forge197

If you had the choice between a 530i M Sport (Petrol) New Engine or a 530d Sport (note not M or with the additional BHP) Which would you choose.

I think I would go for the 530i M Sport as it's the newest by 3 months and the latest engine. I may have this choice to make. Both have similar options. I drive around 18 - 20k miles a year mainly.

mr_djurgarden

I would go for the 530i (petrol). No doubt!

mario.kwok

Surely the 530d. I have a 530i and I knew I've made the wrong choice after I've sat in a 530d. The power feeling is much better in the diesel. Looking at the mileage you do, believe most of your time on the motorways, which means you will need the acceleration power from 50-70mph. The diesel is definately the one you need. It will also save you a few ? on fuel.

I felt my petrol is too slow when overtaking.

mr_djurgarden

don't forget mario. kwok that you have the "old" petrol engine. It's a lot better performance in the new engine. I know that the diesel also is new but I would go for the petrol anyway.

colejl

Depends on a number of factors... Who's paying the depreciation and fuel bills?

SKK

Both are great cars. I have a 530i M Sport with the new engine and there is a huge difference in performance between the old and the new engines. The N52 engine 530i is pretty fast. I went for the petrol as I tube to Canary wharf every day rather than drive and only do about 6000 miles a year.

At 6000 miles a year the fuel saving is miniscule and for that I just couldnt live with the noise of the diesel engine when cold. BMW diesels are good but you can still tell. My car is giving me about 23mpg (all in town/suburbs driving) and thats pretty reasonable as its a heavy car and it got a healthy 260 odd horses under the bonnet.

At 18000 miles however the saving is significant. If the diesel say gives you 30mpg average compared the 23 for the petrol the saving is around ?600 - 700 annually. It all adds up.

Also in terms of depreciation the diesel obviously retains its value better - I would expect after three years a 530d to be worth about ?1000 more than an equivalent 530i

THe BMW specs for the 530d suggest a 0-62 time of 6.8 seconds and a 50-75 in 4th gear of 5.1 seconds. This is for the 231 bhp new engine though (I didnt know there was an old one floating about in the E60 - anyone know the specs of the old engine??).

The N52 engined 530i does 0-62 in 6.5 seconds and 50-75 in 6.6 seconds. Faster off the line but slower in gear (in gear slightly irrelevant if they are both auto's however as they will kick down when the accelerator is pressed hard and the performance gap will be narrower in 3rd gear as compared to the 4th. )

maylander739

Well, it would have to be........the diesel, everytime! All that torque!

0700700

i would rate 530d(231bhp)>530i(258bhp)>530d(218bhp)


the new 3litre diesel is much much better

forge197

Thanks for all the responses. I pay the depreciation and personal mileage but get business mileage back. I have always liked petrol engines and have only ever had a Mondeo as a Diesel. I am going to drive the Diesel and Petrol back to back to see which "feels" better.

The change in Diesel was a few more HP in mY2006.

I currently run a 530i 231 BHP car so it will be interesting to drive the new 258bhp 530i

Roll on Tuesday.

My mileage is a mix of motorway, dual carriageway and country lanes

colejl

Difficult choice - both are great! It guess it depends on which feels better to you... The low down thrust of the diesel or the high-revving petrol...