Alternative to 520d

NewApproach

My dad drives a 520d of the timing chain issue era. It's covered by a warranty with BMW for another few months or so, but at that stage I will be strongly advising him to change it. What is the best alternative?

YbFocus

530d

bazz26

Is he buying new or second hand?

The new shape Audi A6 is getting good reviews.

Anan1

NewApproach wrote: »

My dad drives a 520d of the timing chain issue era. It's covered by a warranty with BMW for another few months or so, but at that stage I will be strongly advising him to change it. What is the best alternative?

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just extend the warranty?

Leonard Hofstadter

NewApproach wrote: »

My dad drives a 520d of the timing chain issue era. It's covered by a warranty with BMW for another few months or so, but at that stage I will be strongly advising him to change it. What is the best alternative?

525d, 530d or 535d:D. Seriously, none of the diesel E60s with the correct number of cylinders have the timing chain problem. Also, a 2008 onwards 525d/530d/535d are about the same to tax as a 07 and older 520d because they are relatively good on fuel and emissions for their engine size.

bazz26

Best of luck trying to find a post 2007 6 cylinder diesel 5 Series in Ireland.

unkel

Why does nobody recommend petrols anymore?

'08 3l 6 cylinder 525i is very frugal and only €750 to tax

Edit - even harder to find in Ireland than post 2007 6 cylinder diesels, Bazz is right

Checked yesterday and VRT on a '08 525i is €3200...

bazz26

They are like leprechauns, they don't exist here.

Leonard Hofstadter

bazz26 wrote: »

They are like leprechauns, they don't exist here.

It is worth pointing out from 2008 onwards, all E60 523i, 525i, 530i, 525d, 530d and 535d are in the same tax band (unless you have a manual 525d or 530d, which nobody does), so the petrols are actually no dearer to tax than the diesel equivalent.

The problem with this is that the petrol engine is prone to coil pack and injector issues, so the diesels make a lot more sense from a reliability perspective.

bazz26

Yes but nobody bought them here new.

drunkmonkey

unkel wrote: »

Why does nobody recommend petrols anymore?

'08 3l 6 cylinder 525i is very frugal and only €750 to tax

I love petrol but think I have to drive a diesel, put up 50k last year, any idea what it would have cost me in petrol, think I spent about 5,500 on diesel. Not sure what mpg that works out at.

unkel

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I love petrol but think I have to drive a diesel, put up 50k last year, any idea what it would have cost me in petrol, think I spent about 5,500 on diesel. Not sure what mpg that works out at.

50k kilometers I presume? With diesel at 1.48 it works out at about 38MPG

At your mileage, you kinda have to go diesel, you are right. Petrol at 28MPG would have cost you about 2,500 more...

drunkmonkey

unkel wrote: »

50k kilometers I presume? With diesel at 1.48 it works out at about 38MPG

At your mileage, you kinda have to go diesel, you are right. Petrol at 28MPG would have cost you about 2,500 more...

That's spot on what I was getting 38 maybe 40 when I last checked (320d)

Your right I probably need a diesel but here's a conundrum, the claimed 47.9 mpg from the 208 GTi , I think it's my only way back to petrol

650Ginge

drunkmonkey wrote: »

That's spot on what I was getting 38 maybe 40 when I last checked (320d)

Your right I probably need a diesel but here's a conundrum, the claimed 47.9 mpg from the 208 GTi , I think it's my only way back to petrol

Beemer to a peugeot. That's not going to end well...

Victor Meldrew

Anan1 wrote: »

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just extend the warranty?

There is more to just the warranty in some cases...I dumped mine because

a) Hated sound of the motor, ruined the experience listening to the maracas rattle of the N47 at 2,000rpm. This did not hit me on the test drive.
b) I only do 12,000kms a year
c) they are short trips , so I am blocking the DPF and getting lousy economy
d) It was a manual, and the shift & ratios were horrible. Again, not an issue in the test drive
e) It weighed a tonne, and the SE spec was "wallowy".

In short, I bought the wrong car. Traded it for a newer 3 series petrol and am happy in my silent, smaller, lighter, world. I miss the torque, but can live with it.

Anan1

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

There is more to just the warranty in some cases...I dumped mine because

a) Hated sound of the motor, ruined the experience listening to the maracas rattle of the N47 at 2,000rpm. This did not hit me on the test drive.
b) I only do 12,000kms a year
c) they are short trips , so I am blocking the DPF and getting lousy economy
d) It was a manual, and the shift & ratios were horrible. Again, not an issue in the test drive
e) It weighed a tonne, and the SE spec was "wallowy".

In short, I bought the wrong car. Traded it for a newer 3 series petrol and am happy in my silent, smaller, lighter, world. I miss the torque, but can live with it.

