Swap my 530d for a 540d? Or something else?

[Billy_Whizzzz]

I have a 2017 G31 530d and it s *fine* as a daily but pretty boring and not really that quick, tho costs peanuts to run. I have other more interesting things inc a 981 Spyder but they don t get used from Nov - March or so. Thinking of getting a G31 540i touring in the hope it will be a little faster (or at least feel it) and more fun. Or - 400d (or even an AMG 450) E Class touring has to be 4wd and relatively economical. I ve had an X3M and got bored of 20mpg and tyres lasting 6000 miles. I ve also had an M140 and a little nervous of that engine in a 540i touring being underpowered I do want 6 cylinders and German. Any thoughts?

• sorry title should say swap for a 540i*

Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Monday 29th December 17:10

[cerb4.5lee]

Both the 400d and 40d are nice diesel engines I reckon, and you can't go wrong with either. Obviously you don't get the noise like you do with the petrol 40i or 450 though.

[Deep Thought]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

I have a 2017 G31 530d and it s *fine* as a daily but pretty boring and not really that quick, tho costs peanuts to run. I have other more interesting things inc a 981 Spyder but they don t get used from Nov - March or so. Thinking of getting a G31 540i touring in the hope it will be a little faster (or at least feel it) and more fun. Or - 400d (or even an AMG 450) E Class touring has to be 4wd and relatively economical. I ve had an X3M and got bored of 20mpg and tyres lasting 6000 miles. I ve also had an M140 and a little nervous of that engine in a 540i touring being underpowered I do want 6 cylinders and German. Any thoughts?

• sorry title should say swap for a 540i*

Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Monday 29th December 17:10

E450 would be fairly rare. I've only ever seen one and it was a saloon. Local main dealer close to me had it.

C43 Estate or E43 / E53 estate would tick your german, 6 cylinder, AWD, petrol(?) boxes. I've a 2019 C43 and its a great car.

[ZX10R NIN]

E53 could tick your boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512098...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512098...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511238...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511147...

E400d, a good amount of bhp with a shed load of torque:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512088...

S6 Avant tdi, this drivetrain is only bested by the 400d drivetrain above:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512138...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511187...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509286...

Alpina D3 AWD:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511137...

[Deep Thought]

M340d.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512128...

[Gtom]

What about a remap on your existing car first?

[SlowV6]

Gtom said:

What about a remap on your existing car first?

I was thinking this too.

I have also mulled G31 530d vs 540i. I concluded the 540i was ultimately faster but you'd have to work for it and you'd use almost twice the fuel. The 530d has a significant torque advantage. Would be interested to hear what you think if you drive a 540i.

[Mr Tidy]

SlowV6 said:

Gtom said:

What about a remap on your existing car first?

I was thinking this too.

I have also mulled G31 530d vs 540i. I concluded the 540i was ultimately faster but you'd have to work for it and you'd use almost twice the fuel. The 530d has a significant torque advantage. Would be interested to hear what you think if you drive a 540i.

I thought exactly the same thing - that has to be the cheapest option!

[Mr Ship]

Just got my first ever diesel, an E400d estate. Lovely car, fast enough, does 50mpg on a decent run.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Thanks all. I think the 530d isn’t just a question of outright speed (I’ve slower cars than are more fun) but more that it is boring… I wonder if a remap would help… some good suggestions. Definitely want a 5 series size if possible, otherwise the 335/M340d would be a good shout. But engagement was why I’m wondering about the petrol 540 or e class equivalent (e43)…

[cerb4.5lee]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Thanks all. I think the 530d isn t just a question of outright speed (I ve slower cars than are more fun) but more that it is boring I wonder if a remap would help some good suggestions. Definitely want a 5 series size if possible, otherwise the 335/M340d would be a good shout. But engagement was why I m wondering about the petrol 540 or e class equivalent (e43)

I'm a big fan of a 6 cylinder diesel engine don't get me wrong, but they do lack a bit of depth in comparison to petrol though for me. So if you're wanting more fun/engagement, then I'd definitely go in the direction of petrol I think.

[occasionalranter]

I had a 2017 530d xdrive saloon and often entertained similar thoughts about the 540i, but after driving one I didn't think there was enough that was better about it to justify a change. The diesel has more of an "effortless power" feel then the petrol for everyday driving, and the petrol isn't that much faster top end to make up for it.

I absolutely loved my G30, so refined, such a stable planted machine, and so good looking compared to more recent BMW offerings, but the steering on them - especially the xdrive versions I suspect - is pretty numb.

I would live with what you've got, or just remap it to keep some sparkle in the relationship

[cerb4.5lee]

occasionalranter said:

I had a 2017 530d xdrive saloon and often entertained similar thoughts about the 540i, but after driving one I didn't think there was enough that was better about it to justify a change. The diesel has more of an "effortless power" feel then the petrol for everyday driving, and the petrol isn't that much faster top end to make up for it.

