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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 BMW 520d or 525d ? Is it worth to pay extra?
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      07-19-2010, 04:01 PM   #1
f10trek
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Question BMW 520d or 525d ? Is it worth to pay extra?

Hi,
this is my first post here
At the end of the year I change my car. Now I've got a Volvo S80 D5 (185HP) 2006/07. I think about new BMW 5-series. At first I was sure it would be 525d version, but after analysis of pricing, I noticed that version 520d is about ~ 6500 Euro cheaper (price in my country). 6500 Euro = automatic gearbox, leather and half professional navigation

Is it worth to pay extra?
Performance/Acceleration 0-100:
2.0d 184HP| 8.1 sec
3.0d 204HP| 7.2 sec
this is "only" 0,9 sec. Top speed doesn't interest me
------------------------
and my Volvo 2.4d 185HP| 8.6 sec
------------------------

Now I am happy with the performance, but...

I will add yet that I would like have very good facilities in the BMW (+ ~ 30 000 Euro)


I'm waiting for your opinions.
Thanks
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Last edited by f10trek; 07-19-2010 at 04:11 PM..
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      07-19-2010, 05:19 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f10trek View Post
Hi,
this is my first post here
At the end of the year I change my car. Now I've got a Volvo S80 D5 (185HP) 2006/07. I think about new BMW 5-series. At first I was sure it would be 525d version, but after analysis of pricing, I noticed that version 520d is about ~ 6500 Euro cheaper (price in my country). 6500 Euro = automatic gearbox, leather and half professional navigation

Is it worth to pay extra?
Performance/Acceleration 0-100:
2.0d 184HP| 8.1 sec
3.0d 204HP| 7.2 sec
this is "only" 0,9 sec. Top speed doesn't interest me
------------------------
and my Volvo 2.4d 185HP| 8.6 sec
------------------------

Now I am happy with the performance, but...

I will add yet that I would like have very good facilities in the BMW (+ ~ 30 000 Euro)


I'm waiting for your opinions.
Thanks
Welcome. The 525d has far less vibration - this is the key difference!
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      07-20-2010, 01:26 AM   #3
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I used to have been driven both cars.
The 520d is just ok but the 525d is a BMW.

It's a pitty not to pick the "straight six" instead the 4 cilinders 520d.

On the paper there is no such big difference but in the reality are two different "animals".

After many tests my choice was 530d (pretty same engine like 525d but more consistent and powerfull) and another important thing is to take the wide 245 front and 275 rear tires, no matter the diameter of the rims but my choice was 18inches. This combination of tire gives you best handling, best feedback from steering wheel. Like are use to with our previous BMW's.

Good luck with your choice
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      07-20-2010, 04:46 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by d-rive View Post
I used to have been driven both cars.
The 520d is just ok but the 525d is a BMW.

It's a pitty not to pick the "straight six" instead the 4 cilinders 520d.

On the paper there is no such big difference but in the reality are two different "animals".

After many tests my choice was 530d (pretty same engine like 525d but more consistent and powerfull) and another important thing is to take the wide 245 front and 275 rear tires, no matter the diameter of the rims but my choice was 18inches. This combination of tire gives you best handling, best feedback from steering wheel. Like are use to with our previous BMW's.

Good luck with your choice
It's a tough choice between 520d and 525d

I'll have to 'test" both models
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      07-20-2010, 05:37 AM   #5
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Hi, I tested out 520 and 525... to be honest in my opinion i would go for the pro-nav etc, the new engine 520 is excellent and smooth and you will regret not going for the toys when sitting in traffic :-)
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      07-20-2010, 05:45 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lukeswarm View Post
you will regret not going for the toys when sitting in traffic :-)
...all the more I like gadgets


2.0 diesel engine in F10 is newer than in E60?
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      07-20-2010, 06:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f10trek View Post
Hi,
this is my first post here
At the end of the year I change my car. Now I've got a Volvo S80 D5 (185HP) 2006/07. I think about new BMW 5-series. At first I was sure it would be 525d version, but after analysis of pricing, I noticed that version 520d is about ~ 6500 Euro cheaper (price in my country). 6500 Euro = automatic gearbox, leather and half professional navigation

Is it worth to pay extra?
Performance/Acceleration 0-100:
2.0d 184HP| 8.1 sec
3.0d 204HP| 7.2 sec
this is "only" 0,9 sec. Top speed doesn't interest me
------------------------
and my Volvo 2.4d 185HP| 8.6 sec
------------------------

Now I am happy with the performance, but...

I will add yet that I would like have very good facilities in the BMW (+ ~ 30 000 Euro)


I'm waiting for your opinions.
Thanks
Hi ,

I actually own a F10 520d with the 8 speed sports transmission and a tesdrove a 525d with the same transmission. After 3.500km I can assure you, you don't need the 525 for the extra power. Off course the 525 is a bit faster (but not that much). Actually, when you drive the 520d, you would say that it is a 6 cylinder. It runs so smooth an with such low noise..

I would definitly go for the options and not for the eninge size.

Regards, Lars
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      07-20-2010, 08:52 AM   #8
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I have my spider tuning box to fit when reprogrammed from my 320d. Spider have stated that on the new 520d engine power will increase from 184 to 215bhp, torque up to 440. This exceeds the performance of the 525d stock engine. Just under 1 second should be shaved off the 0-60.

I have no reason to doubt them as the gains on my 320d were as stated!

Last edited by deejaygee; 07-20-2010 at 10:06 AM..
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      07-20-2010, 01:07 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f10trek View Post
It's a tough choice between 520d and 525d

I'll have to 'test" both models
Yes, that is the best and only way to be sure.
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Last edited by carl_d; 07-21-2010 at 06:51 AM..
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      07-20-2010, 01:50 PM   #10
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I currently have a E60 525d 177bhp and im looking to upgrade to a F10.

