[paulbazo]

I have a 2011 550i Msport with 10 months left on my lease.
I was planning on replacing it with a 2014 535d, but BMW will bring the 530d labeled as 535d to the US, not what I had hoped for.

So now the big decision, 2014 535i or 530d? Which would you choose?

[hufington]

535i. The 535d is a monster and 530d is nowhere near it. That's my 2 cents. ( I own a 2013 535i and I drove both 530d and 535d in Europe).

[Sjoerd]

The 535d is indeed a monster but the 530d does quite well. IRL marginally slower than a 535i. If you drive a lot of miles during the year you might want to consider the diesel; if not stick to the petrol!

[AP]

I can only suggest you try both, only you will know which you prefer.
I have a 530d and was impressed with this so much that I converted from a E39 530i petrol to diesel. i have no regrets. Its faster, and 50% more economical.
I like the way that all that low down torque means that you don't have to rev it to get past traffic, all of teh power is available straight away.
Its very smooth and once moving, you reall wouldn't know its a diesel.

As I say, try both and see what you think,they both have their pros and cons.

[exthree]

BMW have not published the MPG for the U.S. model 530d yet. What say you?

[Ellmat]

Originally Posted by paulbazo

I have a 2011 550i Msport with 10 months left on my lease.
I was planning on replacing it with a 2014 535d, but BMW will bring the 530d labeled as 535d to the US, not what I had hoped for.

So now the big decision, 2014 535i or 530d? Which would you choose?

I bought a 530D and kept it for 6 months, the engine was good and the car drove well, but......it was boring to drive with its single turbo. Having previously had a 335D i knew what a car with twin turbos can drive like. I lost some money, but ordered a new 535D and have never regretted the decision to change cars.

My advice is to go for the 535i if you cannot buy the twin turbo diesel.

[igom3]

•BMW 535d now available in North America
◦Inline-6 BMW Advanced Diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology makes 255 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 413 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 – 3,000 rpm (preliminary figures).
◦Expected to show substantial fuel efficiency gains over its gasoline-fueled counterpart. US EPA figures will be available closer to the on-sale date.
◦BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system is also available on the new 535d Sedan.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by paulbazo

I have a 2011 550i Msport with 10 months left on my lease.
I was planning on replacing it with a 2014 535d, but BMW will bring the 530d labeled as 535d to the US, not what I had hoped for.

So now the big decision, 2014 535i or 530d? Which would you choose?

I all depends on what type of driver you are. Seen it's miami you're residing at, I guess it's torque that you need and then d will do a splendind job. When you where happy with the i on low rpm's, the 535d won't disappoint you at all. When you're on high revving progress (like when you're dreaming of a closed circuit hot lap), the 535i is what you need. But it won't suffice to replace the 50i then. Best test the 535d first to my opinion, it's your only option to satisfaction and efficiency I guess.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by igom3

•BMW 535d now available in North America
◦Inline-6 BMW Advanced Diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology makes 255 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 413 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 – 3,000 rpm (preliminary figures).
◦Expected to show substantial fuel efficiency gains over its gasoline-fueled counterpart. US EPA figures will be available closer to the on-sale date.
◦BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system is also available on the new 535d Sedan.

I wish the US was getting the real 535d and not a rebadged 530d.

[45ACP]

Why are you going from a 550 to a 530/535? For better fuel economy?

[rsyed]

Originally Posted by Thud

I wish the US was getting the real 535d and not a rebadged 530d.

it is not a rebadged 530d, it is indeed a 535d (because twin turbo - 530d is a single turbo). just that US fuel specs and emission equirements result in alternations to the engine ECU resulting in a lower HP compared to europe.

twin turbo with 313hp is a blast to drive. power all over the revs...

[pharding]

From the May 18 BMW NA press release: The BMW 535d has been added as BMW's latest diesel variant in North America. Its inline-6 BMW Advanced Diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology makes 255 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 413 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 – 3,000 rpm (preliminary figures). Simultaneously, the new BMW 535d Sedan is expected to show substantial fuel efficiency gains over its gasoline-fueled counterpart.

