535d or 545i?
03-10-2005 | 08:04 AM
#1
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I'm about to change car. I currently own an MB clk 200 kompressor, first series, which is OK but a bit dull. Anyway, as my family is getting bigger it's now time to move to a 4-door saloon.
I had a drive-test of the new MB E350, which I found duller, if possible, than my current car. Then I tested the 545i of a friend and, wow!, that felt a whole different world in terms of acceleration, handling and stability. So I paid a visit to my local bmw dealer intending to negotiate the possible purchase of a 545i. However, he had a 535d in stock and asked me if I wanted to have a go. I was a bit skeptical as I never considered a diesel, but I tried it anyway: what a great car, I must say! acceleration, progression, sheer power: that was really awesome!
Now I'm completely lost. Should I remain faithful to petrol and go for the 545i or sell my soul and convert to diesel with the 535d, which, by the way, costs 10k euro less and arguably will be cheaper to manage because of its lower consumption?
Anyone who can give me some tips?
I had a drive-test of the new MB E350, which I found duller, if possible, than my current car. Then I tested the 545i of a friend and, wow!, that felt a whole different world in terms of acceleration, handling and stability. So I paid a visit to my local bmw dealer intending to negotiate the possible purchase of a 545i. However, he had a 535d in stock and asked me if I wanted to have a go. I was a bit skeptical as I never considered a diesel, but I tried it anyway: what a great car, I must say! acceleration, progression, sheer power: that was really awesome!
Now I'm completely lost. Should I remain faithful to petrol and go for the 545i or sell my soul and convert to diesel with the 535d, which, by the way, costs 10k euro less and arguably will be cheaper to manage because of its lower consumption?
Anyone who can give me some tips?
03-10-2005 | 10:48 AM
#2
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 771
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From: Luxembourg
My Ride: 535D
Welcome to the Forum GPS!
Please add your location (country where are u from).
A lot will depend on the country (taxes and cost of the fuel),your style and range of driving. The general tendency in Europe, more and more deisels as they are cheaper in maintenance,fuel,now better performing, and not like tractor engines as before.
Please add your location (country where are u from).
A lot will depend on the country (taxes and cost of the fuel),your style and range of driving. The general tendency in Europe, more and more deisels as they are cheaper in maintenance,fuel,now better performing, and not like tractor engines as before.
03-10-2005 | 11:16 AM
#3
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by igor' date='Mar 10 2005, 09:48 PM
Welcome to the Forum GPS!
Please add your location (country where are u from).
A lot will depend on the country (taxes and cost of the fuel),your style and range? of driving. The general tendency in Europe, more and more deisels as they are cheaper in maintenance,fuel,now better performing, and not like tractor engines as before.
Please add your location (country where are u from).
A lot will depend on the country (taxes and cost of the fuel),your style and range? of driving. The general tendency in Europe, more and more deisels as they are cheaper in maintenance,fuel,now better performing, and not like tractor engines as before.
[snapback]99652[/snapback]
I'm from Italy, by the way, and down here diesel is still a 10% cheaper than petrol, although some commentators feel that the price gap will soon be closed
03-11-2005 | 04:34 AM
#7
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 218
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From: Casablanca - Morocco
My Ride: E39 525d, orient blue with beige interior. Planing on getting an E60 535d next summer when my lease on my E39 is over :)
Ciao GPS,
I think that you'll save much more money buying a 535d then a 545i. Besides the 10k difference, add to that the 10% difference between diesel and petrol, add to that the huge difference in consumption between the two cars.
Don't forget that in Italy, the depreciation for petrol cars is much higher than diesel, so think about it twice before taking a decision. In the long run even a 530d will hold its value better than a 545i!
In bocca al lupo
I think that you'll save much more money buying a 535d then a 545i. Besides the 10k difference, add to that the 10% difference between diesel and petrol, add to that the huge difference in consumption between the two cars.
Don't forget that in Italy, the depreciation for petrol cars is much higher than diesel, so think about it twice before taking a decision. In the long run even a 530d will hold its value better than a 545i!
In bocca al lupo
03-11-2005 | 04:35 AM
#8
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 218
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From: Casablanca - Morocco
My Ride: E39 525d, orient blue with beige interior. Planing on getting an E60 535d next summer when my lease on my E39 is over :)
BTW, welcome aboard GPS. I hope you enjoy this forum as much as we all do!
03-11-2005 | 07:44 AM
#9
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: expat in The Netherlands
My Ride: BMW 545iA Black Sapphire
Model Year: 2005
Engine: 545i
Originally Posted by Iceman' date='Mar 10 2005, 09:41 PM
Welcome aboard, GPS 
!
If you care about gas prices you should get the 535d. But IMHO the 545 is more fun.
!If you care about gas prices you should get the 535d. But IMHO the 545 is more fun.
[snapback]99676[/snapback]
03-11-2005 | 09:05 AM
#10
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 771
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From: Luxembourg
My Ride: 535D
Originally Posted by GPS' date='Mar 10 2005, 02:16 PM
[quote name='igor' date='Mar 10 2005, 09:48 PM']Welcome to the Forum GPS!
Please add your location (country where are u from).
A lot will depend on the country (taxes and cost of the fuel),your style and range? of driving. The general tendency in Europe, more and more deisels as they are cheaper in maintenance,fuel,now better performing, and not like tractor engines as before.
Please add your location (country where are u from).
A lot will depend on the country (taxes and cost of the fuel),your style and range? of driving. The general tendency in Europe, more and more deisels as they are cheaper in maintenance,fuel,now better performing, and not like tractor engines as before.
[snapback]99652[/snapback]
I'm from Italy, by the way, and down here diesel is still a 10% cheaper than petrol, although some commentators feel that the price gap will soon be closed
[snapback]99665[/snapback]
[/quote]Well, in any case it wont be dull any more, that is for sure
As for the partciular choice it depends on a lot of factors.
Some time ago diesels were something like "mauvais tone" and a lot of people even debadged their cars for that reason. Now they are more and more "in vogue" here and ppl in Luxembourg (anyway they are taxed approx the same as gasoline cars) even take them due to resale value consideration. In Germany diesels are taxed considerably higher and they make sense for ppl driving quite a lot annually.
If you care that your neighbour might hear your car's engine just after being started you'd better take 545. But during the drive itself you wont hear anything terribly different.
If you care about the performance, at the speed range of between 50 to 100 kmh (important for overtaking) 535d could be even better than 545. Otherwise if you do not mind more often going for tanking (tank is only 70l)and do not mind the money spent probably it could also make sense to wait for the expected M5 in April or 550 in September or even look at Alpina B5 which has same 4.5l engine with boosetd HP and wayyy better interior trim. Check the thread below:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=7831&st=15
Just my 2 liras