520d or 525d ?

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02-11-2006, 06:44 AM

#21

Shrek3

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I've had the 520d for nearly two months and 3600 miles. Debadge it and give it a half decent spec and it's a fine for your company car - if you've driven the 525d and they feel the same go for the cheaper option and spec up the 520. If you're buying for yourself then it's different, get the biggest engine possible and make sure you have an auto box on it. Manual gearbox doesn't suit the 520d.

The fuel economy figures are great on the 520d and you can achieve them. However, you really do have to drive with a light foot and it is difficult to sustain it. Not how an E60 should be driven really.

I've driven 500 miles in one day a few times in it and at the end of the day I have felt really good. I had an Audi before and after a similar drive, I would feel horrendous. It is the ultimate driving machine.

I have the light popular wood and it looks great - miss the crappy silver as it really looks cheap - why BMW offer this is beyond me? Dull as dishwater.

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02-11-2006, 06:57 AM

#22

RichardM

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My Ride: 520D SE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrek3' post='238383' date='Feb 11 2006, 03:44 PM

make sure you have an auto box on it. Manual gearbox doesn't suit the 520d.

I disagree, the manual box and the 520d are a great combination. Pulls smoothly in every gear from low revs and it is a very smooth/sweet box.

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02-11-2006, 07:06 AM

#23

Shrek3

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The manual is a sweet box and one of the best I have ever used. The car as a whole needs an auto box though, it's more of a luxury car, so having to change gear constantly in city centres doesn't sit well.

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02-11-2006, 07:11 AM

#24

ats77

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My Ride: MY RIDE is DA real .-) HAMANN 5 aka BLACK MAMBA born on 16/06/2005/delivered on 05/08/2005 as following: 530dA (steptronic), Black II (JET), leather Dakota auburn black, mapple trim, head-up display, dynamic drive, active steering, adaptive xenon headlights (auto levelling) with headlight washers, alarm, comfort seats with massage function, advanced A/C, big compartment armrest, aux-in, MP3, Logic 7, Radio PRO, CD in-dash+cd changer, power rear sunshades, rear airbags, park distance control, auto dimming folding mirrors, smoking package, shiny shadow line (individual), fold down rear seats, ski bag, sport suspension, run flats on ï¿½116-styleï¿½ rims (Good Year NCT5+), cup holders, debadged, fire extinguishers, additional permanent power outlet, BMW coat hanger, trunk release button (installed by Hobi), GPS tracking device and a big thx 2 Iceman. Mods done: ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN FRONT APRON Including ellipsoid fog lights Item-No.: 10 060 110 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN REAR SPOILER Item-No.: 10 060 130, ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN HAMANN ALUMINIUM PEDALS For cars with manual gearbox Item-No.: 80 099 100 81,00 For cars with automatic transmission Item-No.: 80 099 120 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN FOOT REST In aluminium For left-hand drive vehicles Item No. : 80 099 122 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN HAND-BRAKE LEVER In aluminium For left- and right-hand drive cars Item No. : 80 099 216 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN Idrive of alu (sorry this is the only one in the World) but you can have it in carbon fiber , ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN EXCLUSIVE FLOORMAT SET In black with HAMANN logo in silver For left-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060 120 For right-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN COVER FOR OIL FILLER CAP In aluminium Item-No.: 80 099 117 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN SPORT REAR MUFFLER 4 TAILPIPES Sport rear muffler with four round stainless-steel tailpipes ( ï¿½ 76mm ) Item-No.: 50 060 111 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN new add-on for M pack rear with diffusor for quad pipes -AVAILABLE NOW (http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=ST&f=22&t=30630&st=0#entry332409) ï¿½ ///M steering wheel w Pegasus logo (this will be also changed to three spoke sports) ï¿½ ///M pack rear ï¿½ HAMANN ECU upgrade 265 HP 608 Nm. most improtant: ï¿½real and working like a charm forumsbuy real LED tails and PIAA 4700k fogs!!! for HAMANN full front apron you need H3 ï¿½ CustomAngels, Angel Eyes Brighter than stocks 10X, WHITE & (REd for shows). ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN LIGHT-ALLOY WHEELS DESIGN EDITION RACE 20" Ultra-light forged 3-pieced light-alloy wheel, Cross-spoke-design,Spider in black, titanium, screwing,polished flange DIMENSIONS : 9.0 J x 20 FA Item No.: 91 207 315 10.5 J x 20 only RA Item No.: 91 207 625 Recommended 20" Complete Wheel Set DESIGN EDITION RACE I went with most aggressive Combination A.10 FA 9.0 J x 20 / RA 10.5 J x 20 with tires: FA 245/30 ZR 20 / RA 285/25 ZR 20 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN LOWERING KIT 4 progressive sport springs Lowering by approx. 40 mm FA, 20 mm RA Item-No.: 20 060 125 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN TIRE - PRESSURE CHECK SENSOR SYSTEM ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN SIDE SILLS Item-No.: 10 060 120 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN REAL CF ROOF SPOLIER Item-No.: 10 060 235 ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN AIRBAG SPORT STEERING WHEEL 3-SPOKE Three-spoke design w their SMG paddles (For assembly O.E. airbag in exchange) ï¿½ Authentic HAMANN sports mirrors (all functions) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and of course !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! E60.net Clings Still to do list;-): ï¿½ Our Hobi's camera system from : ww.switchchange.com). ï¿½ Individual leather interior (auburn+auburn alcantara)... and drive with sheer drivin' pleasure ... until 2009/2010 F10 comes or E60 possibly a 540d V8 diesel early in 2009 badly juiced!