I had a test drove a F10 520d automatic and i dont think i am going downhill in terms of power, noise or smoothness.

I think the new 2.0d is really good and do not need the extra 2 cylinders as i do mainly city driving.

Because i do low mileage anyway i was looking at petrols first, the 523i. But i noticed that its actually slower than the 520d yet costs more. I dont think its worth it even though it sounds much much better.
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      07-20-2010, 04:11 PM   #11
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hello f10trek,
I am in the same spot as you hesitating 520d vs 525d, currently more in favor of the 525D. I am driving a volvo as well (c70) D5, 184bhp version chiptuned to 205hp. I will also chiptune the coming bmw and think the 525d has more potential there. From reviews I gather that the 520d is certainly not a slow runner, but misses some pull in the low range given the smaller engine displacement. The 525d is a heavier 6 cylinder and therefore the extra power doesn't give a lot of difference in performance. Chiptuned this could be a bigger difference.

Unfortunately for us, this is a 'poor man's bmw discussion', as the 530d has a big difference in performance numbers with the 525d compared to 525d and 520d. But the 530d is again some 5k EUR more exp. + (in belgium) has another 2500 EUR fiscal penalty compared to the 525D;

A chiptuned 525d approaches the 530d figures in elasticity (typically accelerating from 80-140 on highway - and this is what is important for my use of the car), so I'll gues I'll settle with that.
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      07-20-2010, 07:20 PM   #12
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I got a 520d on July 1, since then I did 4500km, before the F10 I had an E90 330i from 2007.
Before getting the 520d, I test drove for a few hours the 525d on normal day to day roads, driving it I did not experience a large gap or difference, nor on noise or on acceleration (mind that I was on normal road and city traffic conditions and not on a track or highway).

Regarding the 520d that I ended up buying, it is very quiet, which is strange to be said by me considering that I am coming from an unleaded engine.
When you call the cavalry on the 520d it arrives very quickly to the point that I got used to driving it immediately (even if not as reactive as the 330i but you cannot compare the 2).
Handlking is incredible, in the Italian Alps last week on the San Bernard pass I really enjoyed it, the 520d is a real sport car even with the diesel engine and it can be extremely fun to drive.

The only disappointing thing is the fuel consumption, which should have been on average 19km/l, but I am only able to get 16.2km/l.
But over all I am happy of my choise over the 525d as it allowed me to place the saved money into options.
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      07-20-2010, 09:05 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbi74 View Post
When you call the cavalry on the 520d it arrives very quickly to the point that I got used to driving it immediately (even if not as reactive as the 330i but you cannot compare the 2).
Handlking is incredible, in the Italian Alps last week on the San Bernard pass I really enjoyed it, the 520d is a real sport car even with the diesel engine and it can be extremely fun to drive.
How did you find the steering of the F10, coming from a 330i?
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      07-23-2010, 01:20 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbi74 View Post
The only disappointing thing is the fuel consumption, which should have been on average 19km/l, but I am only able to get 16.2km/l.
But over all I am happy of my choise over the 525d as it allowed me to place the saved money into options.
A diesel engine can sometimes take 10.000 km of break in before the fuel consumption settles.
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      11-06-2010, 05:37 AM   #15
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f10trek, odezwij się proszę na hrisinthemorning@wp.pl - mam pytanie z parafii s80 vs 520d
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      11-06-2010, 06:13 AM   #16
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Vibration is no issue on the 520d, in fact you hardly notice if the engine is on or not.

I chose the 520 because of price and efficiency, and because of weight distribution. With almost 55% of the weight on the rear wheels I have no need for 4x4 in the snowy conditions I live in.

Last edited by Touring; 11-06-2010 at 06:18 AM..
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      11-06-2010, 06:16 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carl_d View Post
Welcome. The 525d has far less vibration - this is the key difference!
What vibration? Have you tried the new 520D?
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      11-06-2010, 06:21 AM   #18
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I have the 520d, the car is that well insulated that there is no vibration. You save a shed load of cash over 3 years by going for the smaller engine, and like you say get to choose some comfort options. If you're happy with the performance of the s80 then I'd say it's a no brainer.

If budget was no option i'd get a 535d but how many of us are lucky enough to be in that position? Also consider the comfort seats
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      11-06-2010, 08:10 AM   #19
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The vibration, or lack of...

I 'back to back' tested the 350d and 535i and even the 530d has 'vibration', compared to the silky smooth and vibration free petrol unit. Sorry but the 520d is not in the same league as the 6-pots. Latest 2.0d engine is good, but still a compromise for refinement.

Depends what we call 'refinement' and how we sense vibration I suppose.

HighlandPete
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      11-06-2010, 08:16 AM   #20
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As an owner vibration is not an issue for me. No compromise, nothing.
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      11-06-2010, 08:45 AM   #21
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Sound and vibration – that’s the question. I had the same challenge, when I had to choose a while ago.
The 520d is an excellent engine if not the best of its kind, but it is still a 4-cylinder diesel – just like the Mercedes 250CDi – they both sounds like tractors, though well dampened.
My choice was the 525d with the 8-speed automatic, and I love it. The ride is extremely smooth and the sound is wonderful compared to my old but excellent 2 liter diesel.

If gadgets and fuel economy matters the most to you, I would recommend the 520d, but if the engine sound matters theirs no choice – the 525d wins every time…
So look into yourself and decide what matters to you!

/Peter
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      11-06-2010, 12:55 PM   #22
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I have an F10 525d SE with VDC and sports auto and it is superb. In sports mode, acceleration is pretty rapid for such a large car and the six cylinder engine is incredibly smooth--and averaging 44.3 mpg. If you can afford it go with the 2.5d
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