Stu

Very thoughtful post.

I'm curious about your comments on the transmission. Did you experiment with the D versus DS settings on the auto box? There is a big difference to these settings, with DS being far more responsive (but also edgy). Compared to my previous petrol Audi (250PS), I feel that the 530d is actually safer when overtaking on a 2 lane road due to the huge torque shove. The 530s 50-70mph is particularly impressive although I suspect that the Audi would fair better, say, at a 50-100mph burn (only useful when showing off).

I still have less than 3k miles on my car and it has loosened up a lot recently. I'm driving the family to Austria next week via German autobahns so will no doubt have some more stories to tell about high-speed cruising.

Hope you are adjusting to the new arrival OK! This is the real reason why we order leather seats ;-)

 

stu

ditto previous post. I've been experimenting with the auto box in DS and manual mode. In DS it holds onto the gears for longer and i believe sharpens up the throttle response. I found this great on B roads where the car is changing between 3/4/5 most of the time. However, in the roundabouts of Milton Keynes is wasn't good at all. I found it very jerky and changing at times I didn't want/expect. For example on the approach to a roundabout slowing up but not stopping and unsure whether or not I'm going to have to stop - put my foot down when the car wasn't expecting and went into full washing machine cycle - v embarrising.

This prompted me to try manual mode - much better - downchange and upchanges rapid enough and with loads of torque the overall effect is not too dissimilar to my SMG M3 (this is the 545i) but I'm sure the 530d would be similar.

BTW the 50 to 75 times for the 530d and 545i and the SAME!. I know what you mean about not being confident to overtake on a single lane road but I think this is more about getting used to the auto box - experiement a little and it might surprise you!

Just my 'umble thoughts!

jonboy

 

No No No

The real reason we buy leather seats is so that that we can experience the delights of swimming all over the seat in slippery polyester slacks during high g -cornering manoevers ably assisted by the aerodynamic abilities of an exec spolier hugging the car to the ground.

 

@ Tuga

>> The price is the same, around 73.000 Eur.

Mine will be around ? 66K - including allmost everything, minor gadgets missing - how is it possible to go above 70k

How much it the VAT in Portugal (Germany it?s 16%).

WBB

 

I live in Portugal.
The starting price of the 530d is the same than the 530i.
The VAT in Portugal is 19%.
But the bigger problem is a tax that is calculated in the engine capacity - c.c.- of your car, they call it something like AUTOMOBILE TAX.
No ecologic taxes around here, the introdution of the new particule filter, won't bring any beneficts in taxes.
So if the 530d is around 3000 c.c. engine the tax will be huge.
The starting price of the 530d is 39.700 Euros.
The Extras are around 4.000. Euros.
The AUTOMOBILE TAX around 17.000 Euros.
And the VAT is calculated on all this previous values, including the previous TAX.
Total around 73.000 Euros............
In Germany we can buy a 530d for a good price, if you live there.
Tuga.

 

One question about the auto gear box.

Is it the same than in the 7 series?
I usually drive a 730d E65 and the gear box in the auto mode is a little disapointing, always changing gears....on mountain is to forget, or you will burn your brakes.
In open road or highway no problem (Excellent) but in the other roads (lots of it around here) i usually use the auto in Sport mode. More revs and when you really use the brakes it will change a gear down, or two.
In the highway i never use it because it won't use the 6th. I tried 2 or 3 times and until 220km/h is always in 5th, after 220 km/h it will change for 6th.
Does the auto box of the 530d works like this?
In the 530d i asked for manual gear box, i love to use it.....
Tuga.

 

Nice picture of several 5 series.

 

Tuga,

530i vs 530d? 530d! It's a no brainer. Better fuel economy, better mid range acceleration and better resale. What more do you need to know

 

In my opinion the 530d is the one!
But i always like to know other people opinions.

ISUK, do you have a 530d? Is it auto gear ? Can you give me your opinion on the gear box ? I posted about the auto gear box before. Is it the same than in the 7 series?

 

Hi Tuga ,

I have a full extras 530d, and live in Faro, Portugal.
What chip are u talkink about? Is it the ACS one?

Regards
Joao Caiado