F11 vs G31 for daily duties
Discussion
Morning all,
Just wanting some opinions here.
My trusty E61 shed is starting to lose the will to live so I want to replace it.
Have decided another 5 series estate just further up the years.
Is the G series cars worth the extra premium over an F10/11 generation?
This will be a daily use car for the work/school as I have an F80 for the weekends.
I can increase the budget to get a G11 however not sure if it’s worth it to do so or just to keep the extra money in the bank and get an F11.
Any opinions and comments welcome
Just wanting some opinions here.
My trusty E61 shed is starting to lose the will to live so I want to replace it.
Have decided another 5 series estate just further up the years.
Is the G series cars worth the extra premium over an F10/11 generation?
This will be a daily use car for the work/school as I have an F80 for the weekends.
I can increase the budget to get a G11 however not sure if it’s worth it to do so or just to keep the extra money in the bank and get an F11.
Any opinions and comments welcome
I was dead-set on an F11 530D when I sold my previous Jap import E39 (in the end we settled on an F31)...
Anwyay; I've test driven the G31 520D and found it to be a superb car and a step up in quality on the interior over the F11; but, the F11 is still a lovely place to sit and for me, a well spec'd F11 530D would win the battle over a G31 520D personally... The N57 straight 6 is a superb engine, you just need to ensure it's been well looked after & maintained etc
I'd have both though; wouldn't hesitate with either at the right price...
Think it's all down to what spec you want & what your budget is really..
Anwyay; I've test driven the G31 520D and found it to be a superb car and a step up in quality on the interior over the F11; but, the F11 is still a lovely place to sit and for me, a well spec'd F11 530D would win the battle over a G31 520D personally... The N57 straight 6 is a superb engine, you just need to ensure it's been well looked after & maintained etc
I'd have both though; wouldn't hesitate with either at the right price...
Think it's all down to what spec you want & what your budget is really..
I've previously owned an E39 540i, E61 530d, E61 550i, F11 525d (4 cyl) and now a F11 530d I've had for 3+ years.
The F11 is a MASSIVE setup from the E60/61 in every way, especially the gearbox and interior. F11 just munches the miles up and both have been very reliable, just one set of airbags on the back of my current 530d at around 55kk miles, now on 60k. I like how simplistic the interior is compared to the newer models.
Only driven a few G31 520d courtesy cars, lovely but couldn't go back to a 4cyl. Next car will be a X-Drive G31 530d\540i for sure, but not for a few years yet.
You might want to consider a F31 3 series (330d\335d), however my girlfriend had one until last year and they do lack the same refinement, the same 30d engine sounds much louder due to lack of sound insulation and a lot more wind noise. X-Drive grip made it a fast A-B car though.
The F11 is a MASSIVE setup from the E60/61 in every way, especially the gearbox and interior. F11 just munches the miles up and both have been very reliable, just one set of airbags on the back of my current 530d at around 55kk miles, now on 60k. I like how simplistic the interior is compared to the newer models.
Only driven a few G31 520d courtesy cars, lovely but couldn't go back to a 4cyl. Next car will be a X-Drive G31 530d\540i for sure, but not for a few years yet.
You might want to consider a F31 3 series (330d\335d), however my girlfriend had one until last year and they do lack the same refinement, the same 30d engine sounds much louder due to lack of sound insulation and a lot more wind noise. X-Drive grip made it a fast A-B car though.
scz4 said:
I've previously owned an E39 540i, E61 530d, E61 550i, F11 525d (4 cyl) and now a F11 530d I've had for 3+ years.
The F11 is a MASSIVE setup from the E60/61 in every way, especially the gearbox and interior. F11 just munches the miles up and both have been very reliable, just one set of airbags on the back of my current 530d at around 55kk miles, now on 60k. I like how simplistic the interior is compared to the newer models.
Only driven a few G31 520d courtesy cars, lovely but couldn't go back to a 4cyl. Next car will be a X-Drive G31 530d\540i for sure, but not for a few years yet.
