Decision…. Petrol vs Diesel?

the_worrier · 28 Aug 2022 at 10:22

Thinking about changing my car again. Been ‘fixated’ on diesel models for a long time but is it essential?…

I tow a large-ish caravan (MTPLM 1400 Kg).
I probably drive about 5-7 K miles per year now as I don’t use a car to get to work.

Thinking about a 5 series Touring, probably a 530i. Maybe a 3 series if its weight works with the van.

But for the towing requirement I like the thought of a quieter, possibly more refined, cheaper to fix motor. Thoughts?

Housey · 28 Aug 2022 at 10:48

20 years ago if I was buying a 530 (as an example) it would be the 530i. Today it is the 530d as I think it suits the car well. Can’t go wrong with either but the 3L diesel is a great combination not least if you tow.

[TW]Fox · 28 Aug 2022 at 10:55

pattojones said:
Thinking about changing my car again. Been ‘fixated’ on diesel models for a long time but is it essential?…

I tow a large-ish caravan (MTPLM 1400 Kg).
I probably drive about 5-7 K miles per year now as I don’t use a car to get to work.

Thinking about a 5 series Touring, probably a 530i. Maybe a 3 series if its weight works with the van.

But for the towing requirement I like the thought of a quieter, possibly more refined, cheaper to fix motor. Thoughts?

This is entirely dependant on your budget.

It has been a long time since the 530i was mechanically simpler than a 530d, for example.

My view is that in a 5 series 6 cylinders are better than 4.

inflames · 28 Aug 2022 at 16:59

[TW]Fox said:
This is entirely dependant on your budget.

It has been a long time since the 530i was mechanically simpler than a 530d, for example.

My view is that in a 5 series 6 cylinders are better than 4.

Totally agree, any BMW is better with a I6 or even a V8. I wouldn’t personally buy a BMW or Mercedes’ with anything less than 6 cylinder’s.
On your mileage I would say buy a petrol, but then finding a petrol 5 series can be a difficult task.

Mesai · 28 Aug 2022 at 17:12

BMW make great I6 engines, and their diesels have always been some of the best around.

Rroff · 28 Aug 2022 at 17:22

If you are towing my vote would be a torquey diesel every day, can't comment on those specific vehicles but would be a 3L V6 for me.

the_worrier · 28 Aug 2022 at 23:33

My preference would be a 530 over a 520 but they seem rarer. Budget is c£20K so probs looking at 17MY with less than 50K miles.

chanjy · 29 Aug 2022 at 08:37

With a caravan and the budget you’d probably be best off with the 20d tbh. They are pretty good engines even if not as smooth as the i6 engines. They are rumble on start up and hard acceleration but cruising around they are unnoticeable

[TW]Fox · 29 Aug 2022 at 11:43

pattojones said:
My preference would be a 530 over a 520 but they seem rarer. Budget is c£20K so probs looking at 17MY with less than 50K miles.

2017 is when the G30 replaced the F10. You won't get a particularly good G30 530d for this budget, but you'll probably get a 520d.

Only you can decide whether 6 cylinder smoothness and refinement is more or less important to you than the newer model, as a good 530d for under £20k will be an F10.

Dandle · 29 Aug 2022 at 19:42

That's not particularly heavy caravan and doesn't need a 3l diesel to tow it. If the 5-7k is made up of short journeys I would lean towards the petrol rather than the diesel, just make sure you get the automatic as the gearbox is a peach.

[TW]Fox · 29 Aug 2022 at 20:41

Dandle said:
doesn't need a 3l diesel to tow it.

It doesn't need a BMW 5 series either, but the fact he's decided on one suggests he isn't buying purely based on what he needs.

A 2 litre petrol engine doesn't suit a 5 Series and his budget is not big enough for a 3 litre petrol one.

The problem is that it's a difficult budget, it's too much to spend on an F10 but not really enough for a good G30.

Rroff · 29 Aug 2022 at 20:48

Dandle said:
That's not particularly heavy caravan and doesn't need a 3l diesel to tow it. If the 5-7k is made up of short journeys I would lean towards the petrol rather than the diesel, just make sure you get the automatic as the gearbox is a peach.

Need maybe not but it makes things nicer if you can. There was someone ahead of me today in the outside lane towing a large caravan with a small car in excess of 70MPH... didn't surprise me but I did kind of double check my eyes weren't deceiving me when they went to pull out to pass a car which was doing probably 68MPH.

the_worrier · 29 Aug 2022 at 23:39

Looking on AT and in all probability, I am looking at a 16/66 plate 530d with under 50K. I would prefer the 6 cyl over a 520d. Petrol cars seem really rare.