to be perfectly honist
take the MPG and fuel thing out of the equasion, i honistly would still buy a diesel BMW.
its the torque thing i love.....even the mighty M5 does not have any where near the torque i have.
its faster yes, on all levels, but the day to day driving, round town and at motorway speeds, with overtaking and life thrown in the mix, you cannot beat a biggish turbo diesel, especialy a re-mapped one, take one for a test drive (spiritedly)
you will be amaized.
clarkson was totaly surprised when the 535d went round the track...

 

I was in the same position as you, I thought I was going to end up buying a diesel as I couldn?t find the right petrol car and the money was burning a hole in my pocket.

In the end the right car came up and I?m glad I waited, the 3.0 petrol is much smoother and sounds much nicer. Yes my fuel consumption is in the low 20?s but it doesn?t matter to me as I don?t cover many more miles than you. If I?d gone for any of the 530d or 535d?s I test drove I would have ended up blowing my budget and getting stuck with a high mileage example. Yes the diesels are good but there is just no point in spending the extra capital on them to only use them for 5k a year.

Look at it this way, in a Petrol 5,000miles @ 22mpg (with petrol costs at 89.9p/l) = ?927

In the Diesel 5,000miles @ 30mpg (with diesel costs at 99.9p/l) = ?755

You will only save yourself ?3.30/week . . . not worth it.

Just hold out for the right car, it?s out there somewhere.

 

I agree, well put.

On that basis I think it also highlights the worth of the 525i tho, seens loads of them around nicely specced

 

Strange thing is that I have had diesels for over 8 years. This time wanted a BMW, but a straight six petrol...couldn't get one with a decent spec as there are so many diesels available, so went for the 525d M sport Auto. I don't do that many miles, but boy - it's so driveable!! I don't regret it at all - but....If I was out for an older car, say 2005 or earlier I would NOT buy the diesel. Just too many things that can go wrong - swirls, Turbo's etc.

The only old diesels I would go for are Audi's - they are all excellent from my experience - engines can go on for 200,000 no sweat, and Turbo's will eat 150,000 easy!! Just look at how many Taxis in the UK are Passatts and A4's Diesels...most with intergalactic miles

If you go for the oiler 5er, get a good warranty. But don't buy it for economy. As stated in the UK it's not really worth it unless you do a hat full of miles each week.

The torque at low revs, with the Auto box makes it very quick where you need it most, and it belies the size of the car through the traffic...for that alone it's a good reason to get a diesel...but not for economy unless you do sit on the motorways a lot at 70mph...then it might make some sense...

PS - just wait till our mates across the lilly pond taste the oiler. With the sort of freeway miles that you can do over there, the Diesel makes immense sense...it's smooth, powerful and quick enough from 50-75mph when flooring it to make most sports cars take note...the momentum that the torque generates is incredible...

 

I bought a high milage 530D last year, the engine performance is really impressive, handling for such a big car is good, gear change in my manual has such a long throw I need arm extensions , not good. And the best mpg i've had is 41 and that was 5 hours on the motorway, around town I get 25

Jason

 

Thanks for all your replies..

I think I'll test drive a 535d see if it wins me over... even the wife wants a fast car!!

Around town mpg is pretty impressive from other threads (& your post DrDave) hardly any difference in price when it comes to used models. I'll take advantage of the recession and try and get a good deal..

Cheers

 

your wife wants a fast car?????
i have a porsche 986 and the 535d is faster than that on pull away and mid range,
you will be supprised sir.