530i vs 530d vs E320CDi (estates :yawn:)
Discussion
Its a while since I've been on here and I've just read the 530d topic with great amusement, and whilst I want a 540 or possibly a E55amg, I dont need to be putting £50 a week in Gordons sky rocket.
Its family wagon upgrade time again, another new family member means I need yet more space for carrying enormous plastic toys, nappies, prams and assorted gubbins. I would like opinions on the above choices, current family wagon is a 330d touring which is nippy enough (just) handles well at 10/10ths but frankly the ride at normal family speed is abysmal (the penalty of big rims I suppose).
So, questions;
Is the extra milage per gallon of the 530d worth the extra cost over a 530i.
Is the handling of the E320cdi (avantgard probably) good enough or am I going to get seriously pissed off on the A5 to Snowden.
How much effect does the auto box have on the mpg of the 530d, I would probably get a manual first anyway.
What sort of mpg would I expect from the e320cdi.
The cars in question are all e39s and last shape Mercs (the huge herse of a car).
Ta!
Its family wagon upgrade time again, another new family member means I need yet more space for carrying enormous plastic toys, nappies, prams and assorted gubbins. I would like opinions on the above choices, current family wagon is a 330d touring which is nippy enough (just) handles well at 10/10ths but frankly the ride at normal family speed is abysmal (the penalty of big rims I suppose).
So, questions;
Is the extra milage per gallon of the 530d worth the extra cost over a 530i.
Is the handling of the E320cdi (avantgard probably) good enough or am I going to get seriously pissed off on the A5 to Snowden.
How much effect does the auto box have on the mpg of the 530d, I would probably get a manual first anyway.
What sort of mpg would I expect from the e320cdi.
The cars in question are all e39s and last shape Mercs (the huge herse of a car).
Ta!
Everybody says the auto really kills the 530d/330d's fuel consumption.. Factor in possibility of turbo failure and it doesn't seem quite so superior to a 530i to some.
The Merc is pretty large, goes OK, but rather uninspiring. I would say the new shape is vastly better if you can stretch to it. However it will probably age better than the 5-series looks-wise, if you care!
The Merc is pretty large, goes OK, but rather uninspiring. I would say the new shape is vastly better if you can stretch to it. However it will probably age better than the 5-series looks-wise, if you care!
On the MB E320 (W210 shape), also look out for rust - it has a serious problem even on late ones (have seen a very badly rusted 2002 recently). Apart from this, very relaxing drive with a very nice engine - less diesel-like than the 530d at idle, and slightly more powerful (470 nm vs 410 nm).
Depending on your mileage, I would probably go 530i manual or 530d auto (this said by a previous 530d auto owner)
Depending on your mileage, I would probably go 530i manual or 530d auto (this said by a previous 530d auto owner)
I noticed the rust problem on a Merc the other day, the bonnet was well on its way, I was pretty surprised.
Looks wise the 530 sports do look tasty but I dont want a lumpy ride again, I dont mind taut suspension in my own run about but its just tiring in a family car.
Anyone have any comments on the ride on mtech suspension?
Anyone have any figures on mpg for the bimmers?
Ta!
Looks wise the 530 sports do look tasty but I dont want a lumpy ride again, I dont mind taut suspension in my own run about but its just tiring in a family car.
Anyone have any comments on the ride on mtech suspension?
Anyone have any figures on mpg for the bimmers?
Ta!
I have a 2000 model 530d auto with sports kit on it including Mtec suspension. I live in the middle of Salisbury plain & the roads are pretty awfull, so I feel I am qualified to say IMO, the ride is brilliant. Hard enough to be sporty when you want it, but not crashy or jaring. Mine has the 17" wheels. The wife has never moaned about it being too hard (fnar) & it seems to lull the kids to sleep pretty easily.
I get exactly 32.4 mpg from it, & we do mostly A & B road journeys with the occasional trip up the A303 to Tescos. All are under 3o mile round trips, so to be fair, the engine is only just up to temp. On a run, It's easy to see 40mpg if you're steady, but I normally set the cruise at around 85 (seems happy there) & get around 36-37mpg. The manual will see you at least 5mpg up on those figures, but I personally felt that it didn't suit the car (not the engine) over the auto.
A remapped 2000-on 530d will go up to about 236bhp with 510 NM's of torque for about £500 & totally transforms the car IMO.
Weak spots are Turbos & inlet manifolds (mine's in the garage now having a new manifold fitted - £400)
Not as chuckable as the 3 series, but fun for a big saloon none the less.
