Martin
|
530d M Sport & 520d SEThe purpose of this little trip was to find out once and for all what the ride of a 5 series M Sport is like compared to an SE. I called my (very helpful) local dealer to discuss my dilemma and a nice guy called Chris said he had a 530d on 18" wheels (all their other used M Sports are on 19s!) and a 520d SE which was fairly std. Both cars were used, the Mystic blue 530d was a 2006 (06) with 32k miles on the clock and the Space Grey 520d was a 2009 (58) with 12k miles.
I went in the 530d first. I couldn't believe the interior when I first got in. I've had a quick look at a pre-facelift car before, but not as closely as this. I genuinely couldn't believe the difference, if this was what what was available today, I wouldn't be anywhere near as interested. Seriously.
Anyway, it was the ride I was interested in, although I was a little nervous that I would be spoilt by it being a 530d!! To cut what could be a long story short, I don't know what all the fuss is about. OK, it is pretty firm, but it's a lot more comfortable than the 130 and I couldn't tell much difference between it and the C250, which is helped by smaller wheels and normal tyres.
It was actually better than the C Class Sport, because although it did thump a bit if you drove over a drain cover or pot hole, the overall control of the movement of the car was better. It felt more solid and corny as it may sound, more 'alive' at normal/lower speeds. I chose the worst roads in Swindon I know and drove over every bump, pot hole and grid I came across and it was absolutely fine.
The salesman said that the difference between SE and M Sport was much smaller on the 5 than it is on the 1 and 3. He could understand why some people might have an issue on the smaller cars (but he didn't), but not with the 5.
I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be with the 530d Auto bit. The Auto box has just put the final nail in the idea of having one and the engine, while nicely smooth with a hint of 6 cylinder noise, didn't feel any gruntier than the C250, which was a disappointment. I know it's not the latest engine, but I stand by my earlier comment that a diesel is still a diesel, no matter how many cylinders you have!! I'm not saying I wouldn't prefer a new 530d over a 520d of course!
So onto the 520d. Despite the cloth interior and comfort seats, it still felt a nicer place to be than the 530d. The engine was very quiet / smooth and with 12k miles on the clock, it was definately quicker than the brand new one I drove a week or so ago. It was good to try a manual as well and it's a nice gearbox. The ride was noticeably better, but is also moved around a lot more. It felt slightly floaty in comparison and it's difficult to explain, but it just didn't feel as solid or well tied down and the steering didn't feel as good for some reason.
For me, the superior control and feeling of the M Sport is definately preferable to the better ride of the SE, with out a doubt.
To cap it all, they have changed their showroom around and there was a Le Mans Blue 520d M Sport Business Edition Auto with a Cream Beige/Black interior and Anthracite Bamboo wood 
They also had an Imola Red 525d M Sport with black leather, so I could see the two together, which was great.
It is, without any doubt, the nicest interior of any car on my list, by some margin. The quality compares well with anything and the extra leather trim you get over something like an Audi, makes a huge difference. The two tone interior makes it look nicer and higher quality than all black for some reason. The only black mark is the single zone climate control. They have improved the quality of the knobs, but it still looks like manual aircon, even though it's actually a fully automatic system.
It was slightly outdone on the quality and luxury front by the new 730d with a leather dashboard and loads of toys, but that was well over £50k!
Decision made then  
|
DaveGibson
|
Re: 530d M Sport & 520d SE | Martin wrote: | | .......... The only black mark is the single zone climate control. .......... |
Single zone? Even my Rover 75 had dual zone and that was a BMW system - 10 years ago.
|
Martin
|
Re: 530d M Sport & 520d SE | DaveGibson wrote: | | Martin wrote: | | .......... The only black mark is the single zone climate control. .......... |
Single zone? Even my Rover 75 had dual zone and that was a BMW system - 10 years ago. |
Exactly! A 116i SE gets dual zone climate 
As I said, a black mark.
|
Frank Bullitt
|
...on the basis duel-zone climate control is an oxymoron of epic proportions I wouldn't let it ruin your day.
So, decision made then. The 520d is the right one.
|
Mark
|
| Frank Bullitt wrote: | | ...on the basis duel-zone climate control is an oxymoron of epic proportions I wouldn't let it ruin your day. |
+1
|
Martin
|
| Frank Bullitt wrote: | ...on the basis duel-zone climate control is an oxymoron of epic proportions I wouldn't let it ruin your day.
So, decision made then. The 520d is the right one. |
I'n not bothered about the dual bit, it was more about the aesthetics than anything else. If Mrs M wants to be warmer (as she often does), she can close the vents on her side 
|
Dr. Hfuhruhurr
|
| Mark wrote: | | Frank Bullitt wrote: | | ...on the basis duel-zone climate control is an oxymoron of epic proportions I wouldn't let it ruin your day. |
+1 |
+2
|
scamper
|
The latest 530d is a fantastic engine - a nice growl to it, and fast.
|
PG
|
Why, when building aircon engineers tell you that the worst possible thing that you can do with aircon is run thermostats at different temperatures in the same open area, do car engineers think (as I think it was the good Dr said) that they can suspend the laws of thermodynamics. Or perhaps it is the marketing department who are trying to suspend the laws?
|
Dr. Hfuhruhurr
|
It doesn't have to work though, they just need people to believe it does
|
Jasper
|
| Martin wrote: | | Frank Bullitt wrote: | ...on the basis duel-zone climate control is an oxymoron of epic proportions I wouldn't let it ruin your day.
So, decision made then. The 520d is the right one. |
I'n not bothered about the dual bit, it was more about the aesthetics than anything else. If Mrs M wants to be warmer (as she often does), she can close the vents on her side |
As my Dad would say 'If you're cold put on a jumper.'
|
|