Which one?
11-06-2006, 01:19 AM
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Hi guys,
Am looking to buy a smart estate car to use for work (taxi to airports etc, not the saturday night drunks!). Have got it down to A6 or 5 series, I won't start that debate here! But which engine should I go for? Looking at the factory performance figures, there is not much between the 520d and 525d how accurate are these? What are the good and bad points of each (mostly motorway use). The car will be second hand but no more than 2 years old.
Help greatly appreciated.
Ben.
Am looking to buy a smart estate car to use for work (taxi to airports etc, not the saturday night drunks!). Have got it down to A6 or 5 series, I won't start that debate here! But which engine should I go for? Looking at the factory performance figures, there is not much between the 520d and 525d how accurate are these? What are the good and bad points of each (mostly motorway use). The car will be second hand but no more than 2 years old.
Help greatly appreciated.
Ben.
11-06-2006, 02:45 AM
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My Ride: E61 535d Apr 05. UK spec + Media Pack, Luxury Pack & Visibility Pack
If you are mainly looking at a workhorse, I'd have no doubt and go for the 520. It's cheaper, more economical and - in real life and looking at speed limits - the performance difference will be minimal.
The 525 will be smoother (6 instead of 4 cylinders), and - possibly - you may get a bargain second hand one, as it's a relatively unloved model.
11-06-2006, 06:58 AM
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My Ride: delivered 5 sep 06: 520d E61, silver gray, dakota truffle brown, comfort seats, aluminium, PDC, nav pro, pro spkrs, 124 rims, auto a/c, comfort access, anti d mirrors, side airbags, int rem ctrl, roll blinds, glazing, green band, light pack, storage comp
IMHO, the 520 engine is a new engine, developed from the new 530, the 525 is an old engine and from what I've heard there will be a new engine 525 next year but should be always a 3000cc but less powerful than the original installed on the 530d. The difference of power between the 520 and 525 is just 10ish hp or so if I'm not wrong, of course 6 cyl are better than 4 but again, I have the 520 and the engine is very smooth, any comparison with previous 4 cyl generation.
11-06-2006, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Ben Smith' post='352850' date='Nov 6 2006, 11:19 AM
Hi guys,
Am looking to buy a smart estate car to use for work (taxi to airports etc, not the saturday night drunks!). Have got it down to A6 or 5 series, I won't start that debate here! But which engine should I go for? Looking at the factory performance figures, there is not much between the 520d and 525d how accurate are these? What are the good and bad points of each (mostly motorway use). The car will be second hand but no more than 2 years old.
Help greatly appreciated.
Ben.
Am looking to buy a smart estate car to use for work (taxi to airports etc, not the saturday night drunks!). Have got it down to A6 or 5 series, I won't start that debate here! But which engine should I go for? Looking at the factory performance figures, there is not much between the 520d and 525d how accurate are these? What are the good and bad points of each (mostly motorway use). The car will be second hand but no more than 2 years old.
Help greatly appreciated.
Ben.
After all, your fin. situation has to fit the 525d, as the bigger one is a tad more expensive.
11-07-2006, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by eddy' post='352978' date='Nov 6 2006, 09:11 PM
Ben, after next years facelift the 525d will have 197hp and 400nm. That makes a big difference to an 520d.
After all, your fin. situation has to fit the 525d, as the bigger one is a tad more expensive.
After all, your fin. situation has to fit the 525d, as the bigger one is a tad more expensive.
However, back the original question... For a 2-year old model I'd ignore the 525d completely - get a 530d as it's got fabulous grunt and has better consumption than a 525d if you're not caning it! If not the 530d then get a 520d but I think they'll be fetching a slight premium for a while yet... On the plus side the 525d is slightly more refined than the equivalent (218ps) 530d, however the (231ps) 530d surpassed that.
11-08-2006, 05:07 PM
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If you going to use it for work and carry alot of stuff then 100% get the 525d,
for the long run itis cheeper for servies.
It is a better car to drive.
It looks cool taking people to and from places too
11-19-2006, 06:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Ben Smith' post='352850' date='Nov 6 2006, 11:19 AM
Hi guys,
Am looking to buy a smart estate car to use for work (taxi to airports etc, not the saturday night drunks!). Have got it down to A6 or 5 series, I won't start that debate here! But which engine should I go for? Looking at the factory performance figures, there is not much between the 520d and 525d how accurate are these? What are the good and bad points of each (mostly motorway use). The car will be second hand but no more than 2 years old.
Help greatly appreciated.
Ben.
Am looking to buy a smart estate car to use for work (taxi to airports etc, not the saturday night drunks!). Have got it down to A6 or 5 series, I won't start that debate here! But which engine should I go for? Looking at the factory performance figures, there is not much between the 520d and 525d how accurate are these? What are the good and bad points of each (mostly motorway use). The car will be second hand but no more than 2 years old.
Help greatly appreciated.
Ben.
The running costs are lower, especially on the fuel front. For the type of driving you are doing, i.e. motorway cruising, in my mind there is going to be almost no benefit in taking the current 525d. The 520d has more than enough power and torque for comfortable cruising and overtaking, and the engine noise at those speeds is going to be the same.
Cheers
11-20-2006, 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by xBMWx' post='357960' date='Nov 19 2006, 03:10 PM
If you are after a "smart estate car", then its a bit of a no-brainer... go for the 520d.
The running costs are lower, especially on the fuel front. For the type of driving you are doing, i.e. motorway cruising, in my mind there is going to be almost no benefit in taking the current 525d. The 520d has more than enough power and torque for comfortable cruising and overtaking, and the engine noise at those speeds is going to be the same.
Cheers
The running costs are lower, especially on the fuel front. For the type of driving you are doing, i.e. motorway cruising, in my mind there is going to be almost no benefit in taking the current 525d. The 520d has more than enough power and torque for comfortable cruising and overtaking, and the engine noise at those speeds is going to be the same.
Cheers
11-20-2006, 07:13 AM
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is money a factor? usually is so 520d is the way, and fyi my friends 520 is a bit over 200Hp so you do not have to give up anything
so 520d is the way, and fyi my friends 520 is a bit over 200Hp so you do not have to give up anything
11-21-2006, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by ats77' post='358427' date='Nov 20 2006, 04:13 PM
is money a factor? usually is so 520d is the way, and fyi my friends 520 is a bit over 200Hp so you do not have to give up anything
so 520d is the way, and fyi my friends 520 is a bit over 200Hp so you do not have to give up anything 