E60 530D advice

[chuno]

Looking for a new everyday family friendly motor. Test drove a 530D today and must say i was mightily impressed. Sounded much better than a diesel car has a right too and plenty of torque! Imagine it would go really well after a remap!

Had a bit of a search, but cannot seem to find anything, but can someone please give me an idea as to what these are like to run? Any reliability problems that i should look out for as i will be looking at higher mileage cars as my budget is probably on the lower end of the spectrum. Are general running costs acceptable?

The model i drove today was an auto. Never had an auto before, but only really considered it because of the auto option. Had a very brief go in manual mode, but didn'y know what to make of it. Certainly a different feeling to the traditional manual! I noticed that it still automatically changes down for you when you slow down, i take it that it doesn't change up too unless you want it too?

Thanks

[chuno]

Also, how does economy and performance compare to the 530i and do they both come with nav as standard?

[Moar]

"Had a bit of a search, but cannot seem to find anything"

i 100% refuse to believe this.

[PJ S]

Nav not standard - option
Go to Parkers site, you'll find a lot of info you're looking for there.
Google "swirl flaps".

You'd also do well to inform us what year you're looking at, mileage to be covered, etc, esp as you've asked to compare with the petrol unit.

[chuno]

I'm looking at 2004 cars, mileage is pretty unkown for now because of a few major life changes have happened in the last few months, but it will be low - probably no more than 8k PA.

After doing a bit of research, it seems the petrol unit may be the safer option. I have seen a very nice 525i for sale that i am thinking of going to look at. Do you think i will be underwhelmed by the performance compared to the 530D? Is there anything that can go wrong/anything that i should look out for with this model?

[scz4]

Definitely get the petrol. I bought a 2005 530d M Sport and sold it within 6 weeks. Hated it, gearbox was asleep all the time, turbo was laggy. It was extemely quick thanks to the remap, but that's no substitute. To top it off, it only averaged 30mpg, maximum on a 400 mile drive was 38mpg, averaged about 22mpg around town. It had done 69k miles. I changed the EGR, the EGR thermostat, coolant thermostat all of the "solutions" you read online but it made no difference. The list of things that can go wrong with the diesels is incredible and financially quite scary.

Since bought a manual 550i 4.8 V8. I average 23.5mpg and 30mpg on a run. The diesel just isn't worth the compromise, far too much can wrong with it.

Get a older 545i V8, or a 530i if you can find one.

[Bada Bing!]

Moar said:

"Had a bit of a search, but cannot seem to find anything"

i 100% refuse to believe this.