2009 BMW 520D M or 2008 BMW 730D

aristotle25

I'm looking at buying a BMW and am undecided on a 5 or 7 series. I will be buying a 2/3 year old and will be keeping it for 4-5 years.

I do about 20k miles per year (I have a 2 hour daily roundtrip commute to work) with a drive into dublin city centre.

Beyond tax difference, different mpg, and probably different service costs is there anything I need to think about on choosing a 5 or 7 series? I have driven a 520d before but not a 7 series.

For example, these two options look ok...

730 - http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/7-Series/730-730D/201014197541111/advert?channel=CARS

520 - http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/M-Sport-/201118202247755/advert?channel=CARS

Or at that 730 price would I be as well off getting a 1 year old new model 520?

Thanks

pajero12

If you can afford the running costs of the 730.. Go for that, Serious comfort less common and a bigger boot than an octavia :cool:

robtri

two very different cars...

the 7 series is the daddy.. and the one to choose if u can afford it...

aristotle25

pajero12 wrote: »

If you can afford the running costs of the 730.. Go for that, Serious comfort less common and a bigger boot than an octavia :cool:

Well I currently drive an Octavia

mickdw

I wouldnt spend that much on a 7 series. If spending 40k, a new model 5 series is a good choice. If spending less and the choice was between 06/07 730d and a 520d, I would pick the 7 series every time.
I wouldnt in any case buy an 09 old model 5 series. Too near the new model not to get burned on price in future and has no advantage over an 08 model 5 series in tax etc.

So I spend less and get a 7 series or spend more and get a new model 5 series.

aristotle25

Am I paying too much attention to mileage? I would have been looking at a 09 520 with 30k miles as a better option than a 08 with 40-50k even though its an extra €5-6k? Or maybe it doesnt matter a whole lot if I am keeping it for 4-5 years anyways.

Max Power1

The cars are in different classes.

The 5 series is a mid range executive saloon and the 7'er is the flagship sedan.

If you can afford it, get the 7'er every time!

Matt Simis

aristotle25 wrote: »

Am I paying too much attention to mileage? I would have been looking at a 09 520 with 30k miles as a better option than a 08 with 40-50k even though its an extra €5-6k? Or maybe it doesnt matter a whole lot if I am keeping it for 4-5 years anyways.

That mileage difference is meaningless IMO. As stated, a 09 (/late model e60) 5 series is poor purchase unless you are keeping it for a long time.
A 730d is a better car in every metric than a 520d. But you know this, whats the real question here?

aristotle25

Just looking for some opinions, I can't say I am into cars or know a tonne about them. Some useful points made so far.

end a eknny

try to sell the 730 in a few years and you wont be able to give it away

Voodoomelon

Something to bear in mind is the particulate filter in the 730d is around €1500 to replace at a dealer and a 07/08 would be due this change soon. A lot of the earlier problems with the E65 7 were ironed out with software updates from 05/06 on so you should be fine in that regard.

Servicing of the E65 at any dealer commands massive money and for a lot of jobs and diagnostics, they will have you at their mercy as few other garages have the proper equipment. The E39/E38s were the last series where you could be hands on with the car, now you have little choice to pay the dealer a visit. The car may be 3 years old but its still a flagship car with flagship costs.

Having said that, id got for the 08 7any day, the 5s are as common as corollas. The 08 7s got more toys as standard so defo go for a 08.

deandean

aristotle25 wrote: »

Just looking for some opinions, I can't say I am into cars or know a tonne about them. Some useful points made so far.

OP I wonder if you are just taking the pi$$.

May I enquire: can you afford either car? Or is this an academic exercise? Be honest please.

creaghadoos

take the 520 out for a couple of hours if possible, and you will not buy it.
look seriously at the 730.

5 series says you are keeping up with someone
7 series says you are someone

Alanstrainor

deandean wrote: »

OP I wonder if you are just taking the pi$$.

May I enquire: can you afford either car? Or is this an academic exercise? Be honest please.

Do not post on this thread again.

coolbeans

Just an observation, both are the poor man's version in their respective ranges. I'd prefer a 7 series but neither would light my fire to be honest.

@deandean, dude, like WTF??? Feeling a little envious tonight are we?

EPM

Is that not crazy money for a 2 year old 520d?

pajo1981

.

TJJP

I went through the same questions a year or two back on the seven versus five when trading my e39 five series. I loved the seven, a really fantastic car and it looks like you will do the miles to enjoy it.

However, it will depreciate like a stone and (as said already here) the service costs are extortionate. In my case I was all set on the seven until I saw the service history and that the most recent service had ran to €2,500 (for nothing that special!). Seriously, even if only every two years or so how could you justify paying that?

I have a 'corolla' like five now, and I'm very happy with it. Would I like a seven, you bet. But there's no way I be happy with the running costs. In short, the price difference in 'affording' a five or seven isn't the sticker price, it's what comes after. Perhaps forget both, go find a well specified late 2008 year auto 525d instead? Also, at 20k miles a year maybe diesel shouldn't be the only option for you?

Matt Simis

On the flip side, sure, you took the sensible and boring option, but you only live once, was it really worth selling out what you really wanted just to be "logical" about it?
Your circumstances could change for the worse tomorrow and that could have been your last chance to live a little. So sad so sad.

TJJP

Matt Simis wrote: »

On the flip side, sure, you took the sensible and boring option, but you only live once, was it really worth selling out what you really wanted just to be "logical" about it?
Your circumstances could change for the worse tomorrow and that could have been your last chance to live a little. So sad so sad.

Yes, yes, I'm inconsolable.

