Phantom Mark

To be honest I would never recommend the 520d, but thats only my opinion, its underpowered for its size as you already discovered, look at a 320d if you really must have the economy, the 2 litre engine goes well in the 3 series as well, nice cars, just a touch small in the rear and boot tho, which is why I went for a 5er

BLooD

same here, you could sleep in 5`s boot or hide at least 3 dead bodies lol

Jambers

I drove the 520d, 525d, 530d and 535d (all 2007 models and LCI's).

The 520d was very good actually, it was the first one I drove and compared to my previous Diesel it was smoother, quiter and pulled the weight quite well.

Then the 525d 3.0l LCI - boy - the difference was a step up

Finally - the 530d - awesome. My Dad had a 535d which was W/Off earlier this year (close encounter of the "ford" kind), and that is the pick!!

I eventually went for the 525d Auto M Sport -

Why?

1) No swirl flaps
2) That engine is available here with the least turbo assistance, so hopefully the margins are way over what is being asked of it - and hopefully last longer
3) Smoothness - the 6 cylinder engine is very smooth once warm - when cold it sounds a bit wheezy!!
4) Performance - the 530d is excellent, but with Max torque from just 1300rpm, the 525d version is absolutely lethal at the lights - from 0-40 it felt as fast as the 530d and faster than most cars off the line - the 530d really does pull away from over 40mph though as you would expect
5) Purchase price - I bought nearly new and the difference was a few ?000 cheaper than a 530d and only a fraction more than the 520d - just made exceptional sense!

Finally - in town I can get low 30's readily using Steptronics, but on a run high 40's - mid 50's is available with a careful right peg

Rislar

Cool, these are the answers i need, to be honest fuel isnt really an issue as i drive an RRS at the moment so any of the range beats that even the X5!!! it looks more likely like the 530, i spend a bit of time on the A roads so i need some fun factor also, thanks guys, keep em coming

paulmc

Cheers

Ricracing

Actually that is a lot of bull.

I have driven the 530dA, and the difference is not that big at all.

Compare the petrol 523i (2,5 l L6) and the 530i (3,0 l L6) and you are within proportions.

The 520d has a great little diesel engine which is fast enough for the GB traffic!

520d; 8,3 sec from 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph), top speed 231 km/h, CO2' 136 g!
523i; 8,2 sec from 0 - 100 km/h, top speed 237, CO2's 174.

paulmc

Now that is funny

JPJP

I looked at the 5 range and compared the 530d and 530i most carefully / closely

For me the petrol was the way to go - economy gap not that big in my driving life, especially as petrol is cheaper than diesel + lower road tax (if that matters)

So far so good, no regrets

Rislar

Well it must be me as it felt slow to me even compaired to my RRS!! My last Audi 2.5 180hp would nail it with ease!!! I'll be testing the 530d so i'll post my findings

Phantom Mark

Sorry mate, that just doesn't compare with the 530d at all, your looking at 0-60 in 6.8 standard and a top speed of a limited 255km/h, and not that huge a difference in economy unless your slugging it around town all day, my car with a el cheapo tuning box managed 0-60 in 6.3 no problems at all which is a whole 2 seconds quicker than a 520d, light years difference if performance is a factor in your purchase, dont even get me started on the acceleration difference for overtaking your typical 40-50 dawdlers on A roads.

In your world it may not compare, but im guessing you dont have the same performance expectations or driving habbits as the people who really rate the 530d/535d, so Sir I will quite happily eat my so called bull and enjoy my massive performance difference because thats one good reason I bought the model I did