[androdev]

If the equipment level is same for 520d and 525d, don't you guys think 520d is a better choice due to more fuel-efficient engine? Where would you find the 4-cylinder engine inadequate? This is a fantastic thing for buyers, loaded car with more fuel-efficient engine - contrary to the trend that forces you to buy a bigger engine if you want the goodies. Skoda superb too has same equipment levels across variants I think.

[V-16]

I think BMW is getting more and more aggressive with the advent of Mercedes and Audi and now even Volvo getting in line and grabbing the attention of the buyers. No longer, the BMW or the Merc tag will mean the buyer will spend relatively a lot more. Audi has made a sizeable dent with the showroom of repute opening at Juhu. I have met a lot many people who are interested in the Volvo because of its lower price tag.

Coming to the point of 520 vs the 525/530, let me assure you the 520 is a very capable machine when it comes in terms of power on our highways and city roads. This is no Autobahn country where we are capable or even allowed to tear the tarmac down. I remember taking a test drive of an unbadged 730Ld thinking it was a 735i. I was stung bu the power and drivability of the machine. Similarly a 520 will be able to tear down any road in India unless you are planning to pitch a shoot out against a sports car of repute.

Check the sales of similar German versions. The Audi four pot outsells its six cylinder optioned sibling. The latest E250cdi outsells the E350 anyday. The W211 E220 Cdi was reintroduced and the E280 discontinued as it was not selling, hell the power was a lot more than the E220 but which sold more?

Take the Skoda Superb. Drive the 1.8tsi and you'll fall in love with the power and the car in whole. Then step into its V6 powered version. You go mad with the power,its so addictive but how much of it can you use. Then you are hit by the price difference and most go feebly towards the 1.8tsi.

i feel that due to the price disparity and hardly any reduction in options, the 520D is slated to be a best seller in the 5 series range.

Of course those starved for power also find an after market tuner for the Veyron. What we are talking of here is what will the BMW convert into actual sales. The 520 has my vote.

[avishar]

Agree with v16 not to mention the fact that this not a stripped edition but comes with all the bells and whistles of its more powerful brother and a good fuel efficient engine to boot,this might just be the best selling in the 5 series lot.

[nik_kapur]

I spoke to a friend at BMW and he told me that the 520d may have the same equipment level as its more expensive variants but BMW is planning to make SAT NAV, Rear Seat Entertainment, Rear AC Controls standard on the more expensive versions to keep them aspirational. Im sure the guys with the bucks will consider the more expensive ones if they get Rear Seat Entertainment as standard. Right now its only available on the 535i.

[manishk123]

Originally Posted by neeld

Was just checking the BMW India website and did a model comparison between 520d & 530d. It says 520d is a 'straight six-cylinder petrol engine' .

Even the combined mileage of both the cars looks to be misrepresented i.e. the 520d shows 5.2L/100km (19.23 KM/L) as compared to ARAI's 18.4KM/L as said by GTO, and 530d shows 16.4L/100KM (6.2 KM/L) which looks to be on the lower side.


Source: BMW 5 Series : Model comparison

Attachment 466236

Just Checked the BMW india site today and its still the same! They hav'nt corrected the errors. Very careless of them. Even sites like carwale and carazoo dont have the 520d in their line up yet. Was trying to do a comparison between the 520d and 525d and the only place I could get some proper information was Teambhp!

[S350L-E240]

The 520d is a great car but only if one is mostly going to be driven around, I have a few family friends and one who upgraded recently from 320d to 520d misses the 320d, not saying its a bad car but it has a lot to be desired in terms of powerdelivery which is why I said it makes sense for those who are mostly driven in.

There is very little equipment missing compared to the 530d which is :

1. 6 cyl engine (the best part)
2. Larger screen on front dash
3. 6 cd changer
4. Rear seat entertainment
5. Damping control for chasis and drivetrain.

But its a far superior buy compared to the E class models in terms of VFM factor.

Regards,

Originally Posted by manishk123

Just Checked the BMW india site today and its still the same! They hav'nt corrected the errors. Very careless of them. Even sites like carwale and carazoo dont have the 520d in their line up yet. Was trying to do a comparison between the 520d and 525d and the only place I could get some proper information was Teambhp!

[swiftnfurious]

I was looking at the screenshot on page 1 comparing the spec and noticed that under 520d, it says straight six cylinder petrol engine !! Now that's a grave mistake ! I guess I have seen the 18.xx kmpl mentioned in BMW ads as well. So whats the actual FE for 530D ? It cant be 6.2 kmpl or is it 16.2 kmpl ?

[androdev]

Originally Posted by S350L-E240

1. 6 cyl engine (the best part)
2. Larger screen on front dash
3. 6 cd changer
4. Rear seat entertainment
5. Damping control for chasis and drivetrain.

6. Better steering wheel

[tommani]

does bmw finance dept have any offers on these cars??. specifically the f10. heard recently that their interest rates are insanely low on certain models. any word??

[androdev]

I don't know about the finance option. But I have had no success in getting any discount from Navnit Bangalore on 520D apart from a negligible discount on insurance. So if you are looking at 520D i wouldn't expect any 'offers' as I guess this model is selling well and it is a 'take it or leave it' kind of attitude.

[nithesh]

I think BMW have done really well with the pricing of the 520d, gotta give them that. I am sure the 520d along with the 3 series diesel variant will catapult BMW's sales figure in India. I think they are already selling more than the mercs and the Audi.

cheers.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by nithesh

I think BMW have done really well with the pricing of the 520d, gotta give them that. I am sure the 520d along with the 3 series diesel variant will catapult BMW's sales figure in India. I think they are already selling more than the mercs and the Audi.

cheers.

Yes they are for over two years now. Audi is not really in the race with much smaller sales figures. The new A6 should make the battle fierce.

[ajmat]

I believe the A6 2.0 diesel is the best of the range. Very fuel efficient, lighter engine means less nose heavy. Less is more in this case

[androdev]

Well, now that there is a plan to offer Nav and HUD on 530D, I did some research on the iDrive of 520D. Bad news, it is not just smaller screen and single-CD slot that makes the 520D iDrive different from 530D. The technical term for the iDrive offered on 520D is called "iDrive M-ASK" or "iDrive Business" where as the iDrive offered on 530D is called "iDrive CIC" or "iDrive Professional". So I guess any upgrades offered on CIC are not easily available on M-ASK because it is a different 'system/platform'.



This is similar to MMI on lower spec Audi A4 vs MMI on A6/CBU A4.