E39 525d / 530d

[rumbletumble]

Hi
Thought I would get the collective wisdom from fellow owners before I go ahead and buy the next family car...

We are expecting our second child in a few weeks so need a bigger car than our Golf. Current thinking is either Honda CRV (wife’s choice), or 525D / 530D E39 saloon. I haven’t driven the CRV but instinct says I will prefer the saloon for driving.

Question is – how economical / reliable are the E39 diesels? What are running costs like in general ? Most of our driving is London based city driving, with the occasional motorway trips.

Any input would be great.

Thanks

[Steve H]

Hi There, I have an 02 530d Sport and on long runs I seeing about 39/40 mpg on teh computer. around town about 28/30.

I hope this helps
Steve

[outnumbered]

rumbletumble said:

Hi Most of our driving is London based city driving, with the occasional motorway trips.

E39 is obviously a better car than the CR-V, but if most of your driving is in the city, how much benefit would you be getting out of that ?

If its mostly a city car and mainly for family use, I'd be looking at something more in the mini/midi MPV class. Having something that's slightly elevated off the ground does make getting the kids in&out of child seats a whole lot easier.

The 5er would clearly rule for longer trips though, but depends on how many you do...

[mondeoman]

530d Auto should give you about 33-34 mpg on average, less if you do mostly town drving. Sport version is very comfortable and composedm, but a bit "un-involving"

CR-V, no opinion

[rumbletumble]

Thanks for the input guys.

I personally don’t like MPVs (thankfully nor does my wife) and not a huge fan of 4x4s either (though wouldn’t mind an X5!). However wife loves the idea of a 4x4, CRV is most likely contender in our budget.

I have given in to her, agreed to a test drive of the CRV if she also drives the 525/530D so we can make an informed choice.

My main concern with the 5 was general running costs etc. We will be looking to get one of the last of the E39s so they look good value.

[off_again]

Actually the CRV is quite a decent car to drive, and since its Japanese its damn reliable too. Basically its a Civic underneath the body, but as a soft-roader it handles well, goes well in now diesel and petrol form and is fairly well equiped. Dont write them off too quickly as comparing them against the Freeloader they are vastly better - though it is a little dull and the more "sensible" choice over a Freeloader for example.

But I always thought there would be a big difference between the 2.5 and 3.0 diesels. But did a bit of a drive in a customers latest-shape 525d Sport the other day and its rather nice. Ok, so is the latest model and the 2.5 td is slightly changed. But it still pulled well, managed a average of 37MPG on the owners run around the country (north to south and then south west) and rather impressed. Ok the 3.0 td is quicker and thirstier - but not by much and I guess it boils down to what is the best spec / price for your budget. Personally I would go for the 3.0 td but thats me - given a choice between a 528 and a 535 I opted for the big flippin' V8 engine!!!

But if economy is a worry then the 2.5 td is the better bet. Still quick, still smooth and doesnt give much to the 3.0 td. Oh, and the official performance figures for the 2.5 are certainly on the pesimistic side - its quicker than they say (and tested) so certainly no snail.... ...not forgetting that the 3.0 is quicker still!!!!