G30 540i

[scottygib553]

BMW beards, please help.

I'm looking for a family estate and I really like the G30 Touring. It has to be petrol and while I'm looking around at 520i and 530i.........I can't help but notice how (seemingly) well priced 540i are. Is there something about them that hits residuals or where they just heavily discounted/lease specialed?

Also.....has anyone done a remap!?

We do only 5k a year, with the highlight being one or two trips to France so a 520/530 would be fine......I'm just looking for a reason not to get the 540

[rassi]

I have had mine since October, and a big step up in tech, fit & finish and comfort from my F31 335d.

The engine is great but almost silent apart from cold start. More limo than racer, and turbine like. Can’t help but think that EVOs review was correct, and that it is too discreet. Also never understood why it has 450 nm when the 140i had 500 nm. A 3 litre turbo diesel certainly has more midrange punch.

But if you are intent on a petrol, the 540 is definitely a better choice than a 520 or 530i, and with your annual mileage fuel cost is no concern.

[scottygib553]

rassi said:

I have had mine since October, and a big step up in tech, fit & finish and comfort from my F31 335d.

The engine is great but almost silent apart from cold start. More limo than racer, and turbine like. Can’t help but think that EVOs review was correct, and that it is too discreet. Also never understood why it has 450 nm when the 140i had 500 nm. A 3 litre turbo diesel certainly has more midrange punch.

But if you are intent on a petrol, the 540 is definitely a better choice than a 520 or 530i, and with your annual mileage fuel cost is no concern.

Thanks, that is more or less what I was expecting (hoping!) to hear based on the reviews.

[toon10]

scottygib553 said:

rassi said:

I have had mine since October, and a big step up in tech, fit & finish and comfort from my F31 335d.

The engine is great but almost silent apart from cold start. More limo than racer, and turbine like. Can’t help but think that EVOs review was correct, and that it is too discreet. Also never understood why it has 450 nm when the 140i had 500 nm. A 3 litre turbo diesel certainly has more midrange punch.

But if you are intent on a petrol, the 540 is definitely a better choice than a 520 or 530i, and with your annual mileage fuel cost is no concern.

Thanks, that is more or less what I was expecting (hoping!) to hear based on the reviews.

If you can get the B58 then I would. As mentioned, for your mileage fuel costs are not a worry. I went from an M135i to the 540i xDrive. Again, it's a huge step up in quality and tech. I actually like that it's more discreet although mine is a bit less subtle looking than others. It's not a dramatic car at all but very competant. The engine lacks a sporty tone but once spooled up, it is pretty relentless. The first week I had mine I had an A road acceleration test (to 70 of course) with a V6 F Type and although that car sounded and looked great, in a straight line it came short. Not by a lot mind but it is a good measure of the car. It's a comfy cruiser with plenty of luxury and tech (for me at least) but when you want to get going, it goes.

[nordboy]

As above really, being pedantic, the touring is the G31, the saloon is the G30.

Anyway, mines great, quality and interior has really improved IMO. Handles and rides well (even in msport spec, on 20" runflats), I'm still running mine in at the moment, but even so, it's quick. I did think about a chip/ tune, but to be totally honest, in the real world, it really doesn't doesn't need it. More than quick enough.

I had a great deal on mine, I originally ordered a 530d msport touring, but the dealer cocked the order up so offered me the deal on the 540, which if it had been in what I thought my budget was, I would have been my preference anyway. The deal was so good, It ended up as cheap as the 530d, which I also got a good deal on. Maybe I haven't got all the extras spec wise, but I have what I need and if I spec'd all the extras I dread to think how much it would cost!!

[toon10]

To pick up on nordboy's comment about the sport trim. The car handles really well and the ride is pretty good for the setup although if comfort is your thing, I'd maybe think about a more comfortable trim with smaller wheels. My mate has a 520d (none sport) and as you'd expect, the ride is better.

Pic of my saloon version for attention.

[david-j8694]

toon10 said:

To pick up on nordboy's comment about the sport trim. The car handles really well and the ride is pretty good for the setup although if comfort is your thing, I'd maybe think about a more comfortable trim with smaller wheels. My mate has a 520d (none sport) and as you'd expect, the ride is better.

Pic of my saloon version for attention.

That car looks the tits.

[scottygib553]

toon10 said:

To pick up on nordboy's comment about the sport trim. The car handles really well and the ride is pretty good for the setup although if comfort is your thing, I'd maybe think about a more comfortable trim with smaller wheels. My mate has a 520d (none sport) and as you'd expect, the ride is better.

Pic of my saloon version for attention.

Great colour/wheel choice