E34 v E39 (need a v cheap 525tds mile muncher!)

[poshgit]

just got a job involving a 100 mile daily commute - mainly motorways.
don't want to rack the miles up on my m3 so i need a diesel auto comfy mile muncher.
was looking at E34 525tds for around £1,000+ but should i go for a E39 525tds - they seem to start around £2000+. is it an infinately better car or is the depreciation just going to make it worth £1,000 in a years time?
would i be better off with a cheap E34 525tds? and just run it into the ground?
could also do with it being able to tow my E30 track car?
thought/opinions - running costs?
i will be driving like mrs miggins as i want to wring every last mpg out of it so can someone tell me what mpg is really attainable on each model - is the E39 a more refined engine for mpg?

[matt21]

personally (as much as i love BMWs) I wouldnt bother. Id get something like a VAG diesel like a Passat.

The E39 and E34 have the same 2.5 litre engine with 143bhp iirc. Dont touch the E34 525td as that has just 115bhp.

MPG wise not great. Prob 40mpg tops if you are lucky. With cost of diesel that will still cost quite a bit to run.

I have a sweeter smoother 525i Touring E34 with 222k on the clock that I use for my 60 mile daily commute and would rather this than the diesel.

IMO if it has to be diesel either try and get a 530d (much better) or go for something more boring but far cheaper to run, like the passat.

[bramley]

525tds is rubbish on fuel economy if my mates is anything to go by. My 2003 530 touring gets the same mpg as his lol.

[sniff diesel]

poshgit said:

could also do with it being able to tow my E30 track car?

The tds lump in my 325 has the grunt to pull anything up to 2 tonnes and still exceed the speed limit, I think the tourings have self leveling rear suspension which should be better for towing. Agree about what's been said about the fuel economy though, probably just as well off going for a 525/528 what with the price of diesel being nearly 18% higher than petrol.