G30 520d to 530d Transition: Not Worth it

KoenG · 01-14-2018, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babaikram

I hope people are not offended.

I test drove G30 530D today expecting a massive difference in real world acceleration and shove in the back compared to my 520d etc. To be sincere I was disappointed.

The car felt heavier than mine, 'I did not feel' the acceleration, it was not significantly different in real life compared to my 520d. In fact I felt the shove in the back was more in my G30 520d, maybe because the car was heavier with 20' wheel compared to my 18' wheel.

Prior to the test drive I had been consistently driving my G30 520d M Sport Individual and I test drove 530d M Sport in the same setting as well as in comfort mode

I quickly decided that it was not worth taking the financial penalty of trading in a one year old 520d.

Contrary to the popular opinion here, a highly optioned 520d may be worthier than a poverty Spec 530d M Sport

When the 530d didn't do it for you, just stick to the 520d. It's indeed most probably the better balanced car for normal driving conditions. The 530d certainly accelerates faster, but a 520d already is plenty quick for the normal road.

AndrewUK · 01-15-2018, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMIB

If you are not a high mileage guy, just go for the 540i. Bring a smile to your face for the next few years, you only live once!

I drove a 540i and a 530d before making my choice (530d) - whilst I think the 540i is a nice, and initially very exciting engine, in the real world my opinion (YMMV etc.) is that the 530d was actually the better and more dynamic choice for spirited driving.

I don't do a huge annual mileage, but still went for the 530d.

Just my two pennyworth.

ZigmundUK · 01-15-2018, 01:31 PM

The 530d exists nicely in the xdrive I think - makes it feel nimbler and lighter.

But the key difference isn't so much with the shove in the back (which any turbo gives to an extent) it's more the continuous push that keeps coming.

Although I have said before that 20d is probably more than any normal person needs on public roads....

ztx84 · 01-15-2018, 01:55 PM

I would agree that the 20d is perfectly quick enough (from my experience of the F10 model) in normal day to day driving. Where I find it lacks a bit is in overtaking power. I lack confidence going for what should be fairly straightforward overtakes (at sensible speeds I should add) in my current 20d, which is one reason I have decided to upgrade in my new G30.

DavidI · 01-16-2018, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewUK

I drove a 540i and a 530d before making my choice (530d) - whilst I think the 540i is a nice, and initially very exciting engine, in the real world my opinion (YMMV etc.) is that the 530d was actually the better and more dynamic choice for spirited driving.

I don't do a huge annual mileage, but still went for the 530d.

Just my two pennyworth.

Most of the UK motoring mags agree with you.

HighlandPete · 01-16-2018, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidI

Most of the UK motoring mags agree with you.

I believe that says a lot for the way BMW improved the diesel installation in the G30. Certainly stood out to me when test driving a G30 530d, more refined than the F10 530d. That in itself takes away some of the difference between petrol and diesel, which makes the petrol stand out for better NVH.

AP · 01-16-2018, 05:41 AM

i liked my previous F10 530D and if it wasn't for the war on diesels, I may have well have gone for a G30 530D. As it happens the dealership offered me a test drive of a 540i and I was hooked.
But agree BMW have really excelled on isolation in the car.

mobilejo · 01-18-2018, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidI

Most of the UK motoring mags agree with you.

I've only seen one review with that opinion (Evo). Are there any more?

Most that I've seen seem to opt for the 520d.

JOHNBMWM5 · 01-18-2018, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobilejo

I've only seen one review with that opinion (Evo). Are there any more?

Most that I've seen seem to opt for the 520d.

The 520D is the every Man car.
We are more performance oriented.

mobilejo · 01-18-2018, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHNBMWM5

The 520D is the every Man car.
We are more performance oriented.

I do love your way with words John

JOHNBMWM5 · 01-18-2018, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobilejo

I do love your way with words John

Blunt but to the point.

TimMcC · 01-18-2018, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobilejo

I've only seen one review with that opinion (Evo). Are there any more?

Most that I've seen seem to opt for the 520d.

