320d vs 520d dilemma

Penyfan1960 · 06-03-2009, 09:16 AM

After over 3 years of very nice driving I have sold my 320i E60.
I was looking to buy new the current 320d E60 facelift 177hp when a dealer drew my attention to the favourable pricing of the 520d Business Edition.
In working out prices for both to include Prof Sat Nav & Visibilty Pack etc the 520d is cheaper. In fact to make the prices near identical I could include on the 520d the Head-up Display. (A very nice idea and very tempting!)
Which should I go for? The 320d or the 520d?
Will the one be so much better than the other? Or will it be that the 320d will just be slightly easier to park?
I would appreciate anyone's opinion!

Kiemyster · 06-03-2009, 10:26 AM

you cant make up your mind because your priorities are out of whack. You dont know where to begin, and if finding parking is a serious issue for you, definitely consider the 3 series. the 5er however is a beast in terms of comfort, and i think if you can live with struggling for parking jus a bit more, then by all means go for the 5.

Personally, thats not a question, i would immidiately take the five series, but thats because i dont care about parking. Think about it like this, your buying the car to drive in it, not to park it. when your in your investment, your only to be worried about interior and comfort. you can always find a park for a car, and i wouldnt mind spending the extra few minutes searching for a spot if it means im in a more spacious and comfortable vehicle.

So, whatever car you get, make sure to have PDC on front and back, and you'll be safe. either decision you make, you'll be ok. As long as its a bmw, you win.

Mu Mu · 06-04-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

you cant make up your mind because your priorities are out of whack. You dont know where to begin, and if finding parking is a serious issue for you, definitely consider the 3 series. the 5er however is a beast in terms of comfort, and i think if you can live with struggling for parking jus a bit more, then by all means go for the 5.

Personally, thats not a question, i would immidiately take the five series, but thats because i dont care about parking. Think about it like this, your buying the car to drive in it, not to park it. when your in your investment, your only to be worried about interior and comfort. you can always find a park for a car, and i wouldnt mind spending the extra few minutes searching for a spot if it means im in a more spacious and comfortable vehicle.

So, whatever car you get, make sure to have PDC on front and back, and you'll be safe. either decision you make, you'll be ok. As long as its a bmw, you win.

lol

Couldn't have said it better!

Kiemyster · 06-09-2009, 09:45 AM

ohh, right... i should mention, front PDC is not available in the 3 series btw..... but its not essential.... the rear PDC however is. do not buy your bimmer without it.

mjh93sa · 06-09-2009, 06:13 PM

Front PDC is available, though it is an option in the UK.

Really it comes down to what you want the car for and intend to do with it. As someone once posted... 5er = miles 3er = smiles.

But seriously, test drive them both and see how they work for you.

Penyfan1960 · 06-10-2009, 07:46 AM

Many thanks to Kiemyster, Mu Mu and mjh93SA for your comments. Its much appreciated!
I had a test drive of a 525d SE and a 320d M Sport. The 525 was very nice and comfortable with plenty of space & nice boot, but I think the M Sport for handling & cornering and general feeling of being 'nippy' takes it.

So I have an enquiry on my BMW dealer for his best price to include:-
Automatic Gearbox(?)
Media Package Professional (Bluetooth prep + Sat Nav Prof etc)
Loudspeaker System Business
Leather Seat Dakota Grey
Heated Front Seats
Visibilty Package (Xenon + Adaptive H/L etc)
Lumbar Support
Head Restraints, rear & folding
USB Interface
Metallic Paint titaniun silver
Folding Rear Mirrors + auto dimming
Park Control Front & Rear
Split Rear Seats
Servotronic steering
Extended Storage
Facia etc Red Brown Eucalyptus(?)

So I am just now awaiting

Best regards to all!

PS To add to my problems I had a test drive of the Jaguar XF 3.0d. (Dare I mention it?) Very nice, smooth, quite & amazing flat cornerin and a quality cabin

. What must the 5.0 V8 be like?

Decisions! decisions! But it has to be the 320d M sport

06-03-2009, 09:16 AM	#1
Penyfan1960 Trooper 11 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 320D M-Sport Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: S E London iTrader: (0)	320d vs 520d dilemma After over 3 years of very nice driving I have sold my 320i E60. I was looking to buy new the current 320d E60 facelift 177hp when a dealer drew my attention to the favourable pricing of the 520d Business Edition. In working out prices for both to include Prof Sat Nav & Visibilty Pack etc the 520d is cheaper. In fact to make the prices near identical I could include on the 520d the Head-up Display. (A very nice idea and very tempting!) Which should I go for? The 320d or the 520d? Will the one be so much better than the other? Or will it be that the 320d will just be slightly easier to park? I would appreciate anyone's opinion!
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06-03-2009, 10:26 AM	#2
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 476 Rep 3,202 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	you cant make up your mind because your priorities are out of whack. You dont know where to begin, and if finding parking is a serious issue for you, definitely consider the 3 series. the 5er however is a beast in terms of comfort, and i think if you can live with struggling for parking jus a bit more, then by all means go for the 5. Personally, thats not a question, i would immidiately take the five series, but thats because i dont care about parking. Think about it like this, your buying the car to drive in it, not to park it. when your in your investment, your only to be worried about interior and comfort. you can always find a park for a car, and i wouldnt mind spending the extra few minutes searching for a spot if it means im in a more spacious and comfortable vehicle. So, whatever car you get, make sure to have PDC on front and back, and you'll be safe. either decision you make, you'll be ok. As long as its a bmw, you win. __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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06-09-2009, 09:45 AM	#4
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 476 Rep 3,202 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	ohh, right... i should mention, front PDC is not available in the 3 series btw..... but its not essential.... the rear PDC however is. do not buy your bimmer without it. __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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06-09-2009, 06:13 PM	#5
mjh93sa Major General 148 Rep 5,080 Posts Drives: 530d Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M135i [10.00] 2011 Mini Countryma ... [5.50]	Front PDC is available, though it is an option in the UK. Really it comes down to what you want the car for and intend to do with it. As someone once posted... 5er = miles 3er = smiles. But seriously, test drive them both and see how they work for you. __________________ Gone: Fiesta - Focus - E46 320dSE - E91 330dMSport - E82 135iMSport - R55 JCW Clubman - M135i Now: 530d
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06-10-2009, 07:46 AM	#6
Penyfan1960 Trooper 11 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 320D M-Sport Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: S E London iTrader: (0)	Many thanks to Kiemyster, Mu Mu and mjh93SA for your comments. Its much appreciated! I had a test drive of a 525d SE and a 320d M Sport. The 525 was very nice and comfortable with plenty of space & nice boot, but I think the M Sport for handling & cornering and general feeling of being 'nippy' takes it. So I have an enquiry on my BMW dealer for his best price to include:- Automatic Gearbox(?) Media Package Professional (Bluetooth prep + Sat Nav Prof etc) Loudspeaker System Business Leather Seat Dakota Grey Heated Front Seats Visibilty Package (Xenon + Adaptive H/L etc) Lumbar Support Head Restraints, rear & folding USB Interface Metallic Paint titaniun silver Folding Rear Mirrors + auto dimming Park Control Front & Rear Split Rear Seats Servotronic steering Extended Storage Facia etc Red Brown Eucalyptus(?) So I am just now awaiting Best regards to all! PS To add to my problems I had a test drive of the Jaguar XF 3.0d. (Dare I mention it?) Very nice, smooth, quite & amazing flat cornerin and a quality cabin. What must the 5.0 V8 be like? Decisions! decisions! But it has to be the 320d M sport
	Appreciate 0 Quote