166man

Yo why not try and get the best of both worlds and get a 530d? Seriously nice machine!

pajero12

The 530 is no alternative to a 730!

mondeo

Go for the SEVEN, who wouldn't if they had the choice:D

SpannerMonkey

ive owned 9 bmws and driven both of the ones your looking at and to be honest there is no comparison the 730d is the one to go for, far far more comfortable , more technology than a space shuttle and far less common on the roads , it will waft you around the country in comfort and reasonable economy and i see no reason why it wouldnt sell in a few years with it being a 08 it will be in the lower tax bracket and the one anyone looking for a 7 would want

166man

pajero12 wrote: »

The 530 is no alternative to a 730!

How may I ask? The 530d is faster, more economical and far better looking compared to that ghastly 7 Series, and space wise there is not THAT big a difference between the two, there is still plenty of room front and back in a 5 series and the boot is around 520 litres!

maddness

SEVEN.:D

ShadowHearth

heart says -7s
brain SCREAMS - 5s

as much as i would like to own, and maybe i will, 7 series, it wount be the new one.

e38 is simplyer car and easyer on costs and technology, wheres this one is just stuffed with all sort of gadgets, which are prone to fail. If i would have spare money to sink in to its service, then i would take 7series, but if i am looking for bargain and free trouble life i would choose octavia 5 series.


sorry could not ressist

unkel

I owned an old E38 7-series from when it was 7 until it was 13 years old and the maintenance wasn't any more than for an average car that age. The car was very well built and reliable so apart from a €1,000 suspension overhaul at 140k miles, nothing ever went wrong with it - just regular servicing by an independent BMW specialist

The massive tyres were expensive though

Matt Simis

ShadowHearth wrote: »

e38 is simplyer car and easyer on costs and technology, wheres this one is just stuffed with all sort of gadgets, which are prone to fail. If i would have spare money to sink in to its service, then i would take 7series, but if i am looking for bargain and free trouble life i would choose octavia 5 series.
D

Good point!
The e38 looks much nicer IMO (and tbh, a lot of people agree) than the e65 too. A super high end, late model and well spec'ed e38 could be got for less than an average e65.
Unfortunately however there are no diesel RHD e38s available IIRC?

Jay_C

166man wrote: »

How may I ask? The 530d is faster, more economical and far better looking compared to that ghastly 7 Series, and space wise there is not THAT big a difference between the two, there is still plenty of room front and back in a 5 series and the boot is around 520 litres!

Far better looking? It looks just like every other boring 520D on the road,And only a second quicker to 100!
730D is alot classier, better equipped and alot more exclusive!

tfitzgerald

The 7 would be my dream car but they only way I will ever drive one is if my lotto numbers come up

Max Power1

Matt Simis wrote: »

Unfortunately however there are no diesel RHD e38s available IIRC?

Was there an e38 725tds sold here? AFAIK there was in the UK anyway.

166man

Jay_C wrote: »

Far better looking? It looks just like every other boring 520D on the road,And only a second quicker to 100!
730D is alot classier, better equipped and alot more exclusive!

Yes but look at the bigger picture, The 530d is much better looking in my view but then again, looks are subjective. However, it is quicker and more economical
and well able to handle that daily commute with plenty of power for some fun on the way home, the 5 will also hold more of its value too. In terms of equipment, a standard 530 will have most things you need, auto, leather, cruise, sat nav, electric seats etc. The way I see it with the 7 more equipment is more to go wrong and be expensive...

Padraig Mor

In terms of equipment, a standard 530 will have most things you need, auto, leather, cruise, sat nav, electric seats etc. The way I see it with the 7 more equipment is more to go wrong and be expensive...

Cruise aside, none of those things are standard on the 530. All are standard on the big 7 - one of the reasons to buy one.

TBH if potentially big bills are a problem, get a Corolla.

daRobot

The facelifted e65's aren't all that bad on the reliability front, so I wouldn't be too scared of owning one.

So much nicer than the 5'er. They're a big step up in quality.

paddydriver

With that money to hand... get an M5:D

Now its the DADDY!

166man

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Cruise aside, none of those things are standard on the 530. All are standard on the big 7 - one of the reasons to buy one.

TBH if potentially big bills are a problem, get a Corolla.

Sorry when I said standard I meant as in there are few 530's that don't have leather auto electric seats etc.... The big 7 is so ugly and depreciates so badly....

I think the OP should look at a CLS Mercedes for comfort and reliability...

Matt Simis

166man wrote: »

I think the OP should look at a CLS Mercedes for comfort and reliability...

Does not compute! Perhaps the CLS isnt bad by Merc standards, but as a marque they have an appalling reputation for reliability in the last decade.

The Guvnor

7 Series for me everytime.

I'd be conscious of the resale in a few years but even then I'd still go for the 7 series.

Same marque but different divisions.

Leonard Hofstadter

If the OP can afford the higher running costs, then it has got to be the 7 every time. Yes it is as ugly as sin, but the E60 is hardly what you'd call a looker either. The 7 is a really good car, the diesel can really get a move on when needed and the reliability of facelifted models is much better than pre facelifted versions. The facelifted models have an easier to use iDrive system as well.

And of course, the 7 should be a much better car, it did cost more than twice the price of a 520d when new!

166man

Matt Simis wrote: »

Does not compute! Perhaps the CLS isnt bad by Merc standards, but as a marque they have an appalling reputation for reliability in the last decade.

The CLS 320 CDI is one of the best cars out there for comfort and reliability, they run up serious miles those cars, I agree Mercedes is not what is used to be for reliability but this time this car is an exception! A great car and one that the OP should maybe consider....

The Guvnor

The CLS is ok have been in one many times - cls350 in fairness. I'd still go 7 series given that the cls is basically an e-class with a new suit.

I heard that the MB's from 2003-2009 were a bit iffy but now they are back to where they once were - not sure how true that is though.