E61 touring advice needed
Discussion
Hi all
To cut a long story short I have had a preference for rear wheel drives car for a long time I have had 3 BMW’s over the last few years (2 x 130’s and a Modified M135i)
Recently I was in a very lucky position where I could buy my dream car (lotus Evora) which I sold the M135i to be able to afford. I needed a work/ hack car so was sensible (for once) and got a 2.0 deasil 2012 mondeo estate for just over 2.5k. It is perfect in every boring way I can think of (cheap to run and repair etc) and has the added bonus that I can get my 29er mountain bike in the back without taking the wheels off!
Issue is I have had it that I am bored of it already!!
Question is will a 520d touring or ideally a 530d touring new any more fun to drive. My experience of BMW’s are small cars so be interesting to hear if a big barge can be fun to drive? Other options are to go back to a Subaru estate (legacy spec b) but fuel costs will be high but maybe off set with low/ zero depreciation or maybe even an Audi S4 with a LPG conversion caught my eye on eBay!
Not that bothered about it being quick in a straight line but want better steering feel/ a more engaging drive (a decent sound would not go a miss either!) but still good comfort and ideally a massive boot for my bike!
Cheers Paul
To cut a long story short I have had a preference for rear wheel drives car for a long time I have had 3 BMW’s over the last few years (2 x 130’s and a Modified M135i)
Recently I was in a very lucky position where I could buy my dream car (lotus Evora) which I sold the M135i to be able to afford. I needed a work/ hack car so was sensible (for once) and got a 2.0 deasil 2012 mondeo estate for just over 2.5k. It is perfect in every boring way I can think of (cheap to run and repair etc) and has the added bonus that I can get my 29er mountain bike in the back without taking the wheels off!
Issue is I have had it that I am bored of it already!!
Question is will a 520d touring or ideally a 530d touring new any more fun to drive. My experience of BMW’s are small cars so be interesting to hear if a big barge can be fun to drive? Other options are to go back to a Subaru estate (legacy spec b) but fuel costs will be high but maybe off set with low/ zero depreciation or maybe even an Audi S4 with a LPG conversion caught my eye on eBay!
Not that bothered about it being quick in a straight line but want better steering feel/ a more engaging drive (a decent sound would not go a miss either!) but still good comfort and ideally a massive boot for my bike!
Cheers Paul
Edited by paul n on Sunday 17th January 19:22
I used to have an E61 530i, pre-LCI. It was big, comfy, quiet, fast enough etc etc. I would say it was probably more exciting to drive than a Mondeo estate and made a lovely noise with the N52 straight six. It's not a sports car though. Steering feel is reasonable for its type (better than my F31 340i that replaced the E61) but you can feel its weight.
They aren't cheap to run now - even the very last cars are going to be 11 years old this year and they are complex cars. None of them are perfect but the 530s (petrol and diesel) are the pick in terms of longevity. All of them suffer from various suspension, electrical and other maladies though.
They aren't cheap to run now - even the very last cars are going to be 11 years old this year and they are complex cars. None of them are perfect but the 530s (petrol and diesel) are the pick in terms of longevity. All of them suffer from various suspension, electrical and other maladies though.
Cheers for the reply
I had the n52 engine in my 130’s and loved it but they are hard to find in the bigger cars (330i and 530i) As you say they are big cars and are never going to handle that well! I might look at 330d’s again but they are smaller in the back and means taking the front wheel off the bike 😭 either that or except that the mondeo is the perfect tool for what I need it for and just deal with the blandness!
Cheers Paul
I had the n52 engine in my 130’s and loved it but they are hard to find in the bigger cars (330i and 530i) As you say they are big cars and are never going to handle that well! I might look at 330d’s again but they are smaller in the back and means taking the front wheel off the bike 😭 either that or except that the mondeo is the perfect tool for what I need it for and just deal with the blandness!
Cheers Paul
I have a late N53 530i with the sport auto option *, the engine is lovely and I'd say it feels competent rather than exciting to drive. Quite a practical thing, it will swallow a 6ft fridge freezer for example. It is over 100K miles now and I had to replace the front springs and dampers, get some modules in the boot replaced after one of the drains blocked and the boot well flooded, at the moment the auxilary power has a short somewhere and just blows a pair of 20A fuses in about 30 seconds.
I bought it for £10K a few years ago and the way I see it is it was a reasonably pricey car which feels as good to drive as it did new, but for less than a quarter of the price. I don't really keep track, but servicing and repairs have been under £2k in the nearly 4 years I've had it.
