BMW E60 530d - Manual or Auto?
Discussion
I'll offer an alternative view...
I hunted for a manual E39 530d when I was looking - much better fuel economy (which lets face it, is a reason for having a diesel when driving high miles), and also it is more fun - the car is lively enough, and with decent enough handling to drive like a sports car, and the manual means you get to play properly. Benefit of a big diesel is once rolling at 40mph on a motorway, you never touch the clutch anyway...
As long as you pay manual prices when buying, don't see why you'd loose out e.g:
£20k now for auto - if 15% less for a manual = £17k
3 years later, get £12k for an auto - 15% less for a manual = £10,200
You'll actually loose less by £1200...
I hunted for a manual E39 530d when I was looking - much better fuel economy (which lets face it, is a reason for having a diesel when driving high miles), and also it is more fun - the car is lively enough, and with decent enough handling to drive like a sports car, and the manual means you get to play properly. Benefit of a big diesel is once rolling at 40mph on a motorway, you never touch the clutch anyway...
As long as you pay manual prices when buying, don't see why you'd loose out e.g:
£20k now for auto - if 15% less for a manual = £17k
3 years later, get £12k for an auto - 15% less for a manual = £10,200
You'll actually loose less by £1200...
timwatsham said:
I'll offer an alternative view...
I hunted for a manual E39 530d when I was looking - much better fuel economy (which lets face it, is a reason for having a diesel when driving high miles), and also it is more fun - the car is lively enough, and with decent enough handling to drive like a sports car, and the manual means you get to play properly. Benefit of a big diesel is once rolling at 40mph on a motorway, you never touch the clutch anyway...
As long as you pay manual prices when buying, don't see why you'd loose out e.g:
£20k now for auto - if 15% less for a manual = £17k
3 years later, get £12k for an auto - 15% less for a manual = £10,200
You'll actually loose less by £1200...
It is NOT only the value when you come to sell but the saleability!!! Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT buy a manual.I hunted for a manual E39 530d when I was looking - much better fuel economy (which lets face it, is a reason for having a diesel when driving high miles), and also it is more fun - the car is lively enough, and with decent enough handling to drive like a sports car, and the manual means you get to play properly. Benefit of a big diesel is once rolling at 40mph on a motorway, you never touch the clutch anyway...
As long as you pay manual prices when buying, don't see why you'd loose out e.g:
£20k now for auto - if 15% less for a manual = £17k
3 years later, get £12k for an auto - 15% less for a manual = £10,200
You'll actually loose less by £1200...
Ive had both, manual was so much better on fuel, on a run It was always late 40"s and late 30"s round the town,even managed 32 towing !! Downsides.. Clutch went heavy after about 20k got new one fitted under warranty.Performance .. I had mine remapped and when done was as quick as my 535d I owned at the same time, Was hard work to sell though, I ended up selling my 535d and keeping the 530d. Eventually found a buyer like me that didnt want an auto.
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