Which v6 3.0 (30d v 40i)?

[thebullettrain]

Hello

I’m looking at buying a nearly new BMW, quite possibly a 5 series (but an X5, X6, 6GT or a 7 are on the long list).

I’ve previously had a E90 525 and a F10 535. However, I’m unsure whether to go diesel or petrol. I do around 10k miles a year and probably will run this car for 4 years. My biggest concern is being able to take it into London Town on the weekends etc.

As an aside, I do think the 740d looks good (rather the 7), but I’m unsure if that becomes too big for London driving.

[helix402]

BMWs 6s are straight.

[MikeM6]

For 10k miles a year I would be looking at a 40i, so petrol over diesel.

[Pica-Pica]

helix402 said:

BMWs 6s are straight.

...and a protected characteristic.

[toon10]

I've had a few 6 pot BMW's but with 10k miles I wouldn't be considering a diesel . I have the 540i xDrive and the B58 is a real gem.

[thebullettrain]

toon10 said:

I've had a few 6 pot BMW's but with 10k miles I wouldn't be considering a diesel . I have the 540i xDrive and the B58 is a real gem.

Thanks, does it have sufficient power and what MpG do you get?

I’m test driving one next week so I’ll have a better view then but I really want it to sound deep and raspy.

Any thoughts on must have spec?

[toon10]

thebullettrain said:

Thanks, does it have sufficient power and what MpG do you get?

I’m test driving one next week so I’ll have a better view then but I really want it to sound deep and raspy.

Any thoughts on must have spec?

I get about 28 mpg but that's mainly town and short dual carriageway stretches. They are known to do a lot more on a run. It has plenty of power and torque (340 and 332 from <1400 rpm). 0-60 is a claimed 4.8 but it feels faster with the xDrive. I had a run with a nice bloke in an F-Type Jag which has the exact same power figure and although I didn't destroy him, I did out drag him.

The engine is quite muted in the 5 but then it's supposed to be a more luxurious cruiser than a sports car. My old M135i was a lot more anti-social on the exhaust front.

Spec wise, they already come with a lot out of the box. Mine has HK, pro nav, heated memory seats, Adaptive LED lights, connected drive, parking camera and 360 sensors, etc. I went for the mSport stuff so the bigger wheels, brakes, boot lid spoiler, side decals, etc. It makes the car a lot meaner.

[gizlaroc]

thebullettrain said:

Hello

I’m looking at buying a nearly new BMW, quite possibly a 5 series (but an X5, X6, 6GT or a 7 are on the long list).

I’ve previously had a E90 525 and a F10 535.

E90 is 3 series.

525 could be i or d?

F10 535 could be i or d?


I would go 540i over 530d every time.

You are talking about a car that will be losing £5k a year, will cost maybe £1000 for tyres and servicing, the you have insurance on top at £500.

The difference between someone doing 10k miles a year between the 530d and 530i, will be what £32 a week in diesel vs £38 a week for the pertol?

Plus in 3 years time the petrol will be worth far more than the cost saving the diesel offered. So I bet it is cheaper overall ownership experience.
So cost really doesn't come into it.


The petrol is so much nicer around town, and then more fun when you want to go for a blat too.

[thebullettrain]

gizlaroc said:

thebullettrain said:

Hello

I’m looking at buying a nearly new BMW, quite possibly a 5 series (but an X5, X6, 6GT or a 7 are on the long list).

I’ve previously had a E90 525 and a F10 535.

E90 is 3 series.

525 could be i or d?

F10 535 could be i or d?


I would go 540i over 530d every time.

You are talking about a car that will be losing £5k a year, will cost maybe £1000 for tyres and servicing, the you have insurance on top at £500.

The difference between someone doing 10k miles a year between the 530d and 530i, will be what £32 a week in diesel vs £38 a week for the pertol?

Plus in 3 years time the petrol will be worth far more than the cost saving the diesel offered. So I bet it is cheaper overall ownership experience.
So cost really doesn't come into it.


The petrol is so much nicer around town, and then more fun when you want to go for a blat too.

Thanks

It was an E60 535d, which was a 3.0 at the time. The F10 535 was a diesel too.

So I guess I’m bit diesel biased (tho it’s purely due to the power that at least the 535d had).

[Court_S]

I’d also take the 40i. The B58 is a great engine with plenty of power and works really well with the ZF8 auto.

The 30d is a good engine ion it’s own right but there’s no mistaking it’s a diesel. I’d have to be doing far more than 10k a year to take the 30d.

[Mr Tidy]

For 10K miles a year I'd always go for the petrol option!

Plus it'll be more fun when you get an open road, and no ULEZ issues.

[chapscrap]

Straight 6 is an endangered species, - too inefficient.
I reckon that in 10 years everything will be small 3 or 4 pot turbos+electric, or all electric.
However cars weighing 2 tonnes will be the norm (batteries), co2 will increase, (as it already is) and driving for fun will disappear.
The snowflake generation won’t care as it’s got 3 touchscreens, led ambient lighting, androidcarplayselfdrivingautonomyPlugin+ does 550 mpg (according to EU emissions testing) and only costs £400 a month to rent and they can have a new one every 3 years.
The glory days of internal combustion are numbered.
I’m afraid that until the major polluters, China, North America, India, etc lower industrial emmisions we’re just pi@%ing in the wind, but the motorist/transport, as usual, is an easy target