520d or 525d ?

[Redeem]

Hi - I have a 2004 saloon 530i (34K miles) that I am considering part exchanging for a 2009 520d touring or 2009 525d touring (I need a touring to put all the kids equipment). I do not have a good knowledge of the bmw diesel engines but considering the size of the car is the 520d a good option or should I consider instead the 525d ? I have tried a Honda CRV last week end but did not like it as the engine was not powerful enough and the money they offered me to part exchange my 530i was not good.

[jep]

Ran a 525d as a company car, and I have to say I was very impressed with it. It was a 57 plate, so not as new as you're getting, but it was a facelifted version with the 3.0 engine. Did 80k+ in 2yrs and averaged 44mpg with a mix of cruising and hard driving.

It had a good turn of speed too, and I would certainly suggest you get the 525 not the 520 as I think you'll really miss the performance coming from a 3.0i.

[sparkythecat]

Redeem said:

Hi - I have a 2004 saloon 530i (34K miles) that I am considering part exchanging for a 2009 520d touring or 2009 525d touring (I need a touring to put all the kids equipment). I do not have a good knowledge of the bmw diesel engines but considering the size of the car is the 520d a good option or should I consider instead the 525d ? I have tried a Honda CRV last week end but did not like it as the engine was not powerful enough and the money they offered me to part exchange my 530i was not good.

Just out of curiosity, why were you looking at the CRV, rather than the Accord Estate ?

[Ranger 6]

Redeem said:

...tried a Honda CRV last week end but did not like it as the engine was not powerful enough....

525d then, the 520d will be as disappointing after a 3.0i.

[Matt UK]

Your 6 yr old car looks to have really low miles - why are you looking to get a diesel?

[Redeem]

Hi Matt UK - this is a very good question - I drive less than 9K a year so may be diesel is not the right option. The fuel economy on my 530 i is not very good (the car is automatic) but it is a very good car that I still enjoyed driving after 6 years. I suspect that I want to change because I want a newer model.

Regarding the CRV (I drove the 2 L petrol engine) the wife wanted one and when we tried it she loved it - however it is too slow for me (the day and night compared to my 530 i)

[Lost soul]

The 525 will be a lot smoother due to the i6 engine

[sparkythecat]

I suspect that you'll be disappointed with any trade in value you are offered
You really need a private sale to a BMW enthusiast to realise the value of your very nice car.
As far as the average punter is concerned, it's a 6 year old luxury car that is likely to be expensive to run.

[Ranger 6]

Redeem said:

...Regarding the CRV (I drove the 2 L petrol engine)...

Ah, that'll be why you're disappointed then - 2.0 petrol will feel weak in comarison with a 3.0 petrol or a 2.0 diesel.

I still think the 3.0 diesel (525d) will give you the best from your choices.

[Redeem]

Thanks all for the responses - so it will be a 525i touring or a 525d touring. As someone mentioned in one of the posts I may not need a diesel given the low mileage I drive but I am keen to try one.

[Matt UK]

Redeem said:

Thanks all for the responses - so it will be a 525i touring or a 525d touring. As someone mentioned in one of the posts I may not need a diesel given the low mileage I drive but I am keen to try one.

It's an old debate on here, the petrol vs diesel.

The miles you are doing suggests petrol would be better. They are often cheaper to buy and can be cheaper to maintain due to the engine having less bits to go worng. They're sometime harder / worth less when you move them on, but you are not likely to get back the full premium you'll pay now.

Saying that, if you look at the prices of the older cars the gap closes even more due people now 'trusting' petrol engines and being prepared to foot the extra fuel bills knowing their isn't a turbo about to go pop leaving them with a four-figure hole in the bank account.

Diesel will give you better MPG but it is more expensive at the pumps and unless you are doing a lot of motorway miles, the mpg is not that great when driven cold around town anyway.
And you'd be surprised by the BMW straight-six petrols. I drive a 530i auto mainly on the motorway and 30mpg is easy, 35mpg is there for the taking if you drive like a saint.

As for driving experience, it's subjective. Some like the effortlessness of the 'whoosh' in the middle. Others like the exciting 'zing' at the top. Only you'll know what floats your boat.

Try them both. If you do go diesel though, I'd suggest you are doing it because you prefer it, not because it's neccesarily financially benefical.

A lot of people are blinkered by 'must have a diesel' which is good if you decide to go for the petrol - you'll be able hammer out a good deal for yourself due to less demand.

Also, have a think about 525i/d - a bit inbetween if you ask me. Both are de-tuned 3.0 lumps so you'll get a fair bit less power than a 530i/d equivalents and make some very small mpg gains. Maintanace costs will not vary. Also come resale time their tends to always be a market for people who want the 'punchy one' and always a market for those than want the 'economy one'. This middle range is a bit no mans land and the models there can be a bit unloved on the used market.

All only in my opinion of course

Edited by Matt UK on Tuesday 20th July 19:45

[Redeem]

Thanks MattUK what you say makes sense. I will try both a 5 touring diesel and petrol engine and see which one I prefer. I will also try to sell my 530i privately as the part exchange that I was offered was very low (£8K for a 530i saloon automatic (04 plate number) fully loaded with only 34K miles and 4 new run flat tyres).

[vinnie83]

I was looking at 520d, 525d, 530d, and 535d's over the last couple of months.

I quickly ruled out the 520d and 525d for the following reasons...

520d - slightly underpowered for such a big car.

525d - only very slightly more powerful than the 520, with practically the same mpg as the 530d!


I decided on 530/535d in the end, but if I were choosing between the 520d and 525d I (IMO) would get the 520d and get it remapped somewhere well known - this would give you much better mpg and more powerful than the 525d.

Best of both worlds, instead of the 525d which IMO has the worst of the 520d (power) and the 530d (mpg).

I'm sure if I'm wrong someone will come and correct me!

[Redeem]

To give an update, I went on Saturday to a BMW dealer and tried the 520d touring, this is a very good car but it is too much of a difference in terms of power and power delivery compared to my BMW 530 petrol so this model is no longer on my list. I have asked to try a 530d and although it is listed on their website they did not know where it was so I could not try it (they said that they will call me on Monday to organise a test drive). I also went to Lexus as a friend of mine has a Lexus hybrid (RX400h) and said they are very good. The Lexus dealer I went to had one that had just arrived but it was in their service department so I could not try it either. I will try both car next week.

I must say that I was quite impressed with the Lexus dealer - they seem very professional (more professional that the BMW dealer I went to - this is only my opinion though)

[sparkythecat]

Redeem said:

I must say that I was quite impressed with the Lexus dealer - they seem very professional (more professional that the BMW dealer I went to - this is only my opinion though)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmJ-VWPDM4

[daemon]

vinnie83 said:

I was looking at 520d, 525d, 530d, and 535d's over the last couple of months.

I quickly ruled out the 520d and 525d for the following reasons...

520d - slightly underpowered for such a big car.

525d - only very slightly more powerful than the 520, with practically the same mpg as the 530d!


I decided on 530/535d in the end, but if I were choosing between the 520d and 525d I (IMO) would get the 520d and get it remapped somewhere well known - this would give you much better mpg and more powerful than the 525d.

Best of both worlds, instead of the 525d which IMO has the worst of the 520d (power) and the 530d (mpg).

I'm sure if I'm wrong someone will come and correct me!

That would be my thinking too. Either a mapped 520d or one of the high end ones.

[Pickled Piper]

Has anybody had experience of chipping a 525d?

The reaspn I ask is that they appear to be better value as a second hand purchase.

pp