BMW 540i X Drive
Discussion
Been looking at one of these and my first possible new car in a long time.
The dealer currently is unable to get hold of a demonstrator for me but let me have a 4hr test drive of a 520D touring which was great and will suit the family fine.
Anyone have an experience or own one? do they have a bit of sparkle to them or simply just faster than the 520D
I'm holding out for a drive of one and dealer is genuinely trying to get hold of one but thought about just ordering once happy with the deal.
The dealer currently is unable to get hold of a demonstrator for me but let me have a 4hr test drive of a 520D touring which was great and will suit the family fine.
Anyone have an experience or own one? do they have a bit of sparkle to them or simply just faster than the 520D
I'm holding out for a drive of one and dealer is genuinely trying to get hold of one but thought about just ordering once happy with the deal.
I think there are only a few criteria for the 520d:
1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
rayyan171 said:
I think there are only a few criteria for the 520d:
1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
I agree its probably as dull as ditchwater for somebody wanting 'sparkle' but I think its hard to criticise the 520d for what it is. It has the same power/torque characteristics as an E39 530d which was more than adequately powerful in its time, is comfortable, economical and so on. It must make a lot of sense for a majority of buyers because there are millions of them on the road. I'd be happier eating lots of miles in a 520d than something lowlier with a more interesting drivetrain because its comfort and general level of refinement.1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
It won't ever be my own personal choice, I prefer to do 30k per annum in an M5, but I can certainly see why people buy/want them.
theboss said:
rayyan171 said:
I think there are only a few criteria for the 520d:
1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
I agree its probably as dull as ditchwater for somebody wanting 'sparkle' but I think its hard to criticise the 520d for what it is. It has the same power/torque characteristics as an E39 530d which was more than adequately powerful in its time, is comfortable, economical and so on. It must make a lot of sense for a majority of buyers because there are millions of them on the road. I'd be happier eating lots of miles in a 520d than something lowlier with a more interesting drivetrain because its comfort and general level of refinement.1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
It won't ever be my own personal choice, I prefer to do 30k per annum in an M5, but I can certainly see why people buy/want them.
When I turned up all they had was a 520d Touring. I took me little more than 5 minutes to realise how bland and uninteresting the 520d is these days. I ended up with an 25T XF which I find much more fun, though another 100bho would be occasionally interesting.
Since then I've driven a family member's G30 520d a few times and am always struck by how you can feel the engine vibration, and the noise it makes. It's OK for a diesel, but not that good, IMO.
So, if you like the 520d and don't mind the fuel and depreciation costs, you'll love the 540.
I would suggest that you also try the 530i; the new 2.0T engines that BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar offer these days have come a long way. Very smooth, especially for 4s, reasonably powerful, and quite economical too.
theboss said:
rayyan171 said:
I think there are only a few criteria for the 520d:
1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
I agree its probably as dull as ditchwater for somebody wanting 'sparkle' but I think its hard to criticise the 520d for what it is. It has the same power/torque characteristics as an E39 530d which was more than adequately powerful in its time, is comfortable, economical and so on. It must make a lot of sense for a majority of buyers because there are millions of them on the road. I'd be happier eating lots of miles in a 520d than something lowlier with a more interesting drivetrain because its comfort and general level of refinement.1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
It won't ever be my own personal choice, I prefer to do 30k per annum in an M5, but I can certainly see why people buy/want them.
REALIST123 said:
theboss said:
rayyan171 said:
I think there are only a few criteria for the 520d:
1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
I agree its probably as dull as ditchwater for somebody wanting 'sparkle' but I think its hard to criticise the 520d for what it is. It has the same power/torque characteristics as an E39 530d which was more than adequately powerful in its time, is comfortable, economical and so on. It must make a lot of sense for a majority of buyers because there are millions of them on the road. I'd be happier eating lots of miles in a 520d than something lowlier with a more interesting drivetrain because its comfort and general level of refinement.1. You can only afford the 520d
2. You need a company car
3. It is imperative that you get the best MPG possible because you do much more than 12k miles per year
If you ever have the chance to get a 540i, you should. These are certainly a dying breed, and it will probably be a decade or two until the badge "540i" belongs to a 5 series with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine. Unless you do more than 12k you don't need a diesel, and the 520i is slightly underpowered for a car this heavy. Especially so if there is reviews stating that the 20i engine is uninspiring in the Z4.
It won't ever be my own personal choice, I prefer to do 30k per annum in an M5, but I can certainly see why people buy/want them.
When I turned up all they had was a 520d Touring. I took me little more than 5 minutes to realise how bland and uninteresting the 520d is these days. I ended up with an 25T XF which I find much more fun, though another 100bho would be occasionally interesting.
Since then I've driven a family member's G30 520d a few times and am always struck by how you can feel the engine vibration, and the noise it makes. It's OK for a diesel, but not that good, IMO.
So, if you like the 520d and don't mind the fuel and depreciation costs, you'll love the 540.
I would suggest that you also try the 530i; the new 2.0T engines that BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar offer these days have come a long way. Very smooth, especially for 4s, reasonably powerful, and quite economical too.
Hi,
I have a G31 540i with 5500 miles on it. It's a lovely, lovely thing. Rapid, smooth and discreet. I like the fact it looks the same as the smaller engined cars but has signficant pace. It is very secure with xDrive and while it is a big car it handles well.
Mine has M Sport Plus and is black on black. It needs a pano roof in my opinion which mine has as part of the Premium package. Unless you do big miles, then get one over a 530d.
I have a G31 540i with 5500 miles on it. It's a lovely, lovely thing. Rapid, smooth and discreet. I like the fact it looks the same as the smaller engined cars but has signficant pace. It is very secure with xDrive and while it is a big car it handles well.
Mine has M Sport Plus and is black on black. It needs a pano roof in my opinion which mine has as part of the Premium package. Unless you do big miles, then get one over a 530d.
Another very happy 540 X-Drive owner here, I bought mine new in March 2017. It hasn’t put a foot wrong, no faults or repairs. It’s comfortable around turn with a real turn of speed as and when required. I’m getting over 30mpg and would describe myself as ‘heavy footed’.
When I do change it I’ll probably downsize as I find the 5 a bit big but that’s a matter of taste.
In short if you can, you should.
When I do change it I’ll probably downsize as I find the 5 a bit big but that’s a matter of taste.
In short if you can, you should.
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