New Buyer: 530D Vs 530I, Manual Or Auto ?

[Jamie91]

Hi :)

Long story short my old car (Honda Accord manual diesel) is going to be written off. I'm looking at a 5 series E60/E61. Looking to spend £6-8k

I do 8k miles a year, 2/3 urban, 1/3 motorway. So on the face of it I'd be best suited to petrol. However on autotrader there aren't a great deal of petrol 5s, and those few on there are more pricey than the derv.

I'm leaning towards the 530D at the moment (will test drive both of course). I see that the range was facelifted in 2007, with the power upped from 215 bhp to 230 bhp, and the fuel economy +5MPG.

Is it worth paying ~£8k for a 2007 facelift 530 D over ~£6k for a 2004 pre-facelift 530D ?

Finally auto or manual ? I drive a manual at the moment, but I like the idea of the auto. Does the auto come at a major fuel economy premium to the manual ? Thanks

[Jamie91]

PS Ignore the car stats on my profile, it wouldn't let me post Honda Accord

[simon fisher]

jamie, if your looking at that age also consider the road tax, if you get a face lifted 55 plate then you have all the benifits of the new look at the cheaper road tax. I have a 530d E61 on a 55 plate and just love it. as for auto or manual, go auto all day and you'll never look back.

[Jamie91]

jamie, if your looking at that age also consider the road tax, if you get a face lifted 55 plate then you have all the benifits of the new look at the cheaper road tax. I have a 530d E61 on a 55 plate and just love it. as for auto or manual, go auto all day and you'll never look back.

Cheers Simon.

What's the road tax difference between the two then ?

I am leaning more towards auto now :)

Have you thought about remapping yours?

[simon fisher]

pre 06 is £265 per year and those later are up to £465 per year until you get to the very latest ones. if your looking at around the 2006 version then choose wisely as 1 month difference may be a high price to pay. as for re mapping. mine is done already as had it done soon after i had it. love it and love the mpg.

[Muz530d]

Mines an 07 and it's the lower tax bracket?