Tell me about the (E60?) 525d Touring SE

[mr tommo]

Well it needs to be an estate or hatch due to carrying kit around.

Here's a 520d I've found, how this look? http://www.newhallcars.com/1058451.htm?RSpage=2

And the two 320d's I've already linked to
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...t/page/1/postcode/st16xh/radius/100?logcode=p

http://www.gordonlamb.co.uk/cgi-bin...year=@transmission=@fuel=@to_price=@keywords=

 

[mjt]

It must be worth investigating the E220 CDI, surely?
The facelift is much better than the early W211.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2188806.htm

 

[Morba]

How much kit do you actually need to carry around? as there is a huge difference to what you can get in a hatch and an estate.

 

[mr tommo]

Very good call with the E class actually. My dad had a pre facelift E270Cdi. He loved the ride but was never impressed with the mpg figures which averaged mid 20's. And the 270 was a really noisy diesel.

Anyone driven the 220Cdi? Did the 2006 revisions get the merc diesels up to the same standards as BMW and Audi?

Edit: the reason for the hatch/estate criteria is because of the extra load opening space. I generally only carry small phoography equipment which fits in the megabe just fine. It's not the space that it really needed it's more the opening.

 

[Morba]

So there is no need for a huge 5 series or e class then?

 

[mr tommo]

No not at all, a 3 series is big enough. He does like that shape 5 series though.

 

[[TW]Fox]

The opening isnt that much of a problem though, small photography equipment should fit?

 

[mr tommo]

Well yeah i'll only carry a couple of camera bags and lights at most for commercial job. However our other photographers do nursery photogtaphy where we take out sets for the kids to sit and that equipment is pretty bulky. Having this car as a backup is essential. The kit woud fit in the Renault megane with the seats down but not
in my dads E class saloon for example.

Glad I starteD this thread anyway, made me think twice about the 525d. We don't need the extra performance the bigger engine provides and it's the less desirable pre LCI which I hadn't taken much notice of originally. I'm going to have a read up on the E220cdi now and see what he thinks of that option.

 

[mr tommo]

How good is the BMW efficient Dynamics? Would say a 318i with it be anywhere near as efficient as a 320D? Are they underpowered for motorway driving?

 

[Django x2]

Just as an aside, my LCI E60 is fairly highly spec'd with 43k on the clock and would retail on a dealer forecourt for the plus side of £20k.

I would always hold out for the LCI model if you had the chance

 

[mr tommo]

Sorry only just seen your post.

I've seen a LCI 520d SE for sale, decent mileage and looks in good condition.

What are the main changes between a LCI and pre LCI?
This one is a step auto, can it still be used as a full auto? Whats the difference?
This particular car has an active BMW maintenance pack until 2012 - why does that mean?

 

[[TW]Fox]

LCI brings to the SE new front and rear bumpers, new bootlid, new front grille (IIRC), new front and rear lights with LED rear tails and LED indicators, a revised interior with far improved doorcards and better switchgear.

Step Auto *is* a conventional auto, but with Steptronic (ie tiptronic) meaning you can manually shift if you wish. All BMW conventional autos are Steptronic.

Maintenance pack includes all servicing and maint costs (inc disks and pads) until 2012.

 

[mr tommo]

Cheers for that. The interior does look abit nicer in the photos.

That maintenance pack sounds like a dealbreaker. Is it purchased from new? Sounds a little bit too good to be true!

 

[Deleted User 234324]

I know someone selling a E270 CDI at the moment, 2005, top spec with 90k on the clock. If your in or near the Southampton area I can let them know if your interested.