My Da’s 12 year old BMW will fail its NCT unless he has 5 grand of work done on it so he has finally decided to get a new one. The new 520d and 525d are catching his eye. The advantage of the 525d is that it is available in March. The big disadvantage is a massive price uplift over the 520d. But he can’t really wait until July for the 520d to be released.
The garage has some current model 520d’s in stock and he is wondering should he just get one of them instead. I’ve been doing some research and I think he should but then I’ve never owned a Beemer so would appreciate advice from those in the know. My feelings are:
- He can get current 520d for a good deal if he negotiates hard (and waits for new shape to be launched)
- Nothing reported about the new 5 Series would matter to him (new shape, 8 speed auto, better iDrive, better suspension)
- After 5 years, the three models will all be very similar in re-sale price. In particular, the 520d->525d delta will have disappeared
My only concern is that moving from 5L petrol to 2L diesel may be a leap too far for him. Some decent test drives on the new Waterford bypass should hopefully answer that.
How is the 520d for refinement, reliability, service cost etc? His old 7-Series is a lovely car but as reliable as a Trabant and spares cost a fortune.
Or should he consider Merc/Audi? He’s been a BMW guy since the 80s when his job upgraded him from the vinyl-roofed Granada 
Having just bought a (06) 535d I would buy the outgoing E60 if you can negotiate a good deal…a friend just got a well spec’ed ’10 520d for just over €40k. However if you go the e60 route I think the real value is in 06/07 models, OK the tax is higher but that’s offset by sticker price. There was a €20k diff in my ’06 535 over an equivalent ’08, no amount of road tax reduction or depreciation over five years will match that. Horses for courses. The 5series is a very good car but a 2.0L diesel is nothing near a 5l petrol despite whatever advances have been made. A 5l 7series to a 2l 5series isn’t really apples to apples in any event.
Great tips thanks Ivan. I don’t think he’s expecting it to be very similar but I know what it’s like to go from a strongly accelerating car (AX bottle rocket) to one that struggled (1.6L Xantia). Luckily reviews seem to say that mid-range overtaking on the 520d is great, which is where he would want it. Also, the old 7-Series weighs a bloody ton so I don’t think the practical delta will be huge.
Indeed, if anything the 520d would be quicker than the 7, it might be worth a look at the practical diffs between the 6cyl 525d and 4cyl 520d see if it is worth it..I know there are almost none on the roads here but maybe that is something dictated by company car policy, dunno. Look at Tax, fuel, performance, engine noise etcCan't beat the luxobarge for comfort however
On ,
Ah he’s long retired so he makes the call on it. The 6 cylinders do look attractive on the 525d tho!
Have ye considered importing from the UK? Far better spec and you’ll still be saving a few k assuming you go down the 2nd hand route.
Thanks Neil. That’s definitely something I’ll do in the future. Waiting for bargain-basement C6 prices over there. But I think my Da just wants to walk into a garage and walk out with a car.
I just bought an 06 530D Auto M Sport and the thing is an animal. Its much better fuel comsumtion then my 1998 Petrol 520i and a pleasure to drive. The Tax is only €300 a year more then the 525D so if your fathers heart is on power, speed and economy, then the 530D is the way t go. Good deals available on the net through dealers and thats how i bought mine. I spent 2 weeks looking for the right car and along it came. Good luck if your father hasn’t already purchaced but if it s Bimmer, then its going to be good anyway
Regards, Simon.
Thanks Simon, he went with a new old-model 520d and absolutely loves it. Recently he’s had to hammer up and down from Kilkenny to Cavan multiple times and he isn’t finding it a strain.
That’s great.A guy I work with just bought an 07 520d and loves it. I bought my 530d just friday gone and was actively buying an 06 525d but I couldn’t get the finance approval with that garage and when I asked could I get it with peterson’s in Dun laoighaire, they approved and away iw ent in the 530d. Just like McDonalds, I’m lovin it.Good luck and be well to you and your family.Regards,Simon Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld