520d (F10) buying advice
Discussion
Hi,
I'm considering purchasing a relatively high mileage (70000+ but not higher than 100000) F10 BMW 520d. The model I'm considering is either 2010 or 2011 (which I understand is pre-minor-facelift?).
I've been doing a lot of research and reading, and didn't come across anything that stands out as a potential major worry with these cars. But I thought I'd pop in here and ask. Anything in particular I need to be aware of or pay special attention to? What sort of servicing costs am I looking at annually and should I be going independent (rather than BMW) with cars at this mileage and of this age?
Another thing I'm struggling to figure out is what's standard vs optional equipment.
Is stop-start technology standard? Some reviews seem to suggest it is, others that it's not. Are xenon headlights optional or standard? What's the sat-nav like (I know there's a smaller and bigger screen version)? Is it very important considering re-sale value?
Can anyone comment on the seats WITHOUT lumbar support? I understand that these are standard, and the ones with lumbar support optional? Are the ones without it uncomfortable on longer journeys?
Many thanks in advance!
Vlad.
I'm considering purchasing a relatively high mileage (70000+ but not higher than 100000) F10 BMW 520d. The model I'm considering is either 2010 or 2011 (which I understand is pre-minor-facelift?).
I've been doing a lot of research and reading, and didn't come across anything that stands out as a potential major worry with these cars. But I thought I'd pop in here and ask. Anything in particular I need to be aware of or pay special attention to? What sort of servicing costs am I looking at annually and should I be going independent (rather than BMW) with cars at this mileage and of this age?
Another thing I'm struggling to figure out is what's standard vs optional equipment.
Is stop-start technology standard? Some reviews seem to suggest it is, others that it's not. Are xenon headlights optional or standard? What's the sat-nav like (I know there's a smaller and bigger screen version)? Is it very important considering re-sale value?
Can anyone comment on the seats WITHOUT lumbar support? I understand that these are standard, and the ones with lumbar support optional? Are the ones without it uncomfortable on longer journeys?
Many thanks in advance!
Vlad.
Hi, I covered 70,000 in my first 520d Auto without any issues. Over that time I had 3 oil services (c£300 a shot), a brake fluid change and a set of tyres. I averaged 47MPG over this time.
I think generally they are reliable cars. Some suffer a small chassis vibration at c70 MPH. I put it down to the run flat tyres but not proven. If you drive it enthusiastically the rear brake pads can wear quickly (15,000 miles). They don't suffer the timing chain issue of the earlier 2.0d engine. A decent independent could look after these cars no problem.
As for spec, try and go for a mid 2011 model. I'm not sure exactly what changed when but this date has heated seats, enhanced Bluetooth, dual zone climate control and front and rear park sensors. Stop/Start, Sat nav and xenons were not standard until the 2014MY.
As for seats, mine had the sports seats which were very comfortable and could be adjusted in many ways, the 2014MY has lost some of this. I've not spent time in an SE so can't comment on the standard seats.
There should be quite a bit of choice in these now as many have been de fleeted.
A great car - I'm now in my second one.
Good luck with the search
I think generally they are reliable cars. Some suffer a small chassis vibration at c70 MPH. I put it down to the run flat tyres but not proven. If you drive it enthusiastically the rear brake pads can wear quickly (15,000 miles). They don't suffer the timing chain issue of the earlier 2.0d engine. A decent independent could look after these cars no problem.
As for spec, try and go for a mid 2011 model. I'm not sure exactly what changed when but this date has heated seats, enhanced Bluetooth, dual zone climate control and front and rear park sensors. Stop/Start, Sat nav and xenons were not standard until the 2014MY.
As for seats, mine had the sports seats which were very comfortable and could be adjusted in many ways, the 2014MY has lost some of this. I've not spent time in an SE so can't comment on the standard seats.
There should be quite a bit of choice in these now as many have been de fleeted.
A great car - I'm now in my second one.
Good luck with the search
For what it's worth. On 2nd F11 520d m sport touring.Can't comment on service costs as 1st car changed at 16k and current on 7k. F11 has battery centrally located in boot floor so no room for a spacesaver spare or any spare unless you place in bootspace. Xenons are part of visibility package option and would advise selecting car with them as std headlights abyismal, as I have discovered! Sports seats in m sport perfect in my view. Try for a car with non-runflats c/w spare, plenty of threads on here about the dreaded runflats eg wear patterns, harsh ride, additional costs etc. No discernible difference between 11 reg and 13 reg models as far as I can see. Prev ran 2 E61's, 1 to 90k with no problems. Most suggest F10/11 is improvement over E60/61 however, in my view has been cheapened (read cost savings) in many small areas. Still, no inclination to go Mercedes route or any other make thus far.
Good luck with your search, plenty to choose from.
