BMW 530 d m sport or 535d m sport
BMW 530 d m sport or 535d m sport
Author
Discussion

ROSSCOWAN

Original Poster:

94 posts

251 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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Hi, I'm looking to purchase either a BMW 530 or a 535 diesel 2006/2007 . Is the 535 worth the extra money and drop in mpg ? I see there is an option for paddle shift , is this system any good ? Any advice on what to look out for both cars would be greatly appreciated . Is there a web page for the options available for a 2007 530/535d

Seeker UK

1,443 posts

188 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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If you want a manual - 530d

Otherwise, 535d any time.

530dTPhil

1,420 posts

248 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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I bought an LCI 530d Sport Touring auto, ex BMW demonstrator, in October 2007 with 2200 miles showing. It was remapped at 4000 miles for 270 bhp and loads more torque, circa 600Nm I think. I have done 126000 miles in the car mainly on business and in everyday use the remap provided more than enough grunt for a much lower cost than a 535d. Just my opinion.
I have replaced the E61 530d with an F11 530d Touring with sport auto, again ex demonstrator. I did consider a 535d but the F11 feels as quick as the remapped E61, even though it 'only' has 245 bhp as standard. I don't think I will even bother with a remap when this becomes available.
At the end of the day, it's all down to personal choice.
Nice E61 530dT LCI for sale in the classifieds if you are interested.

ROSSCOWAN

Original Poster:

94 posts

251 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies , is there any known serious faults with these cars . I will be buying one with full service history . At what mileage is a serious service required ?

ROSSCOWAN

Original Poster:

94 posts

251 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies , is there any known serious faults with these cars . I will be buying one with full service history . At what mileage is a serious service required ?

530dTPhil

1,420 posts

248 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
quotequote all
In terms of what went wrong with mine: front windscreen washer pump £30, rear window opening switch around £30 and one front side light bulb. Front pads and discs replaced at about 85,000, rear pads around 70,000. Other than that just normal servicing.
Tyres about 25000 miles per set. Overall 35.8 mpg.
March 2007 onwards will give you an LCI car with improved ride and the much improved autobox.

anonymous-user

84 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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Auto gearbox leaks from plastic sump at around 75k on - costs £400 to put right, more if leak is missed and box goes!
Tailgate loom gets frayed causing problems with key fob and opening rear tailgate - expensive fix.
Passenger seat airbag warning light fault - common so check.
Rear bushes on estate - squeak
Warped alloys (pothole;es)
Otherwise very good.
Go for LCI car - post 2006 I think

daemon

40,169 posts

227 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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ROSSCOWAN said:
Thanks for the replies , is there any known serious faults with these cars . I will be buying one with full service history . At what mileage is a serious service required ?
Make sure you get an LCI car if you are looking at a 2007 - and dont 'assume' that it is because its registered in a particular month. Some pre-LCI cars were registered later in the year.

I had two 535d M Sports. Loved them both. Great cars. Go for it! You wont regret it!!

Oh and get it remapped!

daemon

40,169 posts

227 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
quotequote all
drmark said:
Auto gearbox leaks from plastic sump at around 75k on - costs £400 to put right, more if leak is missed and box goes!
Tailgate loom gets frayed causing problems with key fob and opening rear tailgate - expensive fix.
Passenger seat airbag warning light fault - common so check.
Rear bushes on estate - squeak
Warped alloys (pothole;es)
Otherwise very good.
Go for LCI car - post 2006 I think
Build date of 24th Mar 2007 onwards


Edited by daemon on Wednesday 13th April 14:53

LooneyTunes

9,486 posts

188 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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Might want to have a look into the swirl flap issue - minor component failure but, if you're unlucky to have it happen to you, can write off the engine... and also factor in the fact that they're a bh in the snow unless you bite the bullet and change tyres (mine couldn't get out of our road for 2 weeks last year).

Only things I have had go wrong are:
Suspension wishbone cracked at about 50k.
Stuck brake pad required disc/pad replacement - although, after the event, I am not 100% sure I wasn't "over sold" by the dealer.

Bills (and the amount of work recommended) has decreased significantly since taking the car outside the main dealer network.

Seeker UK

1,443 posts

188 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
quotequote all
ROSSCOWAN said:
Thanks for the replies , is there any known serious faults with these cars . I will be buying one with full service history . At what mileage is a serious service required ?
Google "BMW Swirl Flaps"

scz4

2,841 posts

271 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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I've had my 2005 530d M Sport touring a couple of weeks now. Great all round car, comfortable and certainly quick enough for overtaking and making good progress, great mid range. Just did 650 miles at the weekend and it was effortless.

