530D Manual or 535D? Please help!
Discussion
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. (Cant afford to stretch to an LCI model). 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, no xenons, climate or iPod interface.
So questions... I love manuals so am reluctant to move to an auto but the majority including most petrolheads dont 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 on early cars?
Were early pre LCI autos significantly heavier on fue?
Will a 535d be a significant step up in running costs?
Is there anything I've missed? Any opinions are greatly appreciated....
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
So questions... I love manuals so am reluctant to move to an auto but the majority including most petrolheads dont 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 on early cars?
Were early pre LCI autos significantly heavier on fue?
Will a 535d be a significant step up in running costs?
Is there anything I've missed? Any opinions are greatly appreciated....
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
I have a 335d, the one thing that spoils the car for me is the auto box, good as it is I still miss the interaction and control of changing gear. It can obviously be used in manual mode which I do most of the time but it really isn't the same as using a manual gearbox.
My 335d fuel consumption goes to pieces around town, manages around 38mpg on a long run at steady motorway speeds.
Most of the extra x35d shove is at the top of the rev range, in day to day driving I suspect it doesn't feel much different to the x30d.
I know you said it is out of price range but I'd really try and get an LCI 5 series, the engine gearbox package is much improved, especially on the 535d.
Good Luck
Ian
My 335d fuel consumption goes to pieces around town, manages around 38mpg on a long run at steady motorway speeds.
Most of the extra x35d shove is at the top of the rev range, in day to day driving I suspect it doesn't feel much different to the x30d.
I know you said it is out of price range but I'd really try and get an LCI 5 series, the engine gearbox package is much improved, especially on the 535d.
Good Luck
Ian
Having owned both a 530 and 535d's I find the extra turbo makes for a better drive.
The single turbo is hesitant at junctions and can be a pain when approaching a roundabout etc. The twin gives you instant power rather than leaving you hanging waiting for power.
The 35d will use more juice. I get around 28-32 around town, and as has been said 38 on motorways. The wife gets over 40 easy....
I find they all like tyres, but apart from that, mines been a great car and I’ll miss it when it goes next month.
The 535's do have a gearbox issue with 'transmission slam' so when you slow at a junction it can kick. I had my software updated in Jan and it fixed all of these issues and sorted a few other niggles. If yours slams it’s well worth the update as it'll stick new gear box adaptation on and fix it.
Once you try to 35 engine you’ll see what I mean, cracking fun when you want it but also gentle when you don’t.
The single turbo is hesitant at junctions and can be a pain when approaching a roundabout etc. The twin gives you instant power rather than leaving you hanging waiting for power.
The 35d will use more juice. I get around 28-32 around town, and as has been said 38 on motorways. The wife gets over 40 easy....
I find they all like tyres, but apart from that, mines been a great car and I’ll miss it when it goes next month.
The 535's do have a gearbox issue with 'transmission slam' so when you slow at a junction it can kick. I had my software updated in Jan and it fixed all of these issues and sorted a few other niggles. If yours slams it’s well worth the update as it'll stick new gear box adaptation on and fix it.
Once you try to 35 engine you’ll see what I mean, cracking fun when you want it but also gentle when you don’t.
Same here: think the auto box is a perfect match for the 35d engine, and certainly wouldn't want a manual with a 30d engine, except the new 245 bhp which has an extended rev range compared to the 231 bhp variant.
If economy is important to you a LCI 525d may be a good compromise, especially with the new (joystick style) auto box, let alone the other improvements the LCI brought along.
If economy is important to you a LCI 525d may be a good compromise, especially with the new (joystick style) auto box, let alone the other improvements the LCI brought along.
I took the 530d manual out for a test drive and I thought it was lovely. I used to own a late 325d so I'm used to the feel and rev range of the manual.
It has to be at least a 330d. The 325d doesn't quite have enough poke to keep me interested....
So is the early auto box a weak link? Does it shift up quickly?
It has to be at least a 330d. The 325d doesn't quite have enough poke to keep me interested....
So is the early auto box a weak link? Does it shift up quickly?
boyoM3 said:
Thanks all, I've decided to go for the manual. I just don't think I could live live without cog swapping manually.
Cheers,
Warren
I can see why it was a tough decision for you, i love manuals & have a manual in my 520d & i like it alot but the diesel engines are not ideally suited to a manual with the short rev range.Cheers,
Warren
The missus has a 330d auto & the torque suits the autobox well, but given the choice you had, i would have gone manual because overall the auto leaves you detached from the driving experience & if the 535d was a manual i would have bought one years ago!
