Comments on: BMW 5-Series. Old or new for my Da?

By: Simon

Simon — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:07:36 +0000

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

By: Conor O'Neill

Conor O'Neill — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 19:03:51 +0000

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.

By: Simon

Simon — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:41:14 +0000

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.

By: Conor O'Neill

Conor O'Neill — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:51:52 +0000

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.

By: Neil

Neil — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:47:42 +0000

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.

By: Conor O'Neill

Conor O'Neill — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:29:09 +0000

Ah he’s long retired so he makes the call on it. The 6 cylinders do look attractive on the 525d tho!

By: Ivan

Ivan — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:26:46 +0000

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 ,

By: Conor O'Neill

Conor O'Neill — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:15:04 +0000

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.

By: Ivan

Ivan — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:05:10 +0000

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.