520D ?

[Cannondale]

Hi not an X I know but since selling my X5, I have not found a car yet. I have the chance of a 2009 520D Se Bis Edition touring manual. It has 93,000 miles with full BMW history.

Are these any good and what problems is it likley to have or get in the future?

Thanks  Rich...

[Don Coffey]

[quote="Cannondale"]
Hi not an X I know but since selling my X5, I have not found a car yet. I have the chance of a 2009 520D Se Bis Edition touring manual. It has 93,000 miles with full BMW history.

Are these any good and what problems is it likley to have or get in the future?

Thanks  Rich...
[/quote]

Although not the same model I had a F10 520 for two years and 40k that was great. Fast, economical and a nice big comfy car. The mileage on the one your looking at is high for year but possible a lot of motorway miles so easy on the engine and a full service shows the previous owner respected the car.

Could be worth joining a couple of 5 series forums and ask the above questions. Should get a quicker, wider response.

Don

[pvr]

All depends on the price of course.

Is that the 170 bhp version of the 2.0 ?

[Cannondale]

It is 177Bhp, says its the later model, what ever that means?

Just need something cheap for the wife to use that will pull a carvan and transport the dog.

Still missing the mighty V8 X  but our needs have changed now.

Thanks  Rich...

[Lee4.8is]

[quote="Cannondale"]
It is 177Bhp, says its the later model, what ever that means?

Just need something cheap for the wife to use that will pull a carvan and transport the dog.

Still missing the mighty V8 X  but our needs have changed now.

Thanks  Rich...
[/quote]
I swapped my 4.8 for a 520d m sport tourer the 2009 177bhp model & I wanted something practical for our dog/family, if I am honest I actually prefer driving the 5 series to the x it just feels more nimble & it soaks up the miles well whilst offering decent economy.

I really miss the looks & sound & power of the 4.8 though & I do find the 520d terribly underpowered & gutless for the size of the car, if I had my time again I would go 525d/530d for the six cylinders & extra grunt, if its only economy that you want then the 520d hits the spot,

Cheers Lee 

[X5Sport]

Interesting that the 520D 'feels' underpowered.  It's one option on the 'future list' so maybe a 530D would be better.  I expect a 535D would be a no go unless the price was right.

Richard

[Lee4.8is]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Interesting that the 520D 'feels' underpowered.  It's one option on the 'future list' so maybe a 530D would be better.  I expect a 535D would be a no go unless the price was right.

Richard
[/quote]
Both me & the mrs feel the same about it, she said that she would hate having to drive it daily due to its lack of go, mine is a manual though so maybe an auto would feel stronger, it's not bad 70mph plus once its moving but when you come to a hill you have to drop it down several gears or it just dies!

Maybe we are just used to more powerful cars & that's why it feels poor, its alot of weight at nearly 1700kg to move from only a 4 pot engine so it's to be expected really.

Everything else about the car I love tbh just the engine I dislike...I wouldn't say no to a 550i tourer though that wouldn't struggle! 

Lee

[X5Sport]

Hmm.  Useful stuff here.  Our first E46 was a 325i Auto with probably the same BHP and it had to be worked quite hard to make it go.  Weighed about the same as the 520 too.  Replaced with a 330D manual which is an absolute flyer!  The mini has the 2.0 158bhp diesel and that too needs a bit of 'encouragement' on steeper slopes when loaded up.  Generally the economy is only about 70% of 'claimed' which is a worse % accuracy than the X6.

And a 550i would be nice.....

[Lee4.8is]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Hmm.  Useful stuff here.  Our first E46 was a 325i Auto with probably the same BHP and it had to be worked quite hard to make it go.  Weighed about the same as the 520 too.  Replaced with a 330D manual which is an absolute flyer!  The mini has the 2.0 158bhp diesel and that too needs a bit of 'encouragement' on steeper slopes when loaded up.  Generally the economy is only about 70% of 'claimed' which is a worse % accuracy than the X6.

And a 550i would be nice.....
[/quote]
I agree we absolutely loved our old 330d did 154k miles in it & it never missed a beat & when we had it at 3 months old I was blown away by its performance it was such a great allrounder, I think I acted a little to quickly to swap my X5 for the 520d I should have gone 530d that would have suited my personal needs a little better I think 

I sometimes think its better having a larger engine working less hard than a smaller one working its guts out, I would imagine plenty of people are happy with the 520d I suppose it's what you have been used to driving that makes all the difference, I do like the cheap tax on the 520 though 

[Don Coffey]

Now although I had the newer 520d with 186 bhp on tap I can't imagine much of a difference between mine and previous model.  Low speed poke was good and it did start to loose puff once above 70 mph, but nothing alarming.  If economy and low tax are high on the wish list then ask yourself how often do you require the power torque of the 525 or even 530?

Yes there is a difference but given the space, comfort, elegance, prestige of the five series and its economy it is hard to beat.

Don