Discussion
Hi there - it looks like I`ll be getting a 530D Touring as my new family barge but I` not sure about a couple of specific points and I`d appreciate any views:
Transmission - I`m a manual luddite and have an unreasonable aversion to automatics. Do many people spec` 530D`s with manuals or do they need to be slushmatics?
Ride - What do people think are the best wheel/tyre combo`s. I would like a decent ride and nether want to look like a pimp nor a pauper!
Anything else worth having?
Thanks!
Transmission - I`m a manual luddite and have an unreasonable aversion to automatics. Do many people spec` 530D`s with manuals or do they need to be slushmatics?
Ride - What do people think are the best wheel/tyre combo`s. I would like a decent ride and nether want to look like a pimp nor a pauper!
Anything else worth having?
Thanks!
I've got an E60 (new shape) 530d with a 6 speed auto and it's brilliant. I can honestly say I think it's so well suited the the engine characteristics, there's not much point to a manual.
From a resale point of view, I think the auto's are slightly stronger too.
On 18's with RFT's the 5 rides very well. It smothers bumps nicely, not too floaty and because I've got the adaptive ride, there's no roll.
I'd suggest a few test drives will help you form a much better opinion as what I think is good or acceptable might not be to you.
HTH
From a resale point of view, I think the auto's are slightly stronger too.
On 18's with RFT's the 5 rides very well. It smothers bumps nicely, not too floaty and because I've got the adaptive ride, there's no roll.
I'd suggest a few test drives will help you form a much better opinion as what I think is good or acceptable might not be to you.
HTH
Manuals are quite rare and since most buyers look for the auto they are not sought after. Tend to be a touch cheaper as a result. Get as late model as possible. The E39 is a good car but it start with 184BHP then 193BHP and may have been a touch more after that (211BHP?). The latest E60 530d's have the later engine which is slightly quicker and more economical.
Be warned though, dont expect the 530d to be some fuel sipping economobile. They are good and the 3.0d is economical, but its also quite powerful and the cars are 1.7 tonnes+ so expect 35MPG ish - maybe more on a run, but dont expect 50+ though.
Smashing cars though and get as much spec as you can - more the merrier. Povety spec is frowned upon for resale and some people believe the minimum is leather, metalic paint and CD changer. If you can get the comms pack (phone / bluetooth) and many have satnav as well - which is OK but good for resale. Cloth seats are comfy but look crap and in a car that was nearly £30k new its not good.
Other than that they are good cars. Some people love E60's but many E39 owners wont move to the later model due to the harsher ride (on runflats). Though this can be corrected with decent tyres and the late-2003 model E60's are temptingly priced. I spotted a 545i SE on sports wheels and suspension for £24k at a dealer - thats 50% loss in 3 years! Thats crap for a BMW - 300+BHP in a package that looks like a tricked up 520d, interesting thought...
Be warned though, dont expect the 530d to be some fuel sipping economobile. They are good and the 3.0d is economical, but its also quite powerful and the cars are 1.7 tonnes+ so expect 35MPG ish - maybe more on a run, but dont expect 50+ though.
Smashing cars though and get as much spec as you can - more the merrier. Povety spec is frowned upon for resale and some people believe the minimum is leather, metalic paint and CD changer. If you can get the comms pack (phone / bluetooth) and many have satnav as well - which is OK but good for resale. Cloth seats are comfy but look crap and in a car that was nearly £30k new its not good.
Other than that they are good cars. Some people love E60's but many E39 owners wont move to the later model due to the harsher ride (on runflats). Though this can be corrected with decent tyres and the late-2003 model E60's are temptingly priced. I spotted a 545i SE on sports wheels and suspension for £24k at a dealer - thats 50% loss in 3 years! Thats crap for a BMW - 300+BHP in a package that looks like a tricked up 520d, interesting thought...
there aren't many manual 530d e60's around. i actually think that having a manual won't effect residuals too much as there is always one person like you who wants a manual diesel and there are very few ( if any ) around
as for ride, best off getting the type 172 mixed alloys, 19 inch rims, these are non runflat, and the ride is better as a result.
get the media package, as this has bluetooth and satnav,
hth
edited to add, your getting a touring, so the type 172's won't fit, but there are others that are 19's and normal tyred.
as for ride, best off getting the type 172 mixed alloys, 19 inch rims, these are non runflat, and the ride is better as a result.
get the media package, as this has bluetooth and satnav,
hth
edited to add, your getting a touring, so the type 172's won't fit, but there are others that are 19's and normal tyred.
Edited by stockhatcher on Friday 14th July 20:24
taffyracer said:
Not sure why there is this fixations with auto's, personally find
them really boring but it seems all large bmw's have them, thank
god for M's
I like really boring - it means that the machine works as
specified and I can concentrate on other things.
Once a BMW reaches a certain size and/or engine power,
autos become the tranny of choice.
Quite honestly, the BMW auto is so good I never bother
with the manual selection option.
Just a different viewpoint - not all of us are willing to
do all that gear changing manually when the machine
is so much better at it than the driver.
All for about a 3% loss in performance.
taffyracer said:
Not sure why there is this fixations with auto's, personally find them really boring but it seems all large bmw's have them, thank god for M's
Its not a fixation really - its what the buying public want. They expect auto's on big cars and the 5 is no exception. Its quite rare to find manuals on any model, though all M's and 520d's are manual. Of course you can buy a manual, but it might take some finding and they are worth slightly less on the retail market.
Its just one of those things.....
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