16 years in BMW 520d's .... need to jump (or being pushed!) to 530e

anthonymacd

Hi all,

I've drive 520d's since 2007, changing my cars every 2 years as I do 40K (Kms) per year. Now that the BMW 520d is discontinued, I am being guided down the 530e route by my dealer. The new 530e has a 190 bhp engine and a 100 bhp motor. It has 100km range (apparently!) .

Doing OK on a trade in price for the 520d. Has anyone else made the 520d -> 530e jump?

I do North Cork -> Dublin once a week (600km) and the rest is local trips of 50-100 km. I dont have any charging access in Dublin.

I'm getting 59mpg per tank in the 520d so wondering if I should just keep the 520d and just drive it into to the ground over the next 5-6 years in the hope battery tech improves more. OR should I just make the swap now and acknowledge diesel is dead?

thanks

AMD

Padre_Pio

If you're willing to keep the car, then do your sums and see what the best option is.

Personally I think EVs need another 5ish years to mature. There's a lot of upheaval in the EV world with new battery tech and new players from China, and I wonder what resale prices will be like once we're out of this post-COVID supply shortage bubble.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058318233/16-years-in-bmw-520ds-need-to-jump-or-being-pushed-to-530e

I have a 530e, the car is completely unsuitable for the driving you do imo You do so much milleage and what sounds like rural non city driving that you are essentially going to be driving a very thirsty petrol engine around. It will cost you a fortune in petrol.

Stick with what you have

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058318233/16-years-in-bmw-520ds-need-to-jump-or-being-pushed-to-530e

How much is the 530e now?

Your day to day driving can be covered by even the most basic cheap EV but the 600km trip would require charging.

Depending on budget, Long Range Model 3, ID4 77 kWh, Merc EQS, and a few others would do the majority of the 600km trip with only needing one charging stop. And you could charge in Dublin while you’re doing your business therefore no stops at all.

It just depends if you’re ready to jump ship to the EV.

I also have a 530e but the older 9.2 kWh version and will do 20km winter and 30km summer which covers 90% of the driving so very significant savings made on fuel and tax as we came from a series of 520d’s too.

the_amazing_raisin

If you're absolutely sold on staying with a BMW there's always the i4 or i5

Every EV around will require some degree of charging doing Cork to Dublin, but there's a decent selection of charging hubs en route

I think you're at the point where a PHEV isn't suitable. Yeah it can do the 600km journey no problem, but the local driving will exceed the battery range most of the time and you'll end up using petrol

It'll be less than driving the whole way on petrol, but you won't get 100km on electric only

If you're willing to part with BMW, but want a saloon, there's the Tesla Model 3 or the Volkswagen ID.7 as well

ELM327

I would discount the 530e and go for an i5 as the 520d replacement tbh.

CivilEx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058318233/16-years-in-bmw-520ds-need-to-jump-or-being-pushed-to-530e

Like yourself, I have driven 520d's since 2009, 30,000 km p.a., changing every 3 years. I did look at staying with BMW but the prices for their EV's are far too high, so I have just put in an order for a '24 plate long range (77kW) Hyundai Ioniq 6.

The 600km range quoted for the Ionic 6 is a long way short of my current 1,000km+ range in the 520d, so my driving patterns will have to change.

Diesels are not dead, but I sense that the second hand market in diesels is shifting and trade in values are flatlining as interest rate increases start to bite for everyone. I could have waited for my next change in 3 years to make the jump to an EV, but for me, the time is now.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121241556#Comment_121241556

The i6 wouldn’t be rated looks wise to me but technically speaking it’s a great car.

joe1303l

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121241336#Comment_121241336

i5 seems a big leap from a 520d in terms of pricing. A Merc 300de might be a better value proposition and capable of the Cork Dublin trek without the hassle of charging.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121242261#Comment_121242261

530e would do the trip also without stopping to charge in fairness.

anthonymacd

Hi All,

Thanks for the advice. Great to see so many people are ex 520d drivers, who've taken different routes since then.

@CivilEx - Agree, the second hand diesel market is going to flux. My view is the "new" market sets the tone of the used market and rightly or wrongly, the used customer market will all be seeking an (PH)EV of some sort. Trying to use my crystal ball to see if diesels will drop in value or if they will maintain their values like a fine wine (unlikely!)

