BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

[brillomaster]

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-details/202102058732585?keywords=330d&include-delivery-option=on&body-type=Estate&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&radius=1500&postcode=cv339re&sort=price-desc&make=BMW&price-to=10000&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2&modal=photos

 

[Jameszy]

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-details/202102058732585?keywords=330d&include-delivery-option=on&body-type=Estate&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&radius=1500&postcode=cv339re&sort=price-desc&make=BMW&price-to=10000&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2&modal=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)!

 

[ibasniper]

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..

 

[Nictrix]

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.

 

[Jameszy]

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.

 

[M340]

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.

 

[LeeZ4MR]

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.

 

[Daz W]

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!

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

 

[Daz W]

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

 

[mr wilks]

Go for the 530 or 535 or you will regret it almost instantly

:? explain why ?

 

[sjj84]

That's strange I wrote a reply to this thread a few days ago but it doesn't appear to be here. Anyway.

I've got a f11 535d. Fantastic car for family duties. When I bought mine there wasn't much difference in price between the 535d and the 530d, there were just less 535d's available.
If you're looking at the 525d, I seem to recall the earlier ones were 3l 6 cylinder then they changed them to 2l 4 cylinder.
Problems I've had with mine are air suspension compressor twice and egr valve and coolers multiple times.

 

[Pondy]

If you are looking at an estate, for whatever reason, bigger is better IMO.
The 5 series touring isn't that big inside for the class of car.
Don't discount the E class estates; they're bl00dy enormous inside. I had a 2013 E250d AMG spec estate (4 cylinder with 205hp) for three years. It wasn't exactly a racing car but for an estate it was really good and the fuel economy was excellent (got average of 40-50) and it's a 2 tonne car. Don't look at a Volvo V90, though, their sh!t. I have one (until Monday cos I can't keep it any longer it's that bad).

 

[Daz W]

That's strange I wrote a reply to this thread a few days ago but it doesn't appear to be here. Anyway.

I've got a f11 535d. Fantastic car for family duties. When I bought mine there wasn't much difference in price between the 535d and the 530d, there were just less 535d's available.
If you're looking at the 525d, I seem to recall the earlier ones were 3l 6 cylinder then they changed them to 2l 4 cylinder.
Problems I've had with mine are air suspension compressor twice and egr valve and coolers multiple times.

Hasn't you EGR been rectified during the recalls, which there have been several of?

 

[Daz W]

Go for the 530 or 535 or you will regret it almost instantly

:? explain why ?

Because the performance of the 6 cylinder is far far better. Is that good enough? (I should add I had a 530 as a company car and now have a 520, I can almost smell and taste the difference , never mind feel it. Having said that I certainly wouldn't criticise the 520. The only reason I didn't buy a 530 was because I was changing jobs and needed something quickly and I couldn't find the right 530 at that time

 

[Number5]

I’m on my 3rd 520d and second F11

Absolutely brilliant cars and serves as a luxury cruiser, family bus and and work horse. (I’ve had 16 Alloy wheels in it at once and all sorts of furniture too when needed to move/dump stuff etc. Also a nice contrast to driving an E85 on the weekend.

It also serves excellently as a dog wagon and we have a large dog too.

I’d have no hesitation in getting another

The 520 is economical yet fast enough to lose your license. You can cruise easily and quietly creeping towards 100mph and not really know you’re doing it. Alternatively I’ve hit 62mpg when cruising at 60mph, Swansea - Bristol

 

[mr wilks]

Go for the 530 or 535 or you will regret it almost instantly

:? explain why ?

Because the performance of the 6 cylinder is far far better. Is that good enough? (I should add I had a 530 as a company car and now have a 520, I can almost smell and taste the difference , never mind feel it. Having said that I certainly wouldn't criticise the 520. The only reason I didn't buy a 530 was because I was changing jobs and needed something quickly and I couldn't find the right 530 at that time

More interested in what it is between the 4cyl & the 6pot actually that leaves you with that viewpoint :?
Probably owned 25+ Bmw 6 cyl & in terms of torque , sound or how it pulls the F11 4cyl diesel gives little indication from the drivers seat that its not a 6cyl :? perhaps the 100mph - 150mph would show more between them ?
The same cannot be said however between the 2.2 Z & its 3.0 or even better 3.0Si version , after expressing your obvious letdown in choosing the lesser model in the 5 series department you must be utterly deflated you didn't hold out a little longer for a 3.0 Z

 

[LeeZ4MR]

When cruising at 70mph I don't think that there is much difference between the 2.0 and 3.0 diesels. For me though the 3.0 diesels just feel far more brawny overall/a bit more smooth/slightly less rattly. Neither sound that great though to be fair(especially from outside), I've had a E90 330d/E61 520d/F13 640d.

 

[mr wilks]

When cruising at 70mph I don't think that there is much difference between the 2.0 and 3.0 diesels. For me though the 3.0 diesels just feel far more brawny overall/a bit more smooth/slightly less rattly. Neither sound that great though to be fair(especially from outside), I've had a E90 330d/E61 520d/F13 640d.

Crazy thing is right now I'm running a workhorse Navara with my job , obviously diesel, sounds unreal & pulls like demented bull :evil: id had it a few weeks before I got round to looking under bonnet or even knowing the specs.
Turns out its a 4cyl 2.3 twin turbo with almost 200bhp absolutely hopeless in the bends & hapless in a car park but I bet a remapped version would rattle a ZM 0-60 :wink:

 

[LeeZ4MR]

When cruising at 70mph I don't think that there is much difference between the 2.0 and 3.0 diesels. For me though the 3.0 diesels just feel far more brawny overall/a bit more smooth/slightly less rattly. Neither sound that great though to be fair(especially from outside), I've had a E90 330d/E61 520d/F13 640d.

Crazy thing is right now I'm running a workhorse Navara with my job , obviously diesel, sounds unreal & pulls like demented bull :evil: id had it a few weeks before I got round to looking under bonnet or even knowing the specs.
Turns out its a 4cyl 2.3 twin turbo with almost 200bhp absolutely hopeless in the bends & hapless in a car park but I bet a remapped version would rattle a ZM 0-60 :wink:

I do really like the idea of a nice pick up. 8)

I bet that does go well for sure.

 

[sjj84]

That's strange I wrote a reply to this thread a few days ago but it doesn't appear to be here. Anyway.

I've got a f11 535d. Fantastic car for family duties. When I bought mine there wasn't much difference in price between the 535d and the 530d, there were just less 535d's available.
If you're looking at the 525d, I seem to recall the earlier ones were 3l 6 cylinder then they changed them to 2l 4 cylinder.
Problems I've had with mine are air suspension compressor twice and egr valve and coolers multiple times.

Hasn't you EGR been rectified during the recalls, which there have been several of?

The recalls are for the egr cooler not the valve. It used to come as one before the recalls started. I've had a valve and cooler combined before the recalls started, two more coolers under the recall and a couple of weeks ago another valve.