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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 Anyone moved to an F10 and regretted it? Particularly the lower powered diesels?
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      01-18-2013, 08:33 AM   #45
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The 520D goes from 0-60 MPH in 8.2 seconds, not too bad for such a efficient car.
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      01-18-2013, 09:11 AM   #46
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Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
The 520D goes from 0-60 MPH in 8.2 seconds, not too bad for such a efficient car.
BMW have really done well with this model, but it does lack in the refinement department. OK it is good for a 4-pot diesel, but does give its motive source away. I know many in the UK view it as refined, it is on the cruise, but we do tend to excuse diesel engines over here, partly as many users have no choice in sensible cost motoring.

The same applies to the 320d, still a diesel in feel and sound track, there are other 4-pot diesel engines out there that are a bit more refined and less audible.

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      01-20-2013, 05:45 PM   #47
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Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
BMW have really done well with this model, but it does lack in the refinement department. OK it is good for a 4-pot diesel, but does give its motive source away. I know many in the UK view it as refined, it is on the cruise, but we do tend to excuse diesel engines over here, partly as many users have no choice in sensible cost motoring.

The same applies to the 320d, still a diesel in feel and sound track, there are other 4-pot diesel engines out there that are a bit more refined and less audible.

HighlandPete
I agree on that, but immediately I have to relativate this... Is this really so important that it costs you every month again? The 520d doesn't sound nice on start up agree on that.

Most of the time (+95%) it doesn't sound at all (which is impressive!), the remainder is the cold start phase, which is not pleasing to the ears.

Does this so dramatically reduce the value proposition? To me it doesn't. I laugh with gasoline V8 engines... they may sound ok, but all the rest, oh my goodness what a shame!

BTW, my 530i is not producing a motivating symphony at start up either, it only delivers beyond 3500rpm!
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      01-21-2013, 04:13 AM   #48
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If I never had the luxury of having a different engine, I'd be happy with the 320d/520d. I'd be a fool not to see its outstanding values. But as I do have the choice, then in the context of finer detail, there is clearly the extra refinement of a 6-cylinder petrol engine. Start up, low speeds, pulling up at junctions where there is no vibration through the car, the steering wheel, or from the foot rest. Silky smooth pull, an edge of refinement that the diesel engine just doen't have. How do we put a price and value on that feeeling? It is very personally judged and a subjective decision.

How does anyone justify a Rolex watch? When many cheaper watches still tell us the time, accurate enough for any of us to go about our business quite adequately. I suggest it is because a Rolex is more than just a time keeper.

My son was running a 2.0d X3, moved to the 3.0sd X3 and praised the extra refinement, the vehicle is transformed by the bigger engine. He gets in my 535i and before we get moving more than 10mph is saying "this is a real BMW". He'd been in my 330d, so familiar with the more refined drive of the touring compared to an X3. He comments on however good the 6-cylinder diesels are, petrol engines are still ahead on refinement. He reckoned the 535i engine was good, but still not up there with the E39 540i V8 I used to own.

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      01-21-2013, 08:16 AM   #49
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Well I went from an E90 M3 to an F10 520d and I love it! The sweet V8 was a great motor but only once you get past 5,000rpm - below that at city speeds it wasn't such a great car. The 520d is versatile, responsive (in sport mode) and runs on the smell of an oil rag. I do close to 600km a week and bowser hopping in the M3 (400km average per tank) became frustrating... the 520d does just over 1,000km between tank fills.
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      01-21-2013, 01:14 PM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ManiacGT View Post
Hi,

I'm considering trading my e89 Z4 sDrive35i for a 520D efficient dynamics model. A huge departure in terms of the type of car, but here in the UK the roads are rough and I'm favouring some comfort and better fuel economy.

Now there's a small premium for me to do this, and I've moved cars in the past and regretted it... so I wondered if anyone here has moved to an F10, particularly coming from a sports car or something high powered, more feely, and in touch with the road... then regretted it?
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Originally Posted by KoenG View Post
We have to start again I guess... the 520d is an epic car out there with the very best at a running cost that is even hard to beat by much smaller cars. I dare to say, for this money, there is NO better overall. It's not as performant nor refined as a 535i or 530d, this is also more than true, I guess everybody admits.

