Dazza

I'm planning to purchase either a new LCI e60 in March or a pre-LCI 535d demonstrator.
It'll be the M-sport saloon variant I'll be going for.

I've driven both the 530d and 535d (M-sports) in the current form an was impressed by both particularly the 535d.

However looking at the pricing of the LCI 535d it going to cost me about ?3k more than an auto equipped 530d, so from a cost perspective I'm favouring the 530d, but one comment I've read on this forum suggested that the 530d suffered some turbo lag? Personally I didn't notice this when I test drove the 530d.

Is there anyone else out the would agree that the 530d can be often be left wanting in the performance stakes?
235hp & 500nm suggest not.

I've also noticed that the 3.0i petrol engine now has significantly lower emissions, just above that of the diesel, so
this is a possability too - does anyone know if this engine is in any other current models, so that I could test drive it?

I'd been planning to spec. my car with amethyst leather and maple wood trim, both of which are now discontinued.
Does any one know of/have any photos of either the anthracite bamboo or the cream/beige Dakota leather which are new LCI options?

Final question - does anyone know if the cost of options are going up too?

Thanks in advance

Dazza

BetterMakeWay

Although my head says buy petrol, my heart says buy the diesel. That's the same with 530d vs 530i and 535d vs pretty much everything else (except M5 of course). It depdends on what you want: if you want refinement, and better engine sound get the petrol, if you drive more in city you're better of with the thrust of the diesel.

aybeesea

Regarding fuel consumption, not with a current 535d, you're not!

ABC

the-oneil

I had a 530d and replaced it with a 530i (2 months later). Yes the 530d suffers Turbo lag and even worse Turbo failure as you'd find if you read further here or on the www.bwmland.co.uk forums. BUT that has nothing to do with performance, the 530d is as good a performer as the 530i (the car you should be comparing it to). The Turbo lag, will affect you in mainly start/stop traffic; less so on the motorways. Since most of my driving IS in traffic, I prefer the responsiveness of the petrol as well as its refinement (don't forget the 530d is a diesel at the end of the day, and it feels more so in town than on a freeway).

The 535d is a totally different issue, as with its two turbos, it has irradicated the turbo lag issue - so if you could afford it go for it (It would be a much improvement on the 530d). If you mostly drive in town and prefer your fuel refined go for the 530i - You won't regret it.

More importantly, test drive the 535d, 530d & 530i (preferably on the same day) to get the feel of it. I would also try to test drive on the route you'll be using the most.

Raighne

I never, ever thought I would hear anyone say that...
For generations... good old thrifty diesel was the sensible approach and large engine petrol was reserved for the frivolous...
What happened???

aybeesea

CO2?



ABC

devron

I would go for the 535
great machine

aybeesea

But the OP is considering the pre-LCI 535d and post LCI 530i and 530d...

ABC

Raighne

So, generally it seems that lower CO2 emissions usually imply better fuel economy.

I am curious about this relationship and perhaps someone here can explain it...

I know that we may not be comparing like with like with different engine design or revisions...
But let's say the same (or very similar engine design) tuned...

- does lower CO2 always go hand-in-hand with improved economy? Are there cases where CO2 output is lower but fuel economy is the same or worse?
- if they are coupled then what kind of relationship it is typically... does a 20% improvement in CO2 bring a 20% improvement in economy?

Uk525i

If fuel consumption is a consideration, may I suggest that you take a genuine test drive in all 3, resetting the mpg computer 1st. They will all be way off what the book says, this may help to make the decision easier.