Looking for 520d - Go North for higher spec?

JohnCleary

Going to replace the 320d soon. Grand car but tired of it. I bought it in the UK and I got used to the SE spec... Xenon / Leather / Parking Sensors etc....


Is it worth searching up the North for a high spec 520d? Looking for 2008 ideally.

Main requirements are:
Xenon
Leather (heated)
Electric heated wing mirrors
Parking Sensors
Fogs
Cruise Control
AirCon / Climate Control

Anything after that is a bonus really. I am not familiar with the newer I-Drive (need to do research over the next days re. different specs) - if anyone can offer advise i'd be grateful

I'm kind of hooked on the 5 series. I loved my 3 series and the layout of the new 5 series. That said I wouldn't discount a similar car (A6 etc.) but for now just looking for advise re 5 series

Thanks

drunkmonkey

What seems good value up north compared to down here are 08-10 Mercedes C220 Sports, Vrt on a low mileage <50,000 miles is about 3500 and you'd buy a full spec one with paddle shift, leather, auto box etc for about 12,000 euro.
You'd pay close to 19k here for one if you could find one, there very thin on the ground, there the ones with a star in the grill not on the bonnet.

08 520d's suffer from the exploding engine problem check out watchdog, I wouldn't be investing much in one and the a4/a6 are as common as mud.

JohnCleary

drunkmonkey wrote: »

What seems good value up north compared to down here are 08-10 Mercedes C220 Sports, Vrt on a low mileage <50,000 miles is about 3500 and you'd buy a full spec one with paddle shift, leather, auto box etc for about 12,000 euro.
You'd pay close to 19k here for one if you could find one, there very thin on the ground, there the ones with a star in the grill not on the bonnet.

08 520d's suffer from the exploding engine problem check out watchdog, I wouldn't be investing much in one and the a4/a6 are as common as mud.

Will start searching... as said i'm open minded. The C220 isin't as common as the 5 series alright

JohnCleary

Having looked at pics of the C220 sport I reckon it's definitely a contender. Will find a Merc forum in the UK and start the usual questions...

bazz26

OP, google "BMW N47 timing chain problems". I'd go for a 2007 LCI 520d with the older M47 engine. The price difference in motor tax will be well saved over the cost of replacing the timing chain.

drunkmonkey

JohnCleary wrote: »

Having looked at pics of the C220 sport I reckon it's definitely a contender. Will find a Merc forum in the UK and start the usual questions...

It's a car I never though of myself until yesterday, just looking at the prices and Vrt it seemed like a serious contender, and in fairness to it that sport is a good looking car, there's also some bigger engined diesel versions that I didn't go pricing but they might also be worth a look if you stumble across one the c350 cdi has a 0 to 60 time of 6 seconds, pretty swift for a diesel.

JohnCleary

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, google "BMW N47 timing chain problems". I'd go for a 2007 LCI 520d with the older M47 engine. The price difference in motor tax will be well saved over the cost of replacing the timing chain.

I'm aware of the 'engine go bang' issue from having a general knowledge of BMW's but I thought the issue was fixed in 2008... little do I know.
I agree the tax saving over 5 years will not be a lot. The main thing is I want to go up at least 6 years from my current car (2002) so i'd like 08+

drunkmonkey wrote: »

It's a car I never though of myself until yesterday, just looking at the prices and Vrt it seemed like a serious contender, and in fairness to it that sport is a good looking car, there's also some bigger engined diesel versions that I didn't go pricing but they might also be worth a look if you stumble across one the c350 cdi has a 0 to 60 time of 6 seconds, pretty swift for a diesel.

I'm going to trawl through some forums to get the general consensus on the car but yes I actually really like the look of them. I'd feel a bit 'old man' in it as i'm in my 20's but i'd quickly get over that if a comfortable car

yeller

drunkmonkey wrote: »

What seems good value up north compared to down here are 08-10 Mercedes C220 Sports, Vrt on a low mileage <50,000 miles is about 3500 and you'd buy a full spec one with paddle shift, leather, auto box etc for about 12,000 euro.
You'd pay close to 19k here for one if you could find one, there very thin on the ground, there the ones with a star in the grill not on the bonnet.

08 520d's suffer from the exploding engine problem check out watchdog, I wouldn't be investing much in one and the a4/a6 are as common as mud.

are these the same engine thats in a 08 320d too??

Gumbo

yeller wrote: »

are these the same engine thats in a 08 320d too??

Yes. The 177bhp version is common to the E90 320d, E60 520d and the E87 120d.

bazz26

The N47 family of engines are all 2.0 litre and used in various models. The issue effects cars up to early 2011 but there are still reports of failures on new F30 and F10 models, just not on the same level yet as they are still relatively new. I just sold my 2008 and while it didn't have any issues in 3 years of ownership but I certainly would not gamble on another BMW with a N47 engine.

yeller

kceire wrote: »

Yes. The 177bhp version is common to the E90 320d, E60 520d and the E87 120d.

ok so its the 177bhp that gives the trouble and best avoided, the 163bhp are the ones to go for then,
My Girlfriend was actually was going to buy an 09 bmw 320d for the cheaper tax so good to know this...
The merc c220 sport has mentioned above...does it have any issues with engines etc and how does it compare with the bmw in the mpg

Max Power1

yeller wrote: »

ok so its the 177bhp that gives the trouble and best avoided, the 163bhp are the ones to go for then,
My Girlfriend was actually was going to buy an 09 bmw 320d for the cheaper tax so good to know this...
The merc c220 sport has mentioned above...does it have any issues with engines etc and how does it compare with the bmw in the mpg

If you are looking for a car to save money dont buy a bmw and skimp on the maintenance.

Certainly dont buy the n47 ones!

bazz26

yeller wrote: »

ok so its the 177bhp that gives the trouble and best avoided, the 163bhp are the ones to go for then,
My Girlfriend was actually was going to buy an 09 bmw 320d for the cheaper tax so good to know this...
The merc c220 sport has mentioned above...does it have any issues with engines etc and how does it compare with the bmw in the mpg

It effects the 118d/120d/123d/318d/320d/520d from 2007 towards early 2011.