[TodmordenLad]

Now I've seen the latest LCI spy shots indicating that they're not going to ruin the car with a stupid oversized grill, my heart is set on getting a new G30 M Sport LCI next year
Undecided about engine, however.
I know the 6cyl diesel well from previous cars I've owned and have test driven it in the G30. It's impressive. I'm driving a 440i with MPPSK at the mo, and like the B58 a lot as well.
Leaning towards the diesel with its superior torque and economy. Plus dont fancy xDrive + SE suspension, which are standard on the UK 540i M Sport, AFAIK
Not overly concerned about the 'future of diesel' element, given that the latest 6cyl is Euro 6d-TEMP compliant and as clean as/cleaner than many modern petrol engines.
Any strong views from owners out there?
Thanks

[ztx84]

I've owned a 540i for about 18 months now and it has been absolutely brilliant. Either a 530d or 540i would make a great choice, but I do love the petrol engine myself. It has good torque and good power, plus rather decent economy too. This week I have driven just over 300 miles (mainly motorway / dual carriageway) and it has used less than half a tank!! I don't think there is much between the two cars as I say, but the petrol wins for sound quality (at least for me).

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

Leaning towards the diesel with its superior torque and economy. Plus dont fancy xDrive + SE suspension, which are standard on the UK 540i M Sport, AFAIK
Not overly concerned about the 'future of diesel' element, given that the latest 6cyl is Euro 6d-TEMP compliant and as clean as/cleaner than many modern petrol engines.
Any strong views from owners out there?
Thanks

Has something changed? We are supposed to get M-sport suspension with xDrive. I've driven an 530d xDrive and that was on M-sport suspension.

Regarding the choice, annual mileage will swing it for me.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Has something changed? We are supposed to get M-sport suspension with xDrive. I've driven an 530d xDrive and that was on M-sport suspension.

Regarding the choice, annual mileage will swing it for me.

This may well be wrong, Pete, this was info from the dealership where I test drove the 530d sDrive.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

This may well be wrong, Pete, this was info from the dealership where I test drove the 530d sDrive.

Media release data from BMW indicated lowered M-sport suspension was being fitted to M-sport xDrive models. PDF pricelist I have, shows M-sport suspension as standard, with delete option, (plus the adaptive options).

[AP]

Yep I thought same . Dealer got it wrong.

You also have the option of vdc as well , might be worth trying , see if that's to your liking?

Either way, cracking car . Having owned a f10 530d and now have a 540ix , I can see the charm of each engine in their own right.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by AP

Yep I thought same . Dealer got it wrong.

You also have the option of vdc as well , might be worth trying , see if that's to your liking?

Either way, cracking car . Having owned a f10 530d and now have a 540ix , I can see the charm of each engine in their own right.

Thanks, yep, you and Pete have both clarified - don't start me on dealer knowledge, or the lack of it...

Did you go for VDC yourself? If so, how do you find it? I've had it on my last 2 cars, 330d and 440i, both on 19". Never bothered with it on my previous 5's, which were on 18". The G30 M Sport I test drove was on 19" and passive suspension. It seemed pretty comfortable and compliant, albeit on a relatively short drive.

[AP]

Yes have vdc on mine with 20 inch wheels.
Suspension mostly in comfort mode but if you use the sport setting, you can feel it being firmer. Obviously only you can decide if it's to your liking.
On uk roads, most of the time the ride is fine but any large road imperfections will be felt.

[mobilejo]

The biggest factor will be how you like to drive.

I owned an F10 535d, now a G30 540i. Test drove a G30 530d.

The 530d is great if you are a 'laid back' driver - you can cruise with great MPG and have the torque for when you need to press on and overtake/pass.

Coming from the 535d, the 530d just was not fast enough for me - off the line it was about the same, but you can't help but notice the lower BHP at higher speeds. I would have liked the G30 540d by default, but it never came to the UK.