Best car I've ever had so far.
HTH.
Gwaredd.
I get exactly 32.4 mpg from it, & we do mostly A & B road journeys with the occasional trip up the A303 to Tescos. All are under 3o mile round trips, so to be fair, the engine is only just up to temp. On a run, It's easy to see 40mpg if you're steady, but I normally set the cruise at around 85 (seems happy there) & get around 36-37mpg. The manual will see you at least 5mpg up on those figures, but I personally felt that it didn't suit the car (not the engine) over the auto.
A remapped 2000-on 530d will go up to about 236bhp with 510 NM's of torque for about £500 & totally transforms the car IMO.
Weak spots are Turbos & inlet manifolds (mine's in the garage now having a new manifold fitted - £400)
Not as chuckable as the 3 series, but fun for a big saloon none the less.
Best car I've ever had so far.
HTH.
Gwaredd.
I thought all the residents of Imber had been evacuated years ago, Gwaredd?
Haven't tried the E39 myself, but the E34 with M-Tech suspension that I bought rides a fair bit harder than the normal suspension E34s I tried. So don't take anyone's word for it - check it for yourself. My wife still falls asleep easily in the passenger seat so it can't be that bad, and the handling definitely makes it worthwhile.
Forgot to add - I would suggest the choice between 530i and 530D is down to personal preference of petrol or diesel. The petrol engine's cheaper to buy, offsetting the worse economy, but it'll also be worth less when you come to sell so it's probably financially about the same. I'd go petrol but that's purely personal preference.
Haven't tried the E39 myself, but the E34 with M-Tech suspension that I bought rides a fair bit harder than the normal suspension E34s I tried. So don't take anyone's word for it - check it for yourself. My wife still falls asleep easily in the passenger seat so it can't be that bad, and the handling definitely makes it worthwhile.
Forgot to add - I would suggest the choice between 530i and 530D is down to personal preference of petrol or diesel. The petrol engine's cheaper to buy, offsetting the worse economy, but it'll also be worth less when you come to sell so it's probably financially about the same. I'd go petrol but that's purely personal preference.
Edited by SJobson on Wednesday 9th August 16:43
[quote=XM5ER]Is the extra milage per gallon of the 530d worth the extra cost over a 530i.
Is the handling of the E320cdi (avantgard probably) good enough or am I going to get seriously pissed off on the A5 to Snowden.
How much effect does the auto box have on the mpg of the 530d, I would probably get a manual first anyway.
What sort of mpg would I expect from the e320cdi.[quote=XM5ER]
I have a 2002 530DT Sport touring with manual box that has been mine from new. It has now covered 92,000 miles and has required the following non service items:
Propshaft rubber coupling at 75000
Turbo at 76000 (nothing else though)
Front discs, intense wash windscreen washer pump and front suspension reaction arms bushes at 90000.
All of the above seem to be E39 weak points; obviously the turbo problem is unique to the diesel. A new, not recon, turbo cost £560 and took a morning to change.
I took the car to Croydon and back from Bristol on local roads/M4/M25/local roads today. Motorway speed was generally around 80mph on cruise control. MPG worked out at 41.5. The car has been remapped by E-Maps to around 230bhp and 530Nm; this transformed what was already a very quick car.
The ride is firm put very compliant and still tight at 92000 miles.
A colleague at work has a W210 E320CDi auto estate, same age but about 70000 miles. The car is nowhere near as sharp as the 530D; to me it sems to be a 'pipe and slippers' car. MPG on the Merc is about 5mpg less than the 530D.
Is the handling of the E320cdi (avantgard probably) good enough or am I going to get seriously pissed off on the A5 to Snowden.
How much effect does the auto box have on the mpg of the 530d, I would probably get a manual first anyway.
What sort of mpg would I expect from the e320cdi.[quote=XM5ER]
I have a 2002 530DT Sport touring with manual box that has been mine from new. It has now covered 92,000 miles and has required the following non service items:
Propshaft rubber coupling at 75000
Turbo at 76000 (nothing else though)
Front discs, intense wash windscreen washer pump and front suspension reaction arms bushes at 90000.
All of the above seem to be E39 weak points; obviously the turbo problem is unique to the diesel. A new, not recon, turbo cost £560 and took a morning to change.
I took the car to Croydon and back from Bristol on local roads/M4/M25/local roads today. Motorway speed was generally around 80mph on cruise control. MPG worked out at 41.5. The car has been remapped by E-Maps to around 230bhp and 530Nm; this transformed what was already a very quick car.
The ride is firm put very compliant and still tight at 92000 miles.
A colleague at work has a W210 E320CDi auto estate, same age but about 70000 miles. The car is nowhere near as sharp as the 530D; to me it sems to be a 'pipe and slippers' car. MPG on the Merc is about 5mpg less than the 530D.
Edited by 530dTPhil on Thursday 10th August 06:27
FWIW a job I've been working on recently has had me behind the wheel of modern Beemers, I'm in a 530d Touring at the moment. Having driven the 530i Monday I'd definately say go for the TD: the weight of the car means you really must rev the petrol to extract performance (a not entirely unpleasant experience!) and the result was a trip reading over approx 200miles each of 16.8mpg petrol vs 26.4mpg diesel. Performance wise, there's very little in it on paper but the delivery is streets apart - I suspect the diesel would be irritating without an autobox, whereas the petrol was frustrating with an autobox. The d feels faster initially due to that huge surge of torque from 2k rpm, but the petrol is very strong from 5k rpm, horses for courses really....
Both handled beautifully, albeit the diesel steering was a touch less feelsome and slower (small margin though).
Both handled beautifully, albeit the diesel steering was a touch less feelsome and slower (small margin though).
Edited by trackdemon on Wednesday 9th August 23:33
Having a W210 TD estate and a 530d estate, I feel well qualified to comment.
The Mercedes is bigger, smoother, and more restful to drive. The BMW is a lot more fun. My manual Sport 530d gets me 39 and a bit mpg, the (auto) Mercedes a lot less - 33ish.
Horses for courses - the Merc is a load lugger and just a whole load less fun, but is a lot better at doing big distances, whereas the BMW is a good deal smaller. I'd always go for the manual version of any car, and thoroughly recommend the 5-speed in the BMW.
I manage to fill the 530 pretty regularly - I defy ANYONE to fully load an W210 - they're just massive. Incidentally, if you decide to go for the Merc, get the W211 rather than the W210 - much better rustproofing.
The Mercedes is bigger, smoother, and more restful to drive. The BMW is a lot more fun. My manual Sport 530d gets me 39 and a bit mpg, the (auto) Mercedes a lot less - 33ish.
Horses for courses - the Merc is a load lugger and just a whole load less fun, but is a lot better at doing big distances, whereas the BMW is a good deal smaller. I'd always go for the manual version of any car, and thoroughly recommend the 5-speed in the BMW.
I manage to fill the 530 pretty regularly - I defy ANYONE to fully load an W210 - they're just massive. Incidentally, if you decide to go for the Merc, get the W211 rather than the W210 - much better rustproofing.
Thanks guys, some useful comments here. As usual the only way I will really decide is by test driving some. I test drove a 530d sport saloon a few years ago and was gobsmacked by its ability but the roads were smooth so I will have to see about the ride.
In fairness its the wife who will spend the most time in it and I think she will like the BMW more, but I have a soft spot for the Merc as I used travel up and down the country in one when I was clubbing a few years ago.
If only the government hadn't pledged to put the duty up on LPG, then I could have bought an X5 4.4 and had the space and the pace. Never mind.
In fairness its the wife who will spend the most time in it and I think she will like the BMW more, but I have a soft spot for the Merc as I used travel up and down the country in one when I was clubbing a few years ago.
If only the government hadn't pledged to put the duty up on LPG, then I could have bought an X5 4.4 and had the space and the pace. Never mind.
I'm thinking about either a 530i or a 530d at the moment as well, and after a few calculations it seems that the fuel economy on the diesel ,on given figures, would save me about £120/month, i dive about 600 miles week.
given the running costs /maintenance /depreciation between these two models would you say the £1500 odd a year saving on fuel is worth it?
can i also throw the Audi A6 1.9/2.5 diesel into the mix if anyone has any opinions on those vs the two BMWs i would be very interested to hear..
I currently dive an A6 4.2Q which has been LPG converted so the best of both world at present..
given the running costs /maintenance /depreciation between these two models would you say the £1500 odd a year saving on fuel is worth it?
can i also throw the Audi A6 1.9/2.5 diesel into the mix if anyone has any opinions on those vs the two BMWs i would be very interested to hear..
I currently dive an A6 4.2Q which has been LPG converted so the best of both world at present..
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