[MarkH13]

Thinking about moving from a 440i MPPSK to a 2/3 year-old 5 series, and looking at either a 540i or 530d xD (xD preferable because of where I live).

I love the way the B58 pulls to the red line, but there's not much opportunity to do that on our crowded roads. And I miss the effortless low-down surge of a big diesel in normal driving, so I'm a bit torn as to which way to go... (Hard to test drive anything at the moment!)

Just wondered if anyone had experience of driving either/both, and could comment on the differences?

My driving is a mix of town, country roads and motorways, with very few short journeys. Fuel cost is not a major factor, and whichever model I go for, I'll look for one with adaptive suspension.

[Ronstein]

Having gone from 530d (albeit RWD) to 640i GT, I can honestly say that the 40i lacks nothing in the low revs and is, for me, another level above the 30d. Fuel consumption, on the other hand......

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by Ronstein

Having gone from 530d (albeit RWD) to 640i GT, I can honestly say that the 40i lacks nothing in the low revs and is, for me, another level above the 30d. Fuel consumption, on the other hand......

Interesting... What's the power output/torque on the 640i, is it the same as the 540i?

Consumption in my 440i is pretty decent, but the 6 is a heavier car, so I'm not surprised it's suffering!

[Ronstein]

Originally Posted by MarkH13

Interesting... What's the power output/torque on the 640i, is it the same as the 540i?

Consumption in my 440i is pretty decent, but the 6 is a heavier car, so I'm not surprised it's suffering!

640i GT - 1910kg - 340ps - 450Nm
540i Saloon - 1690kg - 340ps - 450Nm (Touring is 1770kg)

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by Ronstein

640i GT - 1910kg - 340ps - 450Nm
540i Saloon - 1690kg - 340ps - 450Nm (Touring is 1770kg)

Thanks, that's some weight difference!

[Ronstein]

Originally Posted by MarkH13

Thanks, that's some weight difference!

It's got the same wheelbase as a 7 Series!!

[2CRO4TV]

Don't do it the 40i MPPSK is a special combo the m550i should be the target 😉

[Check-Mate]

Originally Posted by Ronstein

Having gone from 530d (albeit RWD) to 640i GT, I can honestly say that the 40i lacks nothing in the low revs and is, for me, another level above the 30d. Fuel consumption, on the other hand......

Out of curiosity mate... whats the economy like?

[Machinebuilder]

Hello MarkH13 Funny but I have similar cars though in the US. I know what you mean by the low end pickup. I have been trying different models and test drove a BMW x5e hybrid recently. I think that you might want to look at a BMW plugin hybrid. Not sure about England but here we get a big tax break. The quiet effortless pickup of an e model is really nice. I am not crazy about the X5's size or cost but it drove really nice. There is also a new x3 30e worth checking out Here is a video from England on the X5 e

[Panchoa]

I test drove both when we got the 540i and the 540i is just a better car overall. Far more refined, smoother, pulls just as hard and sounds better. Don’t get me wrong the 530d is a great car but for the low’ish miles we do the 530d didn’t make any sense at all for us. The 540i isnt it too bad on fuel either - not as good as a diesel but does around 300 - 350 with a mix of town and A road driving , so not bad at all I reckon.

On the sound front, it’s does sound good but way too muted for a 540i so you may find yourself spending on exhausts (like I ended up doing )

[KRS_SN]

most people in the UK have a 30d just saying...

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by 2CRO4TV

Don't do it the 40i MPPSK is a special combo the m550i should be the target 😉

Definitely! M550i looks amazing, but can't quite stretch to that at the moment... Maybe next time

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by Machinebuilder

Hello MarkH13 Funny but I have similar cars though in the US. I know what you mean by the low end pickup. I have been trying different models and test drove a BMW x5e hybrid recently. I think that you might want to look at a BMW plugin hybrid. Not sure about England but here we get a big tax break. The quiet effortless pickup of an e model is really nice. I am not crazy about the X5's size or cost but it drove really nice. There is also a new x3 30e worth checking out Here is a video from England on the X5 e

Thanks for the suggestion - the hybrids look good, but I don't have access to charging at the moment as the car will be kept on the street

Electric/hybrid definitely the future though!

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by Panchoa

I test drove both when we got the 540i and the 540i is just a better car overall. Far more refined, smoother, pulls just as hard and sounds better. Don’t get me wrong the 530d is a great car but for the low’ish miles we do the 530d didn’t make any sense at all for us. The 540i isnt it too bad on fuel either - not as good as a diesel but does around 300 - 350 with a mix of town and A road driving , so not bad at all I reckon.

On the sound front, it’s does sound good but way too muted for a 540i so you may find yourself spending on exhausts (like I ended up doing )

Thanks for your thoughts - I love the B58 engine, so happy to hear that it works well in the G30

Will be making a few phone calls later today...

[lethbridge]

I haven't driven either but it strikes me (as you have confirmed fuel costs aren't a consideration as you are not doing very high mileage) that the decision is more xDrive vs not? Surely the 40i is a class above the 30d in all respects - it's not like a 40i vs 35/40d comparison which would be a little different but again more made on mileage/xDrive I would have thought. The 40i is sure to be better on all fronts - performance and handling. I don't know how they compare for cost but I guess the 40i in the spec you will want will be harder to find than the ubiquitous 30d.

As for xDrive - I went from xDrive to an M3 I haven't missed it at all (not a surprise there I suppose) - but I have got myself a set of winters...

[Ronstein]

Originally Posted by Check-Mate

Out of curiosity mate... whats the economy like?

Mostly longer motorway trips (when I get out of the house). Currently the average from new is 33 mpg (around 25k miles). That's made up of 40+ mpg on the motorway and 18-20 mpg blatting round the country lanes at home :-)
.

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by lethbridge

I haven't driven either but it strikes me (as you have confirmed fuel costs aren't a consideration as you are not doing very high mileage) that the decision is more xDrive vs not? Surely the 40i is a class above the 30d in all respects - it's not like a 40i vs 35/40d comparison which would be a little different but again more made on mileage/xDrive I would have thought. The 40i is sure to be better on all fronts - performance and handling. I don't know how they compare for cost but I guess the 40i in the spec you will want will be harder to find than the ubiquitous 30d.

As for xDrive - I went from xDrive to an M3 I haven't missed it at all (not a surprise there I suppose) - but I have got myself a set of winters...

xD is definitely a plus because I spend a fair bit of time driving country roads in the Lake District.

As for 40i vs 30d, the 40i is superb when you can rev it out, but there's an appeal of the low-down grunt of the d, that makes day to day driving effortless. I think I'd be happy with a 30d (especially knowing that it could be easily modded) but you're right, the 40i is a class above.

[Machinebuilder]

Well if you are looking used I would keep an open mind on a few models and see what the best car that comes up in terms of price, mileage, condition, colors and options. Personally I have found that a loaded model with a smaller engine beats a stripped car with a big engine at least for me. As you know with BMW's everything is an option and you can never assume a car has the features you want. In the US, dealers quite often advertise zombie cars to get you to their dealerships. These are big engine cars at low prices that actually have no options like heated or fold down rear seats or anything.

[Check-Mate]

Originally Posted by Ronstein

Mostly longer motorway trips (when I get out of the house). Currently the average from new is 33 mpg (around 25k miles). That's made up of 40+ mpg on the motorway and 18-20 mpg blatting round the country lanes at home :-)
.

Ohh, To be fair its similar to what i get in my 330d.

Thanks mate

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by Machinebuilder

Well if you are looking used I would keep an open mind on a few models and see what the best car that comes up in terms of price, mileage, condition, colors and options. Personally I have found that a loaded model with a smaller engine beats a stripped car with a big engine at least for me. As you know with BMW's everything is an option and you can never assume a car has the features you want. In the US, dealers quite often advertise zombie cars to get you to their dealerships. These are big engine cars at low prices that actually have no options like heated or fold down rear seats or anything.

Definitely agree that a good spec is vital on these cars, and it's always nice to have a few toys to play with!

[G50]

Originally Posted by Check-Mate

Ohh, To be fair its similar to what i get in my 330d.

Thanks mate

If you're averaging 33mpg in your 330d, you will be looking at mid 20's for the same driving style and journeys in a 40i.

My long term average in my 330d is 43 mpg, I would imagine a 40i on the same journeys would be around 35-38mpg long term average.

[Alscoob]

Originally Posted by G50

If you're averaging 33mpg in your 330d, you will be looking at mid 20's for the same driving style and journeys in a 40i.

My long term average in my 330d is 43 mpg, I would imagine a 40i on the same journeys would be around 35-38mpg long term average.

From first hand experience, the long term average on my old F31 330d was 42mpg and I had the car from 9k to 85K miles.

My current F31 340i over same journeys for last 20K miles has an average of 31.5mpg but then I probably don't sit with a steady throttle as much as I did in the 330d as I do like to 'use' it a bit more.

I recon for my type of driving roads the 40i will always be 10mpg less than the 30d which seems to have proven to be about right.