520d vs 525d - depreciation question

[anonymous-user]

Hi all, I'd been toying with the idea of getting a 'nearly-new' 520d touring at some point this year but with the cost of depreciation in mind - wonder if its better overall value to go for the 6 cylinder 525d?

In terms of fuel economy the bigger engine is still great and better than my current 4 cyl diesel, and whilst its not much faster than the 520d I imagine it sounds better and is a more satisfying drive.

Question is, in percentage terms is it worth paying a few (3k) thousand more, will I get this back come resale, or is the smaller engine likely to be more desirable and have held more value 3yrs later?

[Redeem]

I seem to recall that the same question was asked several months ago and that people said that the 525d was not worth it (I do not recall the reasons). The choice really should be between the 520 d and the 530 d.

[gizlaroc]

Is there only £3000 between the 520d and the 530d??

In that case I would consider it, as there is £9000 difference between the 520d and the 530d, that makes the 530d look even more overpriced.

[gizlaroc]

Actually, looking on the website the 525d is £5000 more, and the 530d is another £4200 on top of the 525d.

520d SE £29,430 Diesel 18% (19%) 129 (137) 57.6 (54.3) 184 8.1 (8.1)
525d SE £34,525 Diesel 24% (24%) 162 (160) 45.6 (46.3) 204 7.2 (7.2)
530d SE £38,775 Diesel 25% (24%) 166 (160) 44.8 (46.3) 245 6.3 (6.3)


I would take them both out and see what you think.

[anonymous-user]

Sorry, I was looking at the prices on broadspeed, the difference is £4500 not £3000 (I'd priced a manual 525d by mistake).

I was originally looking at 520ds, the performance is great in all respects, however I'd just thought if I was pushing the boat out in terms of expenditure for the new model, how much of the extra initial layout would I recoup on resale by going for the smoother 6 cyl? Running costs of both 520d and 525d are lower than my current car, so purchase price and future value are the main monetary considerations (without driving them I've no doubt the 525d should be nicer than the 520d), hence if I can get most of the intitial extra £4500 back on resale, then why not go for the bigger car, or is my head in the clouds thinking there will be that much between future values of both in 3 years?

In terms of 530d and 535d, they're not even a consideration, far too expensive when a 525d and a chip/remap can probably achieve nearly the same performance for less.

[Roman]

Values for the 520D & 525D are pretty similar after 5yrs and 100-140k (due to the higher road fund licence, maintenance, fuel consumption & insurance for the 525 I suppose).

[anonymous-user]

Roman said:

Values for the 520D & 525D are pretty similar after 5yrs and 100-140k (due to the higher road fund licence, maintenance, fuel consumption & insurance for the 525 I suppose).

If so I'll probably stick with looking at the 520d, in latest guise it seems to get great reviews and offers all the performance I'll need, whilst offering far better day to day running costs than my current diesel barge. Cheers.

[Magnus Barelegs]

If you find the 520D lacking, which you probably won't, there are umpteen companies out there who will do a remap and take it to 525D levels of power/torque.

[Big Tav]

Don't forget the 525 would also get more standard features over the 520d. Check the spec list closely. The extra cost is not just for the engine in most cases. The 525 may come standard with PDC for instance.

[gizlaroc]

We bought an F11 520d touring last week and it is great, I was going to get it mapped straight away, but it doesn't feel lacking at all, and so far it is showing 47mpg combined which the 6cyl would never do, 38mpg at best.
It is also very quiet, much more so than the 730d it replaced and the 535d E61 before that, from the cabin I mean, stand outside and it is still a 4cyl, but not bad at all.

The F11 520d is for my old man, however I would happily have one having driven it.