BMW 520D Estate

Wailin · 14-07-2014 11:25pm #1

Trading in my car for a 520D Estate and just wondering what opinions are on the 2009/2010 models, ie. common issues etc. One particular model I test drove was a 2010 with almost 90,000 miles on the clock. Is this very high or average for such a car? Another one I test drove was a UK import with much higher spec (electric seats, automatic, cream leather sat nav etc), less milage (74,000) for the same price but 2009. First car has full service history but second doesn't show any service done since July 2012, something to be weary of I presume? Advice appreciated.

bazz26 · 14-07-2014 11:38pm

Plenty of information on BMW's N47 engine if you google it. Stretching timing chain is the main issue on that model built from late 2007 because of a fault design. No set mileage when it can happen so unless you can find one that has had the chain replaced already then I'd tend to avoid the 520d of that vintage. Costs just under €2k to replace the chain or a lot more if it happens to snap while the engine is running. A similar vintage 525d or 530d has the more reliable and smoother 3.0 litre M57 engine, relatively cheap to tax too on the co2 system.

Wailin · 15-07-2014 12:14am

bazz26 wrote: »

Plenty of information on BMW's N47 engine if you google it. Stretching timing chain is the main issue on that model built from late 2007 because of a fault design. No set mileage when it can happen so unless you can find one that has had the chain replaced already then I'd tend to avoid the 520d of that vintage. Costs just under €2k to replace the chain or a lot more if it happens to snap while the engine is running. A similar vintage 525d or 530d has the more reliable and smoother 3.0 litre M57 engine, relatively cheap to tax too on the co2 system.

Wow, just googled it, seems to be a huge issue. Seems to be still happening even with post 2011 models (not that I could afford one anyway). Exactly why I posted here in the first place, thanks for that bazz. I can get a 12 month warranty on the 2010 car I drove, is it worth the risk?

bazz26 · 15-07-2014 10:52am

12 month warranty is all good and well if it needs replacing within that period but if it fails beyond the warranty then budget to proactively have it replaced. Proactively replacing it can be alot cheaper than having to repair the damage it does if it snaps.

Foxhole Norman · 15-07-2014 11:10pm

A neighbour of mine bought a 2009 520D from a Main Dealer a year and a bit ago as part of the sale agreement the chain was replaced with an updated, upgraded one. Would be worth looking into.

Dr.Rieux · 16-07-2014 8:20am

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

A neighbour of mine bought a 2009 520D from a Main Dealer a year and a bit ago as part of the sale agreement the chain was replaced with an updated, upgraded one. Would be worth looking into.

Did he pay above asking to get that done? But that sounds like a great way to buy one.

Wailin · 16-07-2014 10:24am

It's unbelievable that BMW has more or less completely ignored this fault and refused to call back all the offending vehicles, unlike, say Toyota, who's name has been damaged from all the call backs over the last few years. But I would still buy a Toyota because of this, it gives you faith in the company. Having lusted over a 5 series BMW for so long and finally having the funds to get my hands on one I am now going to steer clear altogether. I can't afford a newer model with low mileage so I have no idea what to go for!

Moneymaker · 16-07-2014 10:28am

I'd follow bazz's advice and look at 525d or 530d. An E60 530d should be pretty affordable, if you can stomach the tax.

Failing that, something like an A5, CC or Accord could be what your looking for.

Wailin · 16-07-2014 10:45am

Moneymaker wrote: »

I'd follow bazz's advice and look at 525d or 530d. An E60 530d should be pretty affordable, if you can stomach the tax.

Failing that, something like an A5, CC or Accord could be what your looking for.

Any idea what the tax difference is in a 525d and 530d? I know they are both 3.0L diesels. Main reason I was going for the 520d was the great fuel economy and low tax.

Moneymaker · 16-07-2014 10:51am

Post 2008 a 530d is 750 to tax.
Pre 2008 it'd be 1800.

A 525d post 2008 is 525 to tax.
Pre 1080.

Personally, for the average Joe, the 520d is a fantastic car. It is very smooth and refined for a 4 pot diesel. But you have the timing chain issue. Also the fact they are as common as dishwater. How cheap the tax is, would be the last thing i'd care about. A few extra hundred for something you live with every day is worth every penny for my money.

Test drive them all and see what works for you. Now that you are aware of the timing chain issue, you are going in with eyes wide open and you know what to look for.

Foxhole Norman · 17-07-2014 1:47am

Dr.Rieux wrote: »

Did he pay above asking to get that done? But that sounds like a great way to buy one.

I'm not sure to be honest, if he did I don't think he paid much towards it.

