hi Guys just bought a e61 520d last sunday in germany 2 previous owners , last one a lady ca 40 yrs old 134000km fairly decent condition, but dirty spec fully wrapped frozen gray metallic m body kit 19 inch wheels with 245/35 tyres oem xenon and rear self levelling air suspension oem 16 inch wheels and bolts kit with winter tyres supplied at purchase done so far 2 hrs to clean engine compartment - filthy, now can eat off the engine cover, or underneath.. 2 hrs to clean interior learn how to change air filter for k+n learn how to change oil + filter, checked and diff levels de seize rh front pads change front tyres rebuild rear wiper system as motor and transfer drive shaft seized, very strange drive system change worn out gear knob but new one not oem so just interim solution changed all wipers will fit tow hook fitted bluespark stage1 powerbox still to do: polish out light rim dings ( lady driver ) improve the rear wiper drive mating re-film the tailgate as the lady used some aggressive stuff on it and part removed the colour... re-seal the lh headlight as misty inside, she broke the access cover clips... i have had recently 3 successive mondeo mkIII( commercial traveller ) run one and keep 1 as spare just in case first impressions 520 vs mondeo 130ps est + points bmw noise ride quality grip- cornering- balance braking quality/ touch of interior fittings quality of radio/ sound system quality of switchgear except start button that wear off the colour appearance of engine compartment appearance and usability of boots space door sealing - points bmw vs mondeo slow to move off the line no power under 2000rpm with or without powerbox , mondeo will pull from ca 1200 rpm like a train 25 pct worse fuel economy on a long run ( 7 ltr/ 100 vs 5 ltr / 100 km ) thats significant low ground clearance ( problematic on less good roads , i visit friends on a farm quite often complex control system seats less comfortable than mondeo, more grip but lumpy i drive from brussels to bcn in 1 shot so this counts engine revs 20 pct more in 6th gear compared to 6 speed mondeo and the worst of all access to service items on the motor , just try to change the air filter or drain the diff oil, or replace a headlamp bulb, battery : very complicated / poor access so far like the car but its not what i dreamed it would be, lets see how it turns out over time greetings from waffle land paul
