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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

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Jameszy
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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by Jameszy » Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:41 am

M340 wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:38 am On the F11, I understand there are two variants of the 520D. The earlier car with the N47 and later LCI with B47. Apparently the early ones have timing chain issues and it’s an engine out job? And the B47 is the one to go for. But overall, F11s seem to offer much more bang for buck (especially inside) than F31s.

I went G21 last year and I absolutely love it.
I think by the time the F10 and F11 came round, the N47 timing chain guides had been sorted. It was mostly models between 2008 and 2010 I believe.

That said, it would have to be a petrol for me. We had a 2006 E61 525i (the 218 BHP version) which was excellent. This was the 2.5 litre, no the detuned 3.0 that came after it. Never really felt out of puff, and had good straight off the line shove.

If I were buying now, for me it would have to be either be the E61 545i/550i or the F21 535i. The V8s get poor milage around town, but I don't do many miles and this car would be mostly used for motorway (so similar mpg to the straight sixes). One of the last opportunities for a fast V8 estate before they stop getting made! The 535i are about twice the price though...
Last edited by Jameszy on Thu Feb 11, 2021 3:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by M340 » Thu Feb 11, 2021 11:49 am

A friend was looking at an F11 and told me it was pre 2013 cars affected? But regardless I’m with you and would be going straight six anyway, defines the character of a BMW for me 👍

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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by Crazy Harry » Thu Feb 11, 2021 11:56 am

We run a 16 plate 520d touring as the family work horse. Miss the load capability of the Galaxy it replaced height wise (but that was more like a transit with the seats out) but otherwise the load area is about the same. Its moved the kids to and from Uni and machinery for me; and we can get a fitted cage in the boot for two GSDs.

Fuel economy is as good as the Galaxy - both diesel around 50mpg and will still cover the ground in 'sport'.

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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by brillomaster » Thu Feb 11, 2021 12:12 pm

How big a change in circumstances are we dealing with here?!? A 5 series estate is a big car... big enough for a family of 4 with teenage kids to go touring on the continent for 2 weeks...

if you've just the one kid on the way or perhaps you're getting a dog, a 3 series estate would be better to drive than a 5, which is more luxo barge... and cheaper to buy too.

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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by Jameszy » Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:07 pm

brillomaster wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 12:12 pm How big a change in circumstances are we dealing with here?!? A 5 series estate is a big car... big enough for a family of 4 with teenage kids to go touring on the continent for 2 weeks...

if you've just the one kid on the way or perhaps you're getting a dog, a 3 series estate would be better to drive than a 5, which is more luxo barge... and cheaper to buy too.
One of these - perhaps £7k too much though!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... sed&page=1

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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by brillomaster » Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:19 pm

haha thats worth every penny! though, as you'll have seen from the 'best car' thread currently running, all you ever need is a 330d estate. loads of E91s on autotrader at the moment for about £5-7k.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... dal=photos

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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by Jameszy » Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:30 pm

brillomaster wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:19 pm haha thats worth every penny! though, as you'll have seen from the 'best car' thread currently running, all you ever need is a 330d estate. loads of E91s on autotrader at the moment for about £5-7k.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... dal=photos
I think you are absolutely right. My only issue with that would be the clamping down of diesels in London (and also the Business Lease spec black with silver)!

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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by ibasniper » Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:35 pm

Just as a side thought, i wouldn't rule out the F31 3 series. I was looking for a F11 and ended up with a F31 320dx. F11 just felt too big for me. Mine is well spec'd, with adaptive lights ( a must) heated seats/steering wheel, harmon sounds & pro nav etc and worked out a few thousand less then the equivalent F11 at the time. Only thing i have done was swop out the springs for acs ones as the xdrive sat to high. (common swop) you can also get a Re-map to 240bhp. Mine has the N47N 4 pot which I'm told doesn't suffer with the timing chain issue (providing oils changed regularly)
One thing i would say is if you go for the xdrive keep an ear out for the transfer box whine. Its a Common problem on the xdrives, although BMW wont ever admit that..
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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by Nictrix » Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:59 pm

ibasniper wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:35 pm
One thing i would say is if you go for the xdrive keep an ear out for the transfer box whine. Its a Common problem on the xdrives, although BMW wont ever admit that..
This is an issue on all BMWs xdrive models.
The issue appears to be caused by a different rolling diameter between front and rear wheels.
BMW advise to use only BMW star marked tyres but the main thing to watch for is a different rolling diameter between wheels which can be caused by different tyre manufacturers front and rear or even brand new tyres against ones with 3mm tread left.
It gets worse if staggered tyres are fitted as these need to be matched as closely as possible and why BMW advise star marked tyres only.
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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by Jameszy » Thu Feb 11, 2021 3:25 pm

