E39. 530D vs 540i. Your opinions required...
Discussion
Evenin' 
I drive a 1999 540 saloon. I really like it
Now i need more interior space (think jack, tools and four 17" wheels with tyres) and the ability to tow a car on a trailer. Though not that much, not every week or anything. Both of the above can pull 2 tonne, quite high in relation to other cars. Also, i likes me E39s. So i'll get the estate version of one of them, i am thinking. I want the auto, like i have now; better for towing, i am thinking.
Most of my driving is around town, with some mid-distance thrown in randomly, and the aforementioned towing, at most once a month in the summer. My 540 gets a real 17mpg around town, and 25-30 on a run, depending on how heavy my right foot is. It has averaged 21mpg since i got it.
So...bottom line....which do i get?
1. 540i. V8 good. MPG bad. Wonderful noise. Faster. More reliable as engine is normally-aspirated?
2. 530D. Better MPG? Turbo-ed, hence could be more expensive? Doesnt sound as nice. Not as fast.
The 530D may be the sensible choice, if i am being honest. But is it? I have started another thread asking what MPG people really get from them. But it seems i will pay at least 2-3000 more to get one of similar age and mileage. Then there is the fact that diesel is more expensive to fill up with. Once you've taken purchase price and fuel price into the equation, am i really better off?
Oh, similar equipment level in both? 540 (almost all of them) seem to have the M-tech sussies in as standard; is the 530 the same?
Your opinions are welcome
cheers
Andy
I drive a 1999 540 saloon. I really like it
Now i need more interior space (think jack, tools and four 17" wheels with tyres) and the ability to tow a car on a trailer. Though not that much, not every week or anything. Both of the above can pull 2 tonne, quite high in relation to other cars. Also, i likes me E39s
. So i'll get the estate version of one of them, i am thinking. I want the auto, like i have now; better for towing, i am thinking. Most of my driving is around town, with some mid-distance thrown in randomly, and the aforementioned towing, at most once a month in the summer. My 540 gets a real 17mpg around town, and 25-30 on a run, depending on how heavy my right foot is. It has averaged 21mpg since i got it.
So...bottom line....which do i get?
1. 540i. V8 good. MPG bad. Wonderful noise. Faster. More reliable as engine is normally-aspirated?
2. 530D. Better MPG? Turbo-ed, hence could be more expensive? Doesnt sound as nice. Not as fast.
The 530D may be the sensible choice, if i am being honest. But is it? I have started another thread asking what MPG people really get from them. But it seems i will pay at least 2-3000 more to get one of similar age and mileage. Then there is the fact that diesel is more expensive to fill up with. Once you've taken purchase price and fuel price into the equation, am i really better off?
Oh, similar equipment level in both? 540 (almost all of them) seem to have the M-tech sussies in as standard; is the 530 the same?
Your opinions are welcome
cheers
Andy
[TW]Fox said:
Most 530d's are SE's and wont have M-Tech suspension as standard. Around town you'll get 26-32mpg from a 530d depending on how its driven and what gearbox it has.
Personally I'd seek out a 530i - a sort of half way ground between the two, really.
thats the straight-six is it?Personally I'd seek out a 530i - a sort of half way ground between the two, really.
again, it won't have m-tech kit unless it says so in the spec of that particluar car?
When I was browsing my library of BMW brochures amongst other things, one thing that stuck out was that the fuel consumption figures for auto and manual petrol cars were very similar.
However, for the diesels, the manuals were generally somewhat thirstier than the autos. Indeed, the gearbox seemed to make more difference to the consumption than the engine.
Nick
However, for the diesels, the manuals were generally somewhat thirstier than the autos. Indeed, the gearbox seemed to make more difference to the consumption than the engine.
Nick
welwynnick said:
When I was browsing my library of BMW brochures amongst other things, one thing that stuck out was that the fuel consumption figures for auto and manual petrol cars were very similar.
However, for the diesels, the manuals were generally somewhat thirstier than the autos. Indeed, the gearbox seemed to make more difference to the consumption than the engine.
Nick
I'll be getting an auto. I actually don't want a manual...However, for the diesels, the manuals were generally somewhat thirstier than the autos. Indeed, the gearbox seemed to make more difference to the consumption than the engine.
Nick
anyone else? I thought i'd get a few more opinions than this....
I had a 540i touring about three years ago. It was Auto and I used to tow with it. I thought about changing to a 530d because I thought that it would suit the short trips better. I drove a couple that were a bit newer and a lot more money but with less spec. I found them uninspiring and quickly abandoned the idea.
530i sport touring would be my choice, far better steering than the 540i, only about 4mpg behind the diesel and it is alot lighter up front so is far nicer to drive than the derv. Plus it is a petrol so you get all the benifits that come with that.
