BMW 530d

[ScoobyChris]

The Volvo thread got me wondering as I've been looking to upgrade from the Mondeo again recently and stumbled across the Parkers review of the last shape (E39) BMW 530d (193bhp model). A quick look on Autotrader showed I could get a 2001/2002 one in budget, so I thought I'd open it up to the members on here and see what opinions people had of them to drive/own, before I set about tracking one down.

Also open to any other suggestions. Budget is 8-10k, will probably be looking at estates as it'll need to be a capable load lugger, and it has to be diesel because it's going to be doing 20-25k a year More toys, power and fun to drive the better

Chris

[Roadcraft]

The 530d is a nice car..

It's takes some time getting up to a speed..but once there..is fine...

Don't get me wrong, it's not slow by any means...

Now if you can spend more..the 535d is an awsome vehicle..twice the vehicle the 530d is ....

I might have mentioned it before...

Have a look at;

www.taillights.net

He occasionally gets some BMWs in...(amongst the fleet of Audis)

[ScoobyChris]

Ah the 535d does indeed look good but I think that's only available in the E60 (current shape) and the cheapest one I could find was 31 grand What's the going rate for kidney's these days?

Chris

[Roadcraft]

Yeah, sorry...I forgot they were new..

I take it for granted at times, the ability to drive nice cars in the course of my work...

I dont think you'll be sorry with a 530d though....

I had a 'client' who had one..and even though it was tiptronic..it was a really nice all round motor...

[TripleS]

I might have mentioned it before...

Have a look at;

www.taillights.net

Nooo, I don't think so. I'm sure that's a new one on me!

Best wishes all - including my much tormented friend.
Dave.

[vonhosen]

530d is a fine car.
Very well sorted with good progressive handling
Eats the miles with consumate ease, pretty good economy as well.

[Nigel]

You can get some good beemer advice here : http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/default.asp

For £4 - 6,000 you can get a fully loaded E39 540I, or even 728,730,735 etc, and I mean fully loaded, sat nav, tv, dvd etc.

Why would you want an oil burner ?

I don't actually like the E39, if the krauts couldn't be bothered to turn the windscreen wipers around to suit RHD, then I can't be bothered to buy one.

[ScoobyChris]

Thanks for the link Nigel. As mentioned above, I need an oil burner as I'm doing 20-25k a year and much as I'd love a nice straight 6 or V8, my wallet is screaming at me not to bankrupt myself (again!) with a car that does mpg in the 20's. After saying that though, with a car for 4-6k, I'd have a little bit spare for fuel for a year or two! Sounds like I need to revisit the figures!

My ultimate plan is to run an oil burner as my main commuting car and then buy something a bit special for the weekends, but that's a few years off....

Chris

[Nigel]

I'll say it on here, in case you miss it for whatever reason on the beemer forum.........whatch out for the "nikisil" issue.

This doesn't just apply to beemers, all alloy engines, roughly around 96 - 99 that used nikisil instead of cast iron liners on the bores can suffer, jag & merc are two others I know of, and ford must be involved somewhere ( volvo perhaps), as they were the ones that identified why all these engines were wearing out so quickly.

[rlmr]

530d is a fine car.
Very well sorted with good progressive handling
Eats the miles with consummate ease, pretty good economy as well.

Unless you need such a large car, do not overlook the 330d or even the 2nd. Have used both and they "tick the boxes."

Rennie