06 520d or 525d?

Marty McFly

Hi

So today I took a deposit on my e90 330i and a month ago I bought a Volkswagen passat but it's has slowly been killing my enthusiasm for cars.

I'm doing higher mileage now so need a diesel and have a second baby on the way so need bigger boot than the 3 series.

I've been looking out at the 5 series. There's one I'm going to look at Monday a 525d auto how bad are they on diesel? How reliable is the auto box?

As far as I'm aware the 06 520d engine is not the troublesome timing chain engine?

Or any other diesel that won't depress me? Had considered a Honda accord?


Thanks

bazz26

6 cylinder 525d will be alot smoother than the 4 cylinder 520d. How reliable they are will depend on how they were cared for over the years.

Marty McFly

Ok just a little update went and had a look at 530d tonight.

Nice car to drive not to bad on the diesel okay so not a miser but a lot more economical than the 330i.

Low enough mileage an 04 with 109000 miles clutch and flywheel replaced recently, along with new discs and pads and a bit of other smaller work carried out. Full service history and receipts for all work carried out.

Is there anything else I should look out for on them or be wary off? Seems legit only issue I could see was a small dint scratch on the drover door and front driver side panel which in time I could get fixed after a remap and tinting the back windows for the kids.

Gumbo

Make sure there is proof of regular oil and filter changes and check the last time the turbo breather filter was changed. You could also check to see if it had the swirl flaps removed and blanked off but I. Not sure if that engine has them or not.

Check previous NCT certs etc to verify mileage.
The 530d is much better than the 525d and in my experience actually more economical. I got 24.9 in mine compared to 21.9 in my 525d.

Idbatterim

the E710 on a 2L can be fairly easily funded in one lump, if you cant do so with the 3 Litre for E1494, tax works out a E1688 if paid by the quarter or E1658 every six months...

So not far off a grand more than the 2L...

Kceire is speaking from experience with the diesels, but with the petrols, the 2.5L from that era is the one to go for IMO...

Marty McFly

kceire wrote: »

Make sure there is proof of regular oil and filter changes and check the last time the turbo breather filter was changed. You could also check to see if it had the swirl flaps removed and blanked off but I. Not sure if that engine has them or not.

Check previous NCT certs etc to verify mileage.
The 530d is much better than the 525d and in my experience actually more economical. I got 24.9 in mine compared to 21.9 in my 525d.

They had receipts and proof of all services and n.c.t.s seems to be a very well kept car I'll ask about the turbo breather filter.

Yea I've test drive three 525 and found them a bit lifeless to be honest 530 was a much nicer drive and a bit more worthy of the high tax. I do pretty much all motorway miles these days and it did seem economical enough. I read somewhere exhaust manifolds are prone to going on them?

Marty McFly

Idbatterim wrote: »

the E710 on a 2L can be fairly easily funded in one lump, if you cant do so with the 3 Litre for E1494, tax works out a E1688 if paid by the quarter or E1658 every six months...

So not far off a grand more than the 2L...

Kceire is speaking from experience with the diesels, but with the petrols, the 2.5L from that era is the one to go for IMO...

I'm used to paying the 1494 on tax from the 330i so that won't be a problem just changing because doing higher mileage so the petrol bills were hitting 100 a week and am looking at buying a house further away which will ad more mileage.

Tried downgrading to a passat but the lack of power just depressed me more and more by the day.

Gumbo

Marty McFly wrote: »

They had receipts and proof of all services and n.c.t.s seems to be a very well kept car I'll ask about the turbo breather filter.

Yea I've test drive three 525 and found them a bit lifeless to be honest 530 was a much nicer drive and a bit more worthy of the high tax. I do pretty much all motorway miles these days and it did seem economical enough. I read somewhere exhaust manifolds are prone to going on them?

I read that comment also on bmwhaus in your other thread.
They can go yes, but I have not heard as much of hem going on the 530d as I have on the 525d. My previous 525d had it done by the previous owner and my cousins 525d had to be done during his ownership.