So I ended up in the 540i, and honestly I am glad I did. It suits how I like to drive better than a diesel would. I am not what you call a cruiser - I drive in sport or sport+ all of the time, I like high revs, I like the thrust off the line and I like a little bit of 'drama'. I'm not out here racing anyone - where I live the roads are pretty much clear when I drive. After 2 years, the car still puts a smile on my face when I drive it.

The transmission is good enough that in sport mode, you don't need diesel like torque as it will simply find the right gear and utilise the higher revs. This is why I say the 530d is only better suited to the laid back driver. Drive the 540i 'hard' and the power gulf becomes apparent.

Thats not to take anything away from the 530d - its ample car for most people and I would happily drive one daily if it came to it. If I was commuting any meaningful distance (I don't, I work from home) it would have been a no-brainer. My situation is different to most and although I need a big car for family duties, I do very low miles per year.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by mobilejo

The biggest factor will be how you like to drive.

I owned an F10 535d, now a G30 540i. Test drove a G30 530d.

The 530d is great if you are a 'laid back' driver - you can cruise with great MPG and have the torque for when you need to press on and overtake/pass.

Coming from the 535d, the 530d just was not fast enough for me - off the line it was about the same, but you can't help but notice the lower BHP at higher speeds. I would have liked the G30 540d by default, but it never came to the UK.

So I ended up in the 540i, and honestly I am glad I did. It suits how I like to drive better than a diesel would. I am not what you call a cruiser - I drive in sport or sport+ all of the time, I like high revs, I like the thrust off the line and I like a little bit of 'drama'. I'm not out here racing anyone - where I live the roads are pretty much clear when I drive. After 2 years, the car still puts a smile on my face when I drive it.

The transmission is good enough that in sport mode, you don't need diesel like torque as it will simply find the right gear and utilise the higher revs. This is why I say the 530d is only better suited to the laid back driver. Drive the 540i 'hard' and the power gulf becomes apparent.

Thats not to take anything away from the 530d - its ample car for most people and I would happily drive one daily if it came to it. If I was commuting any meaningful distance (I don't, I work from home) it would have been a no-brainer. My situation is different to most and although I need a big car for family duties, I do very low miles per year.

Thanks, I know exactly what you're saying. I drive my 440i, which has the MPPS kit, in a spirited fashion at every possible opportunity - which is sadly not nearly often enough.
So many of my journeys end up being on busy A roads and motorways, although I'm not working, so I can at least choose when I travel. This is why I'm thinking about getting back into a 5, and just enjoying a bit more luxury and refinement.
I've had the six pot diesel before and it's a great unit. I like the six pot petrol a lot too but thought that the diesel would be better suited to the bigger 5. It's such a pity that the 540d isn't available in the UK as that would be the ideal unit.
Sounds like I'd better get myself a test drive in a 540i

[AP]

I'd have been interested in a 550i to get the best of both worlds, refinement and "low down torque" but it never came to the UK. There was a rumour it would earlier in the year but nothing has come of it and I personally have my doubts about it now given the pressure on environmental impact cars have.

A difficult choice as both engines are very good but in quite different ways.
I'd say if economy is not a priority then go for the 540i. In the uk that comes by default with drive aswell which adds another dimension to the drive and I'm no racing driver but it allows me to get off the line so quickly without much effort at all. My previous 530d rwd was very easy to spin the wheels unless you were careful initially.

Good luck deciding

[TK - 421]

I think if they offered a 540d, that would be the one to go for. Don’t get me wrong BMW’s 30d block is the best Diesel engine on the planet, but need twin turbos IMHO to make it a contender in the G30. Which leaves the 40i being the only real choice out there at the minute. Plus I’m amazed at how quick this thing gets up to temp and starts kicking heat into the cabin, especially now the seasons have changed. Coupled with heated steering wheel. Nice place to be.

