BMW or Merc

richieg

I am changing jobs and will be on the road quite a bit. The company are willing to pay all fuel expenses as long as its diesel so the time has come to sell my wonderful '02 530i (its on carzone!).
What I am thinking about is 1 of the following;
'06 320d sport
'06 520d sport
'04/05 530d
'04/05 E220/270 A/Garde

Does anyone have any experience of these, good or bad?
Is there any sites where I can read users reviews/comments on these?

I have heard bad things about quality of the merc and electrical problems with the 5 series. This has only been from 1 or 2 people so I would like to get broader feel for what they are like

unkel

richieg wrote:

The company are willing to pay all fuel expenses as long as its diesel

If that's the case, you might as well go for the most powerful car on your list, the 530d. You won't be disappointed, even coming from your 530i. Did you ever drive one?

Owen

If you're over 50, get the Merc (Runs and hides from the ensuing flamewar)

Seth Brundle

530d for me!
Would your budget stretch to an E60 535d? Yummy!

JohnCleary

530d ... A dream to drive and plenty of poke

I have a 320d myself and very impressed, but an extra 1000cc would be sweet

unkel

ned78 wrote:

If you're over 50, get the Merc (Runs and hides from the ensuing flamewar)

I'd say the average age of the first owner of either car is over 50

The Merc is an excellent car too, more comfortable than the BMW. The engine wins it for the 530d imho

Owen

JohnCleary wrote:

530d ... A dream to drive and plenty of poke

I have a 320d myself and very impressed, but an extra 1000cc would be sweet

You should see the long term plans for the 320d engine, it's very impressive!

smcgiff

The only time I’d be happy to get into a merc is when (and no time soon I hope) I'm encased in pine.

I’d prefer the 3 series – I’ve been and done the big cars (Audi A6) and it’s downsizing from here on in.

Gatster

BMW. Having gone from owning BMW-Merc-BMW and I've driven various models from both marques. I'll stick with BMW unless I can afford an AMG Merc in the future.

I did like my Merc and it did everything very well, I just like BMW's more

Oh yeah, 530d...

Rowley Birkin QC

kbannon wrote:

Would your budget stretch to an E60 535d? Yummy!

My thoughts exactly! was a passenger in an estate one of these lately, fantastic car!

michaelanthony

bigkev49 wrote:

My thoughts exactly! was a passenger in an estate one of these lately, fantastic car!

Any of those BMWS. BMWs are hard, Mercs are soft.

richieg

Thanks guys
Any truth behind the wiring issues mentioned on the E 60 5 series.

Does anyone know of any websites that owners post opinions/experiences of these cars?

Cyrus

any link to your 530?

richieg

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=615609


I am open to offers if you are interested

richieg

Ok guys I'm down to a '06 320D or '0 530D. I can get either for approx 45K.

Which do you think will be worth more in say 2-3 years time, 1 year old 3 series or 3 year old 5 series

Lex Luthor

Cat amoungst the pigeons

A6 2.7TDi 6speed

Biro

I'd go for the 3.0 TDi A6 quicker than the 2.7 I reckon. It's a nice car to drive, comfortable. Better over the bumps than the 5 series, but then not as sharp on the steering. Still a good car though.
Never drove a E320 CDI, so can't comment on that.

Anan1

richieg wrote:

Ok guys I'm down to a '06 320D or '0 530D. I can get either for approx 45K.

Which do you think will be worth more in say 2-3 years time, 1 year old 3 series or 3 year old 5 series

I'd say a 1 year old 3 series.

GB15

richieg wrote:

Thanks guys
Any truth behind the wiring issues mentioned on the E 60 5 series.

Does anyone know of any websites that owners post opinions/experiences of these cars?

www.carsurvey.org

www.honestjohns.co.uk

www.parkers.co.uk

galwaytt

richieg wrote:

Ok guys I'm down to a '06 320D or '0 530D. I can get either for approx 45K.

Which do you think will be worth more in say 2-3 years time, 1 year old 3 series or 3 year old 5 series

You'll take a hammering on the 530. eur1342 p.a. car tax will see to that.

Buy the 2.0 and spec the yazoo out of it - and I really mean that.

richieg

Tax is 1109 on 530 not 1349
I think if I go for a 5 it will be 3.0 and if I go for 2.0 litre it will be 3 series

Mc-BigE

richieg wrote:

Ok guys I'm down to a '06 320D or '0 530D. I can get either for approx 45K.

Which do you think will be worth more in say 2-3 years time, 1 year old 3 series or 3 year old 5 series

what about a 2005 320d with leather for 37K

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=446617

TheBazman

I drive an 06 520d M-sport and very happy with it - I do about 40k kms/yr. While the 530d is obviously much more powerful, you will only notice it as a bigger kick in the back when the turbo kicks in. Even in the 520d I am quite happy with the kick in the back that it gives once the turbo kicks in. Being honest I would not be overly pushed about switching to a 530d and paying the extra as the turbo lag will exist in both and it is probably the one downside to these motors. I would definitely switch to a 535d (maybe saving a little longer or going down a year). The twin turbo does away with any noticeable turbo lag.

Specifically on the 2006 520d - if you get a later model it will have an AUX input for an ipod etc while the earlier 2006 models may not (may not be a concern to you)
I have an auto and I do drive a little aggressively - I manage around 40-42 mpg (half motorway/half city).
I have PDC and find it the biz - definitely worth having
Run Flat Tyres are a problem not necessarily from the comfort angle but more due to the fact that if you get a puncture it is recommeded that you get a new tyre (320 euro!)

Get back to me if you have any specific queries on the 520d

Mc-BigE

what about a 520d?


http://www.carsite.co.uk/used/BMW/520/520d-M-Sport-4dr/2005/LB55HYF


added: ahh the bazman got there before me!

junkyard

You won't go wrong with a 530d, I've had three of them and no problems, the 535d is even better if you can justify the extortionate road tax.

Biro

junkyard wrote:

You won't go wrong with a 530d, I've had three of them and no problems, the 535d is even better if you can justify the extortionate road tax.

Road tax is the same on the 535d as the 530d, as the cc's are the same.

rebel.ranter

BMW 530D would be the one for me. If you'r e into cars & didn't mind paying the 3.0L tax on your 530i then it's definitely the way to go.

bazz26

The 320D will be easier of the two to sell afterwards in Ireland assuming they do not have intergalactic mileage on them at the time. The 530D would simply be too expensive to tax and insure for your average Irish motorist.

If your not worried about all that then the 530D will probably be a nicer cruiser in comparison. Just make sure it has a good spec especially leather seats and the M Teck sport pack if possible. The 5 Series looks terrible without them imo.