Most use the manifolds from an E39 as they are stronger.

Ferris

I have an LCI 530d with an auto and its a different league to the (also LCI auto) 520d's I have driven. A friend who has a 520d also drove mine and said thet there is a big difference. Not to say the 2L isn't a good car performance wise but the 3L has a lot more muscle, is smoother and actually sounds ok for a diesel. Mine is an '08 so the tax is 750 so thats bearable.

The glow plugs and controller went on mine, no discernable difference in performance or starting but the DPF regen was disabled as a result. I would not buy again without a diagnostic as a result.

Marty McFly

kceire wrote: »

I read that comment also on bmwhaus in your other thread.
They can go yes, but I have not heard as much of hem going on the 530d as I have on the 525d. My previous 525d had it done by the previous owner and my cousins 525d had to be done during his ownership.

Most use the manifolds from an E39 as they are stronger.

Cheers good to know anyway another thing to be aware off.

That deal fell through sadly I made an offer a fair offer imo but instead of trying negotiate the selller got rude. Ah well back to stalking donedeal adverts and carzone.

Marty McFly

Anyone know what the 2.7 diesel is like in the Audi a6?

At in around 180bhp doesn't sound like it's got a whole lot of power certainly not enough to justify the tax.

Getting fed up trying to find a nice manual.

bazz26

3.0 litre is more powerful and fuel efficient.

Marty McFly

bazz26 wrote: »

3.0 litre is more powerful and fuel efficient.

Yea seen the 3.0l is 225bhp add a remap to that be plenty of power.

Just a lot more 2.7tdi for sale and one online in manual hence why I was asking.

I never would of thought auto boxes would be that much more common over the manual boxes.

bazz26

That generation of Audi's Multitronic is not very reliable. Most larger engines are bought auto only and about 95% of cars bought like the 5 Series these days are auto. Manuals are less desirable.

166man

With the greatest of respect Marty, I'm not sure why you sold the 330. I thought it was because the tax was high etc etc.

If you're "happy" paying the tax then it's it's really the fuel consumption that you're looking for. I don't think you'll see the sort of savings you want to see by going for a 530 or A6. They'll do 40mpg on the motorway but I'd be surprised if your old 330i did much less than that on a cruise on a motorway.

Now if you want a bigger car then fair enough...

Tea 1000

Diesels are better with auto. I'd go for a 530d auto if I were you, pre-LCI.

Marty McFly

bazz26 wrote: »

That generation of Audi's Multitronic is not very reliable. Most larger engines are bought auto only and about 95% of cars bought like the 5 Series these days are auto. Manuals are less desirable.

Good to know about the multitronic another reason to avoid them. Yea I'm starting to gather plenty of autos out there for me if I was that way inclined.

Marty McFly

166man wrote: »

With the greatest of respect Marty, I'm not sure why you sold the 330. I thought it was because the tax was high etc etc.

If you're "happy" paying the tax then it's it's really the fuel consumption that you're looking for. I don't think you'll see the sort of savings you want to see by going for a 530 or A6. They'll do 40mpg on the motorway but I'd be surprised if your old 330i did much less than that on a cruise on a motorway.

Now if you want a bigger car then fair enough...

Tax is a pain in the arse but worth it when you have a car that's enjoyable to drive imo. I sold it because trying to get money together to buy a house possibly further away from were I already live and at that my fuel bills were rising hitting around 100 Euro a week.

I averaged mid to lows 20s mpg in the 330i so 40mpg would be almost double.

Plus I thought I could handle the step down at the time but I soon realized loosing the power to overtake was depressing felt safer in a car with more power in reserve if needed.

Tea 1000

Marty McFly wrote: »

Good to know about the multitronic another reason to avoid them. Yea I'm starting to gather plenty of autos out there for me if I was that way inclined.

They're rarer, but how about a 330d?

Marty McFly

Tea 1000 wrote: »

They're rarer, but how about a 330d?

