E39 530d Performance |
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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Posted: 30-December-2009 at 16:54 |
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I had been thinking of changing soon and I don't want to
downsize and yet with juice prices heading upwards I was thinking of moving over to the dark side (i.e. tractor power). What's the E39 530d like as a daily driver compared to the 523i? Power-wise, I think they have a similar enough bhp figure (170 Vs 190) but the diesel presumably has shedloads more torque. I don't measure it but I reckon that I'm getting low 20s in the mpg stakes (commuting traffic) - what could I expect from the diesel in this kind of traffic (I know early 40s are easily achievable on a long run)? What about servicing - the petrol is easy enough to DIY - is there much to playing with the diesel (I have worked on Massey Ferguson & Ford tractors) so I presume not but just want to be sure. What about gearbox. Should I do the double cross and move over to an autobox? Any other buying info that I should know of (out of the ordinary E39 stuff)? |
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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nn_dd
Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-October-2004 Location: Co Clare Status: Offline Points: 602 |
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Won't get 40's on an autobox, even on long run - unless you're doing constant 100kph. Drove an auto 523 while my 530d was in for some tlc. The 530d delivers much better performance and much lower fuel consumption. There's much more to go wrong though and none of it is cheap. I've only done 15k in mine since changing from an E36M3 and please for the love of all that is important to you - don't get an auto, i HATE mine and will never get an auto again. They are rare, but manuals are out there, try and source one, you'll be better able to make best use of the 530d's prodegious torque than any auto box can.
On the buying front, the autobox must be smooth on the up change and kickdown, listen for rear subframe bushings clunking on rapic acceleration. Most problems are associated with the diesel supply, 3 pumps and then 300 a piece injectors that are common to go when over 100k. just pumped 2k into mine for injectors and ECU + LCM (not a nice bill to get on Christmas eve....) I get 32-35mpg on cross country and motorway miles. Mid to high 20's in traffic and if driven on, manual would give better mpg than that. I'm sure the long term owners can shed more light on the subject for you. |
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E39 530d Touring
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Andrew Rolland
Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579 |
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I test drove two auto E39 530d when looking to change from the auto E39 523i. Bhp wise the oil burner has about 20 bhp more but torque goes from 245Nm to around 400Nm which is a massive increase, which is what does all the work in the acceleration department. They weren't as dynamically zinggy to drive as the smaller petrol but the acceleration in 2nd gear once in the turbo range is impressive. The getting off the line is a bit more sluggish. On a bootfull of throttle from stationary they both sat and farted about before pulling themselves together and hurling you with a load of torque off the line. Auto wise, they have the proven ZF 5 speed box which will be generally pretty reliable. You will know how I bang on about getting them serviced. I reckon you would have more to worry about in the engine than the transmission. I would have gone for a 530d but the thought of replacing injectors at £300 each and turbos etc at £2,000 just scared me off them. If the reliability was there I would have had one as at the time I was doing more miles but I am doing far less nowadays. Performance with economy is very attractive but I couldn't get the noise of a diesel Mondeo out of my head when sat at traffic lights in the 530d hearing it idle....like a Massey Fergusson Tractor......Plus I really hate the smell of the fuel and the exhaust fumes. Servicing will be more as the engine parts are heavier. The lub oil will be more expensive too and you will need to change it regularly to avoid the turbo bearings failing which then lead to the engine eating bits of turbo. You will need to do more miles to get the savings in economy to counter act the increase in service costs. If you are slightly deaf, have a poor sense of smell and do more than 17,000 miles a year, a diesel may be the right car for you. In my opinion I just can't see the attraction of a diesel....The E60 535d would however be a different story altogether but will cost considerably more than an E39 530d. Don't get me wrong they are impressive to drive for a diesel but..... I would be interested to hear what you decide to do. Andrew |
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Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!
Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
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Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
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K
My 540s the auto with Sports and tip control and I don't mind it...kind of suits the car espec in traffic....D when I can't be arsed or want to cruise along, S round town and tip for when I want some urgency. I'm with Andrew on the possible pitfalls of diesel...but dependant on your mileage then could be more cost effective. A few years ago I had a new E46 320D manual which to be fair was a reasonably decent car, 500 miles to a tankful...my only problem, and it could well have been the engine size, was the relatively small power band...as Andrew noticed..not much before turbo kick in then a kick up the rear then absolutely nothing. Had similar in a Bora 1.9TDI and a Passat TDI. |
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Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea
Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
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Peter Fenwick
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484 |
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One thing to bear in mind is that the 3 litre automatics have the troublesome swirl flaps in the inlet manifold. I was told that the manual cars don't have them but that might not be true. Either way it's worth removing them if you buy a car that has them fitted and replacing the crankcase breather assemby as a matter of course.
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Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
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+1 |
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Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
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buck26
Newbie Joined: 04-January-2010 Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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I had a 530d manual,01, sold it afew years ago,to a brother of mine,to be honest i loved it,motor tax cost was d reason i sold it,thought for a while i was missing out on something buy not a having an auto, until i drove an Auto one weekend,didnt like it at all, mpg was great over 40mpg on a long run.My brother still has it, his wife drives it a lot, and to be honest shes a bit heavy on the pedal,and drives country roads a lot, my brother tells me its very hard on balljoints,and track rod ends,and has replaced them a couple of times.
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stephen520i
Really Senior Member I Joined: 13-April-2004 Location: Co.Cork Status: Offline Points: 342 |
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Total BMW mag have done a feature on changing the swirl flap's. If you have them, then get them out they say. They have also covered the engine breather filter change as part of their latest project car an e39 530d. |
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E34 520i auto leather
Previous: E36 93 316i M40 Boston Green |
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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Which issue was that in?
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
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Within the last 6 months iirc. I can probably dig it out at home if you don't have it. |
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Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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If you could please D. - no rush as most of the 530d's advertised are bog standard crap whereas if I were to go for one it would need to be a good spec (M-tech, dual climate, leather, etc.)
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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nn_dd
Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-October-2004 Location: Co Clare Status: Offline Points: 602 |
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KB - are you saying that BMW's are crap unless they have all the bells and whistles on.....tut tut..!!! The car I have now is the first one in about 10yrs with no leather in it and it's lovely in the current weather (even if the bloody car won't heat up !!) |
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E39 530d Touring
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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not at all but I'm just used to my little luxuries!
I am surprised at the lack of high spec 530ds out there - given the size of the engine & the associated tax, I would have resumed the spec would have been much higher! |
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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nn_dd
Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-October-2004 Location: Co Clare Status: Offline Points: 602 |
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Farmers cars |
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E39 530d Touring
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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Should I expect to see traces of silage or old 10:10:20 bags in the boot then?
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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dekra
Advanced Newbie Joined: 26-November-2007 Location: drogheda ireland Status: Offline Points: 24 |
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i have had a 530d 2001 193bhp for two years now.its manual.mpg ranges about 42 to 47 and with very light foot 52mpg amazing for 2.9 engine.mate has 528i auto and they have very equal performance after 40 mph.issues i had were turbo 1000euro and fitted myself.inlet manifold replaced which had no swirl flaps.airflow meter.high pressure fuel pump got from brakers 120 euro.general bushings and service.it was king diesel at one time.best car i ever had .they are cheap as chips now but buy with service history.
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530d 540i
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jetsetwilly2000
Really Senior Member II Joined: 10-December-2003 Location: Cambridgeshire Status: Offline Points: 701 |
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How does the performance compare to your 540i then dekra?
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E90 M3 DCT, E46 330d Touring, VW T5 wannabecamper
Previous: Disco 3 TDV6, 2x E34 540i6, E34 535iS |
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Peter Fenwick
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484 |
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Rep mobiles where the status of a big 5 is more important than the spec i.e better to buy a base spec 530d than a high spec 330d... |
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Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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True Peter but over here with our extortionate tax rates, reps tended to have a 520dor maybe a 520i/523i and the bosses had the 3L motors.
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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Fooljam
Senior Member II Joined: 16-July-2008 Status: Offline Points: 207 |
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Err, you can see the 530d in your 540i mirror...
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