BMW335d,535d Question
Discussion
I am sure this question must have asked a hundred times before.
Have 20k to spend on a car for my wife she is dead set on a BMW 335d i would prefer the 535d just for more leg room currently she averages 15k miles a year ,is it cost effective to still think oil burner or do we look at petrol?
Have 20k to spend on a car for my wife she is dead set on a BMW 335d i would prefer the 535d just for more leg room currently she averages 15k miles a year ,is it cost effective to still think oil burner or do we look at petrol?
charlie1bike said:
I am sure this question must have asked a hundred times before.
Have 20k to spend on a car for my wife she is dead set on a BMW 335d i would prefer the 535d just for more leg room currently she averages 15k miles a year ,is it cost effective to still think oil burner or do we look at petrol?
The issue you will face is that the LCI 5 Series is a noticeably better car than the pre LCI one, even though on paper the differences are more subtle. It is better made, the interior is less wacky, etc.Have 20k to spend on a car for my wife she is dead set on a BMW 335d i would prefer the 535d just for more leg room currently she averages 15k miles a year ,is it cost effective to still think oil burner or do we look at petrol?
However the 535d is particulary sought after so can cost quite a bit - you wont get an LCI 535d for your budget. You will, however, get an LCI 530i, which would be my choice on 15k a year. Especially given how remarkably frugal the newer N53 petrol engines are.
You can replace '535d' for '335d' and my advice is largely the same though unfortunately you wont get any decent engined LCI 3 Series for under £20k yet as they are too new - the facelift happened in late 2008.
All i can add is i recently bought a 335d for just over 20k.
It was a 2007 plate, with 29k on the clock, Nav, SE, 19 230 wheels, factory sun glass, voice control, bluetooth, heated seats, black leather. In great condition, had 2 new rear tyres. Probably some stuff i forgot about but there are some good buys to be found.
As for 15k PA i do around this, a bit less. Fuel wise its astonishing for what it is. It does 43-45mpg on my daily commute which is town and a-road. 47 down the m1 and 35mpg on a b road blast which does include slipping back into D when following traffic or going through villages. So the economy is there.
As for space in my e92 coupe, the back 2 seats are big and have enough space. The boot is big enough for a few bags; i'm sure you have seen all of this anyway. The legroom is fine, my mrs feels very comfortable and the space in the back is enough for the kids.
I have no idea what the older 535's are like but i can imagine the only reason you would buy it is if you needed space and a 3rd back seat. In which case then why no the touring?
As for cost effectiveness, my mileage is quite low for a diesel but to be honest, i was looking for a 330i to start with. I wanted the new engine 272ps i think?? Well they were around the same price as some 335d's. Then along came a low-ish mileage 07 335d. Therefore, i've got a very decent all rounder for the same ish cost as the 330i but i reckon the 330i would have given me low ish 30's mpg, the test drive car i drove was doing high 20's. So i'm doing 10 more mpg and the tax and insurance is all similar. Service costs probably similar too.
It was a 2007 plate, with 29k on the clock, Nav, SE, 19 230 wheels, factory sun glass, voice control, bluetooth, heated seats, black leather. In great condition, had 2 new rear tyres. Probably some stuff i forgot about but there are some good buys to be found.
As for 15k PA i do around this, a bit less. Fuel wise its astonishing for what it is. It does 43-45mpg on my daily commute which is town and a-road. 47 down the m1 and 35mpg on a b road blast which does include slipping back into D when following traffic or going through villages. So the economy is there.
As for space in my e92 coupe, the back 2 seats are big and have enough space. The boot is big enough for a few bags; i'm sure you have seen all of this anyway. The legroom is fine, my mrs feels very comfortable and the space in the back is enough for the kids.
I have no idea what the older 535's are like but i can imagine the only reason you would buy it is if you needed space and a 3rd back seat. In which case then why no the touring?
As for cost effectiveness, my mileage is quite low for a diesel but to be honest, i was looking for a 330i to start with. I wanted the new engine 272ps i think?? Well they were around the same price as some 335d's. Then along came a low-ish mileage 07 335d. Therefore, i've got a very decent all rounder for the same ish cost as the 330i but i reckon the 330i would have given me low ish 30's mpg, the test drive car i drove was doing high 20's. So i'm doing 10 more mpg and the tax and insurance is all similar. Service costs probably similar too.
Edited by briers on Monday 28th June 13:28
My pre LCI 535d MS is doing around 32mpg over a tank, it drops to 24-26 around town, but I’m not one to hang around at traffic lights etc. I can see 40 if i stick to 70 mph on the motorway.
Love the 535, had a 323 (e46) a few years back and just helped a friend buy a 330d. Nice cars but i would rather stick with my E60 all day long.
It has plenty of space, plenty of power and costs are not too high.
I swapped a E60 530d SE for the 535d. Loved my 530 but compared to a M Sport spec it showed its flaws, thankfully i never knew them until i get the 535!!!
