BMW 525/530 touring. Any good?!

[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:

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

I bet that does go well for sure.

Spec is crazy on them , cameras on screen from rear & each side, heated seats , keyless go , xenons, cruise , plus all the touchscreen nav , phone & DAB etc.
Numb in most aspects & biggest negative for me is the 50mph speed limit on roads that would be 60mph in a car .

 

[nhartgolfer]

Once again, fantastic input, thanks so much to each of you who have contributed to this thread!
I’ll keep reading here, looking online, and will definitely let you know what I end up with!

 

[Daz W]

:? 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

If you can't tell the difference in sound or feel between a 4 cylinder and a 6 cylinder on the F10/11 then I have no idea why. Stating there isn't a difference would suggest you've either had a well tuned 4 cylinder or a rough 6 cylinder, they are worlds apart. And with regard to my 2.2 Z4, I wasn't particularly looking for a 3 litre, just something to enjoy on a weekend. I get the impression you'd argue with your own reflection

 

[Number5]

When you’re preaching to others, it does seem an odd choice to insist on a 6 cylinder, big engined family bus and then go and buy yourself a small engined, low BHP sports car for the weekend !!

(520d F11 family bus and a 3.4L, 6 Cyl Zed)

 

[mr wilks]

If you can't tell the difference in sound or feel between a 4 cylinder and a 6 cylinder on the F10/11 then I have no idea why. Stating there isn't a difference would suggest you've either had a well tuned 4 cylinder or a rough 6 cylinder, they are worlds apart.

I get the impression you'd argue with your own reflection

I have never stated there isn't any difference between a 4cyl & a 6 :? or do i pass my time arguing with my reflection :?
You stated that to not buy a 6cyl would leave the op instantly regretting the decision , i simply asked you to elaborate / explain why :? which as you haven't assume its because you can't :?
A 4 cyl F11 F10 can be a shrewd & capable buy in terms of what you get for needs / spend , a bit like choosing between Se v Si v ///M its not true to say that if you don't buy the ////M you will be disappointed .