needforspeed

With you 100% - the 6 cylinder engines for both petrol and diesel cars are in a completely different class to the 4's.

The 530d does not sound at all tractor like my 320cd looked the business, drove well but sounded 'agricultural'.

2wheels

With you 100% - the 6 cylinder engines for both petrol and diesel cars are in a completely different class to the 4's.

The 530d does not sound at all tractor like my 320cd looked the business, drove well but sounded 'agricultural'.
[/quote]

Point taken, 4 cyl is does have a different character. However be careful with cross model comparison.

I have a 520d and a Land Rover Freelander TD4 (2.0 BMW diesel), the latter being the definition of "agricultural". These are obviously not exactly the same derivative of the BMW 2.0 diesel engine, but I simply can't express how much different the engines feel and sound.

It is true that the 520d does clatter slightly from the outside, but the sound insulation in the cabin is simply fantastic

Personal choice, but I can't help feeling the decision would be much more difficult if / when the 525d is upgraded

derbyjj

NO
DUMp the options get the 525 or the 530[size=7]

norham

Singh

520d & DMS you know it makes sense.

PaulCP

I opted for a 520d SE manual, dakota leather, sports suspension, tow pack etc. I've now done 4500 miles and it's loosening up nicely.



Wait until you've done 10000miles. That is what it took mine to really free up. The difference now to when it was new is amazing. Initially i thought i'd made a bad decision but realised that the engine was really tight

sforshaw

Cheers Paul, encouraging

I investigated it quite thoroughly and as far any knows it's here to stay

I went from a 528i petrol to a 520d - yes the engine has a slight edge but that's comparing it to a petrol - the 6 cyl diesels would need to be amazing to be considered "better". I'd take the 2.0 diesel every time over the 2.8 petrol

I've not driven the 6 cyl diesel therefore I can't comment - of course how many of those who make the statement about the 4 vs 6cyl comparison have actually driven both?

Incidentally, my 520d (163bhp) is a world away from a friends 320d (150bhp) in terms of refinement.

Tommy

Very encouraging to read that I do not have to regret my 520d choice - At least when I test drove the car, it felt a lot more poweful than my 2liter petrol mercedes C, and most astonishing, inside, it is more silent !!!
To be honest, I don't miod the outside sound/noise too much and likely I will never hear it either
Waiting till Friday to pick her up at the dealer is kind of the worst part at this moment

needforspeed

I've driven and owned a number of different petrol and diesel engined 3 and 5 series. Whilst I have really enjoyed ALL of my 4 cylinder engined cars - the 6 cylinder engines have been better IMO.

That's no detriment to the 4 cylinder engines though they really are great.

I also agree that the soundproofing in the e60 is much better than the 3.

The new 163bhp 2l diesel is MUCH sweeter than the 150bhp engine in my old 320cd, which in turn was MUCH sweeter than the previous 2l diesel used in the old 3-series saloon model.

it's a complex choice, but I am satisfied that the 530d is right for me. As I said before if it were a company car ..... I'm not sure what I'd get.

sforshaw

Much better when an opinion can be formulated from personal experience.

A major problem with much of the vehicle information we get is that it is formulated by motoring journos - they don't need to buy the cars, they don't have them serviced, they don't run them day in day out, and the story they tell is more important to their careers than to making a purchasing decision - Clarkson is a fine example, but we all know it, enjoy it, and give him license to mutter whatever drivel he wants. It's only through excellent and honest forums like this that we can gain unbiased (ish ) opinions of a product, but even so it often takes a little routing out!

I drive a 520d - 4cyl. A friend of mine has a 320d - 4 cyl. My sister-in-law drives a TD4 Freelander - BMW 4cyl. The only comment I can make is that there appears to be very little similarity between the different engines in how they feel - the 520d install is in a different league. I have no experience to compare to the 6cyl diesel though. It could of course be the fact that the new 2.0d is a 4cyl that enables such impressive torque figures - jump on a 1000cc 2cyl BMW motorbike and you'll understand where I'm coming from