[mroll320]

This convinced me to go for the 535d..

[valbmw]

Perfect choice! Congratulations

[mroll320]

I`ve just realised I ordered the same colour, Oyster and aluminum hexagon the same as in the video too... it must have really had an effect on me...

[HighlandPete]

Another example of BMW numbering. US market 535d, is our European 530d model.

HighlandPete

[mroll320]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Another example of BMW numbering. US market 535d, is our European 530d model.

HighlandPete

and it should be the 540d in the UK...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mroll320

and it should be the 540d in the UK...

Next generation 5-series? Maybe.

HighlandPete

[AP]

well I have a European 530d which is in essence the 535d in the US and I'd certainly about the performance and how effortless it feels.
Sure a petrol model will have better refinement (think it fair to say that for any petrol equivalent of a diesel model) but for day to day use (ie not racing around a track) its great.
I've just driving an hour back from an airfield having spent 2 hours flying around with a 8.2 litre flat six up front and getting back in the car and driving home was a joy. Very relaxing and the car didn't even break out in a sweat.
I got 52 mpg (uk) back on this drive (wasn't in a rush and M25 speed limits were in existence). Got off the motorway and got a 2 lanes with traffic lights where the exit was a single lane. I put the car into sport mode and soon as the lights went green, I put my foot down (not much) and off lept the car to a speed that was a little high so I ended up cruising on no throttle for quite a while. (That's the other thing, this car needs hardly needs any throttle to move it along)

I'm surprised the steering in this review was marked as high as it was, it was a LCI so not sure how and if things have improved there but it aint as good as an E39.

For those of you in the US considering the 535d, please please please go and try one, I think if you've never driven a diesel before, it will surprise you.

If you still don't like it and prefer petrol, fair enough but at least give it a try!

[Welshman]

I'd echo everything Chris Harris says.

I'm on my third trip to the continent this month, in my 4th week of ownership, with about 4,700 miles on the clock.

If the dealer had a 530d in stock with the right spec I would have had it, but they has this 535d and we did the deal. No regrets. The car is a tool for me and it does the job. It gets me there quickly feeling relaxed, calm and collected. There was an M5 at Eurotunnel. Lovely car but it wouldn't get me here any quicker. Certainly not as economically. Motorway, Peage, Autostrada, Autopista, Autobahn, doesn't matter what, I'm returning a genuine 39/40mpg and of course diesel is cheaper on the continent.

Petrol 335i would be more refined at low speeds but I'm not spending much time toodling around.

Only vibration I get is trickling along at about 1,000 rpm - the M40 was closed today between Jcn 11 and 12 - so I did a fair bit of trickling and you did get the diesel buss through the steering wheel but it went at about 1,100/1,200 rpm.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Welshman

I'd echo everything Chris Harris says.

I'm on my third trip to the continent this month, in my 4th week of ownership, with about 4,700 miles on the clock.

....

Petrol 335i would be more refined at low speeds but I'm not spending much time toodling around.

Only vibration I get is trickling along at about 1,000 rpm - the M40 was closed today between Jcn 11 and 12 - so I did a fair bit of trickling and you did get the diesel buss through the steering wheel but it went at about 1,100/1,200 rpm.

530d/535d makes perfect sense for high mileage users. It is where I'd be if driving more miles per year. I only drive my 535i about 8k miles a year, most of that is local, 25 - 30 mile trips at the present, so petrol makes perfect sense. I'm in diesels for the rest of my motoring.

I back to back tested an F10 530d vs. 535i (from a 330d) and there is a marked difference in driving refinement in the 535i, came away hooked on the 535i, hence my move back to petrol, worth having for my pottering about.

HighlandPete

[F31-340i]

I'm naturally drawn to a diesel/535d, but I could be tempted by a 535i F11, only snag is they seem very rare.

Are all the issues with the HPP and coils on BMW petrol 6s a thing of the past now?