E39 530d ver 525d

Both have the M57 lump, can't find figures, might have them at home, but I would think that what you save in pennies with the 525d economy over the 530d, you will miss in the performance with the 530d.  I'm a great beleiver of "you get what you pay for"....

Bear in mind that both are inflicted with swirl flaps.  If you are thinking of buying one, get them removed or find evidence that they have been removed.  Also look for regular oil changes to guard against turbo failure.

Wow, you must have some commute for that fuel bill.

From E39 manual downloaded from a link on here years ago.

525d Man Urban 30.7 Extra Urban 53.3 Comb 42.1  mpg
530d Man Urban 29.1 Extra Urban 50.4 Comb 39.8  mpg
530i  Man Urban 21.6 Extra Urban 38.2 Comb 29.7  mpg

Might not be the most reliable source but it should give you a feel for comparison.

Re swirl flaps, I checked realoem for a manual box and it lists both types of inlet manifolds, one with flap control and one without flap control.  I don't know how to be more precise without chassis numbers for check on TIS.

Yeah no problem, I'll look out the figues.  You'll need to wait as the source is on my home 'puter.

The 530d is impressive, I've driven a couple of auto's.  Boot full of throttle in second gear makes for swift progress once the turbos spooling......and you can save some pennies on the fuel bills. 

It wasn't for me though and I stuck with the green juice powered machines.

driven a 525d Manual and wasn't too impressed. But I think this was a rather tired version as I couldn't feel the Turbo kicking in.
also drove a 530d Auto, very impressive.
But all Auto's are out of the question if I want to serioulsy save some money. Otherwise I could have kept the 530i.

Drove a E46 320d Manual today and was very impressed. 45-50mpg and pulls much better than the E39 525d

well I bought a E46 320d touring with 78k miles.
Drove it home from yorkshire and the OBS showed 68mpg when crusing on the motorway at 70mph !!!!

Not in the same league as a E39, that's for sure. But £100 less road tax and a LOT less fuel costs do ease my pain of selling the E39 quite a bit.
Oh and it's a third less for insurance as well.

Edited by UweM3

A fine choice sir!  Was going to suggest it but didn't want to poach...:)

jetsetwilly2000 wrote: A fine choice sir!  Was going to suggest it but didn't want to poach...:)

On paper the spec looked ok and I thought hell give it a go. But I am still astonished by the economy the thing returns.
Same route to work 50 miles one way, 50% town, 50% dual carridge way.

528i = 32mpg
530i = 28mpg (with a very light foot on the throttle!)
320d = 54mpg!!!! and I am not even trying to get it low.

sure it's not as refined as the 5 with the smooth 6 cylinder petrol engine, but with the price of fuel these days I don't care.
On top of that, it costs £100 less road tax and 40% less to insure.

Edited by UweM3

That really is impressive mpg.  Makes we wonder about changing mine for a newer 320d...I get high thirties.

IIRC Andrew has never been a fan of Diesels

 

Good buy, I hope you enjoy it.