I thought about that but I don't know if I'd like to go straight from the 330i to a 330d plus I've a second baby on the way so could do with a bigger boot. 3 series boot is quite small.

Marty McFly

Any thoughts on this?

I'm trying to decide if it's nice or gone just a bit to far for me.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9435819

166man

Marty McFly wrote: »

Any thoughts on this?

I'm trying to decide if it's nice or gone just a bit to far for me.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9435819

I kind of like it tbh....

Have you looked at the BMW forums...?

drunkmonkey

Marty McFly wrote: »

Any thoughts on this?

I'm trying to decide if it's nice or gone just a bit to far for me.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9435819

I'd run a mile with those wheels on it, I suspect the car has the stones rattled out of it..looks too boy raced, mileage is a bit questionable less than 10,000 a year on a 3.0l diesel a bit too low.
Don't know why somebody said avoid LCI models, if you could get one within your budget you'd be doing very well but they weren't out until early 07, a nice one would cost you 12+ though.
Look for a full service history, you don't want to buy one that a lad could afford to tax but not service and repair.

Gavman84

Marty McFly wrote: »

Any thoughts on this?

I'm trying to decide if it's nice or gone just a bit to far for me.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9435819

The fella that owns/runs api tint in midelton owns that car. Living working in midelton so mileage prob true. Seemed well looked after when I was getting my tints done.

Marty McFly

Unusually for me I actually liked the look of it and would have done the drive to take a look but after a quick phone call it was a massive no for me.

Rang him asked any service history on it, got told no I asked any at all again no, so asked any work been done on it since he bought it like brake pads, discs, clutch anything at all got a no back. So no thanks for me.

Marty McFly

166man wrote: »

I kind of like it tbh....

Have you looked at the BMW forums...?

Yea been keeping an eye on them nothing popping up there either I guess patience is the name of the game.

Marty McFly

This doesn't look to bad, not mad on the wheels but if needs be they can be changed at a later date. Ill give him a ring today once it hits reasonable hours.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9464211

Marty McFly

I need someone to restore my faith in humanity. Rang about that 530 in the middle of asking the usual questions when your man interupts me and say " you going to buy the car or you just ring to ask me questions" somebody kill me now I'm quickly realising how many idiots there are out there.

Anyone driven the Accord diesel?

bazz26

Merc E Class?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-e-class-270-cdi-elegance/9149789?offset=9

Marty McFly

bazz26 wrote: »

Merc E Class?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-e-class-270-cdi-elegance/9149789?offset=9

That's not bad at all. Anything to look out for on them? Had a quick look at Mercs before but don't the modern Mercs have a terrible reputation for reliability?

bazz26

Don't know a whole lot about them but the early versions of that model gave lots of electric faults and timing chains tended to stretch on the Kompressor petrol engines.

Marty McFly

bazz26 wrote: »

Don't know a whole lot about them but the early versions of that model gave lots of electric faults and timing chains tended to stretch on the Kompressor petrol engines.

I read about the electrical faults myself which was why I stopped looking at them first time around.

bazz26

Also traditionally the autos are supposed to be miles better than the manual boxes. Might be worth a look anyways as it looks clean.

Gumbo

Marty McFly wrote: »

This doesn't look to bad, not mad on the wheels but if needs be they can be changed at a later date. Ill give him a ring today once it hits reasonable hours.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9464211

That's a tarted up SE, not an MSport.

Foxhole Norman

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520d-m-sport-stunning/9697123?offset=28

Gumbo

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520d-m-sport-stunning/9697123?offset=28

Forum members sons car IIRC.
dodgy forum member so dodgy car

Foxhole Norman

kceire wrote: »

Forum members sons car IIRC.
dodgy forum member so dodgy car

Very true :pac:

drunkmonkey

Marty McFly wrote: »

I thought about that but I don't know if I'd like to go straight from the 330i to a 330d plus I've a second baby on the way so could do with a bigger boot. 3 series boot is quite small.