You might want to consider a F31 3 series (330d\335d), however my girlfriend had one until last year and they do lack the same refinement, the same 30d engine sounds much louder due to lack of sound insulation and a lot more wind noise. X-Drive grip made it a fast A-B car though.
E61 550i? Bet that was lovely; I missed out on a Japanese import one a while back; ended up buying an F01 730D instead, which was a superb car; but the 550i touring would have been a superb replacement for my Japanese import E39 touring that I'd just sold...The F11 is a MASSIVE setup from the E60/61 in every way, especially the gearbox and interior. F11 just munches the miles up and both have been very reliable, just one set of airbags on the back of my current 530d at around 55kk miles, now on 60k. I like how simplistic the interior is compared to the newer models.
Only driven a few G31 520d courtesy cars, lovely but couldn't go back to a 4cyl. Next car will be a X-Drive G31 530d\540i for sure, but not for a few years yet.
You might want to consider a F31 3 series (330d\335d), however my girlfriend had one until last year and they do lack the same refinement, the same 30d engine sounds much louder due to lack of sound insulation and a lot more wind noise. X-Drive grip made it a fast A-B car though.
But agree the F11 is a big step up over an F31 interior wise; I really like my F31 - but the F11 530D I test drove was a lovely place to be and the N57 engine is a peach...
Like you; the G31 540i M Sport touring is my next aim in a few years time I think
scz4 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
E61 550i? Bet that was lovely;
Yeah it was, sounded great with an Eisenmann exhaust. It was 1 of 7 manuals in the UK which was pretty special. However, I think the car would have been better suited to the auto if I'm honest, although the E61 auto box wasn't great. It was this one I'd missed out on when it came up for sale again; sold within about 30mins of being listed haha
https://www.seymourpope.com/vehicle-details/used-b...
Ran an F11 520D to 200K miles. Considered going 530D F11 but couldn't justify the extra fuel consumption when the whole point was to get better mpg than my 5.0 XKR. Tried a 520D G30 big upgrade over F10 although I could feel every bump on 20" wheels and runflats. Managed to get a 68 plate 525D G31 and been pleased.
I think this is so spec dependent. Last year I went from an E61 525i auto to an F11 535i auto. Now, the F11 is a nicer car but the differences aren't huge and mainly relate to the particular spec of each car. Both had/have comfort seats which I consider a must on these now. Totally fantastic but not easy to find. But the F11 also has a few niceties like pano roof, heated rear seats, HUD, reverse cam etc. All were options on the E61 I believe and I don't think the cars would feel much different if they were spec'd the same, especially as I fitted andream carplay units to both cars so even the infotainment looks the same most of the time. Two big differences for me were simply that my E61 was getting long in the tooth and was becoming a bit tricky to trust and obviously the 535i engine in the F11 is much punchier than the old 525i n53, it's better on fuel too. The ZF8 is a nicer box but I can't say I'm that bothered most of the time and especially not on motorways. Not driven a G31 but I assume it is another evolution step again rather than a wholesale change. Eventually I'll get a G31 540i no doubt though I hope to get a few years out of the F11 first.
I has a 2012 F11 535d M Sport and took it from 30-100k over 5yrs and replaced it with a 2017 G31 530d M Sport which I've taken from 30-55k in a year. Thoughts...
The G31 is superior in every respect aside from the engine and perhaps interior quality.
Refinement - wind and road noise is less with G31.
Ride - Even on 20" RFTs compared to the F11 19" non-RFTs, the G31 ride is better, especially on the rear.
Steering feel and weight - Although they are both EPS, the improvements G31 over F11 are noticeable.
Convenience - Apple Play is a bonus, if the cay you buy doesn't have it, it in an upgrade either through the dealer or a coder. The Adaptive LED headlights (Visibility Pack) are much better than the HID adaptive on the F11.
