Tips on buying E60 530d
Discussion
Was hoping for some expert advice from you all 
I'm almost decided on buying a 530d in about a month.
My budget is around £11k and have the following requirements:
Auto
Under 70k miles
Sat Nav
Cruise Control
Decent Stereo
Does anyone have any info, tips, common faults to watch out for etc for the 530d?
With my budget, am I better off buying a 520d? I really wanted the 530d for the extra grunt, but coming from a 1.9tdi 105ps Golf, would a remapped 520d be a lot quicker?
I would be looking to remap either the 520 or 530d shortly after buying - any advice?
Also how are these on fuel? Anybody give me an idea of MPG around town and motorway at ~80mph?
Any advice and help would be very much appreciated, thanks!
ETA - Budget now MAX £15,000
I'm almost decided on buying a 530d in about a month.
My budget is around £11k and have the following requirements:
Auto
Under 70k miles
Sat Nav
Cruise Control
Decent Stereo
Does anyone have any info, tips, common faults to watch out for etc for the 530d?
With my budget, am I better off buying a 520d? I really wanted the 530d for the extra grunt, but coming from a 1.9tdi 105ps Golf, would a remapped 520d be a lot quicker?
I would be looking to remap either the 520 or 530d shortly after buying - any advice?
Also how are these on fuel? Anybody give me an idea of MPG around town and motorway at ~80mph?
Any advice and help would be very much appreciated, thanks!
ETA - Budget now MAX £15,000
Edited by vinnie83 on Sunday 11th July 11:29
Borrowed my old mans 525d S.E. Touring which has been remapped which feels surprisingly quick for such a big car. I have a 3.2 Carrera (plus just sold a 7) so you get an idea that it's no slouch.
Personally I'd go for the 530d over a 520d and stretch to a Sport rather than an S.E. (but S.E. spec are still a nice place to be) as I prefer the Sport kit.
The touring is worth looking out for as it gives you great carrying options and I think there are less of them so should help the longer term value.
The new F10/F11 5 Series is just out and the Sport version will hit the roads in September which should start to reduce E60 5 series prices from the top/down (they're currently holding their value very well). So it maybe worth holding off if you can.
Good luck with the search.
Personally I'd go for the 530d over a 520d and stretch to a Sport rather than an S.E. (but S.E. spec are still a nice place to be) as I prefer the Sport kit.
The touring is worth looking out for as it gives you great carrying options and I think there are less of them so should help the longer term value.
The new F10/F11 5 Series is just out and the Sport version will hit the roads in September which should start to reduce E60 5 series prices from the top/down (they're currently holding their value very well). So it maybe worth holding off if you can.
Good luck with the search.
Thanks for the info....
There is no rush, but I really would like the car within the next 2 months, I don't mind maybe waiting another month but I don't want to end up playing the waiting game - I'll be waiting forever!
Come on people, this is a BMW forum, I'm sure some of you must be able to offer advice from experience on the 530d!
There is no rush, but I really would like the car within the next 2 months, I don't mind maybe waiting another month but I don't want to end up playing the waiting game - I'll be waiting forever!
Come on people, this is a BMW forum, I'm sure some of you must be able to offer advice from experience on the 530d!
I have a late '03 530dSE Auto and it's ace, apart from the swirl flaps my engine eat! Repairs run to >£4k (wanted it all put right as we're keeping the car).
Make sure you find one with a full warranty or with the replacement inlet manifold/repair!
The economy is good when in top, 2krpm=90mph and delivers c40mpg (on the continent) and also able to pull a large horsebox like it's not there!
It's towed a twin axle box van to Italy and back, been on numerous fast blats and super smooth & comfortable.
Looking back, I might have gone for a 535d for a little more money, but now the car's all paid for and now I know it has a rebuilt motor/turbo/maifolds etc., it'll be with us till at least 200k+ miles I reckon. Can't see what I'd swap it for tbh.
Had the car superchipped from the 1st day I got it BTW.
Make sure you find one with a full warranty or with the replacement inlet manifold/repair!
