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I have driven a 520D extensively for a year. I bought a brand new 520D last year June and drove it for about 12,000 miles and have now moved to a new 535D.
Main reason, the 520D was just a wee bit slow. My other car is a 330 Coupe and the 5 series 520D was just not cutting it.
This is not to say that the 520D is not a good car. I think the good things said about the car (in almost all forums) are more to do with the F10 model instead of the 2.0 litre engine. Coming from a fast car, the 520D felt sluggish. Putting it into Sport (or Sport+) mode does change it's behaviour and if you push the car, it does respond, but then you lose on the economy.
Having a 3.0 litre engine in 530 or 535 form suits such a big car a lot better. The real world fuel economy between a 520D and 530D is not going to be very different if you drive it in a moderately spirited fashion.
The 530D or the 535D also sounds a lot better when you push it hard... It's a very refined growl compared to the 4 pot 520D.
If you can afford it, go for the six pot.
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