523i or 525d

Nirvana · 12-21-2010, 04:32 PM

Hi,

I am making a choice between these two without being able to test drive either of them.

I am inclined towards the 525d but worried about the noise level and vibration traditionally associated with the diesels (have driven the E60 520d and definitely not impressed). Have read that the F10 diesels are much more refined but would appreciate any real life feedback from people who have driven these - although I know this may be subjective. Was also told that diesels typically get noisier after a couple of years - any truth in that?

The 523i here comes with the n52 engine and any feedback on its power delivery will be appreciated.

Thanks!

bimmer man · 12-21-2010, 04:57 PM

I have test 523i and 525d. 523i need lot off rpm to drive sporty, and have non punch at lower rpm. 525d are stong and hawe lot off tourq all over rpm.
bouth tested whit 8-speedauto. go for diesel and 8-speedauto.

AussieMarkF · 12-21-2010, 09:00 PM

The F10 520d is vastly improved over the E60 520d. I owned the E60 520d for 2 years and while I was very happy with it, but the F10 from my initial test drives is a huge improvement in refinement. Once these cars are rolling at cruise speed you can't hear whats under the hood anyway.

I am due to take delivery of my new F10 520d in mid-January, so am very excited. I lost my E60 520d in a car accident so have been without a car for the last 3 months.

ftorres · 12-22-2010, 09:58 AM

I have an F11 525d and am hugely impressed with the noise insulation and refinement. Definitely in a different class to my old 2007 E320 CDI.

Z4@Phuket · 12-22-2010, 11:13 PM

I have N52B25 engine in my Z4, it is much better than the old E60 525i (M54)
But with this N52 in a bigger car, it may not work well.

From factory spec: 0-100 in 525d is 7.2 sec compare to 7.8 in Z4
You should go for 525d

With some ECU tuning (for example BLUEFIN) you can make a 525d to be a 530d in 5 minutes

gorban · 12-25-2010, 01:44 AM

I did have an E61 525d and the engine was great. I now have an F11 520d and there is no noise or vibrations to worry about.

I would advice you to go with the 525d as it's much more of an engine compared to the 523i. Especially when it comes to torque and overtaking capabilities. The 523i is considerably slower than even the 520d in this regard.

jaybird124 · 12-25-2010, 06:38 PM

The D would be perfect with that 8 Speed. Decent acceleration and Prius-like FE.

asad mueed · 01-14-2011, 03:50 PM

hi guys and ideas of getting any more power out of a 2010 f10 523i 2.5l petrol
engine and remaps deemed to be official

Titanflux · 01-14-2011, 06:04 PM

1 for 520d with sport auto 8 speed gearbox, or 525d with the same if you really need the 6 cyl

EdM5 · 01-14-2011, 06:42 PM

It was discussed before:
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443924

d-rive · 01-15-2011, 05:43 AM

525d all the way.
I drove both and the 525d is smoother and even more silent than the gasoline engine.
525d is the same engine (6cil) like 530d, so, zero vibrations.

svowles · 01-15-2011, 03:19 PM

I've got an F11 525d.

All I can say is that it sounds and feels like its running on cream. No vibes, an almost perceptible noise level and bucket loads of torque.

I'm going to get slammed for this, but it makes the 4 cylinder feel like a tractor!

You won't be disappointed.