The economy is good when in top, 2krpm=90mph and delivers c40mpg (on the continent) and also able to pull a large horsebox like it's not there!
It's towed a twin axle box van to Italy and back, been on numerous fast blats and super smooth & comfortable.
Looking back, I might have gone for a 535d for a little more money, but now the car's all paid for and now I know it has a rebuilt motor/turbo/maifolds etc., it'll be with us till at least 200k+ miles I reckon. Can't see what I'd swap it for tbh.
Had the car superchipped from the 1st day I got it BTW.
Thanks for that info Stu.
Is a remapped 530d (all jokes aside!) really as quick as people make out? people on forums talk about wheels spinning in 3rd gear, which I find hard to beleive since my old supercharged E55 AMG didn't even do that!
The swirl flaps I've been told to get replaced for blanking plates or something straight away to avoid the problem you mentioned so will be doing that. Is it a big job to swap them?
Is a remapped 530d (all jokes aside!) really as quick as people make out? people on forums talk about wheels spinning in 3rd gear, which I find hard to beleive since my old supercharged E55 AMG didn't even do that!
The swirl flaps I've been told to get replaced for blanking plates or something straight away to avoid the problem you mentioned so will be doing that. Is it a big job to swap them?
vinnie83 said:
Is a remapped 530d (all jokes aside!) really as quick as people make out? people on forums talk about wheels spinning in 3rd gear, which I find hard to beleive since my old supercharged E55 AMG didn't even do that!
3rd gear wheelspin? Hmmm, not in mine. It has 275's on the rear (later cars have thinner tyres on the rear I understand). We did have a lot of fun on a run though some lovely twisties in the Champagne region, with our friends in their 997TT and the beemer didn't disgrace itself by any means. Chassis balance is great IMO.Anyway, quick is all relative. It's slightly slower than our supercharged Z, which means it's just a tad slower than an E36E46 M3, so for a diesel, it probably rates as nippy and definitely makes overtaking more than 1 car at a time much less of an issue.
Superchips claims for my map put it similar to a stock 535d on paper, but never had the chance to 'benchmark' on the road though.
StuB said:
vinnie83 said:
Is a remapped 530d (all jokes aside!) really as quick as people make out? people on forums talk about wheels spinning in 3rd gear, which I find hard to beleive since my old supercharged E55 AMG didn't even do that!
3rd gear wheelspin? Hmmm, not in mine. It has 275's on the rear (later cars have thinner tyres on the rear I understand). We did have a lot of fun on a run though some lovely twisties in the Champagne region, with our friends in their 997TT and the beemer didn't disgrace itself by any means. Chassis balance is great IMO.Anyway, quick is all relative. It's slightly slower than our supercharged Z, which means it's just a tad slower than an E36E46 M3, so for a diesel, it probably rates as nippy and definitely makes overtaking more than 1 car at a time much less of an issue.
Superchips claims for my map put it similar to a stock 535d on paper, but never had the chance to 'benchmark' on the road though.
How much does a full tank cost with current prices, and with a mix of driving, how many miles do you get between fill ups?
Re swirl flaps weren't they (finally) sorted from around 2005 on? Might make a difference what build year car you opt for.
Mine is a 535d and does around 32-33 MPG meaning about 450-470 miles from a tank. If I use a tank pretty much exclusively on the motorway I get around 520 miles from the tank (based on lane 3 speeds).
Mine is a 535d and does around 32-33 MPG meaning about 450-470 miles from a tank. If I use a tank pretty much exclusively on the motorway I get around 520 miles from the tank (based on lane 3 speeds).
Wifey does short journey on country roads and gets 33 or 34. On M62 to Manchester airport at "yes officer, I was trying to take off" mph, it showed about 38-39 and can easily get into the 40's with some sympathetic driving/good anticipation. Have seen 45+ on some journeys too. Range will see the OBC indicating 550, which often results in 490-510 most of the time. Last fill from near empty was about £76.
530d will probably be cheaper than the 520d, as the 520d holds its value a bit better, and is well sought after.
