[hl0m4n]

i am looking to buy a 5 in thailand and having a hard time deciding between a 2018-2019 520d or 530e. from a price perspective, they are the same.
what are your thoughts and which would you choose given the situation and location?

my thoughts:

520d:
Pros:
1. thailand's heat would be somewhat beneficial to heat up the cats and no worries about the cold

2. less maintenance - no spark plugs

3. fuel economy

4. b47 seems to be much improved from n47 and a reliable engine

Cons:
1. refilling def

2. first fuel grade to increase in price during economic crisis

530e:
Pros:
1. hybrid - some pure electric range

2. fuel economy

3. traditional gas engine -somewhat easier to maintain

Cons:
1. spark plugs and direct injection maintenance

2. battery life and maintenance

3. engine output alone is less than the diesel - heavily aided by hybrid system

[FLYIN']

Go with the 530d as the technology in the hybrid is expensive if something goes wrong. What's your electricity cost and see if it's much of a savings over diesel, which is very efficient. The 530e has only about a 17 mile all electric range. Once the battery is depleted then you have an underpowered 5 series.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by FLYIN'

Go with the 530d as the technology in the hybrid is expensive if something goes wrong. What's your electricity cost and see if it's much of a savings over diesel, which is very efficient. The 530e has only about a 17 mile all electric range. Once the battery is depleted then you have an underpowered 5 series.

Not accurate. You never have an underpowered car.

The 530e always has its full power available.

I would go with the 530e over the 530d especially if you can charge it.

[ted99]

None of your 3 cons for the 530e are actually true, unless you drive 50,000 miles per year and/or keep a car for 10 years. LogicalApex hit on the key determinant--ability to charge.