[kave]

The 535i is a great engine, but I would say a 530D better suits the big car. It is a really impressive engine.

[darrko]

....but any thoughts on 520d vs 528i?

[EdM5]

Darrko, it's not just the numbers.
The 520d and 528i have both great engines. Some like the effortless, laid-back drive of the diesel, others prefer the high revving smoothness of the petrol.
You should definitely try both cars and see for yourself. Either way, you can't go wrong.

[darrko]

The main problem is the fact that my dealer does not offer demo cars, so it basically has to be my own informed decision.

My apprehension stems from the very limited experience I have had with diesel engines (all non-bimmer and all non-European) and my lack of understand of just how good this 520d engine would be. Coming from a 2.4 petrol Honda that I drove for 6 years and loved it, I am at a loss to how much of a compromise it would be to go "down" to a 2.0 diesel, and would a 2.0 petrol offer a better driving experience compared to the diesel.

[remmib]

Looking at the specs, the 528i (new 4-cylinder) looks quite alot faster than the 520d.

[OrangeDeep]

If we had the 520d in the states I would choose it every time over the 528i.

[darrko]

Originally Posted by OrangeDeep

If we had the 520d in the states I would choose it every time over the 528i.

I understand that to be the general sentiment, can you explain why you feel that way? Is it the fuel economy or something else?

Looking at the specs, the 528i (new 4-cylinder) looks quite alot faster than the 520d.

I mainly drive in urban areas, is the petrol better suited for that or the diesel, if we ignore the fuel economy factor?

[remmib]

Originally Posted by darrko

I understand that to be the general sentiment, can you explain why you feel that way? Is it the fuel economy or something else?



I mainly drive in urban areas, is the petrol better suited for that or the diesel, if we ignore the fuel economy factor?

I'd think the petrol is better in urban areas. Diesel is not the best for city driving.

[kave]

I just read a review of the brand new f30 328i, it turned out to be excellent.
The 328 will be more refined than the noisy vibrating 520d, that is for sure.

[olebrumm]

What about something between the 520d and the 535i, like the 525d? :-)

[darrko]

The 525d is not available here, but thank you all for the advice. I'm gonna take a decision in a day or two.

[Teo71]

Compared 520i(that's similar to 528i) with 525d(new)
The biggest minus is a noise at idle run(as for me)
In 520i engine is as much quiet as possible and even quieter that I've ever heared.
So I ordered 528i for me

[KinG12sKy]

I think both car are give and takes.. if i were you i would definitely go for the 520d.. yea you dont get the HP but hey you buy a luxury car for the luxury qualities right? If you had wanted a faster car a 535i or 550i would have been your choice. Diesel nowadays r pretty quiet imo as it is for my dad's range rover. so yea i would go for the option-out 520d..

[surreybmwdriver]

+1 for the 520d with options over other variations. I test drove the 520d M Sport and although you can tell that it is a diesel when you start the engine, you won't notice the engine sound as soon as you drive off. I currently own the E60 530d SE so I was not expecting a great experience with acceleration and power on the 520d but I was truly impressed. The ride comfort was way better than my E60 SE so you won't be disappointed.

If the 525d was not available here, I would definitely go for the 520d.

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by kave

noisy vibrating 520d

I think yours is broken because that doesn't describe any 520d I've been in or near to.

[darrko]

Well I did go ahead and ordered the 520d. I eventually had a choice of getting the I6 530i but that would have been a barebones standard car. With the 520d I went crazy and optioned everything! I may have selected every option (that matters) except M-package, Pro Nav and HUD. I somehow feel that to be the better way out for me.

[kave]

Originally Posted by Shake n Bake

I think yours is broken because that doesn't describe any 520d I've been in or near to.

It all comes down to what you compare it to. Start the 520D in -20 celsius and I can tell you it sounds very bad, like all 4 cyl diesel engines. Rev it past 4000rpm even in the warm and it is not a good sound either.

A 4 cyl petrol is much more refined in these cases.
For my self I prefer the 520D over the 528i since I drive a lot and I prefer lower consumption over refinement.
That is why I got one.

Darko: Congrats to a great car.

[darrko]

Originally Posted by kave

Darko: Congrats to a great car.

Thanks dude, the wait is excruciatingly painful. I expect delivery in April.

[fre2bpowerless]

Great choice of color and upholstery, 520d is the better choice. Its very smooth and non-diesel like, once your inside the car, faster than any 2.4 Honda for sure. Congrats!

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by kave

It all comes down to what you compare it to. Start the 520D in -20 celsius and I can tell you it sounds very bad, like all 4 cyl diesel engines.

Fair enough. I guess I don't have that experience here in the middle of England. It's very rare it goes below -2.

I am a huge fan of this engine. More power, better delivery and better economy that any diesel I have had despite the car being bigger than any I have had before.

[kave]

Shake: Do you notice anything special about the Sports auto? I have that as well and I don't find anything special in it's functionality. Regular auto boxes comes with a drive select choice and an S mode as well as Manual mode.
It's a bigger gear lever than standard is what I can come up with.
The paddles seems more or less unusable in day to day driving.

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by kave

Shake: Do you notice anything special about the Sports auto? I have that as well and I don't find anything special in it's functionality. Regular auto boxes comes with a drive select choice and an S mode as well as Manual mode.
It's a bigger gear lever than standard is what I can come up with.
The paddles seems more or less unusable in day to day driving.

I think it is indeed the same gearbox, but your extra £100 gets you a different style of shifter and the flappy paddles.

The paddles I rarely use. The sports setting does such a good job that I can't really improve on it. If I am enbarking on some 'enthusiastic driving' on quiet twisty roads I may well downshift with them before a corner so that I am primed to power out of it, but it's rare I do that. Also you've got 8 gears - that's a lot of shifts and it gets tiresome controlling that myself. I'd proffer that the flappy paddles have pose value more than real value to the typical driver.