They're good reasons to change, the OP's is not.

IK09

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

e) It weighed a tonne, and the SE spec was "wallowy".

the SE spec was what?

_Kaiser_

IK09 wrote: »

the SE spec was what?

Vague indistinct steering and soft suspension is what I'd understand from that

Max Power1

YbFocus wrote: »

530d

535d :P

YbFocus

Max Power1 wrote: »

535d :P

yeah yeah you win as always

Victor Meldrew

IK09 wrote: »

the SE spec was what?

Bordering on "boulevard ride". despite rolling 17/225/45 section run flat tyres.

I actually don't like overly stiff suspension, but there was way too much body roll in the bends, and, it just weighed too much to change direction quickly. Seats were too generous in width so did not hold my slender frame.

The steering was much nicer than FWD, but not nice enough.

the E90 is "sharper".

Victor Meldrew

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Vague indistinct steering and soft suspension is what I'd understand from that

To be clear, it was still worlds apart from some of the boats I've driven in terms of road holding and precision, and the brakes were brilliant..

RobAMerc

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

To be clear, it was still worlds apart from some of the boats I've driven in terms of road holding and precision, and the brakes were brilliant..

F10 or E60 ?

MagnusDamm

My dad drives a Toyota avensis (09) and claims its an awesome car. Would he consider one of these? Cheaper than BMW and look a lot nicer

Max Power1

MagnusDamm wrote: »

My dad drives a Toyota avensis (09) and claims its an awesome car. Would he consider one of these? Cheaper than BMW and look a lot nicer

YbFocus

MagnusDamm wrote: »

My dad drives a Toyota avensis (09) and claims its an awesome car. Would he consider one of these? Cheaper than BMW and look a lot nicer

I wouldn't think that would be a popular opinion in fairness. . .

Max Power1

YbFocus wrote: »

I wouldn't think that would be a popular opinion in fairness. . .

That is a very politically correct way of phrasing what I was thinking :P

Sure, a japanese econobox white goods item is better looking than a bmw. Yeah......

RobAMerc

MagnusDamm wrote: »

My dad drives a Toyota avensis (09) and claims its an awesome car. Would he consider one of these? Cheaper than BMW and look a lot nicer

I had a hire car Avensis some time back and I remember thinking "How do they manage to make such poor cars and yet have folks queuing up to buy such poor/mediocre crap. "

Its no alternative to a 5 series.

YbFocus

RobAMerc wrote: »

I had a hire car Avensis some time back and I remember thinking "How do they manage to make such poor cars and yet have folks queuing up to buy such poor/mediocre crap. "

Its no alternative to a 5 series.

Can never understand this either, people pay quite a bit of money here for no spec. It's depressing every jan to see fleets of new cars arriving to the dealers all completely standard machines.

Victor Meldrew

RobAMerc wrote: »

F10 or E60 ?

E60. Have not had the pleasure of a F10...

Victor Meldrew

RobAMerc wrote: »

I had a hire car Avensis some time back and I remember thinking "How do they manage to make such poor cars and yet have folks queuing up to buy such poor/mediocre crap. "

Its no alternative to a 5 series.

It's a bit like buying sensible, rubber soled shoes as opposed to all leather ones that cost more, require trips to the cobbler, leak in the wet and rot in snow.

Many people just can't sign up to the purchase costs and running costs of a BMW/Merc/Big Audi as, to them, a car is an appliance, not an expression of who they are or an obsessive love. They also want something that has "safe" handling.

Also, up to the recent high tech diesel revolution, Toyota produced phenomenally reliable, durable cars which needed little maintenance. There is nothing mediocre or crap about that.

YbFocus

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

Also, up to the recent high tech diesel revolution, Toyota produced phenomenally reliable, durable cars which needed little maintenance. There is nothing mediocre or crap about that.

Very true about Toyota in the past but anyone that had bought one now since All the recalls started needs their head examined.

MuppetCheck

YbFocus wrote: »

Very true about Toyota in the past but anyone that had bought one now since All the recalls started needs their head examined.

I'd put BMW ignoring a major problem with the x16/18/20/23d's higher up the "you'd want your head examined to buy one" list than Toyota manning up and admitting there's a problem and doing something about.

kasper

surely the only alternative has to be a skoda Octavia or a skoda superb

Victor Meldrew

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I'd put BMW ignoring a major problem with the x16/18/20/23d's higher up the "you'd want your head examined to buy one" list than Toyota manning up and admitting there's a problem and doing something about.

Agreed. I'd not be deterred by Toyota's recalls in the buying decision*

And most braking / runaway issues are invariable down to pedal confusion.