Good luck with your new purchase, i think you will love it.
boyoM3 said:
I took the 530d manual out for a test drive and I thought it was lovely. I used to own a late 325d so I'm used to the feel and rev range of the manual.
It has to be at least a 330d. The 325d doesn't quite have enough poke to keep me interested....
So is the early auto box a weak link? Does it shift up quickly?
Our 330d is a 2006 auto with 143k on the clock now & we have had it from new & the autobox has been fine & smooth, i agree with another poster that it can sometimes be a bit slow to respond if you just plant it from a standstill though & it sometimes suffers from turbo lag on the odd occasion but overall its fine.It has to be at least a 330d. The 325d doesn't quite have enough poke to keep me interested....
So is the early auto box a weak link? Does it shift up quickly?
Ive got an Audi S5 V8 that will be going shortly so I've done the fast second car thing! :-) Just had our second child and as much as Id love to keep the S5 its just not happening. Also on the radar is a house move so I want something to keep for 3-4 years, that's going to offer pace, reliability, frugality and a feel good factor. The A4 is purely a workhorse where the other car would be used by my other half and me at weekends. We do travel quite a lot so once we move I don't want to be bankrupting myself by having to pay out more on a special car. (The S5 struggles to hit 20mpg although its worth every penny while I can afford it)
I tend to swapping cars a lot at the minute and need to sort myself out! These two cars (the A4 and the 530D) should hopefully offer a good compromise for the family...
Cheers,
Warren
I tend to swapping cars a lot at the minute and need to sort myself out! These two cars (the A4 and the 530D) should hopefully offer a good compromise for the family...
Cheers,
Warren
The 535d, pre LCI, won't get a hell of a lot better than the S5.
I had an S4 Avant with the 4.2 V8 before my 535d sport touring, the S4 used to return 23mpg, the 535d returned 26mpg.
Great car but not cheap to run at all.
I would much rather get a slightly higher mileage 530d with the later 7 speed auto 'box, this will do 35mpg all day long.
I had an S4 Avant with the 4.2 V8 before my 535d sport touring, the S4 used to return 23mpg, the 535d returned 26mpg.
Great car but not cheap to run at all.
I would much rather get a slightly higher mileage 530d with the later 7 speed auto 'box, this will do 35mpg all day long.
Thanks mate, that's exactly the kind of info I needed. I did have concerns about fuel economy on the early 535d. Shame I cant afford an LCI model. If we end up moving I could see us using the A4 at weekends more than the 535d if it were that expensive to run- it would turn into a special occasion car if you know what I mean (I'm preparing for a much bigger mortgage here lol).
To be honest for me it would put serious questions over the purchase of a diesel when the mpg figures come out that low.
To be honest for me it would put serious questions over the purchase of a diesel when the mpg figures come out that low.
If it has to be a pre LCI it'd be the 530d for me. Actually it'd be the 530i because the N52 (or older M54) engine in the E60 530i is proven, reliable engine, but I guess thats another story. So, 530d.
Though I'm suprised you are left with this choice, I would imagine a 530d LCI can be had for the same money as a 2006 535d as the 535d's generally cost quite a bit more, unless it's not quite as nice an example I cannot see why it would be the same price as a same age 530d.
Though I'm suprised you are left with this choice, I would imagine a 530d LCI can be had for the same money as a 2006 535d as the 535d's generally cost quite a bit more, unless it's not quite as nice an example I cannot see why it would be the same price as a same age 530d.
I was stretching the budget a little for the 535d. (that's feature creep for you!) Another factor for me going for the 530d was there's 15 months remaining on the BMW Extended used car warranty. It was a godsend when my old 325d touring broke down. They gave me a hire car for 3 weeks free of charge!
The prices of both cars;-
The 535D £14,100k (after negotiation)
The 530D £13k
Both cars have left than 50k on the clock too so perfect for keeping hold of for the forseeable future. :-) Here's the 535 if anyone's interested - looks a minter.....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
The prices of both cars;-
The 535D £14,100k (after negotiation)
The 530D £13k
Both cars have left than 50k on the clock too so perfect for keeping hold of for the forseeable future. :-) Here's the 535 if anyone's interested - looks a minter.....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Edited by boyoM3 on Monday 9th April 22:01
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