I absolutely loved my G30, so refined, such a stable planted machine, and so good looking compared to more recent BMW offerings, but the steering on them - especially the xdrive versions I suspect - is pretty numb.

I would live with what you've got, or just remap it to keep some sparkle in the relationship

That is what I like about the X5 40d as well. It just feels so torquey to me. My F82 M4 isn't exactly light on torque at 406Ib/ft, but the 531Ib/ft in the X5 just feels so much stronger though if you know what I mean?(even though it's the much heavier car in comparison).

[Pica-Pica]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Thanks all. I think the 530d isn t just a question of outright speed (I ve slower cars than are more fun) but more that it is boring I wonder if a remap would help some good suggestions. Definitely want a 5 series size if possible, otherwise the 335/M340d would be a good shout. But engagement was why I m wondering about the petrol 540 or e class equivalent (e43)

It sounds like you want a lighter smaller car, if you find the 530d boring. I don't think a remap would cure anything. I have a 335d, and it is extremely competent, with torque always available. It's smaller than a 5 series, but still not 'fun' in the sense most people mean. It's enjoyable, yes, and competent, and I will be keeping it.

[DT1975]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

I have a 2017 G31 530d and it s *fine* as a daily but pretty boring and not really that quick, tho costs peanuts to run. I have other more interesting things inc a 981 Spyder but they don t get used from Nov - March or so. Thinking of getting a G31 540i touring in the hope it will be a little faster (or at least feel it) and more fun. Or - 400d (or even an AMG 450) E Class touring has to be 4wd and relatively economical. I ve had an X3M and got bored of 20mpg and tyres lasting 6000 miles. I ve also had an M140 and a little nervous of that engine in a 540i touring being underpowered I do want 6 cylinders and German. Any thoughts?

• sorry title should say swap for a 540i*

Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Monday 29th December 17:10

I think this is the first post where I've seen someone say the B58 in anything might be underpowered. If you're worried about it these engines are easily tweaked as you're probably aware anyway. My local Indy has been running a 340i at some ludicrous BHP for years with zero issues.

Fuelwise for reference in my 340i (admittably smaller lighter etc than a 540i) I can still get mid 40's MPG on a run.

[cerb4.5lee]

Pica-Pica said:

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Thanks all. I think the 530d isn t just a question of outright speed (I ve slower cars than are more fun) but more that it is boring I wonder if a remap would help some good suggestions. Definitely want a 5 series size if possible, otherwise the 335/M340d would be a good shout. But engagement was why I m wondering about the petrol 540 or e class equivalent (e43)

It sounds like you want a lighter smaller car, if you find the 530d boring. I don't think a remap would cure anything. I have a 335d, and it is extremely competent, with torque always available. It's smaller than a 5 series, but still not 'fun' in the sense most people mean. It's enjoyable, yes, and competent, and I will be keeping it.

Spot on.

[andy43]

Pica-Pica said:

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Thanks all. I think the 530d isn t just a question of outright speed (I ve slower cars than are more fun) but more that it is boring I wonder if a remap would help some good suggestions. Definitely want a 5 series size if possible, otherwise the 335/M340d would be a good shout. But engagement was why I m wondering about the petrol 540 or e class equivalent (e43)

It sounds like you want a lighter smaller car, if you find the 530d boring. I don't think a remap would cure anything. I have a 335d, and it is extremely competent, with torque always available. It's smaller than a 5 series, but still not 'fun' in the sense most people mean. It's enjoyable, yes, and competent, and I will be keeping it.

I’d agree a 3 series or A4 sized car would give more involvement. The only way to get a 5 series size more exciting would be M, S, RS AMG etc.

[occasionalranter]

Yep, M5 CS it is then...

[nordboy]

I had my own 2020 540i touring for a couple of years. I also drove 530d's in anger in work on many occasions.

The 540 certainly wasn't slow, the advantage of the petrol was I found the handling was much better than the 530d. It's still a 5 series though so a big bus but drove really well.

I'd recommend you drive one, if you can find one to test. I thought I'd keep mine for a long time, it was only after covid and BMW asked to buy it back off me for more than I paid them for it that I got rid of it.

[Rob 131 Sport]

nordboy said:

I had my own 2020 540i touring for a couple of years. I also drove 530d's in anger in work on many occasions.

The 540 certainly wasn't slow, the advantage of the petrol was I found the handling was much better than the 530d. It's still a 5 series though so a big bus but drove really well.

I'd recommend you drive one, if you can find one to test. I thought I'd keep mine for a long time, it was only after covid and BMW asked to buy it back off me for more than I paid them for it that I got rid of it.

In 2019 I went from an E Class (E250 AMG) to a G30 530d M Sport (non C Drive) and found the performance and especially the handling a revelation.