@the_amazing_raisin @ELM327 An i5 is about €90K so well beyond the budget but the range is good on 600 claimed KMs. @CivilEx I know deep down the Hyundai is a great car but, I'm keen to stick with the German brands as I like them. [Best of luck with the new 241 BTW !]

@Gumbo - 530e (new model just launched) is listed at €73K so fully landed on your door step about €75K

@Padre_Pio Agree EV Tech is likely to transform substantially in the next 5 years and my personal view is 1,000 KM batteries will become the norm. Using Smart Phones as a comparator ... in 2010 an iPhone-3 battery struggled to last an entire day. Jumping forward to 2023, a Samsung A53 battery last 2 days and does a lot more! I reckon Car batteries will do a similar transition and we are probably on the equivalent of 2015 now.

@Frank Inexpensive Hairstylist @Gumbo Spent the day playing with an Excel (modelling the petrol-only MPG of the 530e at 40mpg). If 40 is a realistic number, I can probably come close to the current numbers overall assuming the battery delivers 75% of the promised 102km.

I'm currently leaning towards:

1. 530e (if I can improve the dealer price a little)
2. Doing Nothing and driving the 520d for a few more years (and buying an AA subscription!)
3. Merc E220d or E300de. Rumours from MSL they are going to cost €90K which is again outside the budget.

I expecting to do a phased moved to EV with a PHEV for now, and then a full EV in 3 years time. Old dog. new tricks etc!

I'll let the Thread know what I eventually decide ... a lot of thinking and excel to do this week!

anthonymacd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121242261#Comment_121242261

Agree @joe1303l . 300de is a good shout!

kanuseeme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121243121#Comment_121243121

I think the 40 mpg and the 75% range is spot on, as it has upgraded to 19.4 kwh usable battery, I dont know how you calculated the consumption but remember its both together for each and every 100 km, the hard part is knowing what value to put on each, long journeys will result in high fuel consumption and low kwh, the opposite for short trips, I would suggest 18kwh for 100km for the shorter trips,

reading the old 530e thread some one got 46 mpg on a 1100km trip, https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/114683011/#Comment_114683011

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121243121#Comment_121243121

I would take a second look at the VW ID.7 given what you've said about the 530e prices

It isn't a BMW, but then again it isn't banking on the badge to the extent that BMW do

By all accounts it's a car that will chew up the kilometres and get you to your destination in comfort and (in my opinion) more style than the ridiculous looking cars that BMW have been putting out the last couple of years

joe1303l

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121242486#Comment_121242486

Absolutely and it’s a nicer looking car than the Merc but I’d hate to be funding the petrol bill on the OP’s mieage.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121243514#Comment_121243514

Yeah I get you now actually. The Merc D may just be a little more economical to run.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121243121#Comment_121243121

If it’s any consolation the long term mpg average on our one is 54 mpg. Mainly inner city and cross city runs though.

But at €75k, you have a lot of very good EV’s to choose from. That would be my route personally.

Casati

Would you not consider an A6 40TDI? The have just got a light facelift with more spec and are priced from 60k.

Im watching car prices closely as was in the market - trading a 2022 for something new in Jan. -Although EV sales have gone through the roof, second-hand values appear to have weakened. Irish prices are impacted by the price dealers can import from UK and importing used diesels is very expensive due to high vet (often 20% for cars you are thinking of) plus the v high asking prices of diesels in England now. EV's and PHEV's priced the same as diesels in UK are much cheaper to import as VRT is just 7% and we are already seeing more imported premium stuff imported as a result.

For your driving it would seem like an EV would work and potentially bring a fuel saving if you can charge at home at night. You're probably spending something around 3500 euro on fuel p.a. and potentially charging at home exclusively you could drop this to less than 1000. However if you're staying away from home and replying on public chargers you'd need to do the maths as they will be dearer to fuel than diesel. Having said that if you spend say 90k on an i5 and it loses 50% in 3 years, your fuel savings will pale into insignificance.