a diesel I wud only drive with Steptronic, after break-in in DS...

AS is good for parallel parking or in garages with narrow turns, L7 is cool for music, aux-in even if you plan your 6cd-changer ( there are some which plays mp3 too). Extended light, Bi-xenon lights and dimming mirrors. If you have rear passangers than rear-air bag too.

I am happy w the 530d amazing torque

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02-11-2006, 07:33 AM

#25

DaveH

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrek3' post='238395' date='Feb 11 2006, 04:06 PM

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02-11-2006, 10:10 AM

#26

tonye60

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveH' post='238403

You have to keep in mind, though, that most people buying a 520 are doing so to save money. Cost of auto, as a proportion of the car cost, is relatively high on the 520, and mpg suffers too (14% on the 520). And not all of us are city drivers. I'd go for manual, especially since it's likely to be easier to sell when the time comes (not a concern for company car drivers of course).
[/quote]
i hate autos, i just never feel in control of the car, the press and stop drives me mad, i wonder sometimes if this is why when you drive in america its all stop start

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02-11-2006, 10:19 AM

#27

0700700

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Quote:

Originally Posted by colejl' post='238304

Quote:

Originally Posted by ats77' post='238092' date='Feb 10 2006, 10:49 PM

when you chip 525d you get 190 or 200 bhp

and when you chip the 520d you get 203bhp and 410nm

But it will still be 4 cylinders...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700700' post='238116

Wait until the 530d enhancements (lighter blocker, piezo injectors) to hit the 525d

if he has 14 months to wait that is
[/quote]
It'll be that long coming??
[/quote]

the 2litre diesel engine is amazing , i dont know why everyone dislikes 4 cylinders

well it will be available for sale starting march 2007 ( new 525d )

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02-11-2006, 11:05 AM

#28

ats77

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tonye60' post='238452

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrek3' post='238395' date='Feb 11 2006, 04:06 PM

i hate autos, i just never feel in control of the car, the press and stop drives me mad, i wonder sometimes if this is why when you drive in america its all stop start
[/quote]

everybody has different priorities for trannys... I have never driven Stept before, just manual 530i that is petrol.

So my diesel is Stept for the 3L engine, and when you do up-hill down hill start at stop by damn stupid planning that tram crosses you or you it... it is a good thing to have ... 0-5-10-0-50 km/h all the time and different level of ground, DSC+ and auto helps you.

When I go to play on German Autobahn, I have the DS or even manual.

Strange is when my baby was in for installing spolier etc, I got a loaner manaul e46 manual, and compact another time, I hardly was confused how to start totally different, e46 sucked, compact was better more sporty and smooth.

Before I had a petrol car that did 180 km/h in 3rd, so I like my Steptronic of BMW

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02-11-2006, 11:06 AM

#29

BangleBox_530d

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My Ride: E60 530d Sport - Carbon Black, Black Dakota Leather, Media Pack (satnav, bluetooth, CD changer), heated font seats, through load

If it's a company car, the auto adds a lot to the tax. The BMW auto a excellent, but I'd rather change gear for the ?70 a month it would add to the tax.

I don't drive like a faggot, and still get 37MPG average (combined motorway, city, local roads). Very good, considering the performance.

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02-11-2006, 11:17 AM

#30

doctorwolf

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My Ride: F10 525d SE Imperial Blue, Oyster Leather, Visibility Pack, Business Nav, Sports Automatic, Front seat Heating, Logic7 Loudspeaker System

Quote:

Originally Posted by BangleBox_530d' post='238488' date='Feb 11 2006, 08:06 PM

Agreed. I much prefer manual compared to the autos I've driven a lot in the US. Feels more like you're actually driving the car. I do mostly motorway and major A roads - very little urban or city. So if those are your auto figures, I reckon I could get 42mpg out of a 530d manual. So now it's down to a choice between 520d with loads of options or 530d with fewer...........

I don't pay tax - it's a company-subsidised PCP

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