520d 2019 M or SE

[PeteinSQ]

I'm planning on buying a 520d approximately 4-5 years old, there is an SE model for sale near me for £20k or and M model for £4k more, (10k fewer miles too).

Is the M trim worth the extra money? Both of the BMWs I've had before have been in M trim.

[Pedro25]

Think it depends on how much driving you do, I've had 2 M versions, one a 3 series and now a 5, even in comfort mode at the end of a 250 mile journey I feel every minute of my age. Never had the SE but believe it is more like a waft about car with the suspension and tyre set up. Could be wrong and I'm sure there's lots of PH ers who can advise.

[VeeTenM]

M, SE's always look pants!

[1690cc]

I've got a G31 in SE spec and the ride on the little diddy wheels is great. Obviously I feel far from a powerfully built director driving it with its little diddy wheels but I'm comfy. I like to get a move on as I'm usually late and trying to catch up time and the smaller wheels also give me better handling on the bumpy A roads around here, or so it seems. I am happier travelling fast in it than the Golf R estate I previously had.

[Lincsls1]

1690cc said:

I've got a G31 in SE spec and the ride on the little diddy wheels is great. Obviously I feel far from a powerfully built director driving it with its little diddy wheels but I'm comfy. I like to get a move on as I'm usually late and trying to catch up time and the smaller wheels also give me better handling on the bumpy A roads around here, or so it seems. I am happier travelling fast in it than the Golf R estate I previously had.

Thats because the softer suspension of the SE is actually keeping the wheels on the bumpy road when at speed whereas the Golf R is literally bouncing off the road!
There seems to be a belief that rock hard suspension, massive wheels and low profile tyres are best for performance, not a bumpy back road!
If you value a comfy road OP, get the SE.

[PeteinSQ]

Thanks, I'll be doing 20k miles p.a. so comfort could be a key consideration. M sport does look better though.

[SteBrown91]

As a compromise get the m sport with the base 18 inch wheels.

It then has the smarter looks and better seats but still comfy-ish

[G-wiz]

Always prefer the smaller alloys, nice fat tyre walls; giving the best possible ride.

There are also SE spec cars with the M sport seats available.

[Jamescrs]

PeteinSQ said:

Thanks, I'll be doing 20k miles p.a. so comfort could be a key consideration. M sport does look better though.

I think you have summed it up very well yourself here OP.

The SE is likely to be better for comfort over long distances but the M-Sport's do look better.

I would buy the M-Sport personally, my first BMW was an E91 320i SE and at the time it didn't bother me that it wasn't an M-Sport apart from I would have liked the M-Sport wheels but my last car was an M-lite and my current car is a full M car and i don't think I would want to go back to SE spec now, but all that said my annual mileage is only 10k at best

[Maxus]

As standard, the 520d M Sport has 18" wheels which doesn't make it too crashy. I did 70k in a 2017 520d M Sport and it is a superb car. The G30 is a lot smoother, quieter and lighter to drive than the previous F10.

All personal opinion but I much prefer the equipment and looks of the M Sport. Considering the sales numbers and residuals it looks like most people do. I found a mates SE to be a bit wallowy in day to day driving. I don't think you'd regret an M Sport.

[Mr Tidy]

My 2005 330i is an SE with just 17" wheels and it doesn't exactly glide along on poor roads. I hate to think what an M-Sport with 18s would be like!

My first Z4 was a 3 litre Sport Coupe on 18" fun-flats and was pretty crashy, but I didn't mind so much on a 2 seater.

But I do love the M-Sport seats!

[smashy]

Mr Tidy said:

My 2005 330i is an SE with just 17" wheels and it doesn't exactly glide along on poor roads. I hate to think what an M-Sport with 18s would be like!

My first Z4 was a 3 litre Sport Coupe on 18" fun-flats and was pretty crashy, but I didn't mind so much on a 2 seater.

But I do love the M-Sport seats!

There was a guy on here Gizlaroc,whatever happened to him? He knew his stuff.He always said thet the M Sport rides better than an SE over poor roads because of the superior suspension parts. I don't know about that but I do suggest the OP takes that SE on the outside lane of a motorway to make sure for him it does not feel wallowy.

My 335d even with every suspension part changed as it was the LCI is too floaty on the outside lane. My 2014 330d Luxury was se and I changed it to ACS suspension and shocks after a month, it was truly awful a floating blngmange,my 335d is not awful by any means but I sure preferred the ACS suspension keeping up with traffic on the motorway

Edited by smashy on Sunday 15th October 21:16