F10 525d vs 530d

525d is a dual turbo 4-pot. Similar to the Alpina D3's I believe.

Sure, the 530d will be a smoother drive, and the obvious one to go for. But if you have to settle for a 525d, it's probably not the worst thing to be doing.

Cue Fox coming in and saying its a 4 pot so just no.....
 
The 525d is a twin turbocharged version of the 520d. It drives like a more powerful 520d - though the soundproofing in the LCI model, of which that is one, is improved over the pre facelift cars and it’s about as un-intrusive a 4 cylinder diesel engine as any I’ve experienced.

The other benefit of a 525d over a 520d is that it has the proper standard specification – there were various bits removed from the standard spec for the 520d, including the proper climate control system, which people almost invariably never specced back in. The 525d alleviates this issue.

Obviously, the 530d is a better car. It is quicker but more importantly is significantly smoother and more refined. It’s the closest thing to not being a diesel that you’ll find in a diesel, IMO. The downside is they tend to be significantly more expensive – you won’t find a low mileage sensible spec facelift 530d for the sort of money that 525d is advertised at.

For some reason the 525d was never that popular so they are reasonably rare on the used market.
 
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