BMW E60 Choices

[junglie]

With the first child on the way the time has come to chnage the Fleet over.

I am planning on getting a VW Passat Estate as the family car but we need a second car for my weekly commute. I consider the E60 5 Series to be top of the list at present but wanted some feedback from those who currently run one. My mileage will be pretty much the standard 12,000 miles per year as a benchmark and predominatly on A Roads and Motorways. Budget circa £10k but can flex. Must be manual. - my options:

530i M Sport - latter car with the 258 bhp engine. I loved the 231 bhp in my Z4 so this must be at least as good. Consumption possibly 34mpg or so if driven steadily. Less documented issues to go wrong than the diesel variants. Less low down torque available for those lazy overtakes and motorway cruising.

530d M Sport - big slugs of torque and not a bad sound to be honest. Better fuel economy than the petrol models. More expensive to purchase initially with more potential issues turbos, injectors etc.

535d M Sport - as above but only with auto option. More expensive but what a great car.

545i M Sport - again more expensive but a wonderful engine. I imagine there is a good LPG kit for it that will bring the comparative consumption to a similar figure to the 530d?

My thoughts are that the 530i M Sport will provide the best compromise but, having driven a 535d, that effortless pace pick up can become addictive!

[homerjay]

i think the 530d is the sensible choice.

535d if you want economy, 545i if you dont.

although 545i's are probably cheaper to buy, so....

[Joe911]

I have a current 535d and used to have a 530i - I think the 535d is way better.

[Matt UK]

Looking at you circumstances and budget, I'd go 530i every time.

[Stu R]

Been mulling the E60 over myself, really impressed.

535D is a really nice car. But, have you heard a 545 with an exhaust?

[GestapoWatch]

M5 M5 M5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[junglie]

No surprise so far with everybody liking a different model!!

[Arese]

Stu R said:

Been mulling the E60 over myself, really impressed.

535D is a really nice car. But, have you heard a 545 with an exhaust?

It'd sound interesting without an exhaust!

OP, 550. You know it makes sense.

Edited by Arese on Friday 3rd September 15:56

[David87]

You can't get a 545i M Sport - the 545i was replaced by the 550i when the M Sport package came out IIRC. They also released the 540i at the same time, though. Personally I'd go for the 535d or, if you can find one, the 550i.

[Plotloss]

535d M Sport Estate (As the estate is nicer looking) then get it mapped.

Awesome automobile.

[junglie]

I would love a 535d M Sport Estate, they do look great, but it may be stretching my budget a litte. I could buy one and then get a cheaper car for my commuter but I would be in fear the whole time that the car is being messed up by the dog and all the other gear - a cheaper estate would let me sleep better at night (standfast the getting up every hour for the baby!).