[M2COMP]

If I were in your place it would have been hard to downgrade from 550 to 535/530, unless you don't like extra power. And with extra 45hp the new 550 would be no brainier for me. Just my $0.02.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by pittx52011

If I were in your place it would have been hard to downgrade from 550 to 535/530, unless you don't like extra power. And with extra 45hp the new 550 would be no brainier for me. Just my $0.02.

I'am pretty sure that many 550i drivers never exploit the power of the engine, but just surf on the waves of torque. Never being frantic, always being cool, but still accelerating with authority. Many 550i drivers use their car like this. Then a 535d is a perfect substitute, feeling rather equal in daily usage, but consuming only 50% of what the 550i would.

Experiment: top off about 100hp of every 550i today in the world, not 20% of the owners will notice it tomorrow or any day soon, since they never exploit full power.

[hufington]

Originally Posted by KoenG

I'am pretty sure that many 550i drivers never exploit the power of the engine, but just surf on the waves of torque. Never being frantic, always being cool, but still accelerating with authority. Many 550i drivers use their car like this. Then a 535d is a perfect substitute, feeling rather equal in daily usage, but consuming only 50% of what the 550i would.

Experiment: top off about 100hp of every 550i today in the world, not 20% of the owners will notice it tomorrow or any day soon, since they never exploit full power.

It is absolutely plausible for the US as we have ridiculous speed limits here.

[paulbazo]

Originally Posted by 45ACP

Why are you going from a 550 to a 530/535? For better fuel economy?

Yes, that is the idea.

[rhinosaur]

Originally Posted by rsyed

it is not a rebadged 530d, it is indeed a 535d (because twin turbo - 530d is a single turbo). just that US fuel specs and emission equirements result in alternations to the engine ECU resulting in a lower HP compared to europe.

twin turbo with 313hp is a blast to drive. power all over the revs...

I think it is indeed a single turbo engine and they are keeping the "TwinTurbo" designation out of marketing and brand management reasons (but I might be wrong). Can anyone confirm if the 530d in Europe also has the "TwinTurbo" lettering on the engine cover?

Otherwise, it would be a hell of a coincidence that they tweaked the NA-spec 535d to have exactly the same power and torque as the Euro-spec 530d...

[rhinosaur]

Originally Posted by hufington

It is absolutely plausible for the US as we have ridiculous speed limits here.

Unless you live in Montana! (or am I wrong?)

[gspannu]

Originally Posted by rhinosaur

I think it is indeed a single turbo engine and they are keeping the "TwinTurbo" designation out of marketing and brand management reasons (but I might be wrong). Can anyone confirm if the 530d in Europe also has the "TwinTurbo" lettering on the engine cover?

Otherwise, it would be a hell of a coincidence that they tweaked the NA-spec 535d to have exactly the same power and torque as the Euro-spec 530d...

You are correct, BMW have chosen the marketing path of calling both engines 'Twin Turbo'.

I have attached a picture of the actual specs. It says both engines are 'Twin Turbos' but the 535D has multi-stage turbo, while the 530D does not.

The US is likely getting the 530D rebadged as 535D….

[760Lifan]

Originally Posted by gspannu

The US is likely getting the 530D rebadged as 535D….

I think that's a safe call.

The 530d, however, is still a very attractive engine. If BMW offers their EcoCredit as well, it will likely be cheaper than the 535i.

Identical performance (0-62mph difference is 0.2 secs. slower on the diesel - negligible) but a significant MPG-advantage.

If I would have to decide between the two, I'd go for the diesel. Especially should BMW decide to offer an EcoCredit.

[Bmwlvr60]

Originally Posted by 760Lifan

I think that's a safe call.

The 530d, however, is still a very attractive engine. If BMW offers their EcoCredit as well, it will likely be cheaper than the 535i.

Identical performance (0-62mph difference is 0.2 secs. slower on the diesel - negligible) but a significant MPG-advantage.

If I would have to decide between the two, I'd go for the diesel. Especially should BMW decide to offer an EcoCredit.

How much $ is a typical EcoCredit?

[des16]

Any idea when we'll know about the eco-credit. I'm sitting on the fence deciding whether to order the 535i or 535d. If there is a eco-credit, my decision is easy