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      12-27-2012, 08:45 AM   #1
dakhu1
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New (used) car dilema - 530d vs 535d

Hi guys

The remapped GTi has gone to a new home and I am officially in the market for a replacement.

We have a 1 series and 3 series in the house already and quite fancy a 5 series (e60) to add to the collection - for the daily commute and family duties.

Daily commute will be 30 miles each way - mostly motorway and twisty A roads.

The big question is 530d or 535d (m sport offcourse)?? Also, is the facelift LCI a massive improvement on pre-LCI (ignoring the cosmetic changes that were made)

Any advice/personal experiences would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers
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      12-27-2012, 08:46 AM   #2
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What difference in prices are we talking here?
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      12-27-2012, 09:05 AM   #3
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M5 FTW!!! oppps not on your option list loll
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      12-27-2012, 09:30 AM   #4
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I am biassed because I've had one.
530d all the way. Why? because you can get it in a manual version.
The 530d will feel quicker than the 535 (although it isn't) as the turbo boosts up at revs, it sounds better as the engine gives off a nice growl when pushed - the 535's twin turbo's mute it too much. No town work means you won't crave for an Auto.

If you are looking at pre-LCi 530d, get one with the updated engine. Look for the push button start - they are the later type. LCi's run a little better on runflats. Pre-LCi's are godawful on RFT's, get one on proper tyres and a spare wheel (there is a wheel well in the boot).

Ensure that the swirl flaps have been thrown away and the engine breather is "vortex" type (as the E9x's are) rather than "loo roll" type. 98% of 530's & 535's should have been changed by now. Air filter changes on a 530 are quite a long job, and they do tend to collect dead leaves. 535's are a lot easier.

A 5er will roll more than the 3, but it is still a nice handling car, and you can hustle it along at an indecent rate.

Expect mid to high 30's fuel consumption, over 40 if you drive carefully

Mike
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      12-27-2012, 10:03 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A_P View Post
What difference in prices are we talking here?
From what ive been seeing on the ads, the 535 is around £2k higher..
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      12-27-2012, 10:04 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Yoro35i View Post
M5 FTW!!! oppps not on your option list loll
If only I could...looking to upgrade house so trying to keep a cool head - the M5 growl makes this very difficult!!
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      12-27-2012, 10:09 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlwynMike View Post
I am biassed because I've had one.
530d all the way. Why? because you can get it in a manual version.
The 530d will feel quicker than the 535 (although it isn't) as the turbo boosts up at revs, it sounds better as the engine gives off a nice growl when pushed - the 535's twin turbo's mute it too much. No town work means you won't crave for an Auto.

If you are looking at pre-LCi 530d, get one with the updated engine. Look for the push button start - they are the later type. LCi's run a little better on runflats. Pre-LCi's are godawful on RFT's, get one on proper tyres and a spare wheel (there is a wheel well in the boot).

Ensure that the swirl flaps have been thrown away and the engine breather is "vortex" type (as the E9x's are) rather than "loo roll" type. 98% of 530's & 535's should have been changed by now. Air filter changes on a 530 are quite a long job, and they do tend to collect dead leaves. 535's are a lot easier.

A 5er will roll more than the 3, but it is still a nice handling car, and you can hustle it along at an indecent rate.

Expect mid to high 30's fuel consumption, over 40 if you drive carefully

Mike
Thanks Mike - forgot to mention, it has to be an auto as my dad will drive it on occassion

Looking around I could pick up a low miles 2005/2006 for around £10/£12k, with the LCI being about £2/£3k more - is it worth the extra?

Noted re stop/start, how do I know if it has vortex and swirl flaps removed?

Noted re RFTs - first thing I did on my e90 and 1 series...

Cheers
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      12-27-2012, 10:50 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dakhu1 View Post
Thanks Mike - forgot to mention, it has to be an auto as my dad will drive it on occassion

Looking around I could pick up a low miles 2005/2006 for around £10/£12k, with the LCI being about £2/£3k more - is it worth the extra?

Noted re stop/start, how do I know if it has vortex and swirl flaps removed?

Noted re RFTs - first thing I did on my e90 and 1 series...

Cheers
For me, the difference dynamically would not be worth it, but cosmetically, maybe. Long term, you'll lose less on the pre-LCi as they cost less to start with.
If it's had a full BMW history, it will have had the vortex breather changed at the air filter service, probably when it was about 4 years old. The only sure way to find out is to have a look, which would take about half an hour if you've not done it before.
Swirl flaps - ask. Depending on how it's been done, it can be quite difficult to see, even with the engine cover removed, with a boroscope or mirror/light. If the flaps have been removed, and the shaft hole plugged (that's how I did mine), it will be very difficult unless you know what to look for. If the flap housing has been removed and plugged, then you see a (roughly) 1" diameter plug under the manifold.

If you've experienced a 1 or a 3 on RFT's, stand by to be shocked at a 5er on RFT's, even more so on 18's.

Other 5er issues will have been sorted by now (steering column creaks, weak starter's) as they tended to crop up within warranty. PDC faults are commonplace, usually the sensor, but sometimes the PDC unit in the boot.

At this age, it may well be on the original battery.

It's rare, but some have fold down rear seats (a £75 option IIRC) which can be a great help at times. The boot floor is reversible for either carpet or rubber. There should be a small hook to hold up the boot floor - it clips on to the front edge of the boot when it's open.

It's easy to fit a switch to open the boot from the drivers seat - ideal when picking kids up from school when it's raining - they put their own bags in the boot!