Love the 535, had a 323 (e46) a few years back and just helped a friend buy a 330d. Nice cars but i would rather stick with my E60 all day long.
It has plenty of space, plenty of power and costs are not too high.
I swapped a E60 530d SE for the 535d. Loved my 530 but compared to a M Sport spec it showed its flaws, thankfully i never knew them until i get the 535!!!
You can pick up a mint 535d msport for 14k for an older model (2005). These cars are absolute quality. Plenty of power when you need it and you can get sensible upgrades to about 330bhp. Mine will average out at about 30mpg but most of my driving is around town, it will do over 40mpg on the motorway as long as you drive sensible. plus, with the msport styling these cars look the business.
richterswil said:
Fox- said:
There isn't much quality in a pre facelift E60, which is why its important to get the facelift model.
What a load of crap BMW themselves admit quality was not what it should have been in the pre facelift E60. This is why the documentation relating to the introduction of the facelift model spoke about the importance of giving the car a more premium feel - the facelift revised much of the interior plastics, completely replaced the doorcards with far better ones with leather trimmed handles, etc etc.
It's just the car the E60 always should have been.
FWIW, and probably not that much I miss my 335dmore than any other car I've ever owned, it done everything brilliantly, fuel economy, practicality, and showing the local boy racers what not (it was a de badged touring afterall)
Our 2006 335d managed 29.1mpg on the daily commute, which was only 3 mpg less than our previous A3 170 diesel turdbox, frankly I couldn't fault it, had it not been for the expensive initial purchase price and insurance costs for the O/H I would still have that car.
If you can afford one go for it, we are now expecting our first child in Jan 11 and when the OH goes back to work there is either a 335 or a 535d M sport Touring coming home
In the meantime we will settle for a Mondeo or the like.
Our 2006 335d managed 29.1mpg on the daily commute, which was only 3 mpg less than our previous A3 170 diesel turdbox, frankly I couldn't fault it, had it not been for the expensive initial purchase price and insurance costs for the O/H I would still have that car.
If you can afford one go for it, we are now expecting our first child in Jan 11 and when the OH goes back to work there is either a 335 or a 535d M sport Touring coming home
In the meantime we will settle for a Mondeo or the like.
stueycrez said:
You can pick up a mint 535d msport for 14k for an older model (2005). These cars are absolute quality. Plenty of power when you need it and you can get sensible upgrades to about 330bhp. Mine will average out at about 30mpg but most of my driving is around town, it will do over 40mpg on the motorway as long as you drive sensible. plus, with the msport styling these cars look the business.
Please find me one and I will buy it in a week!I've got a budget of £15,000 and am looking for a 530d M-sport and am struggling to find a 'mint' one!
Fox- said:
richterswil said:
Fox- said:
There isn't much quality in a pre facelift E60, which is why its important to get the facelift model.
What a load of crap BMW themselves admit quality was not what it should have been in the pre facelift E60. This is why the documentation relating to the introduction of the facelift model spoke about the importance of giving the car a more premium feel - the facelift revised much of the interior plastics, completely replaced the doorcards with far better ones with leather trimmed handles, etc etc.
It's just the car the E60 always should have been.
There were minor interior trim changes, the most significant of which was changing the door cards. The plastics predominantly remained the same.
Externally, there were minor light adjustments at the front, a lightly revised rear number plate surround, and LED rear lights.
The rear suspension was revised and to me that came across as not being as 'hard' and less likely to step out.
The big changes were the engine and box. Both of which went from 'excellent' to 'superb', along with a 15% improvement in economy.
Yes, the LCI is better, but only in so much as most mid life revisions of any car are better. I dont particularly feel it was to 'correct' inherent problems with the car. I certainly wouldnt not buy a £15K 05 535d just because a two year younger £25K LCI car exists....
Edited by daemon on Monday 12th July 23:34
vinnie83 said:
stueycrez said:
You can pick up a mint 535d msport for 14k for an older model (2005). These cars are absolute quality. Plenty of power when you need it and you can get sensible upgrades to about 330bhp. Mine will average out at about 30mpg but most of my driving is around town, it will do over 40mpg on the motorway as long as you drive sensible. plus, with the msport styling these cars look the business.
Please find me one and I will buy it in a week!I've got a budget of £15,000 and am looking for a 530d M-sport and am struggling to find a 'mint' one!
daemon said:
Having owned both an LCI and pre LCI 535d, i have to say i think you're quite misinformed.
There were minor interior trim changes, the most significant of which was changing the door cards. The plastics predominantly remained the same.
Externally, there were minor light adjustments at the front, a lightly revised rear number plate surround, and LED rear lights.
The rear suspension was revised and to me that came across as not being as 'hard' and less likely to step out.
The big changes were the engine and box. Both of which went from 'excellent' to 'superb', along with a 15% improvement in economy.
