mario.kwok

Mine was built in March 2004. So it has an old engine in it. Great car, just not as good as the newer version.

Merv the Derv

BMW always upgrade their cars, now it seems more often than before, but lets not get sucked in. They only want us to keep upgrading costing us 1,000's. I upgraded my car after 18mths and yes I now have a slightly faster car but if they brought out a 540d tomorrow with 372bhp I would still stick with my current car. I only changed mine because I did not like the interior and exterior colour (originally got sucked into buying their showroom model at a discount). Now I have a fantastic looking car, with a great interior and speed to match. Don't need anything else.

Forget that there is a higher powered model for sale now with a starter button and a std dimming mirror. Enjoy your car for what it is and learn how to make it go as fast as you want. A friend of mine has a 1998 523ise with 150,000 miles on the clock and he loves that car the same as when he first got it

SKK

Merv,

I have a 530i M Sport on order. Should be hear in 2-3 weeks. Its Silver Grey with the following options -

- Black leather
- Media pack
- Visibility pack
- Logic 7
- High gloss shadowline
- Privacy glass
- Remote control

The wait is killing me - its already been delayed. I should have gone for the comfort access as well but now its locked for production so too late.

Merv the Derv

Merv,

I have a 530i M Sport on order. Should be hear in 2-3 weeks. Its Silver Grey with the following options -

- Black leather
- Media pack
- Visibility pack
- Logic 7
- High gloss shadowline
- Privacy glass
- Remote control

The wait is killing me - its already been delayed. I should have gone for the comfort access as well but now its locked for production so too late.
[/quote]

Hi SKK

Nice spec and top colour scheme there! Whats the Remote Control option? Also I'd be interested to know what models you test drove before ordering. Another words what drew you to the petrol model over diesel - sound, power delivery etc.?

Cheers

Merv

SKK

The exterior colour was a toss up between Carbon Black and the Silver Grey. Both looked great. In the end decided that the Silver would be far easier to keep looking clean so went for it. Also I cant stand seeing swirl marks and black cars just show them up so clearly.

I drove a 525D, and a 530i so its wasnt a fair comparison really. I could still figure the diesel noise in the 525d (especially with the window down) and to be honest I just dont do enough miles to really give me a huge economy benefit. A friend of mine has a 535d and swears by it so I know its a really great car. My budget inc the options that I wanted wouldnt stretch to a 535d or a 540i so I just went for the 530i.

The really sad thing is that I have never been in a sport model (apart from in the showroom). I just saw it and decided that it looked a lot better than te standard car. After reading some of the posts here about the poor ride quality with the run flat tyres and the sport suspension I am a touch concerned. Hopefully it wont be as bad as some of the posts have implied....

The remote option just gives you 3 buttons on the rear view mirror which allow you once programmed to open electric garage doors, gates etc. Its not an expensive option (about ?160 I think) and it saves me having to run into he house to get the remote - good to have especially when its raining).

Merv the Derv

The exterior colour was a toss up between Carbon Black and the Silver Grey. Both looked great. In the end decided that the Silver would be far easier to keep looking clean so went for it. Also I cant stand seeing swirl marks and black cars just show them up so clearly.

I drove a 525D, and a 530i so its wasnt a fair comparison really. I could still figure the diesel noise in the 525d (especially with the window down) and to be honest I just dont do enough miles to really give me a huge economy benefit. A friend of mine has a 535d and swears by it so I know its a really great car. My budget inc the options that I wanted wouldnt stretch to a 535d or a 540i so I just went for the 530i.

The really sad thing is that I have never been in a sport model (apart from in the showroom). I just saw it and decided that it looked a lot better than te standard car. After reading some of the posts here about the poor ride quality with the run flat tyres and the sport suspension I am a touch concerned. Hopefully it wont be as bad as some of the posts have implied....

The remote option just gives you 3 buttons on the rear view mirror which allow you once programmed to open electric garage doors, gates etc. Its not an expensive option (about ?160 I think) and it saves me having to run into he house to get the remote - good to have especially when its raining).
[/quote]

Silver grey is certainly the colour if you're not a specialist car cleaner. Mine always looks great even when its dirty. Black leather still shows scuffs but one quick wipe and they're gone. My last light grey interior was very difficult to keep clean and always looked scruffy. I have 3 small boys say no more! The 18" 135's have goodyear RF's and the rides not bad, much better than my old 18's with Dunlop Rf's. The 19" Non RF's is a bit better but still harsh.

Enjoy when you get it and be sure to post pics.

EBMCS03

Booo UK poll... I had to vote null. :thumbsdown:

Merv the Derv

Thats it then the 530d's have it - thanks for voting everyone

colejl

I just dont do enough miles to really give me a huge economy benefit. A friend of mine has a 535d and swears by it so I know its a really great car.
[/quote]
Last week's AutoExpress did a report on the cost difference (Petrol vs Diesel) between a whole host of cars from all sectors. They took into account all costs, including fuel, insurance, servicing, depreciation etc. etc. and working out a 'break even' cost.

On a car like the 530i/530d they said that was LESS THAN 2,000 miles/year!!! Basically it makes more sense with diesel the bigger the car is... (For example in a Vauxhall Corsa you need to do about 14,000 miles/year)

Merv the Derv

I just dont do enough miles to really give me a huge economy benefit. A friend of mine has a 535d and swears by it so I know its a really great car.
[/quote]
Last week's AutoExpress did a report on the cost difference (Petrol vs Diesel) between a whole host of cars from all sectors. They took into account all costs, including fuel, insurance, servicing, depreciation etc. etc. and working out a 'break even' cost.

On a car like the 530i/530d they said that was LESS THAN 2,000 miles/year!!! Basically it makes more sense with diesel the bigger the car is... (For example in a Vauxhall Corsa you need to do about 14,000 miles/year)
[/quote]

When I first bought my 530d it was the same price as the 530i and with servicing only costing ?200 for 19,500 miles it was a no brainer as far as I was concerned.