520d powerful enough?
03-23-2006, 01:25 PM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hello everyone,
im very close to putting in an order for a 520d SE with a whole bunch of specs (visibility pack, comfort seats, dakota leather, extended lights, hi-fi speakers etc)
been looking at this goldmine of forums for the last week and just have a quick question. Was wondering if the engine is powerful enough for the car? I do a 60/40 mix of freeway vs city driving. My preference for this model is the fantastic fuel consumption, and with the chance fuel prices not looking to go down anytime soon it seems to be the best option.
520d
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 120/163/4000
525d
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 130/177/4000
Does the extra oompff really make that much difference?
thanks in advance!
im very close to putting in an order for a 520d SE with a whole bunch of specs (visibility pack, comfort seats, dakota leather, extended lights, hi-fi speakers etc)
been looking at this goldmine of forums for the last week and just have a quick question. Was wondering if the engine is powerful enough for the car? I do a 60/40 mix of freeway vs city driving. My preference for this model is the fantastic fuel consumption, and with the chance fuel prices not looking to go down anytime soon it seems to be the best option.
520d
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 120/163/4000
525d
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 130/177/4000
Does the extra oompff really make that much difference?
thanks in advance!
03-23-2006, 01:58 PM
#3
Members
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recently purchased a 520 DE SE and test drove both before buying, what I have found so far is the 520 is more than adequate if you are a resonably fast driver.
I have now done 1500 miles and the engine is beginning to loosen up and the performance is now improving ( I did feel it was quite sluggish for the first 1000 miles ).
Being based in the UK the tax, insurance and most importantly the cost of fuel were important to me as the car is mainly a business tool and this moved me from the 525 to the 520.
If I were to make the choice today I still feel I would go for the 520, but the 525 did feel very quick when I test drove it and from the reports here does not seem that much worse on real useage fuel economy.
So in the end of the day you must make the decison yourself based on your own needs.
I have now done 1500 miles and the engine is beginning to loosen up and the performance is now improving ( I did feel it was quite sluggish for the first 1000 miles ).
Being based in the UK the tax, insurance and most importantly the cost of fuel were important to me as the car is mainly a business tool and this moved me from the 525 to the 520.
If I were to make the choice today I still feel I would go for the 520, but the 525 did feel very quick when I test drove it and from the reports here does not seem that much worse on real useage fuel economy.
So in the end of the day you must make the decison yourself based on your own needs.
03-23-2006, 02:05 PM
#4
Members
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 520d M Sport Titanium Silver, 6-speed Manual, new style Start/Stop ignition, Black Dakota Leather, bluetooth, Nav via Tomtom One on a brodit dashmount
I got a 520d M sport in january this year and it is fantastic
The engine feels quite punchy and pulls the car away swiftly and the general drive and handling feels very balanced. The best thing is I am getting 42 to 47mpg on average so with UK fuel prices it is saving me a fortune!!
I too looked at the 525d and as long as you can get the the must have 6 cyl over 4 cyl thought out of your head the 520d wins, as the 525 is only marginally quicker than the 520d but consumes more fuel than the 530d This puts the 525d in what seems to be a funny position as if you want power and have a big budget you would go for the 530d and if like me you dont have an endless purse and would rather have toys onthe car and save money on fuel and road tax then you go for the 520d.
Sitting back waiting for the 525d owners to reply
The engine feels quite punchy and pulls the car away swiftly and the general drive and handling feels very balanced. The best thing is I am getting 42 to 47mpg on average so with UK fuel prices it is saving me a fortune!!
I too looked at the 525d and as long as you can get the the must have 6 cyl over 4 cyl thought out of your head the 520d wins, as the 525 is only marginally quicker than the 520d but consumes more fuel than the 530d This puts the 525d in what seems to be a funny position as if you want power and have a big budget you would go for the 530d and if like me you dont have an endless purse and would rather have toys onthe car and save money on fuel and road tax then you go for the 520d.