However, being a pre-LCI I only average about 32mpg, 39 on the Motorway and about 24mpg around town, my previous 4.4 V8 got 18mpg around town doing the same trips. These figures are up from when I got it two weeks ago since replacing the EGR & Coolant thermostat and EGR valve. The gearbox is terrible when pulling out of a junction, dangerously so. There is a good 1 1/2 to 2 second delay before the gearbox does its thing and the turbo spools then it gives you the shove.

Never driven a LCI (March onwards) but from what I've read both of the above problems have been addresses.

I bought the 2005 530d with the intention of buying a Z4M for the weekends, but now I'm seriously considering getting a low mileage LCI 535d. It's a shame there aren't more 550i tourings around, would make a great compromise between a 535d and M5 touring.




ROSSCOWAN

Original Poster:

94 posts

251 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
quotequote all
Is the traction control system any good ? My wife isn't to sure about rear wheel drive . Cheers

anonymous-user

84 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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As good as any. If you are worried about losing the back end, forget it. And take your name out of CAPS... It's a bit SHOUTY.

Neil.D

2,878 posts

236 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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Hello.

The traction control is failry aggressive in BMW's - she wont spin it unless she has literally no idea about driving. Just show them respect and they will hold the road well.

I went for the 535 but only as I wanted the top of the range diesel. Im like that.
The 530d is a great all rounder and will return about 42mpg - realistcally, on a steady legal motorway run. My 535d will do 38mpg all day at 70mph.
The 530d is a smooth engine which performs well - but has weak turbos. These can go from as early as 80k miles.
The 535d doesnt have the variable vein turbos and doesnt seem to suffer the same turbo issues.
It does however seem to have boost leaks on cars with well over 100k miles - sometimes earlier. This is because a lot of pipes and hoses are cramed into a small area. These issues tend not to be that expensive.

Swirl flaps were revised in late 2004 to a stronger (not perfect)design but some, like me have removed them anyway as piece of mind. They do so little anyway, why risk it.

Water ingress can be a troublesome issue, see here, http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6...

Tourings can have air suspension failure from a cracked broken compressor pipe - dont have a link but if you search on the issue its very easy to check to see if the pipe has been upgraded. If it has then its probably had a failure of the origional pipe - which has killed the compressor by sucking in dirty air and ruining it which turns the back of the car into a low-rider, sometimes whilst on the move.
If you remove the ROS wheel there is an inspection panel. Behind this is the pipe - the upgraded one is braided rather than smooth rubber.

CCC i drive units can fail but you wont know this until the i drive starts re-booting whilst you are driving alone. This is an ECU for the i drive and expensive.

Thermostats are weak which can cause the car to run cool, not allowing the DPF to regenerate thus drastically reducing its life span - should last circa 120k miles. Running tempretures can be found by accessing the 'hidden menu' on the OBC giving a digital coolant tempreture. Needs to be at least 75C. Above 90C being the optimum.

All of these issues are possible, not probable and shouldnt put you off buying one. They are complicated cars but you may never encounter a single issue.

Let me know if you want me to expand on any of these points and Ill do my best.










hornetrider

63,161 posts

235 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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Is it just me that's not impressed with those economy figures for a diesel?

Seeker UK

1,443 posts

188 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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hornetrider said:
Is it just me that's not impressed with those economy figures for a diesel?
Can't see why. Similar performance from a petrol would have a higher fuel consumption and I can't think of a single big diesel that is quicker for better fuel consumption.

kiethton

14,667 posts

210 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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Seeker UK said:
Can't see why. Similar performance from a petrol would have a higher fuel consumption and I can't think of a single big diesel that is quicker for better fuel consumption.
my 335i gives 35mpg at 70 - the 535d above gains an extra 3mpg - is it really worth it (admittedly the 5 is slightly heavier)

Neil.D

2,878 posts

236 months

Thursday 14th April 2011
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Your 335i does give excellent mpg by the looks of it.

I can't say I bought the 535d wholey for it's economy. I drive a 530d at work and just like the engine. I came from an E39 M5 which did 19mpg daily. Filling up circa 2/3's as often and getting 600 miles to a tank - admittedly if I just sit on the motorway which I don't normally do, or just under 500 when normal driving, is a welcome bonus. The M5 gave 280 to a tank when commuting.

Blues

8,546 posts

249 months

Thursday 14th April 2011
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I've had my 2009 535d almost a year now. I have found it comfortable and reliable (as it should be for such a new car). It can be a great motorway muncher but also very sporty when i'm in the mood. The flappy paddle gearbox can be fun on country lanes and twisties, and i have averaged about 35 mpg, which is more about my driving than the car smile

If you are considering the 530d as well - DONT DRIVE a 535d IYKWIM