I've read at least three concluding the 530d is the one to get. I wanted to like the 20d, but it just ran out of power above 50 or 60. I suppose it depends what you're used to in terms of performance.

Also worried about the war on diesels, so purchased mine as a PCP. The GFV insulates me should the bottom fall out of the market. When the PCP ends I'll either buy it or swap it for something else if still worried.

DavidI · 01-18-2018, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobilejo

I've only seen one review with that opinion (Evo). Are there any more?

Most that I've seen seem to opt for the 520d.

CAR was certainly one - http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-rev...s-2017-review/

Clarkson didn't compare petrol and diesel but was certainly a fan of the 530D - https://www.driving.co.uk/car-review...drive-touring/

Before I placed my order (petrol....) I don't think I'd read anything suggesting petrol was the better choice. I actually think it saved me a lot of negotiating time going into the dealer telling him I was likely buying an E43 because BMW weren't bringing the 540D over. He happened to have a 540i he'd demo'd to someone else and I thought 'that's neither dull nor slow'

babaikram · 01-19-2018, 03:47 AM

520d is very fuel sensitive. Fill with premium diesel esp Costco or Esso premium put in Sport mode and it takes off like rocket at least till 50-60mph. I could not feel that drama in the 530d.

530d owners please don't be irked by me as I might join you later.

It is not a matter of cognitive dissonance.

Jim-Bow · 01-19-2018, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babaikram

520d is very fuel sensitive. Fill with premium diesel esp Costco or Esso premium put in Sport mode and it takes off like rocket at least till 50-60mph. I could not feel that drama in the 530d.

530d owners please don't be irked by me as I might join you later.

It is not a matter of cognitive dissonance.

You are just baiting now aren't you!

babaikram · 01-19-2018, 11:29 AM

I don't know whether to start another thread or not on my view regarding my 540i test drive today . You guys/gals must be tired of me.

babaikram · 01-19-2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim-Bow

You are just baiting now aren't you!

Not really

Nothing is as knowledge enhancing as a conversation with different views and opinions. One learns a lot if one listens carefully. Which I am doing.

JOHNBMWM5 · 01-19-2018, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babaikram

I don't know whether to start another thread or not on my view regarding my 540i test drive today . You guys/gals must be tired of me.

Sooooo How did you find driving it?.

babaikram · 01-19-2018, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHNBMWM5

Sooooo How did you find driving it?.

Wow. It was exhilarating!!!
The individual configuration options for Sport Mode are more than in 530D (I may be wrong but I configured both whilst test driving). The sound when accelerating was very very nice (sexy sexy). Exhaust note far better than the diesels. Shove in the back was there and somehow felt more agile than 530d. It is very different cars between comfort and sport mode.

To be fair, I paddled down when test driving the 540i which I did not do when testing driving 530d.

It is worth changing from 520d to 540i for sure if money is not an issue.

For sure if I am changing before the arrival of LCI, It is going to be 540i which is going to be poverty specced . It would have to be a keeper.

Heart vs Head for me now.

JOHNBMWM5 · 01-19-2018, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babaikram

Wow. It was exhilarating!!!
The individual configuration options for Sport Mode are more than in 530D (I may be wrong but I configured both whilst test driving). The sound when accelerating was very very nice (sexy sexy). Exhaust note far better than the diesels. Shove in the back was there and somehow felt more agile than 530d. It is very different cars between comfort and sport mode.

To be fair, I paddled down when test driving the 540i which I did not do when testing driving 530d.

It is worth changing from 520d to 540i for sure if money is not an issue.

For sure if I am changing before the arrival of LCI, It is going to be 540i which is going to be poverty specced . It would have to be a keeper.

Heart vs Head for me now.

Glad you enjoyed it, mine is having the M Performance Pack fitted on pick-up so should be a good bit quicker.

and better sounding.

FMIB · 01-19-2018, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babaikram

Wow. It was exhilarating!!!
The individual configuration options for Sport Mode are more than in 530D (I may be wrong but I configured both whilst test driving). The sound when accelerating was very very nice (sexy sexy). Exhaust note far better than the diesels. Shove in the back was there and somehow felt more agile than 530d. It is very different cars between comfort and sport mode.

