I'm thinking of getting a 530d probably a touring I do however prefer the look of 330d as it looks more modern but the 530d looks bigger and having a little 11 month old boy and 2 labs think the 530 would be the better option what's your views what is the better car/spec etc Looking to spend 6k max

 

With that small child there is simply no option between these two cars.
The 5 wins.

 

Agree with Stu the 5 series wins hands down and thats not because I have one!!!!

The 3's just feel tiny compared to them and the 530d especially when remapped is a fairly rapid motor.

You should be looking at the sport at least and may even be in the grounds for an E61 rather than an E39 at that sort of money.

 

I'd go for a really nice E39 and should still end up with a bit of change.

 

Double?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3560779.htm

 

6k should get a very good 530d or 330d I reckon the latter being a little harder to find

 

Abit more realistic...

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3520837.htm

Yes I am very bored!

 

I like the look of saloons but would prob need the touring so we can bring dogs out with us every now and then how much bigger/better are they over 330's and what is the boot space like on them say compared to a saph boot as I consider a saph boot massive Just to point out I've not driven 1 an I keep looking out for them on the roads but now I'm in the market for one done seem to see them doh

 

Something like this, but I'd aim to find something similar privately for around Ł5000

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2245553.htm

Personally, I'd go for a 530i, a really good example for probably around Ł3500 and pocket the change. But if you're really set on a diesel, they will cost a chunk more.

 

That is nice but I'd prefer a lower mileage older shape then that tbh and would it not fail an mot with air bag light on or is that not part of mot is nice tho

 

Yea that's prob the sort of thing I'm after I would of love this 1 but sadly it's sold

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...#ht_1182wt_922

 

did you sell the saph then mate

 

the 530d touring boot is MASSIVE

never driven a 3 series touring but they look quite a bit smaller.

also dont ONLY consider a sport, the main difference is the cosmetics but if you dont mind the looks of the SE it's more of a comfy ride

6k should buy you a MINT well specced e39 sport. there are quite a few on the autotrader.

common issues are well documented so read up and go prepared.

the one on pictonheads doesnt look too well specced but does have low mileage and look in ok condition. it MIGHT be worth 6k but it's probably nearer 5 if compared to other ones for sale.

deffo a buyers market, they dont seem to sell quickly, the one i bought had been for sale for months and was a good buy!

for 6k you can also consider the newer E61 but thats the low end of the price bracket for them.

as for the 530i vs 530d argument, its certainly true that the 530i is cheaper so you have to consider if you really need the diesel. i personally wanted the diesel as i wanted to get it remapped and get all that midrange torque

 

that one on ebay is pretty well specced, it's got the nav, leccy seats, heated seats etc. sunroofs are rare too and its got one of those. lke you say tho, shame its sold

 

Yea saph went Saturday mate :-(

What mpg would a petrol do compared to derv that's the worry and tbh I prefer 530 shape compared to new prob because I can't afford one lol

 

where did it go? far? i thought you were going to break it,phewww..

 

No she went whole either reading or Luton way can't remember which lol

 

 

To throw a spanner in the works I was thinking of getting a Mondeo st tdci before the 530d idea and changed my mind due to bad reviews online

 

I have a bmw 330d sport on a 53 plate. bought it at 1 year old and it's been a grate car, only let me down once at 100,000 for a fuel pump, and aperently this is a known prob at 100,000 they go! The handling is spot on. they are very easy to drive and pull like a train. realy good on the motorways too . Do understand parts and labour for these are much more more than FORD! The achilles heel of this car is SNOW! apart from that realy good, just use good oil in them and my service interval is over 18,000 now! I am still happy with mine 8 years on!

 

oh god yeah, SNOW! in my M3 it was impossible to get the thing to move

as for MPG i THINK you're looking at a 25 MPG petrol vs a 35 mpg derv on average consumpation but do some googling to check for sure. my 530d is currently only getting about 30mpg but that should improve a fair bit once i fix the thermostat on thursday (plus the remap should add a fair bit too)


the main difference is the power delivery, the derv is more about midrange big torque and the petrol is, well, a normal NASP petrol, makes power when you rev it.

 

averaging around 30mpg at the mo in a 330i touring, if you need boot space the 5 series is miles better , as for the snow issue, proper winter tyres help a fair bit, but tbh i'll just park up and use my sons escort van....

 

get an e60 e39s are looking dated now...........................

 

Out of my
Budget don't want mega miles

 

What other decent fully loaded family cars are there diesel similar spec to the 530d I'm after all the toys as I'm giving up toy cars for a while

 

E39 is a timeless shape, will always be a handsome, understated car.

 

have you looked at passat tdi s very nice cars to drive can get a 56 /07

 

Small, but then the 3 series is smaller generally than a Saph. 5 series has a bigger boot but I should think that is only on par with a Saph.

The 5 series is just slightly longer and wider.

I know it's not what you asked for but if it's space you want surely the MK4 Mondeo deserves a look in and would wins hands down, that is bigger than a 5 series!

Martin

 

saph vs 5 series saloon boot... from memory i think the 5 series is quite a bit bigger?

the mondeos do have massive boots but then they are hatchbacks.

the touring is obviously massively bigger and easier to load

 

Not looked at mk4 mondeos I love the look of the st touring tdci but so many common faults according to my quick search on google plus they have done mega miles for the money compared with the 530's then there's the depreciation value plus not found 1 that's anywhere near the spec of some of the high end 530's so quite a bit putting me of these and I've looked at the passats online and not really keen on them tbh I have had a look at audis and some seem to have a fairly decent spec lots of gadgets which is what I'm after heated leather leccy windows all round leccy sun roof sat nav alloys air con etc etc

 

That is because ST TDCI is the MK3 Mondeo, whose engines were plagued with injector problems.

There is no MK4 ST, the replacement is the "Titanium X", I think the MK4 may have some better lumps which perhaps don't have the same issues, but tbh on any modern derv, the DMF will be an issue at some point regardless of manufacturer.

Martin

 

There are saloon and estate variants as well?

Martin

 

I'll have a little look

 

Had a look and there's not many for 5-6k

 

My E46 330d is the best daily driver i've ever had. Has barely cost me anything in the 35,000 miles i've done with it apart from general services and consumables.

The boot space is big enough for what I need, don't dismiss it straight away

 

the boot of mine does what i need it for, but i've never really tried a pushchair or other young child bits in my 330i touring, but two labs in the boot will be a squeeze, my malamute has a few issues in there....

 

why not pop to your big local second hand car dealer? go take a look at a load of E46s and E39s and see what you think of the boot?

dont forget aswell it's not ALL about boot capacity, you need to consider ease of loading. biggest problem i had on my E36 saloon was that even tho the boot was quite deep, nothing would fit through the bloody opening! and yuo have to lift everything over a few inches of "lip". i love the fact with the e39 touring the boot opening is just a big gaping hole and you can just slide in whatever you need without lifting in in through a saloon shaped boot opening.

 

Some very good comments I wish there was a dealer that sold old 330-530's but can't seem to find any in Essex area that do both

 

look on autotrader, find a dealer selling a 5 series (doesnt need to be 530) then look on their website and see if they have more stock, keep repeating and you WILL find somewhere

 

Anyone know this 1 http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-m...293486/gallery