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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum BMW 520d or 525d ? Is it worth to pay extra?
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      11-06-2010, 05:26 PM   #23
Ellmat
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Go fir the 6 cylinder every time.
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      11-07-2010, 09:40 AM   #24
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You need to drive both cars as others have said. Everyone has different priorities.

I disregarded the 525d because I didn't think it made sense next to the 530d (same capacity, but less power and torque - but with the same fuel consumption). So it was going to be the 530d or above for me as far as the 6 cylinder models are concerned.

I didn't consider the 520d at all until I read the reviews. When I drove it I realized it was much better than I thought it would ever be - and it suited the kind of driving I do (almost entirely in the city).

Was I wrong to disregard the 525d? No - because I compared the 520d to the 530d and still thought it worked better for my needs and budget. But that's just me. Some will not be able to do without the extra smoothness and torque of the inline 6 - though the 520d is very smooth and quiet, and is not lacking in power.

If cost was no object I would get a 530d or 535d As it is the 520d is working out great so I don't feel at all short changed - otherwise I would have bought the 530d with less options.
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      11-07-2010, 10:42 AM   #25
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I agree with Krell. I am currently in a 525d E60 because at the time I wanted a 'proper' BMW and as we all know these have 6 or 8 cylinders. However, that thinking really belongs in the past with both the increasing sophistication of the 4 cylinder engines and current attitudes to taxation. Lets face it there is also an argument that says that 'proper' M Cars are normally aspirated but now they are getting forced induction . . . It is just progress.

I work in Aerospace and people were saying the same thing about 4 engines vs 2 engines for the widebodies 10-15 years ago. Take a look at how the 777-300ER killed the 747-400 and how the A350 has killed the A340. No-one says you need to have 4 engines now.

So I can have more power (184 vs 179) and almost identical torque (380 vs 400) by 'dropping' to a 520d F10 compared to my current 525d - which is more than adequate and leaves enough money for toys. If vibration bothers you then don't get a diesel !

I feel happy and priviledged to drive a 5 series. My personal view is that the cutting edge for engines is now at either end of the scale (520d and M5) although driven by different requirements. The problem with the 525d is that it is used to fit a price point between the 520d and 530d and you are paying a lot of money for a detuned 530d engine. It just didn't make sense to me when I looked at it and I wasn't going to drive a 'poverty spec' 530d so traded down.

If you want to get the 525d and are happy with an aftermarket remap to tune it back up to the 530d performance for much less money then I could understand the rationale.

Last edited by FrequentFlyer; 11-07-2010 at 11:47 AM..
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      11-08-2010, 08:36 AM   #26
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Thats true - the 525d is a detuned 530d with the same consumption and less power. But here in denmark the price difference is more than 10.000 euro.

So for me it makes sense to go for the 525d - it's still 6-cylinders which for me is cardinal. I'm very happy with 0-100 in 7.2 sec and don't need it to bee faster :-)
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      11-08-2010, 01:27 PM   #27
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I just left my E61 525dT at the dealer and picked up my F11 520dAT today. Thought I would miss the 6-cylinder engine but after a couple of hours driving my new F11 this afternoon I would say NO!

The 520d engine is really refined compared to the engine I have in my two 120d's. And the rest of the F11 is much more modern and luxurious than the E61. Pure JOY!

That said, I would of course buy the 535dT if I could, but that's outside the limits my company have and I need to prioritize other things in life as well.
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      11-09-2010, 02:24 PM   #28
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Vibration?? driving myself a 520dA since 2 months I can tell the engine is silky smooth and very very quiet. It was perhaps like that in the previous series, but not any more on this f10/f11.
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      11-09-2010, 03:53 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicolo2 View Post
Vibration?? driving myself a 520dA since 2 months I can tell the engine is silky smooth and very very quiet. It was perhaps like that in the previous series, but not any more on this f10/f11.
Agree, there's no vibration.
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      11-10-2010, 08:45 AM   #30
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It is indeed matter of taste. 520d may be vibration-free, but it does sound like crap. Period. It cannot hide it is a 4 cylinder.
However, 525d is a low volume unpopular model for those who cannot afford 530d (as somebody pointed out - the same engine, less power, same consumption). Will depreciate faster, too.
So the question is in fact 520d or 530d - in your case I guess 520d is the winner.
P.S. that being said, I went for 330d instead of 320d purely due to sound and power. Had to sacrifice leather but I do not regret.
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      11-10-2010, 11:06 AM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michal12 View Post
It is indeed matter of taste. 520d may be
However, 525d is a low volume unpopular model for those who cannot afford 530d (as somebody pointed out - the same engine, less power, same consumption). Will depreciate faster, too.
Or the 525d is a cheaper way to get a decent 6 cylinder and you can spend the rest of the money on extras.
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      11-10-2010, 12:06 PM   #32
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Let's look at the issue from a different perspective... No one really 'wants' a 520d do they?