5er iDrives have countdowns to replacement of the DPF - worth checking as they should be done at 120k according to BMW

Mike
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      12-27-2012, 03:25 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlwynMike View Post
For me, the difference dynamically would not be worth it, but cosmetically, maybe. Long term, you'll lose less on the pre-LCi as they cost less to start with.
If it's had a full BMW history, it will have had the vortex breather changed at the air filter service, probably when it was about 4 years old. The only sure way to find out is to have a look, which would take about half an hour if you've not done it before.
Swirl flaps - ask. Depending on how it's been done, it can be quite difficult to see, even with the engine cover removed, with a boroscope or mirror/light. If the flaps have been removed, and the shaft hole plugged (that's how I did mine), it will be very difficult unless you know what to look for. If the flap housing has been removed and plugged, then you see a (roughly) 1" diameter plug under the manifold.

If you've experienced a 1 or a 3 on RFT's, stand by to be shocked at a 5er on RFT's, even more so on 18's.

Other 5er issues will have been sorted by now (steering column creaks, weak starter's) as they tended to crop up within warranty. PDC faults are commonplace, usually the sensor, but sometimes the PDC unit in the boot.

At this age, it may well be on the original battery.

It's rare, but some have fold down rear seats (a £75 option IIRC) which can be a great help at times. The boot floor is reversible for either carpet or rubber. There should be a small hook to hold up the boot floor - it clips on to the front edge of the boot when it's open.

It's easy to fit a switch to open the boot from the drivers seat - ideal when picking kids up from school when it's raining - they put their own bags in the boot!

5er iDrives have countdowns to replacement of the DPF - worth checking as they should be done at 120k according to BMW

Mike
Ta for the advice Mike - much appreciated.

Re LCI vs pre.LCI - the cosmetics dont jump out to me as much as they did with the pre & post facelift e46/e90, so not overly bothered on that front tbh.

I'll continue with my search...unless you fancy selling yours?!

Cheers again!!
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      12-27-2012, 06:13 PM   #10
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As said I think the 535d/530d is more lardy than what your used to with the 3 series and the 535d will weigh more too. Dont expect the 535d to go like a 335d either - in fact it will probably be more comparable to a 330d and the 530d slower still.

I drove a 535d a few years ago and I felt a bit underwhelmed and it didnt feel that much quicker than the Vectra V6 3.0 diesel I had a the time (which was 100 bhp less). Maybe I was expecting too much.

I know the ride on the 3 series LCI is massively improved against the pre-LCI so this could be the case also with the 5 series LCI but I've no idea - you'd have to ask on a 5 series forum for the differences.

Sorry for all the comparisons to the 3 series - but then this is a 3 series forum.
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      12-28-2012, 03:18 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dopper99 View Post
As said I think the 535d/530d is more lardy than what your used to with the 3 series and the 535d will weigh more too. Dont expect the 535d to go like a 335d either - in fact it will probably be more comparable to a 330d and the 530d slower still.

I drove a 535d a few years ago and I felt a bit underwhelmed and it didnt feel that much quicker than the Vectra V6 3.0 diesel I had a the time (which was 100 bhp less). Maybe I was expecting too much.

I know the ride on the 3 series LCI is massively improved against the pre-LCI so this could be the case also with the 5 series LCI but I've no idea - you'd have to ask on a 5 series forum for the differences.

Sorry for all the comparisons to the 3 series - but then this is a 3 series forum.
I have to agree with most of that. The 535d has the same problem as the 335d - it's too smooth and doesn't "feel" it's going as quick as it actually is. My 530 felt quicker than the 335 oddly enough. Until you glance at the speedo! I came to the 5er from an E46 330d, and even though it's a lot bigger car and not that much more powerful (180 to 218bhp), it did feel a LOT quicker. Suspension mods on the 5 LCi were nowhere near as radical as the E9x.

If you're not bothered cosmetically, don't discount the SE version.
I think the LCi had a different Auto box too - it certainly had a different gear selector.

Mike
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      12-28-2012, 09:33 AM   #12
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LCI is supposed to be more economocal ESPECIALLY for the auto. The update auto box is meant to be much better. Air con is higher spec too.

Last edited by Sir_Pigley; 12-28-2012 at 03:33 PM..
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      12-28-2012, 10:55 AM   #13
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I would get the 535d mate!!
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      12-28-2012, 11:48 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dxb335d View Post
I would get the 535d mate!!
Thats what my heart says!!

Plus, I may be out of line here, but some of the research i've done suggests that they may be more reliable compared to the 530d, with less turbo failures etc..

Well surprised at how much cheaper the 525d is compared to the bigger bro's but just doesnt seem enough given the size/weight of the 5 - even though it seems as if it essentially a 530d with a less aggresive map...
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      12-28-2012, 12:10 PM   #15
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Try get a later one though with the 286HP rather than 272HP earlier ones!
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      12-28-2012, 12:33 PM   #16
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2006 BMW 335i  [0.00]
535d + Map = You'll never look back and think 'should i have got the other car' In reverse you'll always wonder.
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      12-28-2012, 12:48 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dxb335d View Post
Try get a later one though with the 286HP rather than 272HP earlier ones!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAnt335i View Post
535d + Map = You'll never look back and think 'should i have got the other car' In reverse you'll always wonder.
In all honesty, given the max amount I want to spend, the most I can "reasonably" expect is an LCI 530d or a pre-LCI 535d...in this case, would the 535d still be a good buy?
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      12-28-2012, 12:54 PM   #18
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I would say yes!' still remaps to 330HP!!
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      12-28-2012, 06:09 PM   #19
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Remapping is all very well - but you are risking reliability issues and warranty part-voided.

But seems not many people have had many issues? Or none that they will admit too?!
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