIRC, when I was looking for a 320D the autos were more economical and a little quicker to 60 than the manual?

[stevemcs]

The Mondeo is the Mk4.5 so the 5 series is just a little bigger, the 520d should just escape the chain issues at 2015, gearbox service isn't too big of an issue as I work in a garage although not on the tools. There is one 535i on Autotrader its a good spec but Japanese import but its a 2010 car withe SE seats and although I don't mind it being an SE Luxury or M SPort I do want the sports seats


Oh and it will be used for towing, and why is it the decent spec ones come up at garages with very poor reviews.

[bigdom]

squareflops said:

It’s an interesting point re the gearbox. my 530d was auto of course and I really liked the smoothness of it and it really suited the premium feel of the car.

My 520d is manual. Reasoning for this was cost. A service for the ZF is £475 and it weighs quite a bit more than a manual box which increases fuel consumption on top of the auto being not quite so frugal as a manual.

That tipped me to a manual box in my 520 and changing gears myself like a proper peasant

Granted a service is a cost and many choose to not have one. I had one of my cars done (535d) at 80k. I seem to believe my specialist charged about £350. I've had a 7 series gearbox rebuilt in the past, so go for prevention rather than cure.

My neighbour has a 116d (36k on clock) a couple of months it lunched it's clutch & dual mass flywheel. BMW specialist £1800 to repair, main dealer was about £2500.

The 8 speed ZF automatic will be more economical and faster than the manual box, and a lot less annoying in everyday traffic.

[squareflops]

I’ve always worked on the basis that the autos were less economical, maybe i’ve got that wrong? I thought it was a ‘well know fact’ but maybe i’ve been spreading vicious rumours this whole time!

It’s true that if you can service the box (working for a garage should help indeed) without the bill being too much a consideration then it’s definitely the one to go for given it’s application.

Think i’m just the penny pinching odd one out

[P700DEE]

Can't comment re size vs Mondeo but I have run a 520D for the last seven years and 100K+ miles. I'd go for the auto with the ZF eight sped box for economy the six speed manual is fine if you like stirring a box but it doesn't make it a performance car. Mines on 195K miles and still original chain and tensioners, it was inspected and was fine when the DMF failed and was replaced along with a new clutch. I think failures were mainly with earlier cars and those that did lots of stop start motoring. ULEZ requirement is important if you live near London or a major city that will charge for non Euro 6 diesels.

[bigdom]

squareflops said:

I’ve always worked on the basis that the autos were less economical, maybe i’ve got that wrong? I thought it was a ‘well know fact’ but maybe i’ve been spreading vicious rumours this whole time!

You're not wrong per se, it just depends on age of car. Anything with the old 6 speed, those are less economical. When the cars got the 8 Speed, that was a bit of a game changer.

I do still have a 6 speed car alongside the newer ones - E61 LCI 535d touring, used and abused, towing etc. It uses a bit more fuel, isn't as quick, but I do quite like the characteristics of the box mainly, I think it suits the car/engine quite well, very wafting.