E61 530d vs F11 530d

[Obee72]

Think I'm pretty much set on one of these but would be good to hear any views/experiences.

I'm currently looking at a '10 E61 530d with 65k and '11 F11 530d with about 76k. I've heard the E61 might be a better drive but the F11 is a much more modern car.

Any advice would be appreciated ?

[naturalaspiration]

Best to try both and see what you fancy. F1x has 8 speed gearbox which is much better than the old 6 speed unit in E6x And if you go for a facelift F1x than you're getting the Euro 6 compliance - free entry into ULEZ. F feels bigger but also quieter.

[Obee72]

I don’t think LCI F11’s are in my budget to be honest. Interesting point of ULEZ though but I don’t drive into cities that often and if with work, can claim for it.

High milers, > 100k, putting me off some.

[sp222]

I had an E61 525d (57' M Sport) and then moved to an F11 530d (11' M Sport too).

It's going back a few years now but here are a few thoughts:

530d F11 at that point would mainly have the 245bhp engine although it changed around then to about 258 - mine was 245 and it was fine.. It may have been the same engine as in the E61 530d

A lot of chat on the F11 suggested it was st without adaptive dampers - again, mine didn't have these and the ride and general control was much better than the E61 - probably mainly due to better RFT tyres that they both had (E61 on 18's, F11 on 19's).

Interior of the F11 was a definite improvement on the E61 and idrive was a big step up (my E61 was LCI)

Auto gearbox was massively better, being the ZF 8 Speed on the F11

If I had to choose again in your position, I wouldn't hestitate to go for the F11.

Good luck!

[Obee72]

Thanks for the feedback. Went to test drive a 10 plate e61 today. Its going for £10750 and whilst nice inside, the exterior needed some attention, especially the bonnet which needed a respray. Couple of other marks noticed and the FBMWSH described wan't quite so. Only one stamp in the book and an email from BMW detailing its history with a 3 year/20k gap in history. Enough for me to walk away.

The steering felt a bit strange though and I've read it needs some movement and not as sensitive as you'd expect. The search goes on for an F11 now I think ....

[vanscm]

I’ve been looking at this car as well and if it’s the same one you saved me a 4 hour drive, thanks!
I’m pretty much in the same boat having looked at a few e60s - a 535d in congleton with a pretty glaringly obvious low power issue and a lovely looking e60 530i in Loughborough which I bought, then returned 36 hours later after I got EML light and misfire and didn’t want the hassle of sorting it with the seller. Some dogs out there!

[Touring442]

Obee72 said:

I've heard the E61 might be a better drive

Ignore anyone who says that. They're not. I run one and the ride is appalling, the 6 speed auto old and lazy and as for nearly 11 grand for one - forget it.

Edited by Touring442 on Wednesday 29th May 18:11

[bigdom]

vanscm said:

535d in congleton with a pretty glaringly obvious low power issue

Likely to be the low pressure hoses, I had this on my tow car. It could be a crack on the inlet manifold, although my money would be on the former. Even at an indie, it's only a few hundred to fix. This car has around 122k on it now, and will still happily go off the clock. Whilst the 8 speed's in the household are more seamless on changes, I quite like the slight laziness in it's approach.