E61 Touring Discussion The touring is also known as the wagon version of the 5 series.

523i vs 520d

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Old 04-18-2006, 11:02 PM
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1. Is the 520d the better engine of these two for overall feeling (highway, city, economy) when connected to a Steptronic? The midrange acceleration should be as powerful as the 530i.
2. Is there anythin obvious missing from the spec sheet above?

Thanks for any advise or thoughts,
M
[/quote]

Hi,
I would advise u to take a 525i since the price difference between a 525 and 523 is not so big. The 525 has 218bhp and has power enough and i love the sound of the six cilinder.
Old 04-19-2006, 04:43 AM
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525i is nice but 3000 Euro more than 523i and slower than 520d in overtaking. Apart from the engine sound, 520d seems perfect. Will order one as soon as the dealer gives me an acceptable offer.

/M
Old 04-19-2006, 04:51 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by tegel' post='271077' date='Apr 19 2006, 02:43 PM
525i is nice but 3000 Euro more than 523i and slower than 520d in overtaking. Apart from the engine sound, 520d seems perfect. Will order one as soon as the dealer gives me an acceptable offer.

/M
Slower than 520d?
Dont let the overtaking numbers fool u friend. These are primarily based on sticking in the same gear. So 80-120km/h in 4th or in 5th. Since u want tiptronic the gearbox will shift down when overtaking and believe me, no 520d will catch up with u then. 525i is way faster than 520d but suit yourself.
At least i would make a testdrive before u decide, good luck.
Old 04-19-2006, 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by tegel' post='269876' date='Apr 16 2006, 08:45 PM
Hi,
I was just about to order my e61 523i Touring when I realised BMW is selling a diesel model in the same price range. Since I am paying 2000 Euro/year in just petrol cost I am quite attracted by the potential savings and also by the mid-range punch delivered by the diesel. Coming from an 525i, I'm a bit hesitant to the diesel world of clatter, vibration and such.

The car is meant to be the "perfect" family car, used everyday for commute and every once in a while for long journeys.

The planned spec:
Steptronic
Panorama roof (for the kids!)
Luggage pack (straps etc)
Isofix + key switchable passenger airbag
Sun blinds in rear windows
Metallic (silver grey)
Advantage Package (alarm, rails, cup holder, ski sack, cruise control), Comfort Package (arm rest with cooling, pdc, xenon, extended climate, dakota leather) M-Sport package (all the M-stuff and chassis).

We are still debating the fully automatic tail gate, we have it today and will probably miss it if we leave it out.

Now to my two questions;
1. Is the 520d the better engine of these two for overall feeling (highway, city, economy) when connected to a Steptronic? The midrange acceleration should be as powerful as the 530i.
2. Is there anythin obvious missing from the spec sheet above?

Thanks for any advise or thoughts,
M
523 is the better engine unless you have a compelling reason NOT to get it (eg UK company car tax). 6 cylinder BMW is ALWAYS better than 4.

520d is not as fast as 530i unless they are in the same gear (which they won't be)

530d though IS as fast (if not faster) than 530i
Old 04-19-2006, 10:51 PM
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Reasons for not getting the 523i:

1. Slow acceleration with steptronic (9,5 sec to 100 km/h compared to 8,9 for 520d)
2. Slow mid range acceleration in low RPM range compared to 520d (I currently drive a 525i and have to rev it hard to get anything back when overtaking trailers etc).
3. High fuel consumption in city/mixed traffic
4. Short range on Autobahn (stop to refuel every 500 km more or less)
5. Diesel is cheaper than petrol

Reasons for getting the 523i:

1. Sound and smoothness.
2. Taxation is Sweden is actually penalising diesels (co2 tax multiplied by factor of 3,5) Yearly tax EUR 250 for petrol, EUR 600 for diesel.

/M

Originally Posted by needforspeed' post='271434' date='Apr 19 2006, 06:15 PM
523 is the better engine unless you have a compelling reason NOT to get it (eg UK company car tax). 6 cylinder BMW is ALWAYS better than 4.

520d is not as fast as 530i unless they are in the same gear (which they won't be)

530d though IS as fast (if not faster) than 530i
Old 04-20-2006, 01:30 AM
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Originally Posted by tegel' post='271563' date='Apr 20 2006, 08:51 AM
Reasons for not getting the 523i:

1. Slow acceleration with steptronic (9,5 sec to 100 km/h compared to 8,9 for 520d)
2. Slow mid range acceleration in low RPM range compared to 520d (I currently drive a 525i and have to rev it hard to get anything back when overtaking trailers etc).
3. High fuel consumption in city/mixed traffic
4. Short range on Autobahn (stop to refuel every 500 km more or less)
5. Diesel is cheaper than petrol

Reasons for getting the 523i:

1. Sound and smoothness.
2. Taxation is Sweden is actually penalising diesels (co2 tax multiplied by factor of 3,5) Yearly tax EUR 250 for petrol, EUR 600 for diesel.

/M
You might want to read this: http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=24753
Old 04-20-2006, 01:42 AM
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Thanks for the link. Well, my choice is between the 520d and the 523i. The 520d seems to have the edge on acceleration, at least up to a certain point, and fuel economy. It loses out in engine sound.

Basically, I am looking fo a car that is a pleasure to drive to work (16 km/day) and on vacation (5000 km through Europe once a year). I'm getting a bit tired of seeing 12 l/100 km consumption in everyday driving.

The prospect of getting a fully loaded 520d and the same fuel consumption as my previous Audi A2 coupled with performance that is no worse than the 523i, is very attractive to me.

BUT if the 520d performes worse, except for the engine note, than the 523i, I would reconsider my choice.

Hence this thread. Still looking for inputs from people that have experienced both, preferrably steptronics.

/M

Originally Posted by Georgos' post='271598' date='Apr 20 2006, 04:30 AM
Old 04-27-2006, 08:33 AM
  #18  
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Ordered it today! So, within 10 weeks, I will have answers to all my questions. And yes, I went with the 520d.

/M
Old 04-27-2006, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by tegel' post='274794' date='Apr 27 2006, 06:33 PM
Ordered it today! So, within 10 weeks, I will have answers to all my questions. And yes, I went with the 520d.

/M

Good on you!

Had a similar dilema; 330d vs. 520d = 6 vs. 4 cyl.
The engine sound isn't going to win any prizes, but the overall package in it's price range is hard to beat.
Old 04-27-2006, 10:54 AM
  #20  
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Did you try it with the step or just manual?
/M

Originally Posted by xBMWx' post='274834' date='Apr 27 2006, 01:16 PM
Good on you!

Had a similar dilema; 330d vs. 520d = 6 vs. 4 cyl.
The engine sound isn't going to win any prizes, but the overall package in it's price range is hard to beat.


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