If you want a bluetooth phone, keep an eye out for the media kit (Bluetooth and 6 CD changer)
For me, M-Sport kit was an absolute must. Makes the car look so much better. Probably adds about 1-1.5K to the price.
530d remapped will have basically 20% more bhp and torque, so lots of fun.
I had a budget of £12.5k, so went through autotrader. found a bunch of cars around the 15-16k mark, and phoned the dealers. Bargained one down to 12.5k, and it's a cracking car!
You'll have no problem finding a lowish mileage, sport, 530d, auto, possibly even LCI (facelift).
I think you can still opt to be choosy on the options you want. Pro Sat Nav(wide screen idrive) is great (much better option than business), and I love the leather and heated seats.
An option like dual zone climate control(silver circular dials rather than just black) is a little harder to get, and may add a bit to the cost.
Hope this helps. Best of luck with the search.
If you want a bluetooth phone, keep an eye out for the media kit (Bluetooth and 6 CD changer)
For me, M-Sport kit was an absolute must. Makes the car look so much better. Probably adds about 1-1.5K to the price.
530d remapped will have basically 20% more bhp and torque, so lots of fun.
I had a budget of £12.5k, so went through autotrader. found a bunch of cars around the 15-16k mark, and phoned the dealers. Bargained one down to 12.5k, and it's a cracking car!
You'll have no problem finding a lowish mileage, sport, 530d, auto, possibly even LCI (facelift).
I think you can still opt to be choosy on the options you want. Pro Sat Nav(wide screen idrive) is great (much better option than business), and I love the leather and heated seats.
An option like dual zone climate control(silver circular dials rather than just black) is a little harder to get, and may add a bit to the cost.
Hope this helps. Best of luck with the search.
KnockinShop said:
530d will probably be cheaper than the 520d, as the 520d holds its value a bit better, and is well sought after.
This is completely untrue - the 520d is most definately the cheapest of the range to get. He will actually find numerous 520d's in both M Sport and SE specification for his budget, even LCI models, yet the 530d will be far more expensive for the equivilent spec.KnockinShop said:
If you want a bluetooth phone, keep an eye out for the media kit (Bluetooth and 6 CD changer)
Media pack was Professional Navigation as well - so if he just wants Bluetooth phone, keep an eye out for... bluetooth phone.KnockinShop said:
You'll have no problem finding a lowish mileage, sport, 530d, auto, possibly even LCI (facelift).
Errr sure.. whatever. He isn't going to find a low mileage 530d M Sport Auto LCI for less than £17-18k! KnockinShop said:
An option like dual zone climate control(silver circular dials rather than just black) is a little harder to get, and may add a bit to the cost.
Harder to get? You try finding a 530d without dual zone, I'm pretty sure it was standard fit!Seems I have a few retractions to make!
All my info is from a year ago. 520d were harder to find back then. Obviously not now! Seems price has gone up too.
Climate control is standard, Dual Zone climate (or advanced climate or something like that) was quite hard to come by. I've standard climate, which just means air con! Definately not standard fit (pre LCI anyway).
Forgot the Pro Nav as part of the Media pack. This is a great option!
But lots on Auto trader, and there's lots of value in pushing them for a bargain.
All my info is from a year ago. 520d were harder to find back then. Obviously not now! Seems price has gone up too.
Climate control is standard, Dual Zone climate (or advanced climate or something like that) was quite hard to come by. I've standard climate, which just means air con! Definately not standard fit (pre LCI anyway).
Forgot the Pro Nav as part of the Media pack. This is a great option!
But lots on Auto trader, and there's lots of value in pushing them for a bargain.
Actually it depends how overpriced the car is in the first place. Nobody is going to give you £2500 off sticker for a car they only have £1500 of margin in.
Getting a load off an overpriced car is hardly a fantastic acheievment or a reason to go round offering everyone 25% off screen price expecting to get it.
Getting a load off an overpriced car is hardly a fantastic acheievment or a reason to go round offering everyone 25% off screen price expecting to get it.
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