It is all about compromises, usually money constraints. So we defend our 520d purchase, we feel comfortable with that, but really we would like the 6-cylinder.

I suppose it's just what are our priorities, and/or how we see value for money. So often it is nothing to do with the engine itself, we choose for practical reasons.... even the engine we like less.

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      11-10-2010, 01:05 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
Let's look at the issue from a different perspective... No one really 'wants' a 520d do they?

It is all about compromises, usually money constraints. So we defend our 520d purchase, we feel comfortable with that, but really we would like the 6-cylinder.

I suppose it's just what are our priorities, and/or how we see value for money. So often it is nothing to do with the engine itself, we choose for practical reasons.... even the engine we like less.

HighlandPete
You're right - it's usually about financial constraints. I have no arguments about that. But wouldn't your argument also hold true that nobody really wants a 525d or 530d and that a 535d is what they really want? Few on this forum wouldn't want the extra power and torque. Again, it's about money.

Also, *everyone* defends their preferences because it makes them feel better. You see it every day on this forum.

I'd like to think I present a balanced view. Test drive the 520d and 525d back to back to see if the 525d is worth the extra money to you. That's exactly what I didn't do until late in the day. I initially completely disregarded the 520d because I pre-judged it. It it wasn't as good as it is I would have looked elsewhere. The same goes for the E Class. I thought the 520d was better than the E350 (with it's 6 cylinders) because it simply wasn't refined enough at low speeds. That's what makes the 520d a lot more compelling than it looks on paper.
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      11-10-2010, 02:39 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krell View Post
You're right - it's usually about financial constraints. I have no arguments about that. But wouldn't your argument also hold true that nobody really wants a 525d or 530d and that a 535d is what they really want? Few on this forum wouldn't want the extra power and torque. Again, it's about money.

Also, *everyone* defends their preferences because it makes them feel better. You see it every day on this forum.

I'd like to think I present a balanced view. Test drive the 520d and 525d back to back to see if the 525d is worth the extra money to you. That's exactly what I didn't do until late in the day. I initially completely disregarded the 520d because I pre-judged it. It it wasn't as good as it is I would have looked elsewhere. The same goes for the E Class. I thought the 520d was better than the E350 (with it's 6 cylinders) because it simply wasn't refined enough at low speeds. That's what makes the 520d a lot more compelling than it looks on paper.
I was going to add the 530d vs. 535d comparison. I agree it is just another level up the money tree, for decisions.

As you know from other postings, I'm not viewing the 520d as a poor choice of car, it makes so much sense, even for those who can perhaps afford to get a bigger engine.

Problem is, I've had a BMW V8 (540i) so anything else is not quite the same, when you have had the cream. A 6-cylinder is a compromise. I also find the diesel, although I'm a 6-pot diesel man, still not in the same refinement league as the BMW petrol engines. Drive a V8 and you do have to look at the revs to know it is running.

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      11-10-2010, 02:55 PM   #35
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For some the "green factor" is also an argument. The C02 emission of the 520d is the lowest in its class.
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      11-10-2010, 03:02 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michal12 View Post
It is indeed matter of taste. 520d may be vibration-free, but it does sound like crap. Period. It cannot hide it is a 4 cylinder.
However, 525d is a low volume unpopular model for those who cannot afford 530d (as somebody pointed out - the same engine, less power, same consumption). Will depreciate faster, too.
So the question is in fact 520d or 530d - in your case I guess 520d is the winner.
P.S. that being said, I went for 330d instead of 320d purely due to sound and power. Had to sacrifice leather but I do not regret.
I suspect that the 525d will sell pretty well in the UK if BMW maintains the £4k price differential between the 525d and the 530d. The F11 530d is nudging towards £50k list price when you add some essential options.
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