* a rather rare option unfortunately, not essential, makes the steering a little heavier, but mainly keeps the car in the right gear to accelerate out of bends.
I bought it for £10K a few years ago and the way I see it is it was a reasonably pricey car which feels as good to drive as it did new, but for less than a quarter of the price. I don't really keep track, but servicing and repairs have been under £2k in the nearly 4 years I've had it.
* a rather rare option unfortunately, not essential, makes the steering a little heavier, but mainly keeps the car in the right gear to accelerate out of bends.
I had an E61 535d for 4 years and it was a mighty car. Once it was remapped the engines delivery was very similar to the E39 M5 it replaced.
I think for that genre and price range of car I don’t think you’ll find anything more interesting.
Ditch the run flats if it has them - this made a huge difference with mine and it will feel even better again.
There’s an inspection panel under the ROS wheel to see if you have the air suspension braided hose upgrade - if you don’t they can perish and suck air into the pump and ruin it and as mentioned the sunroof drains.
You can help this by pulling out the drain tubes in the boot cubby holes which in turn pulls off the restricting caps which causes the water to back up and flood the boot.
Anyway, I go on.
I think for that genre and price range of car I don’t think you’ll find anything more interesting.
Ditch the run flats if it has them - this made a huge difference with mine and it will feel even better again.
There’s an inspection panel under the ROS wheel to see if you have the air suspension braided hose upgrade - if you don’t they can perish and suck air into the pump and ruin it and as mentioned the sunroof drains.
You can help this by pulling out the drain tubes in the boot cubby holes which in turn pulls off the restricting caps which causes the water to back up and flood the boot.
Anyway, I go on.
tempted by a 535d but the early ones i can afford seem really thirsty and at point i would probably look to get a petrol instead as i prefer petrol but would just go deasil for better fuel consumption. also i have driven a remapped 335d and it was as near as damn it as fast as i my mapped M135i and one of the reasons i got rid of that was i was worried about losing my licence! just too bloody fast in a straight line/ as higher speeds. Lotus is the opposite, fast lower down but runs out of puff and the joy is in the handling/ steering feel!
This all being said if a good 535d came up i would be tempted to stretch the budget,
what is the best place to look for enthusiast owned cars for sale? always used Baby bmw for the 1 series, assuming there is an equivalent for the 5 series?
Cheers Paul
This all being said if a good 535d came up i would be tempted to stretch the budget,
what is the best place to look for enthusiast owned cars for sale? always used Baby bmw for the 1 series, assuming there is an equivalent for the 5 series?
Cheers Paul
MajorBeef said:
I had an E61 535d for 4 years and it was a mighty car. Once it was remapped the engines delivery was very similar to the E39 M5 it replaced.
I think for that genre and price range of car I don’t think you’ll find anything more interesting.
Ditch the run flats if it has them - this made a huge difference with mine and it will feel even better again.
There’s an inspection panel under the ROS wheel to see if you have the air suspension braided hose upgrade - if you don’t they can perish and suck air into the pump and ruin it and as mentioned the sunroof drains.
You can help this by pulling out the drain tubes in the boot cubby holes which in turn pulls off the restricting caps which causes the water to back up and flood the boot.
Anyway, I go on.
I think for that genre and price range of car I don’t think you’ll find anything more interesting.
Ditch the run flats if it has them - this made a huge difference with mine and it will feel even better again.
There’s an inspection panel under the ROS wheel to see if you have the air suspension braided hose upgrade - if you don’t they can perish and suck air into the pump and ruin it and as mentioned the sunroof drains.
You can help this by pulling out the drain tubes in the boot cubby holes which in turn pulls off the restricting caps which causes the water to back up and flood the boot.
Anyway, I go on.
The N53 has lean or Stratified burn to improve the MPG on cruise.
However, this relies on both the NOX cat and sensors working and either of those may have failed in an older car, you get an Aging NOX cat warning through obd scanners. If the car thinks the cat isn't working it won't engage stratified burn so you definitely won't get 40mpg. I get around 30 - 33 mpg cruising at 75-78mph depending on the weather and traffic because mine won't run lean. Replacing them can be quite spendy, there is a box of tricks to replace the NOX sensor module which will convince the car everything is fine, but that is still several hundred. Doesn't bother me because I don't do many miles anyway, but worth knowing how to check for it when buying.
