G 5 Series, 530d

[KGP04]

I’m looking at getting a new everyday car and really like the look of the G 5 series, looking at the 530d probably 20 plate or newer to allow me to get the bmw warranty on it.

Should I / shouldn’t I? Is it madness to spend 25-30k on a diesel in this climate?

I’d be looking for ideally split folding rear seats and adaptive suspension but understand that’s probably a rare combo with a 530.

Not interested in the plug in as don’t have a driveway, commute is 10-15 miles mix of town and A road.

Any known issues with the 5? And of course the boring question, what kind of range / mpg are people getting?

Happy to listen to any and all opinions / advice.
Thanks

[Jag_NE]

It’s a cracking all rounder with a pretty much peerless mix of performance/luxury/economy.

My only watch out is to have at least one decent hot engine run per tank of fuel, 25-30 miles.

[Rob 131 Sport]

It’s a great car and you won’t regret it. I got 45Mpg overall and it’s got great performance and handling. I ran mine for 3 years and sold it last December. Grab one while you can. [url]Here was mine on collection day.

|https://thumbsnap.com/sw6LAAsh[/url]

[CrgT16]

We had 2 although in Touring.

My suggestion is to go without x-drive. The ones we had were same spec but the facelift one was only available with xdrive. Much less comfortable than the first one.

Engine is great and it’s a really nice car, especially if you do motorway miles.

[sunnyb13]

Big cars, might have trouble parking if you don’t have a driveway

[CrgT16]

Mpg on ours is 38mpg with half of miles being town traffic half on motorway. First one did 42mpg on same route.

[BlueJ]

I've got a 2019 5 series, they are great cars - very refined, comfortable etc. and a decent drive (I had E400d beforehand for context - also nice but not as sharp a drive).

That commute is relatively short - are you set on diesel?

[PGN]

I have a 530d Touring. Brilliant all rounder. Can't see why you'd want X-drive, it knocks a bit off the economy and must reduce the rolling perfoirmance slightly. My average MPG over 28,000 miles is 41.8. It's quick, refined, comfortable, roomy. My only real reservation is that it feels and is quite a big car - inevitable I suppose!

[Rob 131 Sport]

BlueJ said:

I've got a 2019 5 series, they are great cars - very refined, comfortable etc. and a decent drive (I had E400d beforehand for context - also nice but not as sharp a drive).

That commute is relatively short - are you set on diesel?

I had a Mercedes E250 AMG Line before the BMW. I did like it and kept it from 6 months old to 5 and a half years. Like you the driving enjoyment and sharpness of the BMW was quite noticeable.

However if I had to be critical on a 650 mile drive (on 2 consecutive days) I did find the Mercedes more comfortable on this type of journey.

I’m really quite drawn to the current E Class and at change time in a couple of years I’ll be having a serious look at an E Class.

[ninjag]

I'm going to go against the grain and say go for the x-drive. The extra traction is worth in imo. But diesel for that mileage, I'm not so sure.

[Rob 131 Sport]

ninjag said:

I'm going to go against the grain and say go for the x-drive. The extra traction is worth in imo. But diesel for that mileage, I'm not so sure.

When I bought mine 4 years ago, I specifically didn’t want the X Drive on the basis of the additional weight, tyre wear and increased fuel consumption. I just didn’t feel that a car with circa 270 BHP warranted 4WD.

When I changed it last year for the 440 with it being more powerful I felt the 4WD element was important.

Whichever 530 you go for, it’s a great car. I’m assuming there is no large diesel version in the latest model.

[KGP04]

BlueJ said:

I've got a 2019 5 series, they are great cars - very refined, comfortable etc. and a decent drive (I had E400d beforehand for context - also nice but not as sharp a drive).

That commute is relatively short - are you set on diesel?

This is what I’m not sure on, the commute isn’t the longest but then maybe once every couple of months I’ll tend to have a longer trip somewhere so in my mind a diesel makes sense.

Thanks to everyone else for the replys, seems like a 530d is a great everyday car for wafting about which is what I’m after!

Those who have them, any must have options you like / wish yours had?

[Funk]

Don't discount the 530i, my SE averaged mid-30s and would do 40-45mpg on a longer run, it was surprisingly economical. Really liked mine (I came from an 840i Gran Coupe) but I just hankered after something a bit more interesting after a while. I px'd it back in July (it's appeared here at Peter Cooper though).