Also look out for an Alpina B10 (3.2. or 3.3) 540i performance with all the benifits of the straight six's and that nice Alpina exclusivity.
Also look out for an Alpina B10 (3.2. or 3.3) 540i performance with all the benifits of the straight six's and that nice Alpina exclusivity.
gizlaroc said:
530i sport touring would be my choice, far better steering than the 540i, only about 4mpg behind the diesel and it is alot lighter up front so is far nicer to drive than the derv. Plus it is a petrol so you get all the benifits that come with that.
Also look out for an Alpina B10 (3.2. or 3.3) 540i performance with all the benifits of the straight six's and that nice Alpina exclusivity.
530 OK for towing though.....?Also look out for an Alpina B10 (3.2. or 3.3) 540i performance with all the benifits of the straight six's and that nice Alpina exclusivity.
Is that the straight-six?
yes it comes down to how many miles you intend to do. I can run a 540 quite easily, but i only do 9k a year.
Assuming the 540 does 21mpg (which is my long term average, i get more like 18 on the short journeys to the station) and the 530d does 29, with my annual milage of 9k - I would only save £450.
Here's the spreadsheet to try your own figures:
http://www.mez.co.uk/tempstuff/Petrol-Derv.xls
And using the MPG's stated in this thread, I would only save £254 buying a 530 petrol - I know which i prefer.
Assuming the 540 does 21mpg (which is my long term average, i get more like 18 on the short journeys to the station) and the 530d does 29, with my annual milage of 9k - I would only save £450.
Here's the spreadsheet to try your own figures:
http://www.mez.co.uk/tempstuff/Petrol-Derv.xls
And using the MPG's stated in this thread, I would only save £254 buying a 530 petrol - I know which i prefer.
Edited by eliot on Thursday 1st May 07:05
Ok I went from a 98 528 auto saloon to a 2001 540 auto touring recently. I looked at going the 530 diesel touring route as well but was put off by some of the reported fuel consumptions vs additional purchase cost and potential for big injector/turbo bills. I picked up a loaded 540 touring (double glazing, hydraulic tailgate the works!) and it is a fanstastic car.
Seriously quick, does on part throttle what the 528 would need wringing to do. It's true what they say about the recirc steering though, no where near as confidence inspiring on the twisties as the 528 but ultimately it handles well and it is more of a distance obliterator than a b road blaster. Consumption around town can be an issue I find cold starts really chomp through the petrol until the big block is warm. I reckon I get 21 across town/mixed motoring, on the motorway doing 70-80 it does 32MPG faster at 90 it will do 28, my long term average is 24 with a lot of town work in that. I reckon this is good for a 4.4 v8 (and compared well to a colleagues 2.6 v6 newish merc).
On balance I love the 540, most of them are better equipped than 530/30d, lazy unstressed sledgehammer of an engine, smooth no rattle, no turbo to let go. If you do the maths and factor in extra purchase costs/maintenace there is only one choice, enjoy a 540 while gordon still lets you! Ian
Seriously quick, does on part throttle what the 528 would need wringing to do. It's true what they say about the recirc steering though, no where near as confidence inspiring on the twisties as the 528 but ultimately it handles well and it is more of a distance obliterator than a b road blaster. Consumption around town can be an issue I find cold starts really chomp through the petrol until the big block is warm. I reckon I get 21 across town/mixed motoring, on the motorway doing 70-80 it does 32MPG faster at 90 it will do 28, my long term average is 24 with a lot of town work in that. I reckon this is good for a 4.4 v8 (and compared well to a colleagues 2.6 v6 newish merc).
On balance I love the 540, most of them are better equipped than 530/30d, lazy unstressed sledgehammer of an engine, smooth no rattle, no turbo to let go. If you do the maths and factor in extra purchase costs/maintenace there is only one choice, enjoy a 540 while gordon still lets you! Ian
ian_cab28 said:
Ok I went from a 98 528 auto saloon to a 2001 540 auto touring recently. I looked at going the 530 diesel touring route as well but was put off by some of the reported fuel consumptions vs additional purchase cost and potential for big injector/turbo bills. I picked up a loaded 540 touring (double glazing, hydraulic tailgate the works!) and it is a fanstastic car.
Seriously quick, does on part throttle what the 528 would need wringing to do. It's true what they say about the recirc steering though, no where near as confidence inspiring on the twisties as the 528 but ultimately it handles well and it is more of a distance obliterator than a b road blaster. Consumption around town can be an issue I find cold starts really chomp through the petrol until the big block is warm. I reckon I get 21 across town/mixed motoring, on the motorway doing 70-80 it does 32MPG faster at 90 it will do 28, my long term average is 24 with a lot of town work in that. I reckon this is good for a 4.4 v8 (and compared well to a colleagues 2.6 v6 newish merc).