One other item to check if you got for the 530e is the boot size- especially if you have to carry anything for work. The old model had a much smaller boot than the 520d but I don't know if the new one is better or not

djan

I guess it depends on what you're really looking for. Financially speaking, it makes zero sense to buy a new car doing high mileage. Especially given the driving in question, the 520d is extremely efficient sitting at 120ish km/h when compared to an EV. I'd say keep what you have and drive it until it falls apart. The 520 is a lovely place to be and keeping it will easily save you €50k+ over the next few years.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058318233/16-years-in-bmw-520ds-need-to-jump-or-being-pushed-to-530e

With the new model and the larger battery , all but the Cork-Dublin trip from your weekly driving profile would be doable via Electric only.

Having a quick look at the spec of the new car, it looks like it doesn't have any "fast charging" available - Specs say 3.5hrs for a full charge , so faster than the current model , but no use for a public charging station during a journey.

On the longer trip you'd probably get 75-80kms of Electric milage with the rest of the journey at roughly 6.5L-7L/100kms assuming the petrol engine is about the same economy wise as the current 530e.

Depending on your home electricity plan you will probably save money overall , much more savings to be had if you have Solar at home as well.

markad1

Having had many BMW's I feel they have lost the run of it regarding prices.

I'm currently in the iX and love it.

My last drive from Dublin to Cork and back involved stops in Circle K Cashel each way at the Ionity charges while i went to McD. 35 min stop was more than enough. Round trip cost €40.04 in electric.

GusGus

Why not buy a 231 520d - two more years of driving - battery 🔋 length will be a lot better by then

AMKC

How about the new Toyota Prius? Its a stunning looking car and not bad to drive either. Yes it will be no where near as exciting as the BMW on an A Road or a B road but is that what you want or just a very fuel efficient great looking car?

Widdensushi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058318233/16-years-in-bmw-520ds-need-to-jump-or-being-pushed-to-530e

Battery tech is bound to take a jump , what about getting a 2024 520d , with your mileage ev and petrol are nonrunners yet imo, within six months you would regret it imo.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121251966#Comment_121251966

You can’t get a 2024 520d.

Widdensushi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121252014#Comment_121252014

If you look on carzone they are still available.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121251966#Comment_121251966

Is it? Been hearing about this jump for 5 years, still waiting

Batteries are improving but it's incremental improvements rather than some quantum leap forward

Consider that most manufacturers are focusing on reducing cost than improving performance

And when these super batteries eventually arrive, it's more likely they'll be in the top end of sports cars before they make it down to the more normal vehicles

Also, I'm struggling to see how EVs are a non runner, they're literally the cheapest option for the OPs mileage

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121252096#Comment_121252096

So 2023 520d. Not 2024?

The new car is not being produced in diesel.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121247990#Comment_121247990

Too funny. The OP has been in a BMW 520 for 16 years. I dont think he is setting up as a taxi

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121252298#Comment_121252298

Well with a boot just over 200 litres I do not think anyone driving this Prius is setting up as a Taxi unless they aim to pick up passengers with no luckage so basically drunk passengers then.

jlang

I saw a Renault Zoe taxi a couple of weeks back. Couldn't believe my eyes but it is a thing:

https://www.renault.ie/evtaxi.html

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121254389#Comment_121254389

Yes. Zoe had an exemption in the beginning in order to push the use of EV’s as PSV’s.

OP,my apologies for ever mentioning taxis!

The A6 40TDi is a great product in my opinion. I preferred it over the e-class and 520d. But we are all different. Mine has been great so far. Can get 55mpg if I drive with manners.

anthonymacd

Hi all - Many thanks for the multiple comments and perspectives. All appreciated. My options eventually boiled down to a new A6 40TDI (was an Audi driver for 10 years before i moved to BMW) or a new 530e. After multiple spreadsheets working total-cost-of ownership over a 2 years period (with some unquantifiable emotional weighting) I ordered a very well priced 530e against my 520d trade in. Got a good price from a dealer I've not dealt with before, phone deposit paid and expecting paperwork tomorrow. Car due in late Jan / early Feb. The difference between the A6/530e were negligible, but I was swayed by the fact the 530e should have a lower depreciation curve for the first 2 years as its a new car on the market.