[AP]

Yes it is amazing how quick it warms up. In fact if you delve into the hidden cluster menu and display both the coolant and oil temperatures, you can see they start climbing literally as soon as the engine is running.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by TK - 421

I think if they offered a 540d, that would be the one to go for. Don’t get me wrong BMW’s 30d block is the best Diesel engine on the planet, but need twin turbos IMHO to make it a contender in the G30. Which leaves the 40i being the only real choice out there at the minute. Plus I’m amazed at how quick this thing gets up to temp and starts kicking heat into the cabin, especially now the seasons have changed. Coupled with heated steering wheel. Nice place to be.

yep, the 540d would be the one to have, imo. 320ps and 680Nm is some unit. That's over 50% more torque than the 540i. Worth moving to mainland Europe for, that one

[nsa100]

Coming from a F11 535D I concur with everything AP has said.

I test drove the 530d before buying 2No 540i (G30 & G31) as you definitely feel it lacking at mid to high speeds compared to the twinTurbo 535/540D.

Just for info, I have the MPPSK fitted to my G31, and it definitely pulls harder.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by nsa100

Coming from a F11 535D I concur with everything AP has said.

I test drove the 530d before buying 2No 540i (G30 & G31) as you definitely feel it lacking at mid to high speeds compared to the twinTurbo 535/540D.

Just for info, I have the MPPSK fitted to my G31, and it definitely pulls harder.

yeh, I've got the MPPSK on my 440i.and the extra power/torque is a bonus. Don't think you can fit it on post July '18 production, however, and if I go for a 540i, I'll be buying new

[AP]

Another point. I have just read that Bristol will ban private diesel cars during the day, other cities are bound to follow so bear that in mind re your decision.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by AP

Another point. I have just read that Bristol will ban private diesel cars during the day, other cities are bound to follow so bear that in mind re your decision.

Yeh, saw this, thanks, bonkers really, why didn't they start with the most polluting diesels first, like London and its ULEZ?
Latest EU6d-TEMP standards mean that diesels are producing sod all NOx and very low CO2, a lot cleaner than a lot of petrol cars.
Regional and national policies on diesel are certainly a factor, as you say, and i doubt that the war on diesel is going to disappear anytime soon - apart from anything else, it's another way of generating revenue, of course

[AP]

It's not just diesel but I feel the war on the car in general is gaining momentum, I just have this horrible fear in the back of my mind that we are in the twilight years of car ownership.

Cars are probably about as good as they can be but we're seeing any fun taken away with emissions rules, cars banned in some places, charged in others, 20 mph speed limits encroaching everywhere, speed bumps, average speed cameras.... its getting rather depressing. Each day a bit chipped away.

Sorry that was a rather sad post.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by AP

It's not just diesel but I feel the war on the car in general is gaining momentum, I just have this horrible fear in the back of my mind that we are in the twilight years of car ownership.

Cars are probably about as good as they can be but we're seeing any fun taken away with emissions rules, cars banned in some places, charged in others, 20 mph speed limits encroaching everywhere, speed bumps, average speed cameras.... its getting rather depressing. Each day a bit chipped away.

Sorry that was a rather sad post.

You're right, I'm afraid
Sometimes I think that I might as well be in the other half's Fiesta for all the fun I'm having on our congested, camera'd, average speed controlled roads.
Actually, there's nothing wrong with the Fiesta, it's a bloody good small car to drive, and Ford could teach the big boys a thing or two about chassis design and handling.
Might just keep the 440i next year after all and save a few ££

[aadum]

540i makes me smile every time i sit inside
Economy wise it is bad if you live in areas with hills. My consumption goes up to 18l/100km always in sport mode and heavy footed.Highway speeds and suburban drive 9l/100km (comfort mode to keep exhaust note down).

[nsa100]

I average 23 to 26 mpg around the local hills of West Yorkshire and most of the time is in sport mode. By comparison my 535D only did around 27 to 28mpg locally

Funnily enough today I tried an economy run (in Eco mode) up through the Yorkshire Dales and averaged 34 mpg.....but its was very boring.