01-14-2021, 07:50 AM | #1 |
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530d xD versus 540i driving experience?
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. |
01-14-2021, 08:30 AM | #2 |
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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......
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01-14-2021, 09:09 AM | #3 | |
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Consumption in my 440i is pretty decent, but the 6 is a heavier car, so I'm not surprised it's suffering! |
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01-14-2021, 09:18 AM | #4 | |
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540i Saloon - 1690kg - 340ps - 450Nm (Touring is 1770kg)
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01-14-2021, 10:44 AM | #5 |
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01-14-2021, 11:28 AM | #6 |
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It's got the same wheelbase as a 7 Series!!
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01-14-2021, 12:07 PM | #7 |
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Don't do it the 40i MPPSK is a special combo the m550i should be the target 😉
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01-14-2021, 12:13 PM | #8 |
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01-14-2021, 12:30 PM | #9 |
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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
Last edited by Machinebuilder; 01-14-2021 at 12:53 PM.. |
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01-14-2021, 01:09 PM | #10 |
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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 ) |
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01-15-2021, 02:46 AM | #12 |
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01-15-2021, 02:49 AM | #13 | |
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Electric/hybrid definitely the future though! |
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01-15-2021, 02:50 AM | #14 | |
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Will be making a few phone calls later today... |
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01-15-2021, 04:06 AM | #15 |
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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...
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01-15-2021, 04:58 AM | #16 |
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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 :-)
.
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01-15-2021, 06:06 AM | #17 | |
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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. |
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01-15-2021, 06:28 AM | #18 |
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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.
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01-15-2021, 07:40 AM | #19 | |
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Thanks mate |
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01-15-2021, 08:55 AM | #20 | |
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01-15-2021, 09:59 AM | #21 | |
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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. |
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01-19-2021, 03:36 AM | #22 | |
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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. |
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