530d manual or 535d - advice needed!

[boyoM3]

Hi, I'm looking into getting a good family saloon to keep for the next 3-4 years and I'm torn between a 535d and 530d both 2006 and with similar mileage. It's going to be used as a general runabout for the mrs and for the family trips at weekends. (I've got an a4 tdi for the daily commute). We still want it to be economical to run. The 535d is slightly more expensive but it has leather, pro sat , climate, xenons, sunroof and iPod. The 530d has Pro sat nav, leather, privacy glass.

So questions... I love manuals so am reluctant to move to an auto but noone including most petrolheads have a bad word to say about the 535d. Is it worth the sacrifice of a manual box?

Does the auto box suffer from reliability issues or weaknesses?

Will a 535d be a significant step up in running costs?

I haven't driven a 535d yet but wanted your experenced opinions before I drive 150 miles to have a look at it. It's the toys that are luring me in more than the power, but the power is definitely a bonus...

Cheers,

Warren

[Bet2502]

Have a thing for manual cars also, i have a 530d m sport, feel more involved or something with them compared to autos, never drove a 535d so cant compare
Good luck with whichever you choose, both cracking cars and i currently am haveing a difficult time replaceing my own after 4 years of ownership as nothing else feels any better which i test drive.
Though dont drive the car alot now so the next car will be the wifes choice and i can have fun other ways...

[Leighhockey]

im in a similar boat, although im not really torn i have decided on the 535D but need a nice one to come into scope.

i have never owned an auto and it pains me to say this but im looking forward to not changing gear lol

personally i think you need to look at the car your buying. i think a big diesel engine is best suited to a auto box especially in a 5 series. if you want something you feel like your thrashing go petrol?

[Zwolf]

I think it was the 2007 facelift that saw the 535d become as economical as it claimed to be, earlier ones average around 28-32mpg every time I've read of owners being pleased with the performance, but not with the economy that was no better in practice than a petrol Five would have been (the dearer cost of diesel per litre closing the gap further still). Whereas a manual 530d is capable of its late 30s/40ish figure driven normally.