E39 520i Touring, 2.0l engine weedy?

[B19GRR]

Hi All,
I'm thinking of changing up from my E36 325tds Touring to a 5 series. Had wanted a diesel but there's none in my price bracket (£6-7k) or with less than astromonical miles (want less than 80k), so I thought I'd check out the petrol models and sod the economy.

On paper the 2.0l engine has similar performance figures to the 525tds but is it really comparable in the real world? I would've thought the diesels torque would put it ahead in day to day traffic?

How do the other petrol engines stack up? 520 2.2, 523, 525 and maybe the 528 Any worries like Nikasil I'd need to check into when inspecting? Is there a best all-rounder?

Cheers,
Rob

[dcb]

B19GRR said:

or with less than astromonical miles (want less than 80k),

80K isn't astronomical, that's only just run in.

500K is astronomical.

Many folks suggest well cared for BMW engines are near-immortal,
buit personally, I suspect they get a bit tired at about 200K to
300K.

B19GRR said:

How do the other petrol engines stack up? 520 2.2, 523, 525 and maybe the 528

How deep are your pockets versus how fast do you want to go ?

Your choice.

[eliot]

my 540 does pretty much the same MPG as the missus's 325 around town and on a run, so dont rule out the bigger engines either.

[B19GRR]

dcb said:

B19GRR said: or with less than astromonical miles (want less than 80k), 80K isn't astronomical, that's only just run in. 500K is astronomical. Many folks suggest well cared for BMW engines are near-immortal, buit personally, I suspect they get a bit tired at about 200K to 300K.

Yeah, 80k is my max, the diesels I can find in my price range all seem to be 150k+. My 325 has got 105k on it now and is going strong but obviously depreciating more due to it's mileage.

dcb said:

B19GRR said: How do the other petrol engines stack up? 520 2.2, 523, 525 and maybe the 528 How deep are your pockets versus how fast do you want to go ? Your choice.

Well I'm always happy to go fast even though that's got me in trouble before The figures I can find for economy (whatcar.com) suggest very little between the 2.0 and the 2.8 and all points between, although there is a 3s difference in the 0-60 dash. So it's probably just going to be a case of seeing what's available once I've sold the 325 on I guess.

540 would be nice of course

Cheers,
Rob

[Bill Carr]

I got a '99S 535 in November - 100k, £6495. In great nick, FBMWSH, goes nicely, does 20mpg accross town. Ok, that ain't great, but it's a 3.5ltr V8. Certainly isn't weedy when you put your foot down!

[B19GRR]

Nice, decent price for the year as well. A mate had a high spec 535 saloon a couple of years back - very cushy indeed, TV was a bit OTT though! - don't think I could quite justify one though, unless of course a perfect example just happened along that was too good to refuse

Cheers,
Rob

[Bill Carr]

My dear boy, are you touting for my car? 7 grand and it's yours

[B19GRR]

Bill Carr said:

My dear boy, are you touting for my car? 7 grand and it's yours

Now even though I'm a salesmans dream (many seem to have seen me coming in the past, ooeer!) the fact that you've already said you paid £6495, even I would have to think twice about paying £7k for it

Cheers,
Rob