In my personal case, I prefer my 163hp 520d over my 231hp e39 530i, even when I isolate the engine/transmission, the e39 is a disgrace compared to the 2.0 diesel because of the pleasant and comfortable torque and low consumption combination. The edge the 530i brings is only apparent above 4000rpm, while it consumes barrels of premium gasoline! So, rather never in normal driving conditions (ps, F10 535i/530d are of course much better than the 530i I refer to).

The 520d is not exclusive, you'll see it on every road in your country, just because it is this good. Is this reducing your sentiment of driving something special??? For me, I feel "special" just because it is a wise and intelligent car, delivering on all levels.

To state bluntly: I would have a problem being seen in an M5, but everybody may see me shine in my 520d. The former is an egocentric and idiosyncratic car designed around your own pleasure, the latter is a social and economical adjusted and wise car caring for the environment and social climat we are living in. On top it is a choice of a social man, which is also a positive differentiator, because it has rear seat taking his friends or family out! Even A Z4 M with 4 trillion hp doesn't have this on offer I guess?

The car philosopher. Awesome. Lol
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      01-21-2013, 01:21 PM   #51
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Originally Posted by ManiacGT View Post
All interesting arguments, and largely non emotional/sensible. Ownership of my Z4 is entirely emotional. No one buys this type of car for sensible use or reasons. ...and herein layeth the issue. Putting emotions to one side, the 520D ED makes lots of sense. However if I'm emotionless about the car, then I could buy something just as efficient, a lot cheaper, by another brand if all I wanted was sensible...

...I'm still chewing this over!

And there's the rub.

There exists almost no sedan (saloon) which can compare to a straight up roadster. The z4 is a statement and lifestyle car. I suppose saloons are statement and lifestyle cars too. The former says that you chase lots of tail and the latter says you have a wife and kids.

I had a z4 and if I had to drive that thing everyday I would have needed a kidney transplant. It was fun but it beats you up.

Why not go halfway between and get a coupe?
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      01-21-2013, 01:45 PM   #52
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I went from a Z4M Coupe and couldn't be happier but I had decided to buy the car I needed rather than the one I wanted. The 520d will not give you thrills but it's comfortable, efficient and spacious so when I get out of it I feel refreshed which is important to me.
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      02-01-2013, 10:08 AM   #53
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Get real! If it's a diesel and doesn't have 6 cylinders isn't it called a tractor?
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      02-01-2013, 10:34 AM   #54
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Originally Posted by MPH
Get real! If it's a diesel and doesn't have 6 cylinders isn't it called a tractor?
Didn't ever know I would have been a farmer!
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      02-01-2013, 12:59 PM   #55
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It's surprising to me that some of you guys are coming from faster cars and say 520d is fast enough. I find it really hard to get a car which is slower than my previous rides.
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      02-01-2013, 04:24 PM   #56
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It's surprising to me that some of you guys are coming from faster cars and say 520d is fast enough. I find it really hard to get a car which is slower than my previous rides.
From my observation (and not just with BMW drivers) it is often a necessity.

Here in the UK motoring costs are high, and having a smaller diesel engine gives better fuel economy, and tax advantages, (a lot of the users are not the owners, but company car drivers). We have what is called "benefit in kind" (BIK) which tax structure drives car choice, in many instances.

What the smaller diesel engine does give, is sensible 'real world' driving performance. The low to mid range torque making up for loss of BHP and revs. So similar 'in traffic' performance as a bigger petrol engine.

For most UK drivers the days of big engines are past, so picking something like the 520d, is the next best thing. Down sizing in power and vehicle size is a must for many folks.

BMW have launched a 520d model of the 5GT. Now there is a car that really needs a much larger engine, but BMW are hoping sales will improve as the 520d makes much more financial sense over here, even in something like the 5GT.

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      02-02-2013, 10:53 AM   #57
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I had to change my E60 525d M Sport after 110,000 miles and bought F10 520d M Sport.
Driving the same way I was getting the same 44 MPG, the power was adequate, but I found I was using the paddle shift often to drop down a few gears so that I could pull away quickly at roundabouts with the 8 speed sport auto.
The car is a lot lighter on the steering than the E60 was and I didn't like the vibration I could feel in the car at about 80mph.
I've just traded the 520d in after 6 months and 10,000 miles and gone into a 530d M Sport and can feel the difference straight away, the front end is heavier with the 6 cylinder lump and I don't get the same vibration The power is effortless and I don't have to jump down a few gears to pull off at roundabouts and even after 2,000 miles I'm already at 42mpg and am sure Ill get to 44 mpg again before long.

