04-01-2020, 02:12 PM | #1 |
Second Lieutenant
67
Rep 282
Posts |
From 520i to 540i
So after 2 years of leasing a 520i, my lease has expired and the car is due back.
Overall the car has been great - with the exception of one thing - serious lack of power. After considering my options, I had initially decided to move into another 5 series - but this time a 520d MHT. That was until I put a deposit down on a 540i xdrive. Unfortunately not been able to test drive it yet, but once things get back to normal that should be sorted out pretty quickly. So going from a car with no options to loads of stuff. Seems to be a good spec as well: Bluestone Metallic Comfort Pack M Sport Plus Pack Premium Pack Technology Pack Piano black - bmw ind Ambient air Ceramic finish for controls Split-folding rear seats Four-zone automatic air conditioning Ivory White Nappa leather Interested to read the other owners on here talking about mpg in the low 30's. In my 520i over 2 years, I managed 35.9mpg. Not massively great and miles away from the figures quoted. |
04-01-2020, 02:41 PM | #2 |
Brigadier General
3086
Rep 4,210
Posts |
You will love the car. You will especially love the Nappa upholstery. I have it (albeit in mocha as I wanted ivory white but chickened out).
I am not familiar with the UK packages but if you get the Nappa upholstery, I would urge you to get the leather dash as well. it comes as Nappa and includes the door tops as well as the dash. Really finishes off the interior. Personally, I would rather invest in the leather dash than the ceramic controls. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-03-2020, 08:50 PM | #5 |
Colonel
1708
Rep 2,539
Posts |
The 520i is not sold in North America but it is essentially a detuned B46 2 liter 4 cyl gasoline engine with only 180hp at the wheel. It is a fine city car but definitely challenged in the G30 application.
The 530i has 58HP more than the 520i. While the 530i is the base trim model in the US and Canada, the 530i is a mid grade model in Europe and other world markets. 520i is the entry level gasoline G30. There is also a 518D diesel, 520D (Best selling model), 525D and 530D (6 cyl in line turbo diesel).
__________________
2017 BMW 530i, Sport Line,Alpine White, Canberra Beige Sensatec, 19 inch V-Spoke wheels, basic plain Jane build with no options whatsoever..... "Less is more".
Before: 2011 BMW 328i E90 sedan, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Dakota Brown leather, 17 inch wheels, 6-speed auto, N52 6 Cyl inline N/A goodness.... |
Appreciate
0
|
04-04-2020, 02:38 AM | #6 | |
Lieutenant
179
Rep 547
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-04-2020, 04:32 AM | #7 |
Second Lieutenant
173
Rep 297
Posts |
Congratulations on your choice there, and the spec looks great too! The ceramic control finish is very good I think, really does lift the interior. I wish mine had the upgraded leather etc so seems like you got a good deal there all in all! Enjoy it - out of interest my mpg is currently showing as 33.8mpg which I'm pretty pleased with. On a normal motorway/a-road run I see high 30s or low 40s which always impresses me!
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-04-2020, 06:20 PM | #8 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1418
Rep 1,519
Posts |
Congratulations!
What a pure joy this has to be! Back into the ultimate bimmer with the perfect tuned 6 inline. This car combines all virtues that made BMW great. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-05-2020, 01:09 PM | #9 | ||
Colonel
1708
Rep 2,539
Posts |
Quote:
I am sure the 520i is sufficient for more than 98% of driving situations it will encounter. And makes sense to sell it parts of the world where price is an issue and high taxation play a role into the buying decision. A 520i doesn't make sense in North America due to cheap gasoline, would be perceived as being too underpowered and too down market for a 5 series. Same reason why Mercedes doesn't sell the E180/200 here either. But the 520i is a heavy car (3600-3700 pounds) and the detuned B46 engine will probably feel a bit lacking in some highway passing situations. This is probably why the 520D is the best selling model due to it being diesel, more favorable taxation, better mileage and more low end torque from its 2 liter engine. But I agree with you the 520i is still very much a lovely car and place to be. And much rather be in a G30 than a new G20 3-Series. Nice car but there is absolutely no comparison to our 5 Series, no matter what engine or trim level.
__________________
2017 BMW 530i, Sport Line,Alpine White, Canberra Beige Sensatec, 19 inch V-Spoke wheels, basic plain Jane build with no options whatsoever..... "Less is more".