Yes, the LCI is better, but only in so much as most mid life revisions of any car are better. I dont particularly feel it was to 'correct' inherent problems with the car. I certainly wouldnt not buy a £15K 05 535d just because a two year younger £25K LCI car exists....
The plastics did change - well, BMW claim they did in the documentation released when the LCI was introduced. As for what I thought, well I had a pre LCI for a day and felt hugely dissapointed. When I was able to try the LCI a few years later I was impressed. It felt like they had righted almost all of the wrongs.There were minor interior trim changes, the most significant of which was changing the door cards. The plastics predominantly remained the same.
Externally, there were minor light adjustments at the front, a lightly revised rear number plate surround, and LED rear lights.
The rear suspension was revised and to me that came across as not being as 'hard' and less likely to step out.
The big changes were the engine and box. Both of which went from 'excellent' to 'superb', along with a 15% improvement in economy.
Yes, the LCI is better, but only in so much as most mid life revisions of any car are better. I dont particularly feel it was to 'correct' inherent problems with the car. I certainly wouldnt not buy a £15K 05 535d just because a two year younger £25K LCI car exists....
In the Sub £10k market then sure I'm not sure this stuff would bother me, but I wouldnt want to spend £15,000+ on the inferior prefacelift model. It's a lot of cash to spend on the original version of a car released in 2003.
Fox- said:
daemon said:
Having owned both an LCI and pre LCI 535d, i have to say i think you're quite misinformed.
There were minor interior trim changes, the most significant of which was changing the door cards. The plastics predominantly remained the same.
Externally, there were minor light adjustments at the front, a lightly revised rear number plate surround, and LED rear lights.
The rear suspension was revised and to me that came across as not being as 'hard' and less likely to step out.
The big changes were the engine and box. Both of which went from 'excellent' to 'superb', along with a 15% improvement in economy.
Yes, the LCI is better, but only in so much as most mid life revisions of any car are better. I dont particularly feel it was to 'correct' inherent problems with the car. I certainly wouldnt not buy a £15K 05 535d just because a two year younger £25K LCI car exists....
The plastics did change - well, BMW claim they did in the documentation released when the LCI was introduced. As for what I thought, well I had a pre LCI for a day and felt hugely dissapointed. When I was able to try the LCI a few years later I was impressed. It felt like they had righted almost all of the wrongs.There were minor interior trim changes, the most significant of which was changing the door cards. The plastics predominantly remained the same.
Externally, there were minor light adjustments at the front, a lightly revised rear number plate surround, and LED rear lights.
The rear suspension was revised and to me that came across as not being as 'hard' and less likely to step out.
The big changes were the engine and box. Both of which went from 'excellent' to 'superb', along with a 15% improvement in economy.
Yes, the LCI is better, but only in so much as most mid life revisions of any car are better. I dont particularly feel it was to 'correct' inherent problems with the car. I certainly wouldnt not buy a £15K 05 535d just because a two year younger £25K LCI car exists....
In the Sub £10k market then sure I'm not sure this stuff would bother me, but I wouldnt want to spend £15,000+ on the inferior prefacelift model. It's a lot of cash to spend on the original version of a car released in 2003.
Edited by daemon on Tuesday 13th July 21:36
Fox- said:
richterswil said:
Fox- said:
There isn't much quality in a pre facelift E60, which is why its important to get the facelift model.
What a load of crap BMW themselves admit quality was not what it should have been in the pre facelift E60. This is why the documentation relating to the introduction of the facelift model spoke about the importance of giving the car a more premium feel - the facelift revised much of the interior plastics, completely replaced the doorcards with far better ones with leather trimmed handles, etc etc.
It's just the car the E60 always should have been.
I hope my posts are generally helpful to people but occasionally it gets my goat when people with apparently limited experience of specific cars offer opinions as if they are gospel.
All manufactures bang on about improvements to facelifted cars - improving quality/ride/performance/emissions/economy etc etc blah blah. BMW are no different so them banging on about how the interior of the LCI E60 is much better than a pre LCI model is hardly surprising.
daemon has got it spot on. Interior changes were minor. Other than iDrive shortcut buttons, gearstick and door cards they were of the 'blink and you'll miss them' variety.
I've been in and driven several LCI models and the cosmetic changes are minor and quality is barely different (if at all) to the pre LCI cars. From the outside you'd need to have an interest in cars to even know it had been updated. PHers might be able to spot the difference at 100 paces but most others wouldn't notice if they were side by side.
I do know from others who have LCI models that fuel consumption is in the region of 10-15% better - one colleague who got around 32MPG from his old 535d now gets around 36MPG from his LCI 535d.
Let that be a factor in selecting a car - not the minor aesthetic modifications with comparable quality.
charlie1bike said:
well did it yesterday put a deposit down on a 335d ex demo car so has all the possible bells and whistles full m sport pack 07 plate was just blown away by the car so thanks to all you guys for your advice
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