2005 (E60?) 520d touring. Underpowered ?

[Otter's pocket]

Hi-looking at the 5 series estate, sorry- Touring.

I know the 535ds are amazing, but I cant afford one, likewise the 530d. Am therefore sniffing at the 523/525/520 petrol & diesel variants.

Is the 520d going to be laughabley underpowered? I'm not after earth-shattering performance, just want to be able to overtake on the motorway when required.
Which of the 520/523/525 petrol/deisel engines would folk on here recommend ?
I dont really do enough miles to warrant the premium of a diesel but there seem more of them about, and I'd imagine they'll be eaasier to shift on in 2-3 years time.
I'm looking at autos by the way

Thanks

[Donut]

Otter's pocket said:

Hi-looking at the 5 series estate, sorry- Touring.

I know the 535ds are amazing, but I cant afford one, likewise the 530d. Am therefore sniffing at the 523/525/520 petrol & diesel variants.

Is the 520d going to be laughabley underpowered? I'm not after earth-shattering performance, just want to be able to overtake on the motorway when required.
Which of the 520/523/525 petrol/deisel engines would folk on here recommend ?
I dont really do enough miles to warrant the premium of a diesel but there seem more of them about, and I'd imagine they'll be eaasier to shift on in 2-3 years time.
I'm looking at autos by the way

Thanks

You need to drive one, they are far from underpowered and alot quicker then the stat's would suggest!

Just come out of mine, which was an auto enjoyed each of the 8,000 miles I did in it!

[outnumbered]

I've just bought a 525D Touring (original 177bhp version). I found that it killed the 525i (I tested the original 194bhp version) for driveability with the autobox. The 525i is just not torquey enough for the weight of the car, a typical A road overtake would be suicide.

Seems that 520s tend to be manual, everything else automatic.

[StuB]

I have a chipped E60 530d and a chipped 320d and have been in a friends company 520d E60 on numerous occasions and was surprised how sprightly it always felt. It was a brand new stock car, so really expected it to feel slow, but it was far from disappointing. Could be a great buy!

[pgilc1]

Stick a tuning box on one and you will have around 190bhp. Its not that long ago that the 530d had that power and its no slouch

[530dTPhil]

I bought a new E60 520d for one of our company car drivers in December 2005. He would have preferred an auto but the 520d didn't get the auto box until early 2006, so I think that you will find everything is the six speed manual up to this time.

[m power]

I am on my second 520d M sport, the latest one (facelift with the newer engine) is better again. This car is swift enough cheap on fuel and very comfortable etc. I did 85k in two years in my first one, I never thought that I would have two cars in row exactly the same, but I couldn't find anything else I preferred for the price etc. ( I have a Z4MC for the weekends so not fussed that it lacks the pace of a 535d)

[Donut]

520d it is then

[Otter's pocket]

Looks that way!
So the facelift was in 2006 ? Must of been rather, er, subtle.

Thanks for all the replies- most helpful

[530dTPhil]

I don't think there was any facelift, just that there wasn't an autobox for the 520d until early 2006. Strangely there were no A6 2.0d autos available for December delivery at the same time.

[m power]

the face lift was in September 2007. New engine on the 520, revised interior and slight changes to the exterior. Also the new 520 engine is in the lower road tax banding.

[m power]

the face lift was in September 2007. New engine on the 520, revised interior and slight changes to the exterior. Also the new 520 engine is in the lower road tax banding.

[MazDave]

I think the 520d was facelifted - known as the LCI model - at the same time as all 5 series. However The engine went from 163bhp to 177bhp slightly later - in September '07. I have an LCI model (July '07) with the 163bhp (Saloon not Touring) and I've been very impressed. I had a 525d Touring before and while it was smoother (6 cylinders after all) it didn't really feel any quicker than the 520d. I drove the manual and auto and think the auto is streets ahead for this type of car. I get 43mpg with mixed driving.

One thing that helps is the weight of the car - 1520kg suprisingly light for the size of car.

Quite a good (Australian) write up here