BMW 535d - anyone got/had one?

[Littlepeahead]

The time is drawing near for me to pension off my beloved little runabout. After much discussion (arguing) Mr LPH and I have just about agreed that our next car will be a used BMW 535d.

He originally wanted a 3 series 2 door, I said no way as I hate 2 door cars and I'm not driving a poky little roller skate. I wanted another 7 series as I've loved this one, so the 5 series is the compromise and as Stu piles on the miles driving to work at the moment the diesel seems a sensible choice.

The only essential on my list is memory seats - at 5'2" sharing a car with a man 6'2" I cannot go back to having to faff about adjusting the seat/mirrors/steering wheel every time we swap over. It's the best feature on the current car (aside from the secret sweetie compartment.)

So has anyone on here got any experience and opinions of the 535? And I don't just want loads of abuse about being a BMW owner as obviously I don't use my indicators or mirrors, I park across 2 spaces, cut people up and try and beat everything away from the lights - that goes without saying! (And that's just on my GS)

[Mark_h]

I have an 08 520d and it's plenty quick enough. 530 and upwards may not be necessary.

As a car it's excellent to drive but a bit fragile electronically. I've had a few issues with tailgate wiring.

[Dipper]

I don't know if you're aware of this site but it gives a good in depth real world review for most cars...

[Littlepeahead]

Originally Posted by Mark_h

I have an 08 520d and it's plenty quick enough. 530 and upwards may not be necessary.

As a car it's excellent to drive but a bit fragile electronically. I've had a few issues with tailgate wiring.

Oh don't mention tailgate wiring, I'm onto my second boot lid mechanism on the current car - small tension spring breaks and it requires a whole new unit at a cost of £150, unless you can get one at a breakers which is what I did recently.

I did watch the Top Gear Stig lap of the 535 - which probably isn't the most balanced review.

[Mark_h]

520d plenty quick enough at 177bhp (less BHP, worse MPG pre facelift). c50mpg average driving, loads of space handles pretty well for a big estate car too. Comfort pack gives memory seats, folding mirrors, remote open/close boot etc.

[Bluepete]

I'd have one. Used to drive the 530d for work on the motorways. A very planted, solid, stable car.

Can't comment of reliability.

Pete

[DSGMATT]

I have an 08 530d touring, bought this year with 100k and fbmwsh. Minor problems such as eating brake pads and bulb failures. Well worth the money though and will nearly match your 7 series in terms of road presence and toys in the right spec.

Assuming your looking at the Previous 535d? Or the new F10 model?

I have owned 3 E60 5 series and all have been good cars. As already said they can have electrical niggles like most recent BM's, faulty modules etc.

[Littlepeahead]

We used to have a 5 series until Mr LPH wrote it off in a notorious dogging area, but that's another story!

We're looking to spend around £10k. Stu is a bricklayer foreman so the car boot will be filled with filthy boots, buckets and the occasional disc cutter and the interior will get covered with cement and brick dust and sweet wrappers so I'll be left trying to get it clean again when I want to use it.

Simple, they do rubber boot liners for these. Fit it, when you want it clean, lift it out, hose it off, put it back.

I'd love an E60 5 series estate, I've an E46 320d estate at the moment and its an epic car. 180,000 miles and still going strong.

Next year i'll probably make the switch, after i stop buying motorcycles.

[Littlepeahead]

The engine on the 728 which is a petrol is fine after 130,000 miles, it's all the other bits which are starting to get expensive, annoying electrical faults that cost £600 to put right, we now have 5 chips on the windscreen so that's bound to go soon, then the airbag sensor packing up that was an MOT fail, the odd spot of rust along the sill, and now the cup holder has broken it's really time for an upgrade.

Now can anyone tell me if the 530 also has the secret sweetie compartment in the back?