[mlai]

Originally Posted by SpawneyGet

Actually, there is a difference. Quite prominent too.

520d vs 530d

And when you order your 530d, don't be tempted by the FREE "Debadge" option!

Better yet, put 850i on it

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by mlai

Better yet, put 850i on it

Haha well this is what I'm getting at too. I saw a 5 Series yesterday with 530d on the back and I couldn't help but have doubts that it could be a 520d since there is no other visual difference! :P
I then heard it accelerate to the soundtrack of a contented lion with a turbo whistle and concluded that it was in fact a 30d.

[acey81]

I'm sorry to inform you, but BMW is one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world. The BMW 5-series is their bread and butter. Even if you deduct the company cars and the rentals, they won't be special.

[SpawneyGet]

Originally Posted by acey81

I'm sorry to inform you, but BMW is one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world. The BMW 5-series is their bread and butter. Even if you deduct the company cars and the rentals, they won't be special.

Oh nooooo! Not special??? Boo Hoooooo! Sob! Sob!

But everything is relative, is it not? Special compared to some of the bigger ones like Toyota/GM/Ford/VW, not so special compared to RR/Aston/Ferrari. So I am gonna feel special when I bomb down the motorway in my shiny 5-series on the fast lane where it's strictly exclusive to the master race of German cars. Hahahaha!!!

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

Haha well this is what I'm getting at too. I saw a 5 Series yesterday with 530d on the back and I couldn't help but have doubts that it could be a 520d since there is no other visual difference! :P
I then heard it accelerate to the soundtrack of a contented lion with a turbo whistle and concluded that it was in fact a 30d.

Reminds me of the story told by a contributor to Evo who encountered a very strange E39 520d with a full //M kit and wheels. Then he noticed the //M5 mirrors. And the //M5 wheel wells. And the //M5 exhaust pipes.

Yes, the //M5 owner had re-badged his car as a 520d.

[SomeRandomer123]

The other way round, a friend of mine has a C220 CDI but it is dressed up perfectly as a C63 AMG. It almost had me fooled until I heard the 4 cylinder diesel rattle and saw the red line was at 5000RPM. All 4 exhausts were linked up to the system too because when he put his foot down, black smoke came out each! Waste of money, could probably have gotten the C350 CDI for the money he spent!

[BobRBob]

Reminds me of the kids who buy M stickers on the internet and stick them on the back of their '90s E39s just in front of the 528i badge (or whatever the car is).

I guess it makes the car go faster when it says "M528i" on the back...

[F11-Diesel]

Can anyone help with a good DIY to upbatch?
And tips on adding tailppipes would come in handy too!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by F11-Diesel

Can anyone help with a good DIY to upbatch?
And tips on adding tailppipes would come in handy too!

Nah, don't spend too much, I'd suggest just an 'M' keyfob. That'll convince a few folks.

HighlandPete

[SpawneyGet]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Nah, don't spend too much, I'd suggest just an 'M' keyfob. That'll convince a few folks.

HighlandPete

Yeah, but if you do get the full monty, you might even convince yourself after a while. Especially for guys like me who have poor short term memory.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by SpawneyGet

Yeah, but if you do get the full monty, you might even convince yourself after a while. Especially for guys like me who have poor short term memory.

Just put your left foot on the footrest, that'll jog the memory, that you still have a 4-pot diesel. (If you have one).

HighlandPete

[Shake n Bake]

As daft as the original question was, it's certainly been entertaining and it posed another question for me. Why IS a larger capacity engine more expensive than a smaller one? Allied to that, why is it SO much more expensive?

Surely the R&D investment is very similar. Are the physical parts that much more costly? I doubt it. Perhaps is the return on investment - If it costs £100m to develop a 520d engine and another £100m to develop a 530d engine but you will sell 50 times as many 520d's, you can take a lesser margin per unit.

Not sure that theory stacks up.

Anyone know the real reason?

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by Shake n Bake

As daft as the original question was, it's certainly been entertaining and it posed another question for me. Why IS a larger capacity engine more expensive than a smaller one? Allied to that, why is it SO much more expensive?

Surely the R&D investment is very similar. Are the physical parts that much more costly? I doubt it. Perhaps is the return on investment - If it costs £100m to develop a 520d engine and another £100m to develop a 530d engine but you will sell 50 times as many 520d's, you can take a lesser margin per unit.

Not sure that theory stacks up.

Anyone know the real reason?

I guess there is a stronger, more expensive gearbox to handle the greater torque but that wouldn't account for it all would it?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Shake n Bake

As daft as the original question was, it's certainly been entertaining and it posed another question for me. Why IS a larger capacity engine more expensive than a smaller one? Allied to that, why is it SO much more expensive?

