F10 520d or 528i

Luigi_S

Member
Looking at getting back into a BMW, even though I swore after the rubbish that was the F30, I would stay away.

This time I am looking at getting the car I should have got last time round, the F10.

I have two options, a 2012 520d with loads of toys, but no nav with 61k and M/plan till Jan of next year or a fully loaded 2013 528i M/Sport with 76k and motorplan till 2018.

I am a total diesel fan so prefer the 520d. My concern is that I am looking for something for the long term, what with my son going to Uni in a few years time, etc. Does anyone have a 528i? What are they like to live with long term? Either way I will be keeping the car out of M/Plan so I do need to be mindful of future costs.

I only do around 15k a year so fuel economy is only a slight issue.

Any advice chaps?
 

DieselFan

Honorary ///Member
What were your issues with the f30?

Is a 530d out of the budget? I don't have first hand experience with the two cars but I suggest you test drive the two and getting first hand experience.

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zaleonardz

Well-known member
I would go for the 520d, oodles of torque, test drove one and was very impressed with it.

But if you possibly can, go for the 530d
 

Luigi_S

Member
Thanks guys, 530d is going to be too old at the price I am looking at, a 520d will suffice for my purposes. Trying to get as new as possible for between 300k and 350k.

I took a 520d M sport yesterday for a good drive and it was perfectly adequate. More than enough power.

The F30 for me was a huge disappointment. Nowhere near as smooth or solid as my wife's 2008 Jetta TFSi DSG, and that with a quarter of the mileage, the wife's Jetta is now on 85k. It had rattles and the chassis flex was something else. Just wasn't the quality of car I was expecting. The F10 I drove yesterday was much much better. I far preferred driving the Jetta to the F30 any day.
 

DieselFan

Honorary ///Member
Bud go test drive the 528 and see what you prefer. They're both good engines. The diesel probably more proven in reliability as the n20 is still relatively new to market.

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AshG108

///Member
Sounds like you spotted my bro-in-law's ex 520d. He traded his in at Zambezi BMW in Pretoria.

2012 with 61k on the clock.
Alpine White
M-Sport
Sunroof
xenons
electric tailgate
19inch wheels
No Nav, bit still in brilliant nick

He traded it in a 2015 X5 40d, so if this is the car I cna vouch for the condition and that the car was driven like an angel. It will be a great buy & was treated well.
 

Luigi_S

Member
AshG108 said:
Sounds like you spotted my bro-in-law's ex 520d. He traded his in at Zambezi BMW in Pretoria.

2012 with 61k on the clock.
Alpine White
M-Sport
Sunroof
xenons
electric tailgate
19inch wheels
No Nav, bit still in brilliant nick

He traded it in a 2015 X5 40d, so if this is the car I cna vouch for the condition and that the car was driven like an angel. It will be a great buy & was treated well.

Unfortunately not. This one is a non M Sport model. Has a great spec though even without nav.

Alpine White
18" 328 style wheels
Sport Auto trans
Ambient Lighting
Sunroof
Electric Seats with Memory
Through Load System
High Beam Assist
Combox
Hi-Fi Speaker System

Can anyone tell me the benefits of the Combox. Can I stream BT audio with album art or is that only with Professional Nav?
 

msm

Well-known member
Luigi_S said:
I only do around 15k a year so fuel economy is only a slight issue.

Any advice chaps?

If fuel economy is not a concern, consider a Lexus GS350, unless you are specifically looking for something worse in this class... just kidding on the latter part of that statement. Anyway, go test drive a GS if you can, since you're contemplating options.

However, if you're dead set on the 5er, I would also reconsider a 530d even at a higher mileage than a 520d. The 3.0d motors seem to have proven themselves when it comes to high mileage, so long term running costs should be relatively decent.
 

AshG108

///Member
Oh yes his had sport auto, high beam,hifi but no through load. If you wnt the m-sport, you can check with Zambesi bud


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