BMW 530d

BrookieD

Hi All,
Anybody have any experience on the above car. I am looking at a 2001/2002 model and would like some opionions if any

Thanks

michaelanthony

The oul lad has one and they go like the clappers. Can't beat it with leather and auto.

AlanD

fabulous car!

But buy the right one. The m-tech kit is the best looker in my opinion. Get one with cruise control and climate control. Some of them have such a basic spec, they are a miserable enough place to be. Although miserable isn't a word you can associate with the driving of this car.

I drove a 02 manual version with m-tech kit and sports suspension. It was nothing short of fantastic. The spec was miserable so I didn't buy it in the end.

Make sure there's a full service history (as with any car) and if at all, buy one with leather and auto too.

One thing to remember, servicing in your local BMW dealer will be pricey.

If none of that bothers you, go get one. You shouldn't be paying more than 23k for one really at that age.

BrookieD

cheers for the info. i am looking at 22K at most, with a lot of toys and leather included. I have seen a fair view around so there seems to be a few to choose from. Anyone know of general fuel MPG??

Robbo

BrookieD wrote:

cheers for the info. i am looking at 22K at most, with a lot of toys and leather included. I have seen a fair view around so there seems to be a few to choose from. Anyone know of general fuel MPG??

Based on driving a Touring 530d Auto, 40+ mpg on the open road falling to 26-30 around town.

junkyard

I had a BMW 530d touring a few years ago and it was probably one of the best cars I ever had, nice spec. a rocket to go and very economical to run. As regards servicing I'd go to a BMW specialist before I'd go to a main dealer as a lot of the dealers haven't a clue and you end up paying for their mistakes. Great choice of car, you can't go wrong if you buy the right one with the right spec.

unkel

They hold their value well especially with auto / leather. Not without reason:

-the previous 5-series (E39) was unrivalled class leader from '96-'02
-the 2.9 diesel is still the best diesel out there

You'll enjoy owning one

fletch

junkyard wrote:

I had a BMW 530d touring a few years ago and it was probably one of the best cars I ever had, nice spec. a rocket to go and very economical to run. As regards servicing I'd go to a BMW specialist before I'd go to a main dealer as a lot of the dealers haven't a clue and you end up paying for their mistakes. Great choice of car, you can't go wrong if you buy the right one with the right spec.

That's a beauty!

junkyard

Thanks Fletch, I sorry I sold it but I got an M5 instead which is ever better.:)

Con_316

Have any of you guys ever had the pleasuer of driving said 530d with all the toys AND A reworked Ecu for...i kid you not-... an between of 238 and 245 bhp? I was lucky enough to drive a chipped 530d auto for a couple of days and it was amazing. the standard 218bhp car is a rocket but this was phenomenal with 239.4bhp. With that power its well into truck beating power. and id say it would give many a jap sports car quite a run for its money.

junkyard

I had my 530d chipped and it was a flying machine and BMW's are so well built that the rest of the car didn't have any problems coping with the extra power. I got my M5 chipped soon after I got it and it went from 400 to 451bhp and I 'd swear its nearly a second quicker from 0 to 60, it really makes a differance alright.:)

Alfasudcrazy

I bought a 2002 model at the start of 2003 - mine was a basic model but looked good with its gun metal grey metallic paint.

On reflection I should have bought a m spec one with leather and an auto. The car was brillliant and mine did 42mpg - a few more miles on a long journey. I did not like paying all that road tax though and I gradually grew bored of the car. I was worried too about the depreciation as contrary to popular belief 3.0 litre cars are very difficult to sell if they don't have the right spec. Mine was in the dealer's from Aug 2004 to Sep 2005 before it sold.
I am enjoying the Alfa Gt 1.9JTD much more than the 530D.
Somehow I found the driving experience of the BMW a bit too remote for my liking.:rolleyes:

Squirrel

Alfasudcrazy wrote:

I bought a 2002 model at the start of 2003 - mine was a basic model but looked good with its gun metal grey metallic paint.