What age are the kids, tbh the booth on the 530 is big but it's still a pain in the arse with the kids and all there bits and bobs. I'd say go for an x3 instead if you want practicality and good load space, it's a lot more practical and handles very well, lot of crap ones out there so be picky as you don't wasn't to buy one with a dodgy diff or gearbox as you could loose a lot of money quickly.

Marty McFly

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520d-m-sport-stunning/9697123?offset=28

Lovely car but out my price range at the moment unfortunately.

drunkmonkey wrote: »

What age are the kids, tbh the booth on the 530 is big but it's still a pain in the arse with the kids and all there bits and bobs. I'd say go for an x3 instead if you want practicality and good load space, it's a lot more practical and handles very well, lot of crap ones out there so be picky as you don't wasn't to buy one with a dodgy diff or gearbox as you could loose a lot of money quickly.

Not sure about the x3 to me they always looked like a smaller crappier looking x5.

Marty McFly

Am I mad to be even considering this? Seen a 730d today and it got me thinking.


http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/7-series/used-2004-bmw-7-series-730d-sport-dublin-fpa-146314253152232010

Idbatterim

the facelift 7 series is a far better looking car IMO and known to be more reliable...

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/7-series/used-2007-bmw-7-series-730-730i-s-dublin-fpa-201520233489078

another 3L petrol but bargain if legit...

Marty McFly

Idbatterim wrote: »

the facelift 7 series is a far better looking car IMO and known to be more reliable...

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/7-series/used-2007-bmw-7-series-730-730i-s-dublin-fpa-201520233489078

another 3L petrol but bargain if legit...

Looks wise I'm good with it reliability is what comes into question on a 7 series.

I'd love another petrol nothing beats the noise of a nice petrol engine but I'm just doing to many miles to make a petrol work.

Idbatterim

I'd love another petrol nothing beats the noise of a nice petrol engine but I'm just doing to many miles to make a petrol work.

have you considered an lpg conversion?

bazz26

Volvo S80:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-s80-diesel-185bhp-new-nct-full-service-histo/9737330?offset=4

Marty McFly

Idbatterim wrote: »

have you considered an lpg conversion?

I won't lie I don't know much about lpg conversions but doesn't it take up a large chunk of the boot with a gas tank? I just figured if it made sense there would be a lot more lpg conversions on the road.

Marty McFly

bazz26 wrote: »

Volvo S80:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-s80-diesel-185bhp-new-nct-full-service-histo/9737330?offset=4

Do like the s80 know someone that has a petrol one and loves it meant to be incredibly comfortable .

Been watching out for a manual one that one is just above my price limit if I'm going 3.0 litre I'm cutting my budget back to 5 to 5.5k to factor in taxing it for the year.

Marty McFly

There's this s80 might go have a look at this and the 730d today if I can.



http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9636365

Marty McFly

Ok just a littke update if anyone's interested


I've gone against 7 series, pretty much settled on a 5 series and a 530d and also now automatic drove one and not as bad as I thought apart from a bit of lag waiting for the power to kick in.

I'm now torn one a cracking looking car UK import being sold by someone I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw him selling it for his friend who is now locked up with no history but says plenty of work has been done money was never an issue.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9801194

Or this one Irish car two owners full bmw service history newer lower mileage

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9807167

Heart says red one lovely looking car imo but put my sensible hat on think logically head says the black one.

MuppetCheck

Being honest about it the respray on the red one would turn me off it and added to the missing owner I'd be slow to hand over money. Also if that car was known to certain people.......

Marty McFly

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Being honest about it the respray on the red one would turn me off it and added to the missing owner I'd be slow to hand over money. Also if that car was known to certain people.......

The 're spray did look well done and a proper job apparently your man just decided to change colour.

The other bit crossed my mind the car is located near were I work on the test drive I got a friendly beep of someone. Mistaken identity by the gards or some unfriendly associates of its former owner is not something I'd appreciate.

Foxhole Norman

That red car sounds a bit dodge imo. Not worth it and it's worse than the black one, just has an M Sport body kit on it, still an SE.