[Sonz330i]

I was initially thinking of a 320i, however the 520i looks more attractive and for my mileage of 7000 to 9000 a year diesel isn't worthwhile I think.
What are the general thoughts on the 520i m sport and what's the fuel economy and the after sales maintainence like, service costs etc. Thanks

[Dephead2004]

Originally Posted by Sonz330i

I was initially thinking of a 320i, however the 520i looks more attractive and for my mileage of 7000 to 9000 a year diesel isn't worthwhile I think.
What are the general thoughts on the 520i m sport and what's the fuel economy and the after sales maintainence like, service costs etc. Thanks

I have one of these. Doing the same mileage. Too low for a diesel.People turn up their noses until they drive it. 45mpg ( uk). Smooth well balanced. Petrol engine lighter than diesel. Fast enough for uk roads, great acceleration based on power to weight ratio which is as important a consideration as raw hp.

Get a service package and the costs are manageable. If not be prepared to pay £150 for the cabin filter alone.

5 series so much better than 3. Much more is standard.

Can't speak for m sport, mines an SE as recommended by what car.

[skyhew]

I Have the same consideration between 330i and 520i (as both price as very close) - test drive both and found that 5 series is really another level higher - 520i well balance on comfort and dynamic - not so dynamic compare with 530i, 540i ect... but you may not really needed to go with 1-100km/h in 5 second. I am ok for 1 second slower

So, if you compare 520i with 320i, test drive both so you can clearly make up your mind.

[Felixen]

I got a 520i Touring about a month ago. I am really impressed with it so far. Extremely smooth and comfortable to drive. I know it is not a race car and I don't drive it like one. However, I never feel like I am lacking power. Not at all!

I also still can't believe how quiet it is in this car. I have had several people ask me if it is a hybrid, since there is so little noise a slow speeds.

I also tried a 330 Touring, which naturally felt a lot faster, being both lighter and more powerful. I liked it a lot, and it is actually less expensive than a 520 here. However, I wanted the smooth and more luxurious feel of the larger car.

I actually also tried a 520d, but knew from the start that I wouldn't buy it, but it was the only Touring available for a test drive at the time. I know it is a good engine, but I like the sound better in my petrol. My petrol also feels a bit lighter. I only drive 15,000 KM per year, and a lot of city driving, so a diesel was out of the questions anyway.

By the way, a new 520i Touring is around 85,000 EUR here. For 10,000 more, you will get a 530i.. and for around 75,000 EUR you will get a 330I. Danish car taxation at work.

[GaSelle]

Originally Posted by Felixen

I got a 520i Touring about a month ago. I am really impressed with it so far. Extremely smooth and comfortable to drive. I know it is not a race car and I don't drive it like one. However, I never feel like I am lacking power. Not at all!

I also still can't believe how quiet it is in this car. I have had several people ask me if it is a hybrid, since there is so little noise a slow speeds.

I also tried a 330 Touring, which naturally felt a lot faster, being both lighter and more powerful. I liked it a lot, and it is actually less expensive than a 520 here. However, I wanted the smooth and more luxurious feel of the larger car.

I actually also tried a 520d, but knew from the start that I wouldn't buy it, but it was the only Touring available for a test drive at the time. I know it is a good engine, but I like the sound better in my petrol. My petrol also feels a bit lighter. I only drive 15,000 KM per year, and a lot of city driving, so a diesel was out of the questions anyway.

By the way, a new 520i Touring is around 85,000 EUR here. For 10,000 more, you will get a 530i.. and for around 75,000 EUR you will get a 330I. Danish car taxation at work.

You forgot to add the crazy costs for options. My 520d Sport Line Touring with a lot of options was approx. 132.000€ when new (!!! - I bought it as a german import; nobody in DK specs a car like that for obvious reasons)

I tried a 520i as well, and it was very smooth - but the 520d felt more powerful at lower revs and with the car fully packed, and since I do 30.000 km/year, I went for the diesel. But the 520i is great, if you don´t drive enough for a diesel.

[csm7djs]

I originally had a brand new G30 520i. Really liked it. It was really smooth and had enough power not to feel slow. I ended up running a tuning box on mine and this really helped to make it feel quicker.

I like my G30 so much I upgraded to a 540i.

[Felixen]

Originally Posted by GaSelle

You forgot to add the crazy costs for options. My 520d Sport Line Touring with a lot of options was approx. 132.000€ when new (!!! - I bought it as a german import; nobody in DK specs a car like that for obvious reasons)

I tried a 520i as well, and it was very smooth - but the 520d felt more powerful at lower revs and with the car fully packed, and since I do 30.000 km/year, I went for the diesel. But the 520i is great, if you don´t drive enough for a diesel.

Oh yes, the prices for options are crazy, as everything is taxed with 150% + 25% VAT. Yes, everything. So we also pay the tax on options that will make the vehicle safer for ourselves, passengers and other drivers/pedestrians.

Nice to meet a fellow Dane here GaSelle. Always nice to talk to someone in the same car tax boat

I agree about the 520d and the low down torque. It is a great engine, which suits the car perfectly, and I would probably have one now, if I drove more per year. There is also a much larger used car market for the diesels in this class. I had to wait a while for used petrols to be available. I also looked at the importing route a bit, but I also had another car that I wanted to sell to a dealer.

[GaSelle]

Originally Posted by Felixen

Oh yes, the prices for options are crazy, as everything is taxed with 150% + 25% VAT. Yes, everything. So we also pay the tax on options that will make the vehicle safer for ourselves, passengers and other drivers/pedestrians.

Nice to meet a fellow Dane here GaSelle. Always nice to talk to someone in the same car tax boat

I agree about the 520d and the low down torque. It is a great engine, which suits the car perfectly, and I would probably have one now, if I drove more per year. There is also a much larger used car market for the diesels in this class. I had to wait a while for used petrols to be available. I also looked at the importing route a bit, but I also had another car that I wanted to sell to a dealer.

I found the one I wanted on Mobile.de, sent the link to my local dealer who then imported the car, paid the taxes and sorted all the papers out - and then I just showed up, traded my old G30 in and drove home. Easy-peasy

That´s slightly offtopic, if you´re interested, you can PM me.

[Moji]

I bought 520i M sport 1 year and few months ago. It comes with 18 inch wheels and RF tyres. I Immediately got rid off those tyres and replace them with 20 inch rims and PS4S tyres. It drives superbly well, comfort yet sportive.

At the same time, I installed Racechip ultimate. Well, The car felt a little quicker from my butt dyno but when there are 4 adults in the car, it will sluggish a bit at high speed on autobahn. DonÂ’t get me wrong, it is enough for most of the situations. I love the car so much that I looking to buy a 540i.

Until..... I get rid of Racechip and flashed Bootmod3 Ron 95 map, the basic map. It transform my little 520i to perform almost similar to 530i and the torque to almost reach 540i level. The car is really really quicker and faster. You can feel it. No chance to test on autobahn yet.

Consumption on 100km/h Speed limit road is around 6.3 l/100km. I achieved 5.8 l/100 km once on very long 80 and 100km/h road. CityÂ’s consumption is around 7.3 - 8 l/100km. My service is due in next few weeks so canÂ’t comment on that yet.

[GaSelle]

Any "box tune" is pure crap - get a proper remap. The 520i performs really, really well with a remap

[Sonz330i]

Great, awesome replies all.