Mine is an early LCI so it has the older DVD based nav rather than the HD one the very last of them came with. N53 530i M-Sports are like rocking horse poo, only about 70 on the road according to how many left, I was really lucky to find the one I have now a few weeks after my first was stolen five months after I bought it. I checked for a while after and none came up again for months, but then 90% of E61s are Diesels.
Just get the V8, you know you want to
However, this relies on both the NOX cat and sensors working and either of those may have failed in an older car, you get an Aging NOX cat warning through obd scanners. If the car thinks the cat isn't working it won't engage stratified burn so you definitely won't get 40mpg. I get around 30 - 33 mpg cruising at 75-78mph depending on the weather and traffic because mine won't run lean. Replacing them can be quite spendy, there is a box of tricks to replace the NOX sensor module which will convince the car everything is fine, but that is still several hundred. Doesn't bother me because I don't do many miles anyway, but worth knowing how to check for it when buying.
Mine is an early LCI so it has the older DVD based nav rather than the HD one the very last of them came with. N53 530i M-Sports are like rocking horse poo, only about 70 on the road according to how many left, I was really lucky to find the one I have now a few weeks after my first was stolen five months after I bought it. I checked for a while after and none came up again for months, but then 90% of E61s are Diesels.
Just get the V8, you know you want to
don't tempt me! the V8 itch is strong but I can't have a V8 and a lotus I think my bank account would melt! ha ha
will keep researching
Cheers Paul
will keep researching
Cheers Paul
Toltec said:
The N53 has lean or Stratified burn to improve the MPG on cruise.
However, this relies on both the NOX cat and sensors working and either of those may have failed in an older car, you get an Aging NOX cat warning through obd scanners. If the car thinks the cat isn't working it won't engage stratified burn so you definitely won't get 40mpg. I get around 30 - 33 mpg cruising at 75-78mph depending on the weather and traffic because mine won't run lean. Replacing them can be quite spendy, there is a box of tricks to replace the NOX sensor module which will convince the car everything is fine, but that is still several hundred. Doesn't bother me because I don't do many miles anyway, but worth knowing how to check for it when buying.
Mine is an early LCI so it has the older DVD based nav rather than the HD one the very last of them came with. N53 530i M-Sports are like rocking horse poo, only about 70 on the road according to how many left, I was really lucky to find the one I have now a few weeks after my first was stolen five months after I bought it. I checked for a while after and none came up again for months, but then 90% of E61s are Diesels.
Just get the V8, you know you want to
However, this relies on both the NOX cat and sensors working and either of those may have failed in an older car, you get an Aging NOX cat warning through obd scanners. If the car thinks the cat isn't working it won't engage stratified burn so you definitely won't get 40mpg. I get around 30 - 33 mpg cruising at 75-78mph depending on the weather and traffic because mine won't run lean. Replacing them can be quite spendy, there is a box of tricks to replace the NOX sensor module which will convince the car everything is fine, but that is still several hundred. Doesn't bother me because I don't do many miles anyway, but worth knowing how to check for it when buying.
Mine is an early LCI so it has the older DVD based nav rather than the HD one the very last of them came with. N53 530i M-Sports are like rocking horse poo, only about 70 on the road according to how many left, I was really lucky to find the one I have now a few weeks after my first was stolen five months after I bought it. I checked for a while after and none came up again for months, but then 90% of E61s are Diesels.
Just get the V8, you know you want to
redandwhite said:
I would keep the mondeo, sounds like it does everything you need.
You already have your fun car , so why also have a (little bit more fun) daily - stick with what you have and save your money.
A mondeo was by backup choice if I couldn't find an e61, would have been half the age and miles for similar money. You already have your fun car , so why also have a (little bit more fun) daily - stick with what you have and save your money.
yes this is the sensible choice and that was the plan but i do a decent amount of miles for work on some really nice roads and to be honest i thought the Mondeo would handle better as they seem to have a good reputation for handling but maybe it is just that i have come from a 1 series previously so any big car is going to feel cumbersome?!
redandwhite said:
I would keep the mondeo, sounds like it does everything you need.
You already have your fun car , so why also have a (little bit more fun) daily - stick with what you have and save your money.
You already have your fun car , so why also have a (little bit more fun) daily - stick with what you have and save your money.
My wife has a 325ti and while my 530i is a lot faster you cannot drive it the same way, you feel the size and moment of inertia. Definitely more fast A road than country lane car, while it can be hustled it isn't as pleasant to do so. Competent, comfortable and enjoyable to drive, definitely not boring, but not fun in the same way as a smaller car can be.
The later 3 series are nearly as big inside though so that might worth considering.
The later 3 series are nearly as big inside though so that might worth considering.
