RAJ27

Very much want a 5 series as they are seriously good value for money at the moment.

But what do I go for?

523i se
525i sport
528i se
530i sport

Is there a big difference in running cost and performance between these models?

Cheers

Jay

Bobby Peru

Unquestionably, a 530d Sport, failing that, a 530i Sport.
Don't bothe with the se as they don't drive as well, and ignore owners who are selling se's with a 'Sport pack', it is not the same as a 'Sport' model.
Gofor the 530 as it is much more torquey and a nicer drive, you are not penalised as it is the same mpg as the 2.8, even though it has around 40bhp more.
523 will feel underpowered and the 525 (a later evolution of the same engine) won't feel as lusty as the 3 litre.

Power for all

523 = 170 bhp - 170lbs/ft
525 = 192 bhp - 170lbs/ft
528 = 193 bhp - 206lbs/ft
530 = 231 bhp - 221lbs/ft

530d = 184 bhp - 270 (I think)lbs/ft

I have had 2 328's and am now on my 3rd 330, 330 is a big improvement IMO.
Go for the diesel if you can, with steptronic, failing that, a 530 Sport.

Tiggs

i just sold my 540- if i was getting another i'd go 530d

make sure (as above) its a sport- if you have the funds get something after sep 2000 and look out for comms packs....make the car resale better. (avoid the wood trim like the plague)

foz01

I am on the lookout for a 530d Sport, need something that will tow well and be a nice place to be all the other times, seems one of the best compromises

Gallardo

Anyone know the fuel economy for the 530d, is it much better than the 330 petrol when pushing on.... I need a bigger car, drove from Newcastle upon Tyne to Liverpool and then to Warwick all in a days work yesterday, I was knacked when I got in, I guess a 5 series would be no where near as exhausting on the body as a golf.

Gallardo

Manual or auto, which is the better box.

craig5

would have another 5 series the auto's are very good,i had a 530 sport which cost about the same as a scooby to run if you are buying one check that the air con/heated wing mirrors work a very weak spot on 5 series

Dazza's-STi

530d m8

Easily the best buy!

Gallardo

Same as the scooby to run on fuel, you having a laugh? my old scooby used to hit around 13mpg when pushing on, plus the insurance and service intervals etc.... there is no way a 530 would have the same running cost as a scoob, however there are many different vairents of the scooby and mine was a little special

craig5

i only use to average 18 mpg so no i'm not having a laugh and that drive very easy,auto's a lot heavyer on the juice and around town if you put you're foot down the mpg needle goes to single figure's but on the motorway you would get 35+ mpg,cheapest service is 208 pound and that's just an oil change

Bobby Peru

BMW 3 litre engines offer very similar economy for manuals and auto's, also much cheaper to run than competitors.
BMW engines are very frugal for what they are, my clubsport returns over 30mpg for christs sake, even when pressing on, scoobs cannot match running costs, also BM's are pretty reasonable to insure.

Tiggs

as long as you have a half decent engine then get the auto- some idiots that looked at my 540 were asking if it was manual...errrr no- its also not got plastic seats.

why anyone would get a big engined 5 series manual is beyond me - unless you want an M5 (but if i was BMW i'd put an auto on that like merc do with the E55)

Bobby Peru

Then you just need an Alpina V8 B10 (4.6).

lightning101

I had a 1996 model 530i a couple of years ago with a 3.0L V8, it was cheap enough in fuel, but service and repair costs at a main dealer are a killer, e.g. £650 for a new clutch fitting. £450 for a simple service.


Insurance was cheap though.

lightning101

The 5-series came with 518i (1.8 litre), 520i (2.0), 525i (2.5), 530i (188 bhp), 530i V8 (218 bhp), 535i (3.5), 540i V8 (4.0) and M5 (3.8 litre, 340 bhp) petrol engines, plus the 525td (115 bhp) and 525tds (143 bhp) turbo-diesel units. The estates are badged Touring, and the four-wheel drives are the 525iX models. The basic 518i has colour-coded bumpers, chrome trim, twin rear foglights and height-adjustable front seats with lumbar support. The SE adds alloy wheels (standard on the base model from May 94), front foglights, rear centre armrest, rear head restraints and a leather or sports steering wheel. 525i models add twin tailpipes, and the 525i Sport has a front and boot spoiler, side sill panels and rear bumper with integral lower panel, sports seats and M-Technic steering wheel. The 535i Sport has a coupe-style rear window, M-Technic front and rear spoilers, integral boot lid spoiler, leather-covered hand brake lever and gaiter and M-Technic steering wheel. The M5 has colour-coded bumpers, spoilers and side skirts and sports rear seats.

Dilbrain

Ummm that's the E34 covered then , I think these chaps are discussing the E39.
I had a 523 se ( 2.5 litre) for a few months earlier this year , great car except for lack of power.
Changed it for a C36 AMG.
I is happy.

Freak

540i sport... V8 mmmmmmmmmm

RAJ27

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

Does the 530d sound like a diesel?

What about an Audi A6/A4? Any good or is BMW the way fwd? Any other suggestions?

Cheers

Jay

Gallardo

Jay,

I'm gona go for a 530 sport as I do tend to put my foot down and I think you have to be quite economical with the right foot to make the most out of the diesel.

A nice 530 sport in Imola Red with black leather interior, however, they do hold their value a lot better than say the 528. I would not touch an A4 with a barge pole, had one as a company car for a while and the chassis was very poor.

Bobby Peru

530d sounds like a diesel at idle, once up and running though it is a familiar BMW straight 6 throaty sound.

Dilbrain

Agree about the A4 ( old Shape) I had a 2.8 quattro , underwhelmed totally.
The 535 would be the E39 I would go for if I was going to buy another.