BMW 525d reliability

lausp

Hello all,

The N47 timing chain issues are well documented and apparently pretty much resolved after 2011.

How would say a 2015/2016 525d be for reliability? It never got the B47 engine, instead it retained the N47 with twin turbos it seems.

The bump in power is attractive and I think the pro media was standard over the 520d.

I think I read a thread here a while ago that said the B47 timing chain set up is identical to the late N47 version.

The B47 has better emissions and power but I think the 525d might be a nice balance at 218bhp if it were reliable.

bazz26

Is there any reason why you wouldn't look at a 530d/535d?

lausp

They are harder to come by and out of my budget.

Also would cost a fair bit more than the 2.0 to maintain.

Any experience of the 525?

bazz26

I've gone from a 520d to a 530d. The running costs are not that much greater to be honest. I got 44 mpg from the 520d, I get 37 mpg from the 530d but I've gotten 40mpg from it with motorway driving. Insurance went up about €200 over the 520d. Servicing is only marginally more expensive as the 530d takes more oil.

If your heart is set on a 525d then fair enough but a 530d ain't going to cost a huge amount more to run so don't rule one out.

Wailin

As bazz said, there really isn't that much of an increase in running costs going from a 525d to a 530d. Tax is €100 more, insurance would be a similar increase and economy drops from 44mpg to 38mpg on motorway journeys.

That said, if you can't afford the price difference in going for the 3 litre, the 525d is a very good compromise. I had a 2013 525d f11 for 2 years before trading up to a 535d f10. Never gave me any issues and it has plenty of poke compared to the 520d.

Wailin

Also, the 525d is actually much rarer than a 530d. Very few around. Most either want the 520d or 530d.

Heres Johnny

I've a 530d f10 and the girlfriend has an a6 2.0d both 2014s
If you're not the type to utilise the extra power there's little point stretching to a 530d if there's big money in the difference over a 520d or 525d. Dont know why I did really.
I love my 530d but in everyday driving I find the 2.0 tdi in the audi plenty. The cars are equally comfortable and on good friday on the motorway in the audi I looked at speed and I was doing 137kmph by accident. If you find a good 525d jump on it.
I'll get slated for this here though!!

Wailin

The 2 litre 520d is perfectly fine for 90% of motorists and for some it would be the most powerful car they will own. 190bhp is plenty and it has good poke for such a heavy car. It has a bit of a stigma on here where it gets slated but its a decent lump for what it is.

Stallingrad

lausp wrote: »

How would say a 2015/2016 525d be for reliability?

Timing chain could be an issue, annual oil changes are the best protection. I'd avoid high mileage cars with 24 month intervals.

Google the following:
Water ingress yellow grommet
F10 door corrosion

lausp

Stallingrad wrote: »

Timing chain could be an issue, annual oil changes are the best protection. I'd avoid high mileage cars with 24 month intervals.

Google the following:
Water ingress yellow grommet
F10 door corrosion

Timing chain is still an issue even on a 2015? The very last version of that engine?

The 525d has some nice performance figures for a 2.0. 0-100km/hr in 7 seconds flat. It's impressive for a big car.

Stallingrad

lausp wrote: »

Timing chain is still an issue even on a 2015? The very last version of that engine?

The 525d has some nice performance figures for a 2.0. 0-100km/hr in 7 seconds flat. It's impressive for a big car.

It's my understanding that despite revisions to the engine the both N47t and B47 can still suffer chain issues.

SandyMac1234

I've a 525d. 2011. 3 liter. Have been told it's a straight V6, no issue with timing chain. Im not big on cars though, but it's a joy to drive.

ciarsd

SandyMac1234 wrote: »

I've a 525d. 2011. 3 liter. Have been told it's a straight V6, no issue with timing chain. Im not big on cars though, but it's a joy to drive.

Huh

Wailin

lausp wrote: »

Timing chain is still an issue even on a 2015? The very last version of that engine?

I wouldn't worry about the timing chain on a 2015 N47. It was most prevalent from 2009-2011 before modifications where made. If you come across a well specced, well maintained 525d, go for it. They are rare though.

Wailin

ciarsd wrote: »

Huh

Yep. They were 3 litre 6 cylinder 206bhp up until 2011 where they were replaced by the 2 litre 218bhp N47.

Edit: Ha, I see what you meant, straight v6 lol

Big Nasty

Straight V6 - Brilliant! :pac:

rabbitinlights

I've a 525D F11.

It was built in Oct 2011 and has the twin power 2.0 N47TU engine. Supposedly the engines built after March 2011 are the "TU" engines *Technical Update* - someone did say that the 525d engine has a stronger pulley system but I can't find that on the technical documents from BMW.

I've put about 40k KMs on it in the last 2 years and the engine has been perfect - I religiously change the oil every 10k kms and it's been no hassle.

As for power etc - the 525d is surprisingly fast, noticeably faster than the 520d which I loved - very similar to the 530d due to the much lighter 2.0 engine but there is no getting away from the smoothness of the 6cyl 530d - it's the better engine for sure.

It's also worth noting that the 525d has the same bigger brake discs as the 530d - Make sure your mechanic is aware of this as they may just order the 520d.

Like has been said, avoid engines with long gaps between oil changes and you'd be fine.