Blazer · 17-07-2014 7:33am

I wouldn't worry about the mileage too much as long as the service book were stamped etc with regular oil changes etc.
I'd been looking at an estate myself and won't go near a E60 520D estate because of the engine.
Murphy and Gunn are selling a 530D SE touring which I'm considering as herself finds the Msport too low. There's also a F11 estate with 100,000K on the clock for around 25K.

Wailin · 17-07-2014 8:29am

Blazer wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about the mileage too much as long as the service book were stamped etc with regular oil changes etc.
I'd been looking at an estate myself and won't go near a E60 520D estate because of the engine.
Murphy and Gunn are selling a 530D SE touring which I'm considering as herself finds the Msport too low. There's also a F11 estate with 100,000K on the clock for around 25K.

I saw that 530d in Murphy and Gunn, looks a beaut , very high spec, but 525d is what I'd go for due to mix of economy and power. Where is the f11 for 25k?

Blazer · 17-07-2014 8:47am

Here's one for 22K..
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/BMW/5-Series/F11-520D/52214019780155750/

and another one here for 26.5K
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/BMW/5-Series/F11-520D/43713966594433090/

Regarding the 530D I don't think there's too much regarding economy. Some people even suggest the 530D is more economical.
both 525D and 530D have same engine, different sized valves etc but overall both are the same 3L engine but the 530D has a higher rated auto box.
I'm seriously thinking about it alright

tom_tarbucket · 17-07-2014 8:52am

Is the timing chain issue fixed on the F10 and F 11 etc ?

Wailin · 17-07-2014 9:24am

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Is the timing chain issue fixed on the F10 and F 11 etc ?

I believe they both have the same N47 engine and the issue was apparently sorted but according to what I have read, even the F10 and F11 models have had timing chain failure. The N47 is to be replaced soon by the B47.

Cleveland Hot Pocket · 17-07-2014 9:49am

Moneymaker wrote: »

Post 2008 a 530d is 750 to tax.
Pre 2008 it'd be 1800.

A 525d post 2008 is 525 to tax.
Pre 1080.

Personally, for the average Joe, the 520d is a fantastic car. It is very smooth and refined for a 4 pot diesel. But you have the timing chain issue. Also the fact they are as common as dishwater. How cheap the tax is, would be the last thing i'd care about. A few extra hundred for something you live with every day is worth every penny for my money.

Test drive them all and see what works for you. Now that you are aware of the timing chain issue, you are going in with eyes wide open and you know what to look for.

It's actually 1494, and so is a 535d - which if you're paying the 1494 you may aswell get the 535d over a 530d

Blazer · 17-07-2014 12:23pm

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

It's actually 1494, and so is a 535d - which if you're paying the 1494 you may aswell get the 535d over a 530d

would be nice alright but try and find a 535D estate in ireland

God I'd love one alright though

Blazer · 25-07-2014 6:36am

nah was haggling with the dealer and they were nowhere near my valuation of my car...for the money I would have paid for it I could have added another 3K and got the F10 530D in Morrisons which was up for 28K.
Screw that..I'll stick a roofbox on to or else just pick up a cheap estate for weekends.

Wailin · 25-07-2014 6:36am

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

It's actually 1494, and so is a 535d - which if you're paying the 1494 you may aswell get the 535d over a 530d

Sure if your paying the 1494 sure ya may as well pay the 1800 and go for the M5:)

Wailin · 25-07-2014 6:39am

Blazer wrote: »

nah was haggling with the dealer and they were nowhere near my valuation of my car...for the money I would have paid for it I could have added another 3K and got the F10 530D in Morrisons which was up for 28K.
Screw that..I'll stick a roofbox on to or else just pick up a cheap estate for weekends.

Like getting blood from a stone trying to get a good trade in value with a main dealer.

Cleveland Hot Pocket · 25-07-2014 3:43pm

Wailin wrote: »

Sure if your paying the 1494 sure ya may as well pay the 1800 and go for the M5:)

Ah but then you don't get the daysul mpg combined with torque!

Blazer · 25-07-2014 4:00pm

Wailin wrote: »

Like getting blood from a stone trying to get a good trade in value with a main dealer.

aye but this was beyond a joke.
Tried to tell me then that they spend 2-3K prepping the cars..fair enough they did a service on her , oil/air/filter service etc but they were obviously quoting the BMW prices for those

For that kinda money I'd have got level 2 inspections as well as full exterior/interior detail and alloys refurbed which they obviously don't do from looking at the car..full valet maybe and a bit of black spray paint on the tyres and that was about it.

BMW 520D Estate

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