Anyone know the real reason?

Simple answer has to be, they charge what they can get away with.

Not quite that simple, as there are differences in engines and complexities which don't always look obvious.

Years ago, while working in the trade there was this debate, when clearly in some makes and models you did simply pay more for the "bigger holes" inside the cylinders. Some of the Ford and British Leyland cars (and others) of the time were same components other than say the 1300/1500 engine variation. Other specifications were the same. So yes a good question, why?, as it couldn't be really put on production costs. Certainly biased to sales and marketing, and what they could charge.

HighlandPete

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Shake n Bake

As daft as the original question was, it's certainly been entertaining and it posed another question for me. Why IS a larger capacity engine more expensive than a smaller one? Allied to that, why is it SO much more expensive?

Surely the R&D investment is very similar. Are the physical parts that much more costly? I doubt it. Perhaps is the return on investment - If it costs £100m to develop a 520d engine and another £100m to develop a 530d engine but you will sell 50 times as many 520d's, you can take a lesser margin per unit.

Not sure that theory stacks up.

Anyone know the real reason?

1. The higher engine options tend to have more content.
2. Yes, they charge market price.
3. The engine / trans is usually a bit more expensive to manufacture.

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Simple answer has to be, they charge what they can get away with.

HighlandPete

Oh yes, marketing folks call it perceived value.

[GestapoWatch]

Belting thread - I've NOT debadged and instead left 520d on as I couldn't give two s***s what anyone thinks of me based on the CC

It's white, is an M Sport and therefore definitely gets enough attention (for now at least until they become commonplace).

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

1. The higher engine options tend to have more content.
2. Yes, they charge market price.
3. The engine / trans is usually a bit more expensive to manufacture.

So really then, those driving the 520 should be feeling pretty smug over those who shelled out lots more for the 530?

the exact opposite of the first post on this thread......

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Shake n Bake

So really then, those driving the 520 should be feeling pretty smug over those who shelled out lots more for the 530?

the exact opposite of the first post on this thread......

The 520d is certainly viewed as the best 5-series package in the UK. Most of the 5-series features, without too much compromise.

As long as we don't try and 'justify' it is as being as good as the 530d, fair comment. But it just isn't a 530d for driver appeal. (IMO of course).

I've tried running circa 2.0 litre diesel cars in the past and they just don't cut the mustard, (for me), even if they are the best package option. May be efficient, in costs and economy, but as dull as ditch water for an enthusiast.

HighlandPete

[mlai]

Originally Posted by F11-Diesel

Can anyone help with a good DIY to upbatch?
And tips on adding tailppipes would come in handy too!

Sure! And very simple 2-steps.

1) Sell your car.
2) Buy the higher-end ones.

I don't know much about the US anymore (been awhile since I lived there). But here in Hong Kong at least, the difference between for instance, a 535i vs 550i in standard configurations is more than just engines. HK Standard 550i comes more fully loaded then 535i and when you add all the options to the 535i to match the 550i, the difference in price becomes very small.........

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

The 520d is certainly viewed as the best 5-series package in the UK. Most of the 5-series features, without too much compromise.

As long as we don't try and 'justify' it is as being as good as the 530d, fair comment. But it just isn't a 530d for driver appeal. (IMO of course).

I've tried running circa 2.0 litre diesel cars in the past and they just don't cut the mustard, (for me), even if they are the best package option. May be efficient, in costs and economy, but as dull as ditch water for an enthusiast.

HighlandPete

I quite agree that the 520d is the most economically sensible choice and having driven it, I found it very impressive for a 2 litre engine.
However, I considered the sound of the 4 cyl unit just a bit too clattery for my liking and that's one of the reasons why I chose the 535d.
OK, there's not all that much difference between it and the 530d, but I found it a significantly smoother and the extra turbo all but eliminates any lag - of course, I don't get anywhere near the claimed 46mpg, but I have a great deal of fun on our twisty Scottish roads.

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

As long as we don't try and 'justify' it is as being as good as the 530d, fair comment. But it just isn't a 530d for driver appeal. (IMO of course).

HighlandPete

My statement was tongue-in-cheek of course. The 520d is certainly not a "drivers car". Aside from not having the pure grunt, my F11 is a bit of a boat to be honest. From what I read they all are unless you buy the upgraded suspension system option. It's my first BMW so I don't have a direct comparison but it sounds like (what what I read here) that the stock 5-series has moved accross to the luxury/comfort market where the A6 and E class live, but you can get the 'old' spirit back with the upgraded suspension.

I love the comfort, efficiency and space of my F11. Although 10 minutes ago was surprised to look out the window and see that it is a longer car than the X5 that has parked next to it.