523i, 528i or 525d?

phoenix1981 · 10-26-2010, 10:44 AM

thanks everyone!

newm5 · 10-19-2011, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoleApart

I've had the 523i 4 months now and if I was to do it all again I'd get a 528i. It needs more power - especially if you have 4 people on board. It is a great sounding engine but only until about 6000 pm. After that it gets boomy and there's no point in thrashing it beyond that. In a mixed cycle I'm getting 12l100 km. In town in quite heavy traffic if you like to rev it this goes up to over 14. There are huge differences in fuel consumption depending on driving style.

I've never driven an F10 with a different engine so can't compare to 528i.

My previous was E60 530d for 4 years. My first and last tractor engined car

hello.. i was reading your post and curious on the last part of the sentence.. what was your biggest issue with the diesel engine? i am considering between the 520d and the 523i...

lodewijkV · 10-19-2011, 02:17 AM

Deffinetly go for the 528i! Especially if you do only 15k a year.
That's the thing I really miss in my car, a nice 6-cyl sound.
Now mine sounds like a tractor..

kave · 10-19-2011, 05:25 AM

The 528i is 4 cal now, there is also a 530i with 6 cylinders. I would also like to have a 530i manual, but I am quite sure the trade in value after three years will be quite bad on a petrol car with large engine. The 525d is same engine as 520d but with different software for more HP. The way I feel is that such a great car deservers a 6 cylinder engine.

DPKK · 10-19-2011, 06:40 AM

Another way to save a few bucks might be to get a 520d and upgrade with a BMW Performance Power Kit for 200bhp. Torque goes from 380 to 420 Nm. Kit includes software upgrade plus higher power cooling fan. Only available on 6MT. Costs about €1600 in Ireland. Gets you half way from a 520d to a new 4 cyl 525d at 25% of the cost. No impact on economy, emissions or warranty.

No feedback available on this forum but I do see a few Irish cars for sale with this option fitted. I'm trying to get a few quid together to upgrade my AW 520d M Sport.

If you are an out and out petrolhead I don't think you will ever love a low-mid level diesel. Put your foot down at low revs and nothing happens for half a second or so but can be driven quite rapidly if you plan your corner exits well and accelerate earlier than with a non-turbo petrol. A 535d would be a very different story - no shortage of power anywhere. Having said that, I've come from an Audi S5 and would have to admit I'm not too disappointed with the performace of the 520d.

kave · 10-19-2011, 07:43 AM

In my book there are no performance issues with the 520D, it's more the whole culture of the engine, i.e. vibrations etc that makes wanting a 6 cal diesel.

kjhkent · 11-06-2011, 04:15 PM

Hi

Im interested to know what you think of your 523i. I have just traded in my E60 530D for a 523i SE manual 14 miles on the clock. I have to be honest after just a few miles I was a bit disappointed, missing my 530D. However having had it for about 5 days its growing on me. Very smooth and will probably save me from getting points on my licence. Please let us know how your getting on with it. Mine was a cancelled order. The dealer put 20 inch wheels on it just before I decided to buy it, the wheels make for a bit of a floaty ride in my opinion, but I am not for all out performance just a comfortable pleasant drive in a well built car. Alpine white with cinammon brown leather.

10-26-2010, 10:44 AM	#23
phoenix1981 New Member 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: Golf V GT Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	thanks everyone!
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10-19-2011, 02:17 AM	#25
lodewijkV Private 5 Rep 61 Posts Drives: Snowwhite Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Deffinetly go for the 528i! Especially if you do only 15k a year. That's the thing I really miss in my car, a nice 6-cyl sound. Now mine sounds like a tractor..
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10-19-2011, 05:25 AM	#26
kave First Lieutenant 19 Rep 329 Posts Drives: BMW 520D Touring 2012 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 520D Touring [10.00]	The 528i is 4 cal now, there is also a 530i with 6 cylinders. I would also like to have a 530i manual, but I am quite sure the trade in value after three years will be quite bad on a petrol car with large engine. The 525d is same engine as 520d but with different software for more HP. The way I feel is that such a great car deservers a 6 cylinder engine. __________________
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10-19-2011, 06:40 AM	#27
DPKK New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW 520d M Sport Join Date: May 2011 Location: Kilkenny, Ireland iTrader: (0)	Another way to save a few bucks might be to get a 520d and upgrade with a BMW Performance Power Kit for 200bhp. Torque goes from 380 to 420 Nm. Kit includes software upgrade plus higher power cooling fan. Only available on 6MT. Costs about €1600 in Ireland. Gets you half way from a 520d to a new 4 cyl 525d at 25% of the cost. No impact on economy, emissions or warranty. No feedback available on this forum but I do see a few Irish cars for sale with this option fitted. I'm trying to get a few quid together to upgrade my AW 520d M Sport. If you are an out and out petrolhead I don't think you will ever love a low-mid level diesel. Put your foot down at low revs and nothing happens for half a second or so but can be driven quite rapidly if you plan your corner exits well and accelerate earlier than with a non-turbo petrol. A 535d would be a very different story - no shortage of power anywhere. Having said that, I've come from an Audi S5 and would have to admit I'm not too disappointed with the performace of the 520d.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-19-2011, 07:43 AM	#28
kave First Lieutenant 19 Rep 329 Posts Drives: BMW 520D Touring 2012 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 520D Touring [10.00]	In my book there are no performance issues with the 520D, it's more the whole culture of the engine, i.e. vibrations etc that makes wanting a 6 cal diesel. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-06-2011, 04:15 PM	#29
kjhkent New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW F10 523 i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Hi Im interested to know what you think of your 523i. I have just traded in my E60 530D for a 523i SE manual 14 miles on the clock. I have to be honest after just a few miles I was a bit disappointed, missing my 530D. However having had it for about 5 days its growing on me. Very smooth and will probably save me from getting points on my licence. Please let us know how your getting on with it. Mine was a cancelled order. The dealer put 20 inch wheels on it just before I decided to buy it, the wheels make for a bit of a floaty ride in my opinion, but I am not for all out performance just a comfortable pleasant drive in a well built car. Alpine white with cinammon brown leather.
	Appreciate 0 Quote