Nictrix wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:59 pm
ibasniper wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:35 pm
One thing i would say is if you go for the xdrive keep an ear out for the transfer box whine. Its a Common problem on the xdrives, although BMW wont ever admit that..
This is an issue on all BMWs xdrive models.
The issue appears to be caused by a different rolling diameter between front and rear wheels.
BMW advise to use only BMW star marked tyres but the main thing to watch for is a different rolling diameter between wheels which can be caused by different tyre manufacturers front and rear or even brand new tyres against ones with 3mm tread left.
It gets worse if staggered tyres are fitted as these need to be matched as closely as possible and why BMW advise star marked tyres only.
Isn't this basically the same issue that quattro's suffer? That not only you need the same tread across the same axle, but also across all four wheels? I forget if its only Haldex or Torsen or both that it affects.

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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by M340 » Thu Feb 11, 2021 3:31 pm

ibasniper wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:35 pm One thing i would say is if you go for the xdrive keep an ear out for the transfer box whine. Its a Common problem on the xdrives, although BMW wont ever admit that..
Never experienced it on mine :?

Was put off a C43 AMG for something similar. Noisy clunking / tyre skip on full lock.

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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by LeeZ4MR » Thu Feb 11, 2021 3:38 pm

M340 wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 3:31 pm
ibasniper wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:35 pm One thing i would say is if you go for the xdrive keep an ear out for the transfer box whine. Its a Common problem on the xdrives, although BMW wont ever admit that..
Never experienced it on mine :?

Was put off a C43 AMG for something similar. Noisy clunking / tyre skip on full lock.
I get that tyre skip on full lock in my GLC350d. I notice it mostly in car parks, but in general driving it is fine.
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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by Daz W » Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:56 pm

nhartgolfer wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:13 pm After 8 years of happy Z4 ownership, I will soon be selling my beloved 3.0i E85 (on here naturally!), due to a big change in my circumstances which require that I drive an estate car! The obvious choice as a BMW driver for eons seems to be the E61 or the F11 but I’m really keen to get feedback from any of you on this forum if you have owned or do own the touring car. I’d be happy to hear about the 525 or the 530 and how they stack up being turbo diesel. I’m tempted to go with the older car (E61) because it’s a six cylinder rather than the four of the F11 but maybe that’s a mistake.
Thanks for any input. I realise I could ask the folks on the Bimmer forum, but I’ve trusted your steady advice for years now so I thought I’d give this a try first! :D
I've only just joined the group after buying a Z4 yesterday but I also have a 2015 F10. The 525 and 530 are both 6 pots (but you can get a 525 derived from the 4 cylinder) and are really good cars but as with any car have their quirks. The main one being a possible timing chain issue on the LCI N47 engines (EDIT - THIS RELATES TO THE 520, THE 530/535 HAS THE N57 ENGINE. WHEN I WROTE THE ORIGINAL REPLY I WAS DOUBTING MYSLEF SO CHECKED). Another commonly reported problem is the suspension, air bags leaking and so on but generally an easy fix. I'm in the UK F10/F11 Owners club on FB so join that, there are lots of very knowledgeable people in it. Would I recommend on, absolutely. Go for the 530 or 535 or you will regret it almost instantly
Last edited by Daz W on Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by Daz W » Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:03 pm

Jameszy wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:41 am
M340 wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:38 am On the F11, I understand there are two variants of the 520D. The earlier car with the N47 and later LCI with B47. Apparently the early ones have timing chain issues and it’s an engine out job? And the B47 is the one to go for. But overall, F11s seem to offer much more bang for buck (especially inside) than F31s.

I went G21 last year and I absolutely love it.
I think by the time the F10 and F11 came round, the N47 timing chain guides had been sorted. It was mostly models between 2008 and 2010 I believe.

That said, it would have to be a petrol for me. We had a 2006 E61 525i (the 218 BHP version) which was excellent. This was the 2.5 litre, no the detuned 3.0 that came after it. Never really felt out of puff, and had good straight off the line shove.

If I were buying now, for me it would have to be either be the E61 545i/550i or the F21 535i. The V8s get poor milage around town, but I don't do many miles and this car would be mostly used for motorway (so similar mpg to the straight sixes). One of the last opportunities for a fast V8 estate before they stop getting made! The 535i are about twice the price though...
Timing chain issues continued on the N47 until around 2012/3 I think it was when they replaced it with the N47T and then the B47
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BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

Post by mr wilks » Fri Feb 12, 2021 7:56 am

Daz W wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:56 pm
Go for the 530 or 535 or you will regret it almost instantly
:? explain why ?
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