I'll come back to this group with an update in Feb/March after I've had a few weeks driving .....

thanks again all,

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121256619#Comment_121256619

No wrong choices in fairness.

Start getting ready now, organise your home charger. Have it installed and waiting on the car rather than the other way round.

Grant is payable without an EV nowadays too.

DaveyDave

Also keep in mind, depending on where you are, you might need to contact a few companies before you can get someone out to install. Both my sister and I (Dublin/Kildare) had to contact around 10 charger companies and only 2 got back to us.

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121259105#Comment_121259105

Lots of electrical contractors will do them. A mate of mine is installing another double socket in my workplace, and 2 singles in directors houses next week.

But electricians not that easy to get hold of either!

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260020#Comment_121260020

“But electricians not that easy to get hold of either!”

I think that’s the point of the post 😂😂

Casati

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121256619#Comment_121256619

Sounds like you got a great deal if the A6 was almost the same cost- side by side for similar money I'd take a 530e all day long

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260228#Comment_121260228

That's funny. I'd prefer the A6 by a country mile. First World problems! A6 vs 5series vs E class. All fantastic cars that you would happily have.

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260245#Comment_121260245

Me too. For some reason I see the 530e as dated looking and the A6 as not. Much more striking vehicle.

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260155#Comment_121260155

He said charger companies, of which there are loads. Some people do think it's a specialised industry, it's not. It's an outside fancy plug/socket

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260645#Comment_121260645

Potato tomato, we all know what he meant as he said “companies”. Even small one man band would be classed as a company to me.

The bigger companies are actually cheaper than one off RECI’s at the moment due to their bulk buying power.

That may change.

Glorified socket indeed but still classed as an appliance with specific requirements in IS10101.

This is currently the cheapest OHME available at the moment. €535 fitted.

carsfan2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260579#Comment_121260579

the brand new 5 series looks more dated than the 5 year old design current Audi A6?

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260671#Comment_121260671

Yep. What can I tell you. Is what it is

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260671#Comment_121260671

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121261551#Comment_121261551

No wrong answer here. Styling is subjective. Audi has been the better looking car for many years, more aggressive looking, but lack luster performance and handling in the normal cars (RS/S variants excluded).

The BMW has always handled better and performance better though, even better fuel economy based on my experience.

Somehow, I always found myself back in the BMW so take from that what you will.

Enjoy your respective cars.

Buddy Bubs

I'd agree that Audi are nicer cars, but fall a little short of being the better car. Although there's very little in it unless you are a keen driver.

martinLintzgy

I love my 520d se. Fantastic car, 60mpg, no issues, but 5.5 yrs old now, so I also am considering my next car preferring another 520d, as all the alternatives seem less desirable.

My daily drive is 110km, so that rules out a limited range plug-in hybrid, such as the 530e. The MPG in petrol mode is terrible, and besides, i dont fancy having to plug in every night when I get home in the Irish pissing rain, and unplug every morning.

I fill my 520d once every fortnight, which takes 5 mins under cover of the local filling station and that's the way i like it.

One option would be the Lexus ES300h, reasonable economy for a petrol hybrid, great build quality and reliability, and reasonably priced. A serious alternative.

There are still a few new 520d's around the Irish dealer network, but drying up quickly. New 520d's are mighty expensive.

So, for me, best bet is the best used 520d you can find, as new as possible, then look after it.

In a few years time, I suspect they will be in great demand, as people get pissed off with EV's, and long for the days that you could fill up, then drive for 1200 km without anxiety.

Gumbo

Ohh sweet Jesus ……

kanuseeme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121671322#Comment_121671322

I was trying to work it out for 100 km, diesel v plug in and for the 12 kwh, there is not much in it, diesel wins by 1.15 euro per 100km, then I went to BMW.ie to see the price of the 5 series, no diesel version now, but I did see the 530e with 22 kwh battery and for the 100 km trip I would think it would be easily done for 5 euro around 300mpg compared to the 8 euro 60 mpg diesel, a tank would probably last 3 months.

All for 5 seconds to plug in.

MojoMaker

Has to be a piss-take.