*Not that I'd buy an Avensis/Auris/Yaris/Prius/Rav4... Would consider a Hilux if needs demanded it, and the GT86 is not really a Toyota.. (Drool)

RobAMerc

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

It's a bit like buying sensible, rubber soled shoes as opposed to all leather ones that cost more, require trips to the cobbler, leak in the wet and rot in snow.

Many people just can't sign up to the purchase costs and running costs of a BMW/Merc/Big Audi as, to them, a car is an appliance, not an expression of who they are or an obsessive love. They also want something that has "safe" handling.

Also, up to the recent high tech diesel revolution, Toyota produced phenomenally reliable, durable cars which needed little maintenance. There is nothing mediocre or crap about that.

I think people who buy them just can't tell whats better about one over the other and generally reliability is one of the factors they can ( read, hear or have advertised to them ) and measure.

In fairness I look at Wayne Rooney and cannot see whats better about him than Robbie Krane - it's because I just don't know what I am looking at.

But I know that watching RK every week ping balls everywhere but into the net would make me soon hate football and I'd soon give up. This is where I think Toyota drivers are. ( I hope this makes sense and pls excuse the RK and WR analogy I know zip about football and certainly dont want to derail the thread any more than I already did ).


btw - Toyota actually do make some great cars, I am talking about run of their mill stuff.

edit - sorry for OT posts. yes , defo look at a Superb but the interior imo isn't there yet.

positron

I was going to suggest Honda Accord and you won't have to worry about living with it after warranty period is finished, but then I remembered Honda is going discontinue Accord in the UK market from this year onwards (I think). It's a shame, because they are decent enough looking ultra reliable cars. Perhaps there are bargains to be had, who knows....

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/accord-2008/?section=bad

Victor Meldrew

RobAMerc wrote: »

In fairness I look at Wayne Rooney and cannot see whats better about him than Robbie Keane - it's because I just don't know what I am looking at.

To flog your analogy somewhat, picking the wrong motor is a bit like making Wayne play on a ploughed field.

And the N47 is definitely a motor that would end up playing for the LA Galaxies...

bazz26

If anything Toyota issuing a number of certain recalls has been a PR master stroke for them as it gives their customers a sense of reassurance that they will look after them even outside of warranty. Even though some of these recalls have been for small things.

unkel

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

It's a bit like buying sensible, rubber soled shoes as opposed to all leather ones that cost more, require trips to the cobbler, leak in the wet and rot in snow..

No. It's more like:



vs

Victor Meldrew

unkel wrote: »

No. It's more like:



vs

The mrs would kill me if I wore them into the house, what with the wooden floors and new tiles..

The flip flops are just naff...

Max Power1

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

The mrs would kill me if I wore them into the house, what with the wooden floors and new tiles..

The flip flops are just naff...

Do I have to stand still a couple of seconds in the blue ones waiting for the turbo to kick in? :P

NewApproach

OP here, thanks for all the replies guys. Basically dad likes the 520d for a number of reasons, primarily its comfort and economy. He wouldn't necessarily look to be spending much more, maybe €5-8k ontop of what he would get for the bimmer. Something like a Superb is actually a great suggestion, my grandad (his dad) has one and he thinks its a 'fine' car (that's a great compliment, btw).

The likes of a 530d/i are all well and good but not exactly what he is looking for. He is the exact type of person who likes minimal spends on tax and fuel. :rolleyes:

(Me on the other hand, I think I'll be buying a 330d in the next week or so )

Poulgorm

positron wrote: »

I was going to suggest Honda Accord and you won't have to worry about living with it after warranty period is finished, but then I remembered Honda is going discontinue Accord in the UK market from this year onwards (I think).

Honest John stated the above, in the course of a review / preview of the new Civic estate. I think what he meant was that the Accord estate would be discontinued - not the Accord saloon.

Apparently, the Civic estate is of similar capacity as the Accord estate, so it's pointless having both on the market.

I would miss the Accord saloon - a really lovely car.

Satanta

Poulgorm wrote: »

Honest John stated the above, in the course of a review / preview of the new Civic estate. I think what he meant was that the Accord estate would be discontinued - not the Accord saloon.

Apparently, the Civic estate is of similar capacity as the Accord estate, so it's pointless having both on the market.

I would miss the Accord saloon - a really lovely car.

How could they be of similar capacity?

Poulgorm

Satanta wrote: »

How could they be of similar capacity?

Simple, really. The back end of the Civic estate has been lengthened considerably - look at the side photos of the estate and compare it to the hatchback. Note the distance from the rear wheels to the rear of the car.

Also, Honda are boasting that the Civic estate will have the largest capacity of its class - bigger than the Focus or Golf estates. Given that the Accord estate has one of the smallest capacities in its class, the capacities of the the two estates are about the same.

So, the Accord estate will be dropped. Wasn't selling very well, anyway.