The 520d M Sport is a fine car but does not compare to the 530d M Sport for not a lot more money.

I just wish I could get the Auto stop start default switched from auto on to auto off and it would be Brilliant!
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      02-03-2013, 06:54 AM   #58
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I can relate to this story...
I was a proud owner of an '11 E92 M3, with all the bells and whistles, DTC, competition pack, EDC...my wife was driving an '11 F25 X3 x30d, again sport pack, all the whistles and bells...the M3 with its mighty V8 going to 8000rpm was a wet dream...I loved that car...but then, our new socialist government decided that they need even more money and beginning of '12 a new tax on corporate cars was introduced based on CO2 and list price with all options...this meant that both the cars would have cost me an additional 20K€ EVERY year of ownership ...I went through a painfull and long process of what to do...sell both cars, which were the best ones I (and the wife) ever had and buy something which will go under the new tax radar or to just bite on my lips and shell out the dough every year...
Eventually, after a lot of number crunching and thinking about replacement cars I bought my wife an F30 320d sportline (well equipped)...car is not in the same league as de X3, but drives very well and is dirt cheap in taxes...next thing was to replace de M3...I was briefly thinking about the F30 330d, but then I would get taxed again ...the 520d, I had my reservations as I always had high power cars...I then did test a demo 525d (2.0d TT), very well specced and was very pleasently surprised...no, it doesn't even come close to the M3 experience, but it has plenty of power for daily use, comfort is x10, and if I now look at the running costs of both cars and compare to the X3 + M3 ... it's just rediculous...
Bottom line is that I went from a very special and powerfull (for me) dream car to a sensible DD diesel and I'm not looking back...yes, when I'm in Germany, on an empty autobahn, I wish I still had the M3, but that is 0.5% of the time...Like someone said, one was bought with my heart (passion) this one was bought with my head...in your case it might be more difficult, but our government made the decision much easier for me...I HAD to listen to the head...
So far no regrets at all, but I do think that the 525d, has this extra little edge over the 520d, which gave me a bit more peace in my head to make the switch...
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      02-03-2013, 07:49 AM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwac View Post
I can relate to this story...
I was a proud owner of an '11 E92 M3, with all the bells and whistles, DTC, competition pack, EDC...my wife was driving an '11 F25 X3 x30d, again sport pack, all the whistles and bells...the M3 with its mighty V8 going to 8000rpm was a wet dream...I loved that car...but then, our new socialist government decided that they need even more money and beginning of '12 a new tax on corporate cars was introduced based on CO2 and list price with all options...this meant that both the cars would have cost me an additional 20K€ EVERY year of ownership ...I went through a painfull and long process of what to do...sell both cars, which were the best ones I (and the wife) ever had and buy something which will go under the new tax radar or to just bite on my lips and shell out the dough every year...
Eventually, after a lot of number crunching and thinking about replacement cars I bought my wife an F30 320d sportline (well equipped)...car is not in the same league as de X3, but drives very well and is dirt cheap in taxes...next thing was to replace de M3...I was briefly thinking about the F30 330d, but then I would get taxed again ...the 520d, I had my reservations as I always had high power cars...I then did test a demo 525d (2.0d TT), very well specced and was very pleasently surprised...no, it doesn't even come close to the M3 experience, but it has plenty of power for daily use, comfort is x10, and if I now look at the running costs of both cars and compare to the X3 + M3 ... it's just rediculous...
Bottom line is that I went from a very special and powerfull (for me) dream car to a sensible DD diesel and I'm not looking back...yes, when I'm in Germany, on an empty autobahn, I wish I still had the M3, but that is 0.5% of the time...Like someone said, one was bought with my heart (passion) this one was bought with my head...in your case it might be more difficult, but our government made the decision much easier for me...I HAD to listen to the head...
So far no regrets at all, but I do think that the 525d, has this extra little edge over the 520d, which gave me a bit more peace in my head to make the switch...

Ugh these posts really get my dander up. I can't stand these central-planning- socialist car hating buffoons. These freaks have no compunction about having an S class limo drive them to the airport so they can jet off to Ibiza for a few days and personally burn hundreds of gallons of jet fuel but you're an evil Mother Nature hating nazi if you want to drive a nice car.

Now they've turned towards North America and plan to beat us into submission with their planet saving jihad. Fcukers.