To be fair, I paddled down when test driving the 540i which I did not do when testing driving 530d.

It is worth changing from 520d to 540i for sure if money is not an issue.

For sure if I am changing before the arrival of LCI, It is going to be 540i which is going to be poverty specced . It would have to be a keeper.

Heart vs Head for me now.

I think i said something along those lines previously:

If you are not a high mileage guy, just go for the 540i. Bring a smile to your face for the next few years, you only live once!

The 540i is of course not a cheap option and partly the reason the car mags mostly tend to test and favour diesels. I think one of Car Magazines gripes was that the engine/car was too quite for them for a petrol 6.
No question, the 540i is more refined than the 530D., sounds good even if a little muted and in my few miles to date, not missing anything in the performance department.

Both great cars, choose wisely

JOHNBMWM5 · 01-20-2018, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMIB

I think i said something along those lines previously:

If you are not a high mileage guy, just go for the 540i. Bring a smile to your face for the next few years, you only live once!

The 540i is of course not a cheap option and partly the reason the car mags mostly tend to test and favour diesels. I think one of Car Magazines gripes was that the engine/car was too quite for them for a petrol 6.
No question, the 540i is more refined than the 530D., sounds good even if a little muted and in my few miles to date, not missing anything in the performance department.

Both great cars, choose wisely

Go for the M Performance Upgrade IF you want more Noise/Power.

01-15-2018, 01:31 PM	#25
ZigmundUK Lieutenant Colonel 443 Rep 1,963 Posts Drives: I20 IX M60 Oxide Grey Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NCL - UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E61 520d SE [0.00] 2017 G30 530d M-Spo ... [0.00]	The 530d exists nicely in the xdrive I think - makes it feel nimbler and lighter. But the key difference isn't so much with the shove in the back (which any turbo gives to an extent) it's more the continuous push that keeps coming. Although I have said before that 20d is probably more than any normal person needs on public roads.... __________________ Running: G30 530d M Sport (B57) Mediterranean Blue Running: I20 IX M60 Oxide Grey Gone: F15 X5 40d M Sport (N57) Glacier Silver, E61 520d SE Auto (N47D20) Titanium Silver, F31 330d M Sport (N57D30A) Estoril Blue, E87 120d SE Auto (M47TU2D20) Sparkling Graphite
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01-15-2018, 01:55 PM	#26
ztx84 First Lieutenant 185 Rep 301 Posts Drives: 2022 M4 Competition Xdrive Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Devon, UK iTrader: (0)	I would agree that the 20d is perfectly quick enough (from my experience of the F10 model) in normal day to day driving. Where I find it lacks a bit is in overtaking power. I lack confidence going for what should be fairly straightforward overtakes (at sensible speeds I should add) in my current 20d, which is one reason I have decided to upgrade in my new G30.
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01-16-2018, 05:41 AM	#29
AP Major General 2777 Rep 5,092 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	i liked my previous F10 530D and if it wasn't for the war on diesels, I may have well have gone for a G30 530D. As it happens the dealership offered me a test drive of a 540i and I was hooked. But agree BMW have really excelled on isolation in the car.
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01-19-2018, 03:47 AM	#36
babaikram M6GCComp, Porsche Cayman S PDK, Peug 208 GT1 BPS 512 Rep 1,280 Posts Drives: . Join Date: May 2015 Location: England iTrader: (0)	520d is very fuel sensitive. Fill with premium diesel esp Costco or Esso premium put in Sport mode and it takes off like rocket at least till 50-60mph. I could not feel that drama in the 530d. 530d owners please don't be irked by me as I might join you later. It is not a matter of cognitive dissonance. __________________ Acceleration is heavenly
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01-19-2018, 11:29 AM	#38
babaikram M6GCComp, Porsche Cayman S PDK, Peug 208 GT1 BPS 512 Rep 1,280 Posts Drives: . Join Date: May 2015 Location: England iTrader: (0)	I don't know whether to start another thread or not on my view regarding my 540i test drive today . You guys/gals must be tired of me. Last edited by babaikram; 01-19-2018 at 11:34 AM..
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