12-21-2010, 04:32 PM	#1
Nirvana Registered 4 Rep 3 Posts Drives: F10 523i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	523i or 525d Hi, I am making a choice between these two without being able to test drive either of them. I am inclined towards the 525d but worried about the noise level and vibration traditionally associated with the diesels (have driven the E60 520d and definitely not impressed). Have read that the F10 diesels are much more refined but would appreciate any real life feedback from people who have driven these - although I know this may be subjective. Was also told that diesels typically get noisier after a couple of years - any truth in that? The 523i here comes with the n52 engine and any feedback on its power delivery will be appreciated. Thanks! Last edited by Nirvana; 12-21-2010 at 04:44 PM..
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12-21-2010, 04:57 PM	#2
bimmer man Lieutenant 77 Rep 514 Posts Drives: 745le xdrive 2020, i3 2020 Join Date: May 2008 Location: norway, kristiansund iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 745le [0.00] 2012 640i [10.00]	523i vs 523d I have test 523i and 525d. 523i need lot off rpm to drive sporty, and have non punch at lower rpm. 525d are stong and hawe lot off tourq all over rpm. bouth tested whit 8-speedauto. go for diesel and 8-speedauto.
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12-21-2010, 09:00 PM	#3
AussieMarkF New Member 8 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2019 G01 X3 30d M Sport and 20 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia iTrader: (0)	The F10 520d is vastly improved over the E60 520d. I owned the E60 520d for 2 years and while I was very happy with it, but the F10 from my initial test drives is a huge improvement in refinement. Once these cars are rolling at cruise speed you can't hear whats under the hood anyway. I am due to take delivery of my new F10 520d in mid-January, so am very excited. I lost my E60 520d in a car accident so have been without a car for the last 3 months.
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12-22-2010, 09:58 AM	#4
ftorres New Member 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: F11 525d Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nottinghamshire iTrader: (0)	I have an F11 525d and am hugely impressed with the noise insulation and refinement. Definitely in a different class to my old 2007 E320 CDI.
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12-22-2010, 11:13 PM	#5
Z4@Phuket Lieutenant 63 Rep 432 Posts Drives: Z4 E89 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangkok, Thailand iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW Z4 [8.00] 2004 BMW 525i [0.00]	I have N52B25 engine in my Z4, it is much better than the old E60 525i (M54) But with this N52 in a bigger car, it may not work well. From factory spec: 0-100 in 525d is 7.2 sec compare to 7.8 in Z4 You should go for 525d With some ECU tuning (for example BLUEFIN) you can make a 525d to be a 530d in 5 minutes __________________
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12-25-2010, 01:44 AM	#6
gorban Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 229 Posts Drives: F11 520xdAT, E87 120dM Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden iTrader: (0)	I did have an E61 525d and the engine was great. I now have an F11 520d and there is no noise or vibrations to worry about. I would advice you to go with the 525d as it's much more of an engine compared to the 523i. Especially when it comes to torque and overtaking capabilities. The 523i is considerably slower than even the 520d in this regard.
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12-25-2010, 06:38 PM	#7
jaybird124 Major 156 Rep 1,046 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	The D would be perfect with that 8 Speed. Decent acceleration and Prius-like FE. __________________ '17 M3 Imola Red/Carbonstructure Cloth, Competition, Lighting, 6MT Retired: '93 325i \|'99 Jeep Wrangler Sport \|'06 330i Sport \|'08 335i Sport \|'08 328i Sport \|'09 335d Sport
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01-14-2011, 03:50 PM	#8
asad mueed New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: bmw 523i f10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: new delhi, india iTrader: (0)	hi guys and ideas of getting any more power out of a 2010 f10 523i 2.5l petrol engine and remaps deemed to be official
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01-14-2011, 06:04 PM	#9
Titanflux Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 335d M Sport auto Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 F10 520d SE [0.00]	1 for 520d with sport auto 8 speed gearbox, or 525d with the same if you really need the 6 cyl __________________ G32 640i xDrive M Sport GT with Driving Assistant Plus
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01-14-2011, 06:42 PM	#10
EdM5 Colonel 4066 Rep 2,064 Posts Drives: G26 i4 M50 & E70 X5 Xdrive35d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Amsterdam iTrader: (0)	It was discussed before: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443924 __________________ 2004 e87 118d (ret.), 2007 e92 330d (ret.), 2007 e87 130i M-sport (ret.), 2009 e92 M3 (ret.), 2010 f10 535d M-sport (ret.), 2015 f10 M5 CP (ret.), 2017 f82 M4 CP (ret.) 2022 g26 i4 M50 & 2009 e70 X5 35d
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01-15-2011, 05:43 AM	#11
d-rive the iREAL STIG 13 Rep 182 Posts Drives: BMW X3 3.0d 2007 & 530d 2011 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Europe, Romania iTrader: (0)	525d all the way. I drove both and the 525d is smoother and even more silent than the gasoline engine. 525d is the same engine (6cil) like 530d, so, zero vibrations.
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01-15-2011, 03:19 PM	#12
svowles Enlisted Member 6 Rep 32 Posts Drives: F11 525d M Sport Touring Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bath, UK iTrader: (0)	I've got an F11 525d. All I can say is that it sounds and feels like its running on cream. No vibes, an almost perceptible noise level and bucket loads of torque. I'm going to get slammed for this, but it makes the 4 cylinder feel like a tractor! You won't be disappointed.
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