Sitting back waiting for the 525d owners to reply
03-23-2006, 02:33 PM
#5
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Posts: 6,458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you don't want too much performance, and more mpg i find 520d a good option although i haven't driven one. I only drove a 120d wich felt very fast due to the size and weight.
03-23-2006, 02:48 PM
#6
Members
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by daemon1' post='259051' date='Mar 23 2006, 05:25 PM
hello everyone,
im very close to putting in an order for a 520d SE with a whole bunch of specs (visibility pack, comfort seats, dakota leather, extended lights, hi-fi speakers etc)
been looking at this goldmine of forums for the last week and just have a quick question. Was wondering if the engine is powerful enough for the car? I do a 60/40 mix of freeway vs city driving. My preference for this model is the fantastic fuel consumption, and with the chance fuel prices not looking to go down anytime soon it seems to be the best option.
520d
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 120/163/4000
525d
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 130/177/4000
Does the extra oompff really make that much difference?
thanks in advance!
My 520d SE was collected in December. I had exactly the same concerns, especially as mine is an E61. However I can safely say IMO there is definitely plenty of power in the 2 litre diesel engine and it rarely needs "winding up".
Is this positive feeling of available torque the result of the 4 larger pots than 6 slightly smaller ones
I think it is more a question of whether you like a manual gearbox (stick shift). If this is the case then the 520d is a fine choice, leaving funds for other options that are often overlooked such as heated seats, climate control upgrade and BT
There is also the question of preferred engine note. The 6 cyl may be slightly more refined. Nevertheless IMO the burble of the 520d gives character to the car and further enhances the drive in a very positive way. In no way is it "unrefined" or noisy.
In the end Maylander739 is right, "sufficient power" is a personal thing. However I would certainly recommed a test in the 520d, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised
im very close to putting in an order for a 520d SE with a whole bunch of specs (visibility pack, comfort seats, dakota leather, extended lights, hi-fi speakers etc)
been looking at this goldmine of forums for the last week and just have a quick question. Was wondering if the engine is powerful enough for the car? I do a 60/40 mix of freeway vs city driving. My preference for this model is the fantastic fuel consumption, and with the chance fuel prices not looking to go down anytime soon it seems to be the best option.
520d
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 120/163/4000
525d
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 130/177/4000
Does the extra oompff really make that much difference?
thanks in advance!
My 520d SE was collected in December. I had exactly the same concerns, especially as mine is an E61. However I can safely say IMO there is definitely plenty of power in the 2 litre diesel engine and it rarely needs "winding up".
Is this positive feeling of available torque the result of the 4 larger pots than 6 slightly smaller ones
I think it is more a question of whether you like a manual gearbox (stick shift). If this is the case then the 520d is a fine choice, leaving funds for other options that are often overlooked such as heated seats, climate control upgrade and BT
There is also the question of preferred engine note. The 6 cyl may be slightly more refined. Nevertheless IMO the burble of the 520d gives character to the car and further enhances the drive in a very positive way. In no way is it "unrefined" or noisy.
In the end Maylander739 is right, "sufficient power" is a personal thing. However I would certainly recommed a test in the 520d, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised
03-23-2006, 03:13 PM
#7
Senior Members
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Issaquah, WA
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not too mention, if you ever feel like there isn't enough power in the 520d, you can install a Propane kit on it. It's like NOS for diesels! Plus you get even better gas mileage!
03-23-2006, 03:17 PM
#8
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
fantastic feedback!! thanks everyone for the info, will be going ahead with the order of the 520d
now the long wait for it to be built!!
been told its only 8 weeks for the uk, just in time for the summer!
now the long wait for it to be built!!
been told its only 8 weeks for the uk, just in time for the summer!
03-24-2006, 12:08 AM
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
For everyday use the 520d is enough.
But the best choise for a diesel E60 is the 530d!
But the best choise for a diesel E60 is the 530d!