[Rob 131 Sport]

KGP04 said:

BlueJ said:

I've got a 2019 5 series, they are great cars - very refined, comfortable etc. and a decent drive (I had E400d beforehand for context - also nice but not as sharp a drive).

That commute is relatively short - are you set on diesel?

This is what I’m not sure on, the commute isn’t the longest but then maybe once every couple of months I’ll tend to have a longer trip somewhere so in my mind a diesel makes sense.

Thanks to everyone else for the replys, seems like a 530d is a great everyday car for wafting about which is what I’m after!

Those who have them, any must have options you like / wish yours had?

The upgraded Hifi I always felt would be a worthwhile addition. I’ve got the HK one in my current car and it’s much better than the standard 530 one.

[Ballistic]

KGP04 said:

Thanks to everyone else for the replys, seems like a 530d is a great everyday car for wafting about which is what I’m after!

Those who have them, any must have options you like / wish yours had?

It is a great car for wafting around in.
Options I have and like are, sunroof, hud, adaptive suspension, heated steering wheel, electric comfort seats and steering column.

[P0PC0RN]

We used both rwd F10 530d and xdrive G30 530d's extensively on the Roads Policing Unit I work on.

The xdrive cars are great in all weather's the F10's whilst more fun to drive were pretty keen to aquaplane + slide around in poor conditions (but were getting a caning though)

If your worried about the driving dynamics perhaps the 5 is the wrong car? The 3 + 4 series are much more 'pointy' to drive and worth a consideration?

Can you pick up a 540i and a set of ACS springs for your budget - might be better for your use and the revs + noise will bring the sportiness when required, the ACS springs are well regarded by 335d owners and apparently returned some of the rwd handling spirit missing from the xdrive cars?

Happy to answer any questions regarding abused, crashed and thrashed 5/3 series

[ninjag]

P0PC0RN said:

Happy to answer any questions regarding abused, crashed and thrashed 5/3 series

I've got a question which I think has been topic of many debate. Are traffic police cars remapped, tuned etc?

[P0PC0RN]

ninjag said:

I've got a question which I think has been topic of many debate. Are traffic police cars remapped, tuned etc?

Alot of it comes from cops feeding the flames by telling people that the 530d they are using actually has an M5 engine under the bonnet and 'your never getting away sonny'

Our cars have and are only usually modified because they have been found to have a problem which can be rectified with simple modifications. For instance larger disks and calipers for the models with braking performance issues, better intercoolers for those that run hot etc

The BMW's we had were an 'authorities' spec which have a number of features which off the shelf models do not, they never had anymore power as far as I know (the bum dyno would suggest standard 30d).

I the past we have had Volvos (proper ones with 5 + 6 cylinders) which have been 'fettled'. Some of the old crusties still talk about V70 R engines in RPU spec motors but that's before my time.....

I would imagine most forces would prefer value for money and vehicle longevity over remaps. It ultimately doesn't matter how much BHP your Police car has your always going to find the stolen car with more power and a driver who wants to get away more than you want to catch him/her.

If only they would modify the current Volvos by crushing them....

[ninjag]

P0PC0RN said:

ninjag said:

I've got a question which I think has been topic of many debate. Are traffic police cars remapped, tuned etc?

Alot of it comes from cops feeding the flames by telling people that the 530d they are using actually has an M5 engine under the bonnet and 'your never getting away sonny'

Our cars have and are only usually modified because they have been found to have a problem which can be rectified with simple modifications. For instance larger disks and calipers for the models with braking performance issues, better intercoolers for those that run hot etc

The BMW's we had were an 'authorities' spec which have a number of features which off the shelf models do not, they never had anymore power as far as I know (the bum dyno would suggest standard 30d).

I the past we have had Volvos (proper ones with 5 + 6 cylinders) which have been 'fettled'. Some of the old crusties still talk about V70 R engines in RPU spec motors but that's before my time.....

I would imagine most forces would prefer value for money and vehicle longevity over remaps. It ultimately doesn't matter how much BHP your Police car has your always going to find the stolen car with more power and a driver who wants to get away more than you want to catch him/her.

If only they would modify the current Volvos by crushing them....

Thanks for the detailed reply, interesting stuff!

[KGP04]

Just to avoid this being another thread with no outcome, I ended up with a new job so made the case for a 530D easier.

So i've now got a Carbon Black 2020 530D