That's a nice engine, for sure.

The 520d will soon be 200 hp 400 Nm.
A factory update is already available, but not yet for the autotransmission (info from the spring).

Your list above is nice, but the CO2 values are missing.

 

If the 520d power output is increased, it will surely be too close to the new 525d?

Here's where you can access the latest technical data...


https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/press...tem=node__2223

 

BMW.co.uk. tells the facts about the MY '12 5-series diesels:

520dA, Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 135/184/4000 and Max torque (Nm/rpm) 380/1900-2750 and Co2's only 123 g/km. (Please note, that the current 520dA has a max torgue of 380 Nm at 1750 rpm but the Co2's are 137 g/km.)
525dA, Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 160/218/4400 and Max torque (Nm/rpm) 450/1500-2500 and Co2's at amazing low 126 g/km.

This makes the new L4 525dA the smartest choise of the F10 series cars in the UK and EU.

 

My experience between the 2.0 and the 2.5 has been that the interchange positions in being the best engine.

 

Both MY '12 engines are L4 2.0. The 525d is so new, that I haven't even yet read a rewiev about it.
The old 525d was a 6 inline.

 

Yes but add some bigger wheels and the CO2 rises - but still very low at 132g/km for the auto with 19 or 20 inch wheels. I will be test driving a 525d as soon as demonstrators become available as I will be changing my E60 next year...my current 525d is 172g/km which when it was new was a market leading figure...be most interested to see how refined the ne one is compared to my current car.

525d Specs...Fuel and emmissions...auto in brackets

With standard wheels and tyres: 8J x 17 wheels, 225/55 R17 tyres (2K1)
Urban
ltr/100 km
6.2 (5.6)
Extra-urban
ltr/100 km
4.3 (4.3)
Combined
ltr/100 km
5.0 (4.8)
CO2
g/km
132 (126)
With 8J x 18 wheels and 245/45 R18 tyres and with winter tyres (2HM, 2K2, 931)
Urban
ltr/100 km
6.4 (5.8)
Extra-urban
ltr/100 km
4.5 (4.4)
Combined
ltr/100 km
5.2 (4.9)
CO2
g/km
136 (130)
With 8J x 18 wheels at front, 9J x 18 at rear and 245/45 R18 tyres at front, 275/40 R18 at rear (2AH, 2DC, 2NC), With 8.5J x 19 wheels at front, 9J x 19 at rear and 245/40 R19 tyres at front, 275/35 R19 at rear (2K3, 2WC, 2MZ, 2ND), With 8.5J x 20 wheels at front, 9J x 20 at rear and 245/35 R20 tyres at front, 275/30 R20 at rear (2H9)
Urban
ltr/100 km
6.6 (5.9)
Extra-urban
ltr/100 km
4.5 (4.5)
Combined
ltr/100 km
5.3 (5.0)
CO2
g/km
138 (132)
Emission rating
EU5

3) Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions depend on the selected tyre format
Specifications BMW 5 Series Sedan.

 

Luckily my "old" 520dA is registred as 137 g/km, the wheel factor was not known last year (I don't know if it still is over here).

Buy the car with standard wheels and then change them - or as I did - with 18" wheels for the winter, but I suppose you don't need/use winters.

 

In my experience between 2.0 and 2.5 is that the current activity is the best engine.

 

Meaning what and what is your experience?

Both the MY '12 520d and 525d are 2.0 L4's. The old 525d was a L6.