[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by babaikram

Wow. It was exhilarating!!!

Glad you enjoyed it.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by DavidI

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'

Thanks, I'm such a geek in that I still love to read reviews on the car even though I have one!

I'd seen Clarkson's (of course, who hadn't?) but not seen CAR's.

I must admit, I loved the 530d when I tested it for an afternoon, it sold me on the idea of a G30 in general almost immediately, but I had an F10 535d at the time and (full disclosure - this is a 1st world problem because it wasn't slow by any means!) it wasn't fast enough based on what I was coming from. Fantastic car though.

[DGM486]

Maybe it is just me, but I feel the decision to go 520d or 530d depends a lot on how much it matters to you what your car sounds like. Both are very quiet and on the motorway, or cruising at constant speed, there is almost no difference. Also, if you always play music, the 520d will unobtrusively do its job and rarely reveal its 4 cylinder layout. But, if you like to listen to the engine when driving, there is no contest. The 520d sounds like any other 4 cylinder diesel (albeit a very well soundproofed one). The 530d on the other hand sounds much more sophisticated, producing a quiet, bassy almost V8 like soundtrack when accelerating. In fact, it sounds brilliant for a diesel. Having the affliction of being a peterol (or maybe diesel) head, I didn’t have a choice but to find the extra £8k.

[Bandiano]

Agree completely, windows down the 3.0d makes a great noise full bore. It's a luxury when the 2.0d is more than adequate but the extra 2 cylinders will always get my cash over ticking the options list, an engine is the heart of a car thus whenever possible get the biggest one your budget will stretch to...

[babaikram]

Well I didn't hear 'this great sound of 530d' when I test drove it and that was one of the main purposes of test driving it. It did sound better than 520d but not by a lot.
640d (post 2015) and 540i sound much better that either 520d or 530d. 530d is nose heavy whilst 520d is lighter. Spec for spec 520d would corner better than 530d, but 530d is surely faster.

[Jim-Bow]

Originally Posted by babaikram

Well I didn't hear 'this great sound of 530d' when I test drove it and that was one of the main purposes of test driving it. It did sound better than 520d but not by a lot.
640d (post 2015) and 540i sound much better that either 520d or 530d. 530d is nose heavy whilst 520d is lighter. Spec for spec 520d would corner better than 530d, but 530d is surely faster.

Im pretty sure thats the synthetic ASD (Active Sound Design) youre hearing - its a bit marmite but many love the piped-in engine sound. (The UK g30 diesels dont have it but the 35d/40d and bigger petrols do)

Out of interest do you think youre just using these threads to convince yourself you havent bought the wrong motor with a 520d? I say that because its pretty early jnto the ownership of a car to have the urge to change (even for serial car changers) :

[babaikram]

Don't you think I could think or say the same of 530d owners? Not being receptive of criticism of aspects of their cars. It is a forum and difference of opinions should be celebrated. All of us are free to buy and drive what we like and no car is perfect

This forum prompted my interest in 3 Litre engined BMWs and I went and test drove them whether I was really missing something and I gave all you all my verdicts. However it seems quite a number of 530d owners are not satisfied that I do not find 530d as great as they find it.

My next BMW is surely going to be 3 Litre engined BMW. Definitely it is not going to be 530d

[Jim-Bow]

Originally Posted by babaikram

Don't you think I could think or say the same of 530d owners? Not being receptive of criticism of aspects of their cars. It is a forum and difference of opinions should be celebrated. All of us are free to buy and drive what we like and no car is perfect

This forum prompted my interest in 3 Litre engined BMWs and I went and test drove them whether I was really missing something and I gave all you all my verdicts. However it seems quite a number of 530d owners are not satisfied that I do not find 530d as great as they find it.

My next BMW is surely going to be 3 Litre engined BMW. Definitely it is not going to be 530d

There was no offence meant, it was more that you didnt seem happy with your choice (hence all the test drives and extra threads) - if you are then cool - be proud of your awesome car!

And maybe 30d owners such as myself shouldnt be baited with "as i suspected the 30d aint all that..." (but go easy on us simple folk rising to your challenge)

[AndrewUK]

It would seem that the love for the 520D seems to be coming (not surprisingly) from the people that have bought that model - and everybody is, of course, entitled to make the buying decision that they feel is best for them. Some people might rate fuel economy / CO2 emission band etc. as the most important factor in buying a vehicle - and if it's a company car, then the CO2 tax banding is also a major factor.

There is no doubt that the 520D will be the biggest seller in the UK market.

Other people (myself included) have a different set of priorities. It's horses for courses, which is why manufacturers offer choice in their model range and specifications.

Is it "worth it" to make the transition from the 520D to the 530D? As above, those who chose the 520D clearly think it isn't. Those that chose the 530D clearly think it is.

Value judgements are, by their very nature, a very personal thing.

[Balster]

Originally Posted by AndrewUK

It would seem that the love for the 520D seems to be coming (not surprisingly) from the people that have bought that model - and everybody is, of course, entitled to make the buying decision that they feel is best for them. Some people might rate fuel economy / CO2 emission band etc. as the most important factor in buying a vehicle - and if it's a company car, then the CO2 tax banding is also a major factor.

There is no doubt that the 520D will be the biggest seller in the UK market.

Other people (myself included) have a different set of priorities. It's horses for courses, which is why manufacturers offer choice in their model range and specifications.

Is it "worth it" to make the transition from the 520D to the 530D? As above, those who chose the 520D clearly think it isn't. Those that chose the 530D clearly think it is.

Value judgements are, by their very nature, a very personal thing.

