525d vs 530d

[MattTheHat325]

the next car i buy will be an e39 as a daily driver, to avoid running my e30 into the ground.
After reading countless reviews and forum debates of 530i vs 530d, diesel vs lpg etc etc, i have stayed with my initial plan of the dirty derv donk.
I have read of all the curses of bmw's turbo woes and the dreaded swirl flap issues and everything else people have to say about the 530d. however, i can't seem to find many black and white 525 vs 530 reviews.

do any of you guys have experience of both these cars? My main questions are:
Is the 525d a LOT slower than the 530d?
Is the 525d a LOT more economical than the 530d?

The plan is whichever one i get will definately be a manual and will more than likely end up being chipped/remapped.
Any thoughts?

If

[Falkster]

Although the 525 is a quick car (I was really suprised how quick it was) the 530d (for the extra 30bhp) is very very quick. When you think all the acceleration comes within a 1,500 and 3,000 revs so its really the torque more than the power you feel.
Ive got mates that have both, the lad with the 530d has had his remapped to over 250bhp. Its the best car ever on fuel but heavy foot it and it can be as bad and any petrol cars.
Avus blue or Imola red FTW

[gatesy23]

Just my opinion but an e39 should be an auto. Theyre not really a drivers car, more of a motorway cruiser. Sit back, select D and go (if you really wanted a car for ragging about you'd be buying a petrol right!?) Obv your decision though.

525d.

Good bits: marginally more economical in the real world (dont forget you'll have to work a smaller engine harder to get it moving). No swirl flaps to worry about.

Bad bits: The niggling feeling you'll get telling you you should have gone for the 530d, less power and torque.

End of the day it comes down to price, condition, spec and mileage. Its not all about power.

+1 on Avus blue btw, lovely colour

[MattTheHat325]

cheers for the quick replies guys.

I see what you're saying but i'm a manual man through and through. 'til i get arthritis anyhow!
And on the blue note, were the diesels ever available in Le Mans blue?

530d was my initial choice, i was just thrown by the idea that the 525 would offer a lot more fuel economy. I'm guessing the 530d's extra torque kind of makes it swings and roundabouts if driven steady

[Falkster]

Yes but tip is where you want to be not manual! Both lazy and fun when you want!

[pac1982]

I'll be watching this post as I’m thinking about getting a 530 D as my next car the way I see it the 525 is still a nice car for a derv but its defiantly performs like a diesel, where as the 530 out performs a lot of petrol cars in a similar sort of class and IIRC the 0-60 time on the 530 is around the 7 seconds mark which is truly amazing for a large diesel burner

[Falkster]

I'll be watching this post as I’m thinking about getting a 530 D as my next car the way I see it the 525 is still a nice car for a derv but its defiantly performs like a diesel, where as the 530 out performs a lot of petrol cars in a similar sort of class and IIRC the 0-60 time on the 530 is around the 7 seconds mark which is truly amazing for a large diesel burner

Ignore the 0-60 times, these cars are amazing from 40-100! Ive had a 320d and a 330d and they were both quicker than you'd expect but no furious 0-60.

If its power you want you can remap a 525d, have the power of a 530d without the price tag.

[MattTheHat325]

apart from a j reg astramax, this will be my first diesel car. My mate has got a 55 plate a4 2.0 tdi and i have been well impressed by how it moves and how good it is on fuel. It is reasonably quiet inside even when raggin it but it does sound like a van when its ticking over.
Is the 530d particularly noisy? and also how does the chipping/remapping affect the fuel economy? better/worse? I would imagine in theory it would be better because of the torque increase but does anybody have any experience of this in the real world?

[Blitz]

Auto E39 525d and 530d's have swirl flaps manual ones do not.

[Falkster]

apart from a j reg astramax, this will be my first diesel car. My mate has got a 55 plate a4 2.0 tdi and i have been well impressed by how it moves and how good it is on fuel. It is reasonably quiet inside even when raggin it but it does sound like a van when its ticking over.
Is the 530d particularly noisy? and also how does the chipping/remapping affect the fuel economy? better/worse? I would imagine in theory it would be better because of the torque increase but does anybody have any experience of this in the real world?

Like I said I have mates that have both 5s and Ive had 320d and 330d. Remapping does give them a lot more power but also, driven correctly, make them more fuel efficient! Likely to get close on 200bhp from a 525b and Ive heard of almost 300bhp from a 330d which are essentially the same.
Apart from first things in a morning and a little smoke from behind you wont tell youre driving a derv!!
It'll destroy your mates Audi!

[MattTheHat325]

thats what i like to hear! well i guess my already semi made up mind has been well and truly made up now!

better get this cossie sold so i can add to my bavarian collection then

[Falkster]

What cossie you got Matt? Im always looking to annoy the wife further, Ive got 3 cars potentially coming very soon!!

