BMW E46 330d / E39 530d?
Discussion
Bit of a boring thread sorry, but I need a reliable comfy mile muncher pretty soon, but want somthing half interesting, so I am looking at either an E46 330d or a E39 530d, What are peoples experiences of these? I am swaying towards a 530 as I am 6'4, but any experiences or tips on what to look out for would be appreciated, and ideas on real world running costs? 
RWD cossie wil said:
Bit of a boring thread sorry, but I need a reliable comfy mile muncher pretty soon, but want somthing half interesting, so I am looking at either an E46 330d or a E39 530d, What are peoples experiences of these? I am swaying towards a 530 as I am 6'4, but any experiences or tips on what to look out for would be appreciated, and ideas on real world running costs?
I had a 330d for about 4 years. In that time i probably replaced every single suspension component at least once (coil springs, shocks, wishbones / ball joints, bushings). MAF sensor went, and at about 80k miles most of the injectors on mine were shagged (parts £250 + labour £200 per cylinder....). The turbos don't explode though like the 320d. BMW put a new gearbox in it under warranty but it didn't need one (i had complained of a whining noise which was still there afterwards... in retrospect it may have been the wife).Very comfy in SE spec. Standard stereo is the worst i've ever heard. Averaged about 45mpg over 60k miles. Pre facelift steering rack ratios are a bit crap which makes it feel a bit vague compared to facelift models.
Can't think of anything else.
RWD cossie wil said:
Bit of a boring thread sorry, but I need a reliable comfy mile muncher pretty soon, but want somthing half interesting, so I am looking at either an E46 330d or a E39 530d, What are peoples experiences of these? I am swaying towards a 530 as I am 6'4, but any experiences or tips on what to look out for would be appreciated, and ideas on real world running costs?
Got a 2001/51 530D Sport Auto/Tip in Titan Silver with Black leather.Had it from new and I'll never sell it.
It had a replacement turbo at 10k miles under warrantee (but we were being fussy as it had a slight whistle). No probs since.
We had the inlet manifold swirl flaps removed as a precaution with no noticeable negative difference. Cost next to nothing
4 x new pirelli P Zeros cost £550 last year (only lasted a year so prob go back to Dunlops soon).
Averages 42.1 mpg driven however you want to drive it.
If I use it for work (120 mile round trip) I can average 54mpg if driven gently.
VERY solid car and stable drive.
Servicing is very cheap as I use an independant now (so not BMW prices). Still on original pads and discs. Front pads up soon so will have all 4 cporners done.
Nothing else replaced nor needed.
E39 530D gets my vote...go for the Sport though.
You'll not go far wrong with either. My 330d is just past 100k, now in need of shocks. They tend to go through bushes quite quickly and rear springs can go. Parts are cheap enough though and mine has been perfectly reliable, still on original turbo/injectors/exhaust etc.
If you will be mile munching the SE is the one to go for, I find the Sport models too crashy. 45mpg easy enough if your doing long journeys.
If you will be mile munching the SE is the one to go for, I find the Sport models too crashy. 45mpg easy enough if your doing long journeys.
IMHO the 530D is a bit of a barge, though fantastic on long motorway trips where 40 MPG plus no problem - mind you I should mention mine is an SE, so much softer than the Sport and in auto form the changes are on the slow side. Round the doors youll be lucky to get 30 MPG in my experience though..
RWD cossie wil said:
Would you plump for manual or auto? I have always been a manual sort of guy, but an auto wouldn't be too bad would it? 
No great hardship I'm sure, mine is manual though. Just be aware that fuel consumption will take a hit with the autobox, and on the other hand a manual is harder to find particularly in E39 guise.And if you do get an auto make sure you change the oil, many cases of boxes destructing because the oil wasn't changed.
soda said:
And if you do get an auto make sure you change the oil, many cases of boxes destructing because the oil wasn't changed.
...mmm The Auto gearbox in my E39 (Auto/Tip) has a lifetime oil. This is not supposed to be changed. The gearboxes are assembled in a clean room with no possibility of contamination. The oil is filled at a precise temperature and the gearbox sealed.
Edited by Gallen on Monday 21st February 21:12
Gallen said:
...mmm
The Auto gearbox in my E39 (Auto/Tip) has a lifetime oil. This is not supposed to be changed. The gearboxes are assembled in a clean room with no possibility of contamination. The oil is filled at a precise temperature and the gearbox sealed.
How long is a lifetime ?The Auto gearbox in my E39 (Auto/Tip) has a lifetime oil. This is not supposed to be changed. The gearboxes are assembled in a clean room with no possibility of contamination. The oil is filled at a precise temperature and the gearbox sealed.
Edited by Gallen on Monday 21st February 21:12
Jimmyarm said:
How long is a lifetime ?
About 10 years I reckon.I had a 2000 model 530d SE tourer with a manual box, sports seats and sports suspension. It was a bit of an unusual spec (cloth seats too) but it was a glorious car. I drove my mates 1999 530d SE auto and I found it very strange. I used to average 36mpg in mine. I bought it with 40K and sold it with 80K. In that time it needed some new rear bushes, a propshaft donut and 2 ABS sensors. Cracking car. The injectors were starting to get a little tired though. I used to like a dose of injector cleaner every 6 weeks otherwise it would start wobbling slightly at idle.
Jimmyarm said:
Gallen said:
...mmm
The Auto gearbox in my E39 (Auto/Tip) has a lifetime oil. This is not supposed to be changed. The gearboxes are assembled in a clean room with no possibility of contamination. The oil is filled at a precise temperature and the gearbox sealed.
How long is a lifetime ?The Auto gearbox in my E39 (Auto/Tip) has a lifetime oil. This is not supposed to be changed. The gearboxes are assembled in a clean room with no possibility of contamination. The oil is filled at a precise temperature and the gearbox sealed.
Edited by Gallen on Monday 21st February 21:12
Gallen having seen the contents of some gearboxes at or over 100k I would advise changing the oil. I'll not criticise the production and precision of putting the oil in at the manufacturing stage, but it will deteriorate over time. It should be done at least every 50k despite BMW's assertions and doing so will help to prevent the need for expensive overhauls.
Edited by soda on Monday 21st February 21:48
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff