BMW 520d

[crockers]

Just took out the latest 520d auto SE for a spin.
First impressions is the cabin is a very nice place to be.
Seats were part of the dynamic package + 19" wheels. I thought it would be a horrendous ride - but very very pleasantly surprised. Very comfortable with the softer SE suspension.
Performance is very good - gear changes very smooth - felt well planted on the road and was a pleasant drive. Not as fast away as my W203 - but there is a good 50 bhp difference. Where that showed was on the motorway - if you need to "boot" it to pass someone at say around 70-80 - there isn't the kick in the back I am used to. Saying that though it cruises very smoothly at legal speeds - 80.
Haven't tried the new E250 cdi yet - but I am very impressed in the BMW and am very tempted.

 

[davidjpowell]

How often do you need to boot it on the motorway?

Be interesting to see how it compares to the E250?

ETA - this is the move I made, although ours is a facelift 2007.

I've found the power not to be an issue, with no real world disadvantage, other than I don't get the shove in the back that we did from the C class. Our is a bog standard SE and I do wish it had Leather though for ease of keeping clean.

 

[st4]

Watching this thread with interest. Surely a 520s competitor is an E220 not the significantly more powerful E250z I rate the 212 bar its seating.

Crockers you'd be best looking at the 535 or 530d models for comparable performance or the more driver orientated 3 series range and C classes if you don't want a very large car

 

[Rory]

How often do you need to boot it on the motorway?

I drive pretty gently but find you need to accelerate firmly sometimes to avoid being stuck in people's blind spot.

I had a colleague with me on a long motorway trip a few weeks ago and he has a pretty new 520d - he commented about how well my car picked up speed in the 60-80 range without shifting down. He said the BMW feels very flat unless you floor the throttle to drop a gear or two, or manually shift down, as it tries to stay in 8th wherever possible for economy reasons.

 

[st4]

I drive pretty gently but find you need to accelerate firmly sometimes to avoid being stuck in people's blind spot.

I had a colleague with me on a long motorway trip a few weeks ago and he has a pretty new 520d - he commented about how well my car picked up speed in the 60-80 range without shifting down. He said the BMW feels very flat unless you floor the throttle to drop a gear or two, or manually shift down, as it tries to stay in 8th wherever possible for economy reasons.

The wonders of 5g. At 70mph bang at 2000rpm so right in the turbo sweet spot. A 520d is heavier but probably more powerful but the top gear will be to tall for the engine to be able to pull it. Not an issue in the lighter 320d with the old 6speeder I drove or indeed a 530d 8g which has a lot mire torque.

In the shed 7th is 1800rpm at 70mph which is ok but it does like a change to 6th or 5th for a quicker pace and I've got a lot more firepower than your colleague to play with. Super tall gears are great for cruising but not for any form of manoeuvre making driving IMHO

 

[crockers]

Watching this thread with interest. Surely a 520s competitor is an E220 not the significantly more powerful E250z I rate the 212 bar its seating.

Crockers you'd be best looking at the 535 or 530d models for comparable performance or the more driver orientated 3 series range and C classes if you don't want a very large car

The "new" 530d is way too much money. I agree the 220 is more comparable but price wise and eco wise the 250 is nearer.

Saw the new 3. It's quite spacious inside.

 

[mobeyone]

My brother has just bought this 520d.

It's a fantastic car, not much in terms of options but the car itself is far superior to my S211. It's solid, drives great and drives like new.

I will be giving the 5 more thought next time round.

 

[tali]

I chased a new relentesly hard driven 520D on a huge traffic free motorway run against my Rover 75 2.5 177bhp -so pretty evenly matched. The Rover dusted the 520D- to my surprise

 

[mobeyone]

The wonders of 5g. At 70mph bang at 2000rpm so right in the turbo sweet spot. A 520d is heavier but probably more powerful but the top gear will be to tall for the engine to be able to pull it. Not an issue in the lighter 320d with the old 6speeder I drove or indeed a 530d 8g which has a lot mire torque.

In the shed 7th is 1800rpm at 70mph which is ok but it does like a change to 6th or 5th for a quicker pace and I've got a lot more firepower than your colleague to play with. Super tall gears are great for cruising but not for any form of manoeuvre making driving IMHO

Local mechanic who we know has a 335d coupe which has been chipped... that car is seriously quick of the mark and has bags of power/tourque.

Hes even thinking of selling his in favour of a 535d, at the current prices I think they represent great value and are quite reliable......

 

[gIzzE]

I had a mapped 535d sport touring, it was quick, but not really necessary in a diesel imho.
The 530d is a far better choice, nearly as quick and far better economy.

The 520d 8 speed auto is capable of some great mpg figures, I used to get 51mpg from the one we had doing my 80 mile round trip between our shops, which is the same as I get from our 18d X1, I get around 36mpg from my E320cdi.
That was the heavier touring as well.


I found the latest 5 series incredibly dull though, it was a week before it started to show its weaknesses, but after that I lost interest very quickly.

 

[st4]

The "new" 530d is way too much money. I agree the 220 is more comparable but price wise and eco wise the 250 is nearer.

Saw the new 3. It's quite spacious inside.

Fair enough but I'd wait for a used 530d. It's a really large car. Or get a 320d Msport. They are really good btw

 

[gIzzE]

Why does it have to be new?

A 530d M-Sport is around £48k with the right toys on it, but you can buy that same car for £32k at 6 months old.

With most cars loosing 35% or more in the first year it just doesn't make sense as a private buyer any more unless you keep them for 10 years and can hide that depreciation somewhat.

 

[A210AMG]

Quote "far superior to my S211. It's solid, drives great and drives like new"

My S211 is solid, drives great and drives like new so its superiorness is equaled.

I've had BM's but it does tend to be an image thing with them, generally the smaller engined ones are driven by reps that think they are in M5's (ok not all..but most)

Obviuosly the third lane is for BMW drivers, indicators are a very exspensive option so not many owners bother with them.

I still think they have a great range of engines and the current 2.0d is very good in almost all models.

 

[crockers]

Why does it have to be new?

A 530d M-Sport is around £48k with the right toys on it, but you can buy that same car for £32k at 6 months old.

With most cars loosing 35% or more in the first year it just doesn't make sense as a private buyer any more unless you keep them for 10 years and can hide that depreciation somewhat.

Agree totally. I was testing a 9 month old car. Was tempted but eventually head over ruled heart. They wanted too much and offered me too little which gave me a "too much" gap.

Think my W203 has a few more miles in it.