Edited by Toltec on Tuesday 19th January 20:58
the new 3 series is a good shout as the only thing that puts me of about getting a e91 330d is the space in the back for the bike.
Cheers Paul
Cheers Paul
Toltec said:
My wife has a 325ti and while my 530i is a lot faster you cannot drive it the same way, you feel the size and moment of inertia. Definitely more fast A road than country lane car, while it can be hustled it isn't as pleasant to do so. Competent, comfortable and enjoyable to drive, definitely not boring, but not fun in the same way as a smaller car can be.
The later 3 series are nearly as big inside though so that might worth considering.
The later 3 series are nearly as big inside though so that might worth considering.
Edited by Toltec on Tuesday 19th January 20:58
530i Touring LCI with a manual box here. As others have said, no sports car but still can be made to hustle when in the mood. LCI electric power steering is lighter than pre-LCI which I think was hydraulic, meaning it loses some of the feel and heft - some prefer it though. Mine doesn't have the pan roof which seems to be a good thing as they can cause issues galore. N53 engine is a peach and loves to rev, I find the gear ratios on the manual 'box close to perfect - the box itself is typical BMW, notchy in lower gears but nice to use higher up.
530d's were always seen as the pick of the range by the motoring press a few years back - pretty much all the real world pace of the 535d but less thirsty.
A further bonus of the E60 generation is that they seem to resist rust very well (unlike the E39 that came before). Helped by the aluminium front wings and bonnet of course!
530d's were always seen as the pick of the range by the motoring press a few years back - pretty much all the real world pace of the 535d but less thirsty.
A further bonus of the E60 generation is that they seem to resist rust very well (unlike the E39 that came before). Helped by the aluminium front wings and bonnet of course!
Check out the 5series uk forum. forum.bmw5.co.uk - really good bunch over there. Lots of useful advice.
I was really interested in this https://www.silverstreetcarsales.co.uk/used-cars/b... It is a unicorn.
I saw it on eBay from a private sale at £5750. Missed my chance to get it, it now pops up on AT. Really overpriced. It’s not a 2010 car. It’s got the older iDrive. I think when I checked the options it’s really a 2007/08 model year car.
Spoke to the dealer, said there’s lots of interest.... yet, there it is, still there 2 weeks after I made an offer on it. Hmmmm.
I was really interested in this https://www.silverstreetcarsales.co.uk/used-cars/b... It is a unicorn.
I saw it on eBay from a private sale at £5750. Missed my chance to get it, it now pops up on AT. Really overpriced. It’s not a 2010 car. It’s got the older iDrive. I think when I checked the options it’s really a 2007/08 model year car.
Spoke to the dealer, said there’s lots of interest.... yet, there it is, still there 2 weeks after I made an offer on it. Hmmmm.
That's nice but as you say abit pricy!
Cheers Paul
Cheers Paul
88LG said:
Check out the 5series uk forum. forum.bmw5.co.uk - really good bunch over there. Lots of useful advice.
I was really interested in this https://www.silverstreetcarsales.co.uk/used-cars/b... It is a unicorn.
I saw it on eBay from a private sale at £5750. Missed my chance to get it, it now pops up on AT. Really overpriced. It’s not a 2010 car. It’s got the older iDrive. I think when I checked the options it’s really a 2007/08 model year car.
Spoke to the dealer, said there’s lots of interest.... yet, there it is, still there 2 weeks after I made an offer on it. Hmmmm.
I was really interested in this https://www.silverstreetcarsales.co.uk/used-cars/b... It is a unicorn.
I saw it on eBay from a private sale at £5750. Missed my chance to get it, it now pops up on AT. Really overpriced. It’s not a 2010 car. It’s got the older iDrive. I think when I checked the options it’s really a 2007/08 model year car.
Spoke to the dealer, said there’s lots of interest.... yet, there it is, still there 2 weeks after I made an offer on it. Hmmmm.
a cheap unicorn!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-5-Series-3-0-530i-L...
not for me as i think i would want the manual box with the petrol and a auto with the deasil also i think my wife would leave me if i bought a car without heated seats!
could be a good project for somebody thou!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-5-Series-3-0-530i-L...
not for me as i think i would want the manual box with the petrol and a auto with the deasil also i think my wife would leave me if i bought a car without heated seats!
could be a good project for somebody thou!
88LG said:
Check out the 5series uk forum. forum.bmw5.co.uk - really good bunch over there. Lots of useful advice.
I was really interested in this https://www.silverstreetcarsales.co.uk/used-cars/b... It is a unicorn.
I saw it on eBay from a private sale at £5750. Missed my chance to get it, it now pops up on AT. Really overpriced. It’s not a 2010 car. It’s got the older iDrive. I think when I checked the options it’s really a 2007/08 model year car.
Spoke to the dealer, said there’s lots of interest.... yet, there it is, still there 2 weeks after I made an offer on it. Hmmmm.
I was really interested in this https://www.silverstreetcarsales.co.uk/used-cars/b... It is a unicorn.
I saw it on eBay from a private sale at £5750. Missed my chance to get it, it now pops up on AT. Really overpriced. It’s not a 2010 car. It’s got the older iDrive. I think when I checked the options it’s really a 2007/08 model year car.
Spoke to the dealer, said there’s lots of interest.... yet, there it is, still there 2 weeks after I made an offer on it. Hmmmm.
I have a 535d M sport LCi tourer still in the family. Just turned over 133k miles. Its just had lower front arms, its also had glow plugs and control unit this year. It's been reliable over the 7yrs we've had it, a few more age related worn out bits over things like tyres & discs. Overall returns about 33 mpg, will do 40 mpg on a run. Had a 530d that was stolen, the 535d has a lot more mid range. Will change for a G series when repairs get silly, although with current lack of driving of all cars in the family, completely pointless at the moment.
Its not a sporty drive, but highly competent and uneventful. Not as comfortable or as quiet as the 7 series, but good for family holidays. Can be 5 up, roofbox, bikes on towbar and it really shouldn't go as well as it does. Rock solid at autobahn speeds. A 2012 mondeo estate is bigger inside though.
Its not a sporty drive, but highly competent and uneventful. Not as comfortable or as quiet as the 7 series, but good for family holidays. Can be 5 up, roofbox, bikes on towbar and it really shouldn't go as well as it does. Rock solid at autobahn speeds. A 2012 mondeo estate is bigger inside though.
paul n said:
a cheap unicorn!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-5-Series-3-0-530i-L...
not for me as i think i would want the manual box with the petrol and a auto with the deasil also i think my wife would leave me if i bought a car without heated seats!
could be a good project for somebody thou!
Looks like it only has the basic aircon with the rotary controls. Plus the massive cubby hole in the centre console. Makes the interior look cheap imo. Plus no xenons and as you rightly mention, no heated seats (imo, now having experienced, defo an essential item). https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-5-Series-3-0-530i-L...
not for me as i think i would want the manual box with the petrol and a auto with the deasil also i think my wife would leave me if i bought a car without heated seats!
could be a good project for somebody thou!
I've got the 550i which certainly fulfils the noise component of your requirements 
Economy-wise it can almost match the 530i on steady A-road/motorway cruises, but obviously that's dependant on conservative use of the throttle; if your commute involves anything other than the above you'll be better off in the 530i/530D depending on your preference.
As for the rest of the car, they're comfy, practical, and whilst not what you would call "sporting" they can be thrown around enough to make a spirited drive enjoyable. Mine's an SE but with the Dynamic Drive gubbins that tightens up when cornering, so it's nice and compliant when pottering about (ditch the run-flats as has been alluded to above, this helps!) but when cornering hard you don't get the body-roll that you would expect from a large heavy estate car. If you can find a car that has this specced I'd definitely recommend it.
Comfort seats with the heat/vent/massage functions are nice as well
I've had mine for a little over 3 years now and barring a total loss I can't see myself replacing it any time soon, they're a lot of car for the money these days and I don't think I can think of another car that gives the same all-round package for similar cost.
Economy-wise it can almost match the 530i on steady A-road/motorway cruises, but obviously that's dependant on conservative use of the throttle; if your commute involves anything other than the above you'll be better off in the 530i/530D depending on your preference.
As for the rest of the car, they're comfy, practical, and whilst not what you would call "sporting" they can be thrown around enough to make a spirited drive enjoyable. Mine's an SE but with the Dynamic Drive gubbins that tightens up when cornering, so it's nice and compliant when pottering about (ditch the run-flats as has been alluded to above, this helps!) but when cornering hard you don't get the body-roll that you would expect from a large heavy estate car. If you can find a car that has this specced I'd definitely recommend it.
Comfort seats with the heat/vent/massage functions are nice as well
I've had mine for a little over 3 years now and barring a total loss I can't see myself replacing it any time soon, they're a lot of car for the money these days and I don't think I can think of another car that gives the same all-round package for similar cost.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff