I had one of the newer 520d estate’s and didn’t get on with it. I know others will say they are great and a proper drivers car but imho that doesn’t mean anything on a car like this.

Had mine from new and went through 4 exhausts in 3 years and know of others who suffered the same. Found the drive to be average too. they are however a good size with loads of room inside.

my last car was a 520d Tourer, which I had from new, for 4 years. It was a company car, returned a month back. I put just under 80k miles on it and loved it. It never felt sluggish, and was very reliable. 2 months before end of it’s lease, and out of warranty, it had an expensive suspension fault (air compressor or something failed). That was the only thing that ever went wrong with it.

Great for kids, bikes, stuff, and a great driving position.

EDIT – it needed a new battery last service as well

There’s nothing wrong with the 520d but the 530d is a much nicer engine in that size car (and not much more thirsty). There’s a lot more pulling power and 6 cylinders (vs 4) make for a much smoother experience on long journeys. I’ve had a 2003 (E39) 525d (bombproof, not sure why I sold it) and now a 2016 (F11) 535d (magnificent). A mate had a 58 plate 530d and it was faultless. I driven a new 520d, nice enough but not great. If you can get variable dampers on the newer model, it’s worth it for the improved handling and comfort.

Any experiences comparing both? Will the 520d be a dog?

If you sit in a well spec’d F11 5 series, when you sit in an older E60 5 series its like stepping back in time.

I would have the newer car in a heartbeat. Everything about it is much better. The interior is worlds better, better ZF 8 speed gearbox, quieter, more comfortable, far superior iDrive, connectivity, etc.

The only thing going for the older car is the bigger engine, which does have some reliability issues. That said I would check the 2.0TD engine as it is the supposed N47 variant with the timing chain issues.

Driven E60’s owned an F11 & have a E91 Touring currently.

I’ve got an E61 530D.

I had the swirl flaps replaced but otherwise it’s had routine servicing bar the iDrive ‘puter going phut – I had to have it resoldered which was a couple of hundred quid.

Tailgate electrics are a bit dodgy but I’ve ordered a loom repair kit which will sort it.

Positives – Gosh it’s quick. lots of passenger space. solid. gadgets.

Negatives – boot smaller than the scenic it replaced. With the dog cage in there there’s not a huge amount of space for other stuf.

I’d buy another one. Not tried a 2litre but the 3litre is a lovely engine.

I have a 525d (6 cylinder) – since 2012 when little man was due to arrive, its been great. Now looking at the Tesla Model X!

I’ve got a 2010 F11 530d SE. Tyre wear is bad and I don’t even rag it.

One of the suspension airbags went at about 50K. BMW recommend to replace both at the same time. £600.

3 litre engine is alot nicer than the 2 litre, but it does drink the fuel. Mostly rural driving gets me ~37mpg.

Mine goes to a local indie for servicing.

Edit:
Used to have a 1993 525ix. Lovely engine. Thought about a petrol ?

I’ve had both, the newer one is miles apart in terms of cabin being nice.

As for serious faults, yes the rear air springs have a history, but don’t go to BMW and have them changed go indie and you’ll pay 1/3 price, or do it yourself – it truely is p155 easy.

Mine is a 12 plate, 70K miles and still feels new (ish). It gets serviced when it’s needed, it gets driven hard at times, but generally sits on the motorway 80% of the time. I had an issue with water entering the cabin, but figured this one as being blocked drainage holes in the engine bay (it channeled water to the back oddly).

Very nice cars, alternative really is E Class – they have a massive boot.