fusion

I'm curious as to how much more if any, a 535D weights when compared to a gasoline 535i?

I would hope that BMW hasn't added a bunch of weight to the front of the car that would drastically affect balance and handling.

Your comments are greatly appreciated.

virgil

In Australia, the 530d is 60kg heavier than the 530i. I'm unsure how the weight is distributed but BMW claims it is evenly over the car. I have the compact spare as well.

Cheers

virgil

swajames

According to the BMW UK website, the 535d weighs in at 1735kg so it's 3825 lbs. As the 535d is auto only, the best comparison is the 535i with the steptronic transmission, and according to the BMWUSA website
it tips the scales at 3703 lbs. The difference is just over 120 lbs - probably barely noticeable.

AlexFW

120 lbs on the front axle, james.
Old 535d was heavier (BMW changed engine material). Something like 100kg heavier than 545i that is V8.

JMC

According to the brochure in front of me now the 535d and the 550i have identical unladen weight at 1735kg. Unless the 550i suffers from excessive front axle weight , the 535d doesn't either. And as swajames says, the transmission is also a factor in the additional weight, and it sits well behind the axle. Like other BMWs, the E60 diesels have 50:50 weight distribution. The weight difference indeed has negligible effect on acceleration (it's the horsepower that makes the difference there), and the handling and balance shouldn't be impacted either.

When I swapped cars in May this year I tested both a 535d and a 5501 and while there was a difference in off the line acceleration, the cornering and roadholding dynamics seemed identical to me.

MacSid

+1 ... despite the oil-burning engines being heavier and the auto box being heavier too, the differences have got smaller due to creative use of materials. BMW also continue to claim that the E60 in general has a 50:50 front-rear weight balance, although I have never come across an explanation of how they manage it over such a wide range of engine types and sizes (straight-4 gas & diesel, straight-6 gas & diesel, v8) as well as transmission types (well, JMC has shed some light on the latter in his post above)

Dr Dave

we just dont carry big fat people in our diesels in the UK

super size me....

Phantom Mark

virgil

Does the diesel have a different battery? This may add to the weight too?

Different fuel pump? Filters? Other stuff? I wouldn't quib about 60kb (120lb) ... it is trivial and could be offset by the compact spare, fuel tank full/empty ... or ... dare I suggest ... overweight mother-in-law in the back <duck> ...

I'd be surprised if the 60kg is simply in the engine block sitting over the front wheels.

I'd be further surprised if BMW hadn't got it right.

Cheers

virgil

JMC

My old 530i and my 535d had identical batteries. The exhaust and fuel tanks were different, the diesel's looked heavier.


Oh, and if you want to talk batteries, have you seen the bad boy in an M5? That sucker's huge.