Serious question re a BMW..

[bpsorrel]

Just want some impartial advice really!

A friend of mine has offered me his immaculate (really!) BMW 530d. It's 2007 with 50,000 miles, in black with beige leather and wood trim (unusual). Basically. after selling my car I can get his 5 for just £2K. My S211 is late 05 with 60,000 miles, but, has been virtually faultless. But, the other thing is, I am looking to change anyway as I don't need an estate anymore....

So, just out of interest, would you guys do it, or wait for a few more months and go for a CLS, which is possibly less practical and more expensive to run? (but better looking!!!)

 

[Ted]

Personally I would wait and go for the CLS - it's a stunning car, while the 5 series really doesn't do it for me.

It's not that I have anything against BMWs - I much prefer the 3 series over the C class, and the three coupe over the CLC is a no brainer (IMHO of course)

 

[bolide]

You need to do a decent test drive on the 530D. The E60 5-Series is a lovely car but the run-flats can make it feel a bit like it's wearing hobnail boots

If you don't overpay for the BMW you always have the option of getting out of it and into a CLS later. There is always a market for 530Ds

Nick Froome

 

[MercFanUk]

Personally, if I could I would wait for the CLS. It's a pretty special car, and without being BMWist, the 5 series is pretty plain in comparison!

 

[Blackman]

I would probably go for BMW, as it would be a "direct" replacement for W211.

Keep in mind, that while CLS is a 4 door saloon, but it's a COMPACT saloon, so it's all squeezed up and if room is one of your concerns, then 530d for sure!

 

[renault12ts]

Wait for the CLS, or you'll regret it.

 

[jonnyboy]

I agree with Blackman - 211 estate > 4 seat CLS is a big drop in internal size. It's a mate so borrow the 530d for a cpl of days - maybe a friday and saturday, and use it totally "normally".
Only way to tell.
As Nick F says though, there is always a market for diesel beemers...

 

[Schuey]

Go for the CLS. if you get the 5 series you will still want a CLS and then probably end up changing after a bit. I know I would if I had my heart set on something but ending buying something else.

 

[Adam230K]

Drive it and see if you like it... but if you've had a s211 the chances are you might not enjoy the ride quality.

I had an E60 for a while and it was a sport, the ride was borderline japcar coilovers feel and on the size of saloon it is it really didnt suit... Thats why I stuck to an E39 sport because it handles just as well while having a much more forgiving (and solid) ride. Oh but i'm not bothered about the age of a car, so pretend I didn't say that

 

[bpsorrel]

I agree with Blackman - 211 estate > 4 seat CLS is a big drop in internal size. ...

I agree, but no longer need the space of the estate, hence the desire for a CLS! To be honest, I wouldn't have considered this car had it not fallen into my lap as it were! But yes, I'd probably still lust after a CLS and never really enjoy the 5 as much as I should.

And, just to upset the apple cart further, another friend has a friend (!) with another car I was thinking of adding to my garage, which would mean possibly keeping the 211 a while longer while I enjoy the "toy" for a while!!...

 

[Sonny Burnett]

for 2 grand id rather a real car, 124 or 123..

 

[timskemp]

Mate of mine just got an E60 535d - it's very spacious and economical (and it's behind my 204 in my signature pic) BUT the ride is harder than my C in sport mode! Wait for the CLS if you like mercs. Or if you want to downsize I can recommend a C with advanced agility...

 

[C240Sport97]

CLS has significantly reduced headroom compared to E, but leg room is pretty similar -- remembering that the rear has the center console running through it.

 

[finisterre]

The only reason to spend silly money on cars is because you like pretty shiny things.

The CLS is much prettier, I want one. My partner wants one. The 5 series is not really in the same bracket, it strikes me as being clinical by comparison.

I have not driven either but the CLS would have to be dreadful before I turned away.

Edit- Actually I have driven a 5, but it slipped my mind when considering the lines of the CLS.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Interesting choice to make here...

Firstly, I've got a 2009 E60 520d in the same colour combination and with wood trim (as a company car). I chose that over the W211 E Class that I could have got (E220 CDI). Mine also has run flats and I'm comfortable with the ride. Having said that our W203 has Bilstein sports suspension so perhaps it's not a great comparison back to back!

Although I am a Merc guy, the 5 Series won for me when I had the last BMW vs Mercedes choice.

Bear in mind that 2007 was a favelift year though, so I would do the switch if your friends 5 Series is a facelift model (LCI in BMW speak). If it's not a facelift model then I'd think twice, in my view the pre-facelift isn't as nice (some interior trim isn't as nice and most obvious change to the exterior is the LED lights).

So, the extra 2k is getting you a newer car and the 530d engine is great. I assume it's an auto?

You need to do a decent test drive on the 530D. The E60 5-Series is a lovely car but the run-flats can make it feel a bit like it's wearing hobnail boots

If you don't overpay for the BMW you always have the option of getting out of it and into a CLS later. There is always a market for 530Ds

Nick Froome

I'd also agree with that. Incidentally on the strength of my 5 Series, my brother-in-law now also has a 2007 5 Series estate. It's an ex company car with about 92k on it, drives just as great as mine with 35k on it.

Now to compare a 5 series to a CLS doesn't compute, I'd take the CLS anyday. Although as you've pointed out it would cost you more than an additional £2k

 

[bpsorrel]

I'm going to borrow the 5 tomorrow for a business drive to Barking. Something tells me though, I'll still want a CLS (pity I can't get one of those for £2K more than mine! LOL!).... I'll let you know how the test goes!

 

[timskemp]

There are cheap CLS around - I found a few in my budget but the W204 really endeared me to it.

 

[trainer]

CLS if it was me. The 5 is a great car to drive but bland

 

[JOB-BLACK-RAT]

Well I just chipped in MB C200d for a BMW 5 series 'stop me boys if this news is getting old hat' last week, This 56 plate 84K mile BMW is in the shop having a new diff put in....DOH......but thats just my luck and motors

However I do drive the odd unmarked 530d saloon at work, the ride is a little firmer with the standard run flats but unless your chucking it around there not bad at all. Great engine, smooth all the way up to , well, lets just agree its smooth.

Its just the fuel it uses, the auto 530d burns through the derv like a beast, if you do many miles stick with the MB.

 

[flango]

There are cheap CLS around - I found a few in my budget but the W204 really endeared me to it.

I saw Tim's car in the flesh today, absolutely gorgeous and I can totally understand why he made the choice it really is a fantastic looking motor with a serious amount of road presence.

Well done mate cracking car and hope you enjoy it