Before: 2011 BMW 328i E90 sedan, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Dakota Brown leather, 17 inch wheels, 6-speed auto, N52 6 Cyl inline N/A goodness.... |
||
Appreciate
1
KoenG1417.50 |
04-05-2020, 01:26 PM | #10 | |
Colonel
1708
Rep 2,539
Posts |
Quote:
In North America people seem to conveniently forget that the first BMWs ever sold in the US where 4 pot models. But can't blame the mentality as BMW does indeed build the best 6 cyl in line engines in the business and for many, many years (Until 2012) the only way you could purchase a new BMW in the US was with a normally aspirated 6 cyl in line engine as the base engine. This changed in 2012 when BMW replaced the old N52 6 cyl NA engine with the now defunct N20 2 liter 4 cyl turbo as the base engine in the F30 3 Series and F10 5 Series, 320i, 328i and 528i respectively. But remember BMWs roots are on those lowly "4 pots" that everyone seem to take for granted these days.
__________________
2017 BMW 530i, Sport Line,Alpine White, Canberra Beige Sensatec, 19 inch V-Spoke wheels, basic plain Jane build with no options whatsoever..... "Less is more".
Before: 2011 BMW 328i E90 sedan, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Dakota Brown leather, 17 inch wheels, 6-speed auto, N52 6 Cyl inline N/A goodness.... |
|
Appreciate
1
KoenG1417.50 |
04-06-2020, 08:26 PM | #11 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
1418
Rep 1,519
Posts |
Quote:
Yes, you're right. Join the G20 forum and help me convince the guy he doesn't need a M340i just because it's a 6 cyl and that the 330i 4cyl will be perfectly fine. Anyway, a 540i is still some kind of a magnificent car to me, and the smooth 6 cyl has its part in it. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-06-2020, 08:32 PM | #12 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
1418
Rep 1,519
Posts |
Quote:
A new member contemplating to buy a 318i but also considering a mildly pre-used G30 530i. Reading his profile would direct to the latter, a full 300%. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-06-2020, 08:35 PM | #13 |
Lieutenant Colonel
796
Rep 1,736
Posts
Drives: 2019 BMW 540i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
|
520 to 540 will be quite a jump
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-13-2020, 05:59 PM | #15 | ||
Colonel
1708
Rep 2,539
Posts |
Quote:
If all things being considered are equal and price, condition and equipment on that 530i are right, I would go with the pre-loved G30 Over the 318i new. You can't never go wrong with a 5 Series.
__________________
2017 BMW 530i, Sport Line,Alpine White, Canberra Beige Sensatec, 19 inch V-Spoke wheels, basic plain Jane build with no options whatsoever..... "Less is more".
Before: 2011 BMW 328i E90 sedan, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Dakota Brown leather, 17 inch wheels, 6-speed auto, N52 6 Cyl inline N/A goodness.... |
||
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2020, 05:21 AM | #16 | |
Major
605
Rep 1,449
Posts |
Quote:
Although the 520i is never going to be as fast as a 530 or 540 it is perfectly adequate, you just have to work it a bit harder if you really want to make progress. It still does 0-60 in around 7.5 seconds so is certainly no slouch. Apparently in some markets eg Turkey there is a 1.6 litre engine - I'd imagine that would be a little underpowered |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2020, 06:34 PM | #17 |
Second Lieutenant
119
Rep 213
Posts |
I'm also looking at a 540i xDrive M Sport- a one owner 2017 at my local dealer, It's also Bluestone but with a black interior. Comfort seats and B&W audio. I'll have to add the MPPSK, but other than that it's perfect.
As far as BMW fours and sixes, I've had both and they have all been great- M10, M30, S38, M42, M54, N20 and N55.
__________________
2014 M235i
2015 X1 xDrive28i M Sport 2009 Cooper Clubman 1999 Wrangler Sahara 1995 318ti Club Sport |
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2020, 09:38 AM | #18 |
Captain
627
Rep 616
Posts |
Quite true. Blue Jean dye transfer is a real problem on light interiors. I have had tan or beige interiors on most of my recent cars and I can attest to that. So far the 540xi is not exhibiting a lot and I do clean it from time to time. But my Corvette was a problem so I did something heretical--I bought a cheap ($25) tan car seat from Auto Zone and use it when I am driving. Take it off for shows (or at least used to when we had them!), Not real pretty but has saved the seats and since I am usually the only one in the car no problem. It might be you could get a reasonably high quality seat cover for the white BMW seats if you think it might be an issue. --Bob
__________________
2019 540xi M Sport, Carbon Black/Cognac, 2014 328xi, 2016 Corvette Z06; Previous:2010 BMW 535xi M Sp, 2008 335xi, 1998 M3 Sedan,1980 528i, 1977 320i, 1976 2002
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2020, 02:31 PM | #19 |
Second Lieutenant
67
Rep 282
Posts |
I was running a JB+ box on my 520i and this made a real difference to the car. It basically over boosted the car. Get investment for £175 and bought from a forum sponsor on here
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|