/end rant
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      02-03-2013, 10:01 AM   #60
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Originally Posted by mryakanisachoad View Post
Ugh these posts really get my dander up. I can't stand these central-planning- socialist car hating buffoons. These freaks have no compunction about having an S class limo drive them to the airport so they can jet off to Ibiza for a few days and personally burn hundreds of gallons of jet fuel but you're an evil Mother Nature hating nazi if you want to drive a nice car.

Now they've turned towards North America and plan to beat us into submission with their planet saving jihad. Fcukers.

/end rant
Choice is good. You can have a 520d or an M5. Deal with it.
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      02-03-2013, 05:15 PM   #61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arnsbrae View Post
Choice is good. You can have a 520d or an M5. Deal with it.
When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion - when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing - when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors - when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you against them, but protect them against you - when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice - you may know that your society is doomed."

I'm no Ayn Rand groupie but this chick had you pegged easy.

Uh, deal with it.

And, it's a false choice if they punish you really hard for making the "wrong" choice. Deal with it.
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Last edited by mryakanisachoad; 02-03-2013 at 05:25 PM..
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      02-03-2013, 05:47 PM   #62
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Originally Posted by mryakanisachoad View Post
When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion - when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing - when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors - when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you against them, but protect them against you - when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice - you may know that your society is doomed."

I'm no Ayn Rand groupie but this chick had you pegged easy.

Uh, deal with it.

And, it's a false choice if they punish you really hard for making the "wrong" choice. Deal with it.
.
.
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Yes of course, I'd prefer an M5 over any specced 520d in a glance to have some quality time!

But we're with 7 billion (or something) people on this small planet. Mobility is a commodity, not an exclusivity to the happy few. So I guess we'll be able to afford expensive cars that don't emit more than a "normal" family car. In Belgium a 520d is just there, a 530d is already just over the mark, an M5 is just unacceptable. Our taxation system follows that, with an exponential correction of course.

I'd guess that the states are following within a few years. After all, we should get rid of our dependance of the middle-east and oil will not last forever either. Developing countries will explode needs for individual transportation and we'll have to pay the price.

PS, BMW will even have a 518d coming soon! I guess that it will cost me exactly as much as my 520d now in leasing! So be prepared to put your standards even lower soon.
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      02-06-2013, 04:39 PM   #63
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I had a test with the 520d and was a bit disapointed coming from an e39 525d. I chose the 525 xd twin turbo 2 litre engine. With 218 bhp and 450 nm torque its suits better to the almost 2 ton car! Verry happy with it. Only thing perhaps for the sporty drivers go for the adaptive sterring and dampers. Stock susp is built for comfort and does not like hard driving. In all it is a superb car if you have the toys.
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      02-11-2013, 08:51 AM   #64
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Just to chip in here - F10 520d 184hp owner. I do mostly morning Brussels rush hour traffic (traffic, hah) and highways during the weekends.

- In bumper to bumper traffic I sometimes I wonder why I went for a diesel - my average consumption is about 12.5 l/100 which is quite high
- In normal city driving it drives very nicely
- On the highway it's good enough and I feel comfortable with the acceleration rate in most situations

Am I happy with it? For my needs - 90% of the time yes. However the other 10% are less pleasant - sometimes I need the extra acceleration and it's just not there. Sometimes the auto transmission lags about 0.5 sec which is quite a bit. Sometimes it downshifts when you think it wouldn't causing palpable jerky feeling. And that's when I'm alone in the car. When I have 4-5 people in the car and/or luggage it becomes, well a veritable pig ;-) Oh and yeah, it's a 4 cylinder diesel engine, which, when especially cold is very easily discernible.

This may read very negative but truth is - I'm quite pleased with the car and given that it feels and drives well enough most of the time I don't have any regrets in terms of engine power. But. You're not me. I'd suggest test driving both 520d, 525d and 530d if possible and deciding for yourself.
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      02-11-2013, 10:02 AM   #65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Breach View Post
sometimes I need the extra acceleration and it's just not there
Have you thought about getting the M Performance Power Kit? It's supposed to increase the effect from 135 to 147 kw. It's not much, but I believe it's a very conservative number compared to the actual increase. They say it makes the accelerate considerably faster, especially above 80 km/h.
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      02-11-2013, 11:57 AM   #66
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Yes, I did consider it a while ago (heard it's available for automatic transmissions now). Will consider it more seriously when I have the extra 1,000-1,500 EUR ;-)
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