E39 530d Performance

Fooljam wrote: jetsetwilly2000 wrote: How does the performance compare to your 540i then dekra?   Err, you can see the 530d in your 540i mirror...

Yeah and it gets smaller and smaller, you can tell it's still there from the smoke that comes out the back

Yeah I guess I knew that, just wondering how much slower.  I've been in a 330d which was damn fine until it ran out of puff, but never ran it back to back against my 540i to gauge it properly.

My 540 doesn't have lsd either!  Apparently the TC renders it redundant!! Ludicrous decision.  I'm sort of passively shopping for an S315 off an 840CI...

Aye, that's the theory   In practice when you want to use the lsd to apply power evenly to the wheels, you end up with the brakes on.  4x4's without locking centre diffs are silly too - I'd never take one anywhere near mud (not that X5's would go there anyway).

Yes but I would be a bit scared driving a M model with the traction off.  Christ mine is scary enough to drive with the traction off, shudder to think what an M would do to you, ending up going backwards thru hedges in a big fireball springs to mind!

On the track would be a different thing altogether.

Not sure about now but E34 Sport models had LSDs. 

TC that can be set to be less paranoid would probably be best.  Atm I wouldn't be without my TC!  But ideally I'd like an lsd to have the option.  I know that once or twice on private roads my car has triggered the TC mid-bend and at any speed it really upsets the car, in a way that an LSD just wouldn't.

Proof of the pudding for me was my 535iS - LSD but no TC, and more rewarding to chuck about.  And no, the suspension wasn't better - it had been lowered and was actually a bit crap compared to the 540, nervous turn-in and a bit snappy on real-world roads, but still nicer at the limit.  The 540 feels lovely right up to the limit, and then if there's any speed involved the TC makes it lurch like someone's just dabbed the brakes (funny that).

Maybe drive-by-wire cars are better since they can back off too, but I'd still rather have an LSD than not.


Edited by jetsetwilly2000

One thing about the oil, Magnatec doesn't meet the BMW LL98 spec that the oil should do. The LL98 oils are synthetic and Magnatec isn't. These are better ones to go for

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-684-bmw-longlife-98.aspx

on the oil issue castrol is recommended by bmw .also it says on my filler cap castrol edge turbo diesel 0w-30 .my mistake earlier on magnetec. the castrol website says edge td oil is ll04 spec.

Edited by dekra

expensive to buy but worth it.my oil level is amazingly slow to drop .9 months since last oil change must do it soon again.is it possible to put lesser grade oil as the mileage creeps up for example my car has 195000miles now .oilman maybe you can shed some light on this.

UweM3 wrote: interesting read. Given the price difference of the oil burner over the petrol, one needs to do a fair amount of miles just to break even.

Exactly!

I just can't see the attraction unless you are doing, from what I've heard, atleast 17,000 miles a year.

 

Dekra,

You mentioned a filter for the turbo under the air filter, I havbe no idea if this has been changed at service, do you have a part number?

Ta.

Uwe, on a long run with few stops, you should always get 40mpg with an E39 auto, a few more with a manual.

My 530d auto has averaged just under 36 mpg over 21000 miles in mixed driving.