Great points, thats why the 520d is the best seller in the range.
I'm going to a 530d from a 520d because like you said everyone has different priorities, and mine have become better in the last year hence the transition. If cost was not an issue Babikram, we would all be driving M5's.
Clearly your not too impressed with the sound of the 530d, who actually buys a car based on its exhaust/engine note! yeah, ok maybe as a second car. Surley the basics are far more important like comfort, tech, etc.. You bought a 520d and now you want a better engine, great, buy one rather than moaning about it. It's not rocket science my friend.

Cheers.

[babaikram]

I would surely buy one when the time is right

[Balster]

Originally Posted by babaikram

I would surely buy one when the time is right

Do it. Do it now. She will never know the difference, as long as its the same colour

[Wardy82]

Originally Posted by DGM486

Maybe it is just me, but I feel the decision to go 520d or 530d depends a lot on how much it matters to you what your car sounds like. Both are very quiet and on the motorway, or cruising at constant speed, there is almost no difference. Also, if you always play music, the 520d will unobtrusively do its job and rarely reveal its 4 cylinder layout. But, if you like to listen to the engine when driving, there is no contest. The 520d sounds like any other 4 cylinder diesel (albeit a very well soundproofed one). The 530d on the other hand sounds much more sophisticated, producing a quiet, bassy almost V8 like soundtrack when accelerating. In fact, it sounds brilliant for a diesel. Having the affliction of being a peterol (or maybe diesel) head, I didn’t have a choice but to find the extra £8k.

Originally Posted by Bandiano

Agree completely, windows down the 3.0d makes a great noise full bore. It's a luxury when the 2.0d is more than adequate but the extra 2 cylinders will always get my cash over ticking the options list, an engine is the heart of a car thus whenever possible get the biggest one your budget will stretch to...

Couldn't agree more with these two statements. Over the past 10 years I started with an E46 330Ci, I then changed to the 330Cd and loved the 6 pot diesel just as much if not more than the petrol. I then eventually (after 250k miles on the diesel) swapped for a new 4 pot diesel. As much as the current 4 pot is good, I miss the smoothness, sound, and torque of that 6 cylinder every time I press the start button. As soon as I pressed the start button on my test drive I was sold...currently have a G30 530D Msport + on order (would've gone 540i if mileage wasn't an issue for me)

[babaikram]

I am weighing waiting for the LCI. I am not sure the financial penalty could be justifiable when in 21/2 years time, there would be a tweaked shape that would overall be better than the current pre-LCI and would be less expensive for me.

[Wardy82]

Originally Posted by babaikram

I am weighing waiting for the LCI. I am not sure the financial penalty could be justifiable when in 21/2 years time, there would be a tweaked shape that would overall be better than the current pre-LCI and would be less expensive for me.

I get where you are coming from, I was just explaining my feelings towards the 20d vs 30d debate. Everybody is individual and has their own preference, its the beauty of the world we live in.

For me, after 8 years of 6 cylinders, the change to 4 was huge, enough to warrant the extra ££ and a change back to 6.

[AP]

Originally Posted by babaikram

I am weighing waiting for the LCI. I am not sure the financial penalty could be justifiable when in 21/2 years time, there would be a tweaked shape that would overall be better than the current pre-LCI and would be less expensive for me.

Or buy now and enjoy 2 1/2 years in a g30. There will always be something better / improved later on . The client comes out and you decide to buy the next new 5 series H25 or whatever it's called. Just a thought. Personally think it will be difficult to drastically improve the g30 other than some newer tech

[SDK^]

I’m currently in a 520d (G31).
My previous car was a Golf R Estate (300bhp) and I found that with 95% of my driving through rush hour traffic I couldn’t enjoy the performance as much as hoped.

So for me a 520d is a good combination of economy and performance.

Originally Posted by AP

Personally think it will be difficult to drastically improve the g30 other than some newer tech

People said that about the F10 though
Tech is where the big leaps happen. The next 5 could be all electric and completely autominous. Imagine driving somewhere and having the option of being able to do something else more useful in that time.

[babaikram]

I am a serial car changer. in the past 3 years I have gone three main cars and 2 accessory cars

I changed my E90 to F10 within 2 months to F10. I acquired F10 on January 2015 and changed to G30 in march 2017 (just 2 years). Usually bought the cars cash (or few months financed) and used but G30 is on PCP which has complicated things a bit and made changing more expensive. The only way to reduce the financial penalty to a minimum is to lease a bare bone 540i.

I would probably need to practise delayed gratification this time around. I still love my G30 520d although I would not mind more power and torque.

[ZigmundUK]

Originally Posted by Balster

Do it. Do it now. She will never know the difference, as long as its the same colour

Lolz

[AndrewUK]

Originally Posted by babaikram

I am weighing waiting for the LCI. I am not sure the financial penalty could be justifiable when in 21/2 years time, there would be a tweaked shape that would overall be better than the current pre-LCI and would be less expensive for me.

And I believe they are bringing out a special edition 560D V12 twin turbo diesel with that variation - sensible to wait.

[ADS-UK]

Originally Posted by SDK^

Tech is where the big leaps happen. The next 5 could be all electric and completely autominous. Imagine driving somewhere and having the option of being able to do something else more useful in that time.

Guaranteed that the next 5 will not be fully autonomous. For that to happen we need to move from a L2 Autonomous car to L4 in the next 5 years. That won't happen with all the regulatory lag and other infrastructure requirements. Even if a full electric 5 is a reality by then, chances are they'll have either hybrids or even petrol only ones in the range.

[babaikram]

Originally Posted by AndrewUK

And I believe they are bringing out a special edition 560D V12 twin turbo diesel with that variation - sensible to wait.

I believe your comment is a satire.

G30 LCI would probably have the same engines but less polluting but probably with sharper bumpers, updated light clusters, nicer interior and upgraded idrive and some options would have become free. Patience is a virtue.