[MattTheHat325]

its a 4x4 saff mate, theres a few issues i've got to sort out on it before i get rid, i can't stand selling cars that aren't up together if you know what i mean. i'll be making sure its running tip top and has a full ticket on it but i'll let you know when that happens if you want!

can't beat annoying the missus eh!

[Blitz]

I would be wary of 330d's with remaped to 300bhp with massive torque, I'm sure it wont last long till something blows up.

[pac1982]

The only reason I would want a 530 over a 525 is because there are a lot more 530D sports or fully specced up 530D’s for sale.

a lot of the 525's have very basic equipment

[Blitz]

They did not make 325d's in E46.

[Falkster]

The only reason I would want a 330 over a 325 is because there are a lot more 330D sports or fully s specced up up 325D’s for sale.

a lot of the 525's have very basic equipment

You wont find a 325d for the money hes talking. Theyre the new shape.

[pac1982]

They did not make 325d's in E46.

The only reason I would want a 330 over a 325 is because there are a lot more 330D sports or fully s specced up up 325D’s for sale.

a lot of the 525's have very basic equipment

You wont find a 325d for the money hes talking. Theyre the new shape.

My post came out completely wrong I have edited it now, I’m half asleep

[Falkster]

The only reason I would want a 530 over a 525 is because there are a lot more 530D sports or fully specced up 530D’s for sale.

a lot of the 525's have very basic equipment

But for a little wait you could be talking 3 or 4 bags??

[MattTheHat325]

I would be wary of 330d's with remaped to 300bhp with massive torque, I'm sure it wont last long till something blows up.

good point raised, how robust is the transmission on a 530d? Once its remapped is the clutch etc still comfortable with the torque?

[pac1982]

The only reason I would want a 530 over a 525 is because there are a lot more 530D sports or fully specced up 530D’s for sale.

a lot of the 525's have very basic equipment

But for a little wait you could be talking 3 or 4 bags??

Fair point but surely a nice fully specced 525 is going to demand quite a big premium over a run of the mill 525?

[Falkster]

I would be wary of 330d's with remaped to 300bhp with massive torque, I'm sure it wont last long till something blows up.

good point raised, how robust is the transmission on a 530d? Once its remapped is the clutch etc still comfortable with the torque?

I was talking about someone that remapped a 330d upto 300bhp but a standard remap will be something like 240-250bhp. The internals are going to cope with that.

[gatesy23]

The 204bhp m57n engine can be tuned to around 330bhp but how long it would last is another story.. Turbo would probably spit an impeller blade after a week

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

I had a 525d a while back, took it from 60k miles to 145k. Manual, bulletproof, perfectly quick enough, devastating on the overtakes, 46mpg over that period.

I got a 530d a couple of times as a loan car, and that is another level of torque. Significantly more shove than the 525d, but I rarely found the 525d wanting.

It is rare to find a manual 530d, but plenty of 525d manuals out there. Generalising, a 530d is probably 2.5-3k more than an equivalent 525d, but will probably be a bit more toy'd up. I have heard of plenty of swirl flap and turbo issues on the 530d, not heard of a single issue on the 525d though admittedly I think many more 530s were sold.

If I was buying again, I'd have the 525d once more. I'd probably wait for one of the last MSport tourers to come up though.

Martin.

[gatesy23]

http://glasgow.gumtree.com/glasgow/26/59555626.html

Not a bad price. (no connection to me btw)

Already chipped too so will save you the hastle

Topaz ftw!

[/// KAMI]

how do no the difference between a sport and a non sport is it just the kit?

[Blitz]

how do no the difference between a sport and a non sport is it just the kit?

[Andyboy]

The 525d manual is the one to have. The economy is noticeably better and they still go well enough. Manuals don't have swirl flaps or a slightly iffy GM autobox to go wrong, plus they are vastly better on fuel. Auto 530d's are not good on fuel at all.
Remap at your peril. I've seen plenty of these in real trouble following a remap - leaking injectors, blown turbo, broken crank. Get someone well known to do it, and add no more than 20-30 bhp. Overdo it, and it will go wrong.
Maintenance is imperative on these, so change the crankcase breather (easy) and replace the oil and filter every 6-7'000 miles.

[robbo86]

My mate is looking at a 5 touring. Will have to show him this.

[oi_oi_savaloy]

I've got a 530d (2002, 52 plated) touring SE (not sport) for the wife and kids.

http://www.ecotune-scotland.co.uk/produ ... t_Downpipe

Rather than a remap I'm going down this route (above link). Doesn't have to be changed back for your MOT either.

Oi_Oi

[oi_oi_savaloy]

For what it's worth - absolutely brilliant car for what it does - it's safe (airbags and there's a lot of car around you), quick, covers Pembrokeshire to London easily and hasn't let us down us at all. It's got a great spec too. I paid £5,500 for it in Sept last year.

I use the e30 for business and the 5 series for the wife and kids.