On reflection I should have bought a m spec one with leather and an auto. The car was brillliant and mine did 42mpg - a few more miles on a long journey. I did not like paying all that road tax though and I gradually grew bored of the car. I was worried too about the depreciation as contrary to popular belief 3.0 litre cars are very difficult to sell if they don't have the right spec. Mine was in the dealer's from Aug 2004 to Sep 2005 before it sold.
I am enjoying the Alfa Gt 1.9JTD much more than the 530D.
Somehow I found the driving experience of the BMW a bit too remote for my liking.:rolleyes:

I actually like the cloth seats in the E39 5 series, I know a guy with a 523i, and it's real comfortable I think

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=369258&ID=625731&NumPics=1&Make=BMW&Model=530%20D&frmFilter=All I posted this on another thred also, just found a couple on CBG

el tel

I too am looking at at getting a 5-series diesel and took this one
for a test on Saturday.

It's a 2002 525d SE and has a shed load of extras. They are looking
around €17k for it. It goes like sh1t off a shiny shovel and in fact felt
quicker than than my bro's 2005 530d M Sport Touring Auto which he squandered €65k on.

BrookieD

el tel, what did you think of the drive? comfort, handling etc...

michaelanthony

I have a 3 series with 17 inch wheels with skinny tyres and lowered suspension. The ride is fairly rough in Ireland. But the 5 with 16 inch wheels and fat tyres makes a massive difference. It's a soft ride but firm at the same time.

el tel

BrookieD wrote:

el tel, what did you think of the drive? comfort, handling etc...

ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Colour coding - Body, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Front armrest, Head restraints, Headlight washers, Leather seats, Park distance control, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Rear armrest, Side airbags, Tinted glass, Full service history

With the leather seats and bags of room in the cabin it left very plush, same goes for the back too. It accelerated hard with not too much much noise from the engine and the brakes were strong - much more powerful than the wooly VW anchors I'm used to. The handling was sharp and the car felt really taught given it's size. It's been on their books for ages now so either there's a bit of bargaining to be done or else there's something not quite right about it.

Fey!

If you want some more feedback, try posting on www.bmwcarclubireland.com and click on forum; it's bmw owners and enthuasiasts from Ireland and the UK. I have a 1998 e39 520, and I find the handling and roadholding excellent (I'm on 255/40/r17's on the back and 235/45/r17s on the front, all Falken tyres). We do a couple of trackdays a year in Mondello, as well as group buys on various bits and pieces. It's also a great place to get information if you're having any difficulties.

And then there are the weekends away, etc.......

528i

junkyard wrote:

I had my 530d chipped and it was a flying machine and BMW's are so well built that the rest of the car didn't have any problems coping with the extra power. I got my M5 chipped soon after I got it and it went from 400 to 451bhp and I 'd swear its nearly a second quicker from 0 to 60, it really makes a differance alright.:)

Where'd you get this M5 chipped ?

Sounds *extremely* optimistic, even with a cat bypass/ full race exhaust & CAI (6k?) you're looking at around 15bhp increase (20bhp max) with a chip and only because it raises the rev limiter (danger here!) over 6500rpm+ therefore won't even be noticeable during normal (non-bouncing off the rev-limiter) everyday driving.

Hmmm, are you telling porkie pies mister ?

Have driven a 530d (quickly) and it was abit of a disappointment tbh, ok for a diesel I suppose in that you'd take one over a hino or volkswagan for example but just didn't encourage lunacy or smug grinning while screaming past the proletariat like the equivalent petrol 6's would,.. For the older retiring grey-haired gent who's counting the pennies and has lost the will to live I'd highly recommend one though, if only because anything interesting would be wasted on him.

MercMad

Just my 2c.............I would get an auto. The early E39's had a gearbox problem on the manual transmission which was changed in 2001/2002 internally !

Basically the gearbox gets difficult to go into 1st or 2nd.

Ask me how I know.....................I have one on the floor in front of me. Its belong to a colleague and we took it out last week. These series of Getrag boxes are different as the engine sizes go up but the problems are the same.

We thought it was a one off, car has 68k, but every specialist we rang said the same thing. This also explains why every breakers yard has one in stock, but unfortunately it also means that unless you can prove the box is post'02 you may have the same fault !

The auto is nicer anyway !!

junkyard

528i, I got the 530d done by a chap in Watergrasshill in Co. Cork, I can PM the details on to you if you want them. I got the M5 done by a specialist company in Birmingham, I'll get the details for you on them too if you want them. They actually rewrite the ECU as far as I know, I'm not an anorak on facts and figures but it seemed like a good idea and the end result was definitely worth it.:)