Comfort - Not much different aside from the G31 I have has Comfort Pack with the better seats. They're great!
Economy - The G31 is about 2-3mpg better.
Performance - The 535d F11 is obviously faster, especially 80mph upwards. Cracking engine.
Gearbox - although they both have the ZF 8 speed, the mapping on the G11 delivers smoother shifts.
When I was looking to replace the F11, I looked at both low mile F11 535ds and G31 530ds. I only had to drive one G11 to be sold on the newer model.
All of the above is not to say the F11 is a bad car, far from it. The march of time and development just makes the G31 a better car.
The G31 is superior in every respect aside from the engine and perhaps interior quality.
Refinement - wind and road noise is less with G31.
Ride - Even on 20" RFTs compared to the F11 19" non-RFTs, the G31 ride is better, especially on the rear.
Steering feel and weight - Although they are both EPS, the improvements G31 over F11 are noticeable.
Convenience - Apple Play is a bonus, if the cay you buy doesn't have it, it in an upgrade either through the dealer or a coder. The Adaptive LED headlights (Visibility Pack) are much better than the HID adaptive on the F11.
Comfort - Not much different aside from the G31 I have has Comfort Pack with the better seats. They're great!
Economy - The G31 is about 2-3mpg better.
Performance - The 535d F11 is obviously faster, especially 80mph upwards. Cracking engine.
Gearbox - although they both have the ZF 8 speed, the mapping on the G11 delivers smoother shifts.
When I was looking to replace the F11, I looked at both low mile F11 535ds and G31 530ds. I only had to drive one G11 to be sold on the newer model.
All of the above is not to say the F11 is a bad car, far from it. The march of time and development just makes the G31 a better car.
After a string of others in recent years… Lexus Isf….Rcf and a couple of 911’s …… I picked this up a few days ago from an Indie I’ve bought numerous cars from in recent years and as others have said it really is the complete package for me…. 540i Msport Touring highly specced by the original owner and low miles…
Edited by Big Rat on Sunday 21st January 22:03
Big Rat said:
After a string of others in recent years… Lexus Isf….Rcf and a couple of 911’s …… I picked this up a few days ago from an Indie I’ve bought numerous cars from in recent years and as others have said it really is the complete package for me…. 540i Msport Touring highly specced by the original owner and low miles…
That looks superb!Edited by Big Rat on Sunday 21st January 22:03
Big Rat said:
After a string of others in recent years… Lexus Isf….Rcf and a couple of 911’s …… I picked this up a few days ago from an Indie I’ve bought numerous cars from in recent years and as others have said it really is the complete package for me…. 540i Msport Touring highly specced by the original owner and low miles…
That looks fab.Edited by Big Rat on Sunday 21st January 22:03
Percy. said:
d_a_n1979 said:
That looks superb!
That's a BMW, not a Skoda... 
Does look great OP, I'm sure the 540i will be great to drive!
High mileage G31 520d are getting close to a low enough price, I did consider this route instead of the F11 530d I bought
You 'ere all day? 
ucb said:
Lovely looking car
Could happily trade my F11 for one
Great choice!
Cheers chap I’ve not had a BMW since my E46 M3 CS that I had in 2005, a great car but the build quality in this touring is head and shoulders above it….oh the passage of time !Could happily trade my F11 for one
Great choice!
Mind you look at the values of E46 ‘s in decent condition……
Helped a friend collect his F11 pre-LCI 530d last night.
I’ve got say that I’m very impressed with it; it’s a lovely thing especially for him doing big miles regularly. It seems like an absolute steal for what he paid for it with HUD, adaptive headlights amongst other things.
It’s certainly made me look at my 335i a bit differently!
I’ve got say that I’m very impressed with it; it’s a lovely thing especially for him doing big miles regularly. It seems like an absolute steal for what he paid for it with HUD, adaptive headlights amongst other things.
It’s certainly made me look at my 335i a bit differently!
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