Good luck with your search, plenty to choose from.
vladman said:
Hi Maxus, thanks very much, that was very helpful. Was your driving mostly motorway, mostly town, or an equal combination of both?
My driving is 50% motorway and 50% A road. I don't sit in traffic much. If you throw some stop start commuting into the mix I guess it would go down to c40MPG.
I had a 2011 model and did 57k with zero issues, xenons were optional on the 520d, the standard seats are OK but the sports or if you can the comfort seats are worth searching out.
MPG wasn't great averaged 36-38mpg (mostly motorway work) ZF8 box nice and smooth too, I had the pro nav and it was very good the idrive interface is simple to use.
I echo the comments on the standard headlights though, dreadful like candles, get one with the xenons.
MPG wasn't great averaged 36-38mpg (mostly motorway work) ZF8 box nice and smooth too, I had the pro nav and it was very good the idrive interface is simple to use.
I echo the comments on the standard headlights though, dreadful like candles, get one with the xenons.
Edited by Wills2 on Thursday 10th July 09:02
Thank you everyone, super-useful!
That mpg sounds worryingly low, for a car advertised to do over 50mpg combined? I thought 520d was renowned for its fuel economy.
Regarding services, the car tells you when one is due, correct? Is it just done on mileage, and if so, how many miles apart are regular services?
Has anyone had theirs chipped, and do you think it's worth doing? Apparently, you can get 30 or so extra bhp, even more extra torque, whilst fuel economy is actually supposed get slightly better than standard.
Thanks very much again everyone.
That mpg sounds worryingly low, for a car advertised to do over 50mpg combined? I thought 520d was renowned for its fuel economy.
Regarding services, the car tells you when one is due, correct? Is it just done on mileage, and if so, how many miles apart are regular services?
Has anyone had theirs chipped, and do you think it's worth doing? Apparently, you can get 30 or so extra bhp, even more extra torque, whilst fuel economy is actually supposed get slightly better than standard.
Thanks very much again everyone.
Hi, I too was looking a similar aged f10 at one stage but cutting a long story short picked up a 730d f01, 2009 with 60k for similar money from BMW auc.
The f10 is a popular car but f01 has xenons pro nav and various other bits as standard. Also copped one with comfort seats and a few other little trick items. 2 year service pack <£500 (exc brakes) 12 month warrenty as standard.
Mpg is 40, drive it hard it will drop. Drive it long maybe get 43.
The only caveat I would mention is it is larger than the f10, maybe not by much with a tape measure but certainly I'm presence. You get accustomed to this in a week or 3. And the 19inch tyres come in at £225 a piece!
The f10 is a popular car but f01 has xenons pro nav and various other bits as standard. Also copped one with comfort seats and a few other little trick items. 2 year service pack <£500 (exc brakes) 12 month warrenty as standard.
Mpg is 40, drive it hard it will drop. Drive it long maybe get 43.
The only caveat I would mention is it is larger than the f10, maybe not by much with a tape measure but certainly I'm presence. You get accustomed to this in a week or 3. And the 19inch tyres come in at £225 a piece!
Yes, they are standard.
I'd go so far as to say that Pro Nav is essential as well - the Business Nav is just so obviously a deliberately gimped version. Huge plastic blank bezels either side of the annoying small screen, limited functionality, small screen and squashed graphics in places. The dash is designed around the wonderful 10.2" display - not the nasty 6" business display.
I'd go so far as to say that Pro Nav is essential as well - the Business Nav is just so obviously a deliberately gimped version. Huge plastic blank bezels either side of the annoying small screen, limited functionality, small screen and squashed graphics in places. The dash is designed around the wonderful 10.2" display - not the nasty 6" business display.
Fox- said:
I'd go so far as to say that Pro Nav is essential as well - the Business Nav is just so obviously a deliberately gimped version. Huge plastic blank bezels either side of the annoying small screen, limited functionality, small screen and squashed graphics in places. The dash is designed around the wonderful 10.2" display - not the nasty 6" business display.
yes!UK345 said:
If you do buy one try get one with some toys. We got a very well specced one with every option except from the the rear camera (this is a good addition). Try get one with the 18 inch alloys they set the car off perfectly plus make it look like the new model.
Every option on a 520d?! HUD? Adaptive Drive? Night Vision? 4 Zone climate? Surround View? 
Also worth mentioning that pre September 2010 cars have no 'Com Box' which basically means no full Bluetooth setup, they also had issues where you could not adjust the volume of the Sat Nav unless the Sat Nav was talking...but you had to do that on every journey. Whether this is a real issue or not I don't know, but I know it has been discussed.
My 530D is on 50k now, completed 9 hours of driving over the weekend, and the car took it all well within it's stride. Very happy.
My 530D is on 50k now, completed 9 hours of driving over the weekend, and the car took it all well within it's stride. Very happy.
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