www.partsauction.co.uk

I'm in the lucky position to be looking at getting a new car. I need a car that will do everything, Carry things, Carry family, go short distances mostly with long distances for holidays etc will be good to look at easy to own and fun when needed and not prohibitively expensive at the pumps, I'm looking for a diesel after all. A tall order for any car!

I can afford to buy a 520d MSport or 525d MSport or a 2nd hand with around 20k miles 530d or 535d MSport.

I'm completely new to moderm BMW's, the newest I've had has been an E38 740i. This car will be the replacement for my 740i and an Audi (spit, although it has been really good) A4 1.9TDiQ Avant

Which is the best one of the above E61's to own in your opinion given all the above requirements??

Any help would be really appreciated including any tips on making a second hand purchase.

Best Regards,

Jim.

bruce_miranda

My choice has to be LCI 525d MSport and then get it remapped. It will give the same effect as a second hand 530D.

fox72

I couldn't afford to buy a 525d E61 and therefore I'll have to be satisfied with a 520d (due next month). If you can afford it, than there is no doubt you should go for a 525d (at least the LCI one).
Slightly off topic: in UK there are more Msport versions than SE versions, whereas here in Belgium Msport versions are quite rare. Wondering why.

www.partsauction.co.uk

This may seem like a daft question but what is LCi?

Regards,

Jim.

fox72

LCI = life cycle impulse. Means the 2008 version available since March 2007.

www.partsauction.co.uk

Ahhhhhh! :-)

eddy

Having some experience with the 525d LCI, is you want to have an economical car, this is the one.
197 hp should be enough. it's a fine engine, quality interior, and a six cylinder.

a 5630d or 535d are faster resp. a lot faster but nothing goes better than a brand new car.

new-kid

If you have to ask go for the 520d - its all you'll ever need. And if you think about fuel economy, then ditto

But if you like driving hard there is no question - one drive and you'll not settle for anything but the 535d and to hell with the LED rear lights and stop buttons of the LCI non-facelift.

AlwynMike

Jim,

As far as I'm concerned, there is no contest. 520d OK, nice, quiet, economical and fairly useable. The 525 (to me anyway) is a middle of the road engine - the smoothness of a six is so much better than the 4 cylinder 520. HOWEVER, although I'm biassed, the 530 or the 535 is the one to go for. If you can cope with an automatic gearbox, then stretch to a 535, they are tremendous. (I am one of the original Luddites who prefers a manual gearbox). Be warned though, that the price difference between a 530 and a 535 is quite large as the 535's seem to hold thier value better. Best bet is to chat up your local dealer and have a play in a 520 and then a 530 (even 2nd hand ones). I would hazard a guess that if you are a driving man, then you won't look at a 520 again.

Sorry all you 520 owners, I don't wish to denigrate a very good car, its just that I think the 530 is better!

By the way, the new (LCi) 525 is a 3 litre as well as the 530 (and 535), just detuned.

A4 : Nice car. 530d : different league

xBMWx

My choice would be 525d or 530d. Comes down to whether you want a brand new car or not and how far the budget will stretch. With the 525d you would also benefit from the new LCI feaures. A test drive between the two would no doubt help you decide if performance was more important than the LCI features.
If you don't need to, don't go for the 520d. All the current 6cyl diesel engines are more effortless to drive and depending on which one, also significantly quicker. Have fun choosing - they're all great cars...