On balance I love the 540, most of them are better equipped than 530/30d, lazy unstressed sledgehammer of an engine, smooth no rattle, no turbo to let go. If you do the maths and factor in extra purchase costs/maintenace there is only one choice, enjoy a 540 while gordon still lets you! Ian
I've already got one Seriously quick, does on part throttle what the 528 would need wringing to do. It's true what they say about the recirc steering though, no where near as confidence inspiring on the twisties as the 528 but ultimately it handles well and it is more of a distance obliterator than a b road blaster. Consumption around town can be an issue I find cold starts really chomp through the petrol until the big block is warm. I reckon I get 21 across town/mixed motoring, on the motorway doing 70-80 it does 32MPG faster at 90 it will do 28, my long term average is 24 with a lot of town work in that. I reckon this is good for a 4.4 v8 (and compared well to a colleagues 2.6 v6 newish merc).
On balance I love the 540, most of them are better equipped than 530/30d, lazy unstressed sledgehammer of an engine, smooth no rattle, no turbo to let go. If you do the maths and factor in extra purchase costs/maintenace there is only one choice, enjoy a 540 while gordon still lets you! Ian
A '99 saloon....read the first post!Is your 2001 pre-march, or are you getting screwed for tax at renewal?
I am aiming at 1999/2000 cars because of this....
Andy
gizlaroc said:
530i sport touring would be my choice, far better steering than the 540i, only about 4mpg behind the diesel and it is alot lighter up front so is far nicer to drive than the derv. Plus it is a petrol so you get all the benifits that come with that.
I would be prepared to sell my met black E39 530i Touring auto - although it's an SE, not a Sport (sorry 
)I've only had it for 4 months but I may have to get something older - ONE DAY OLDER!! It's Y reg, 1st March 2001, so it will fall into the retro tax band that's pi55ing everyone off so much. Wish I'd bought an X reg one now.
Very high spec (SatNav, widescreen TV, leather, sunroof etc etc) with 4 brand new tyres and a new alternator & battery too. Also upgraded speakers to Diamond Audio Hex. Has a private plate, worth a genuine £1000, might let that go for the same sort of money. Oh and it has a tow bar fitted.
As for MPG, I used to drive from Southend to Watford and back (130 mile round trip) and OBC said 31mpg on average, around town maybe 22. Motorway only at 70mph will do around 35mpg. Overall average since I bought it is about 27mpg. That has included a lot of local stop-start stuff, very short journies that I should have walked in some cases (like picking up the kids from school)
I'm looking for an X reg 3 series Touring, ideally a 320d but would consider anything if it's either diesel or a straight six petrol. Might also consider an E36 or even E30, pref a Touring but if the right 325i Sport came along I would give that some thought. Manual or auto. Not heavy mileage - under 120,000 for older models.
This is the only pic I have at the moment:-
gangster66 said:
gizlaroc said:
530i sport touring would be my choice, far better steering than the 540i, only about 4mpg behind the diesel and it is alot lighter up front so is far nicer to drive than the derv. Plus it is a petrol so you get all the benifits that come with that.
I would be prepared to sell my met black E39 530i Touring auto - although it's an SE, not a Sport (sorry )I've only had it for 4 months but I may have to get something older - ONE DAY OLDER!! It's Y reg, 1st March 2001, so it will fall into the retro tax band that's pi55ing everyone off so much. Wish I'd bought an X reg one now.
Very high spec (SatNav, widescreen TV, leather, sunroof etc etc) with 4 brand new tyres and a new alternator & battery too. Also upgraded speakers to Diamond Audio Hex. Has a private plate, worth a genuine £1000, might let that go for the same sort of money. Oh and it has a tow bar fitted.
As for MPG, I used to drive from Southend to Watford and back (130 mile round trip) and OBC said 31mpg on average, around town maybe 22. Motorway only at 70mph will do around 35mpg. Overall average since I bought it is about 27mpg. That has included a lot of local stop-start stuff, very short journies that I should have walked in some cases (like picking up the kids from school)
I'm looking for an X reg 3 series Touring, ideally a 320d but would consider anything if it's either diesel or a straight six petrol. Might also consider an E36 or even E30, pref a Touring but if the right 325i Sport came along I would give that some thought. Manual or auto. Not heavy mileage - under 120,000 for older models.
This is the only pic I have at the moment:-
My '99 V8 with its £200 road tax
Looking at pre-March 2001 540 Tourings...
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