BMW 535d Diesel
Long-term BMW 535d M Sport Touring
Posted By AutoExpress
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – and in our opinion, the BMW 5-Series’ diesel engine is worth worshipping. Powerful, frugal and refined, it’s one of the best in the world
I’ve fallen in love… with an engine! After 14,000 miles, the latest generation twin-turbo diesel of our BMW 535d has proved itself to be a genuine masterpiece.
The 3.0-litre unit’s 282bhp and 560Nm of torque ensure this large executive estate has the firepower to see off a 3.2-litre Audi TT.
But the best bit is the economy we’ve been getting. It’s rarely less than 32mpg and, on a couple of occasions, returns have risen tantalisingly close to 40mpg.
What’s more, the on-board diagnostics are still telling us it doesn’t need servicing for another 5,000 miles (although the oil is starting to look a bit thick). It’s not flawless, of course – the six-cylinder unit is gruff when cold and isn’t as tuneful as a petrol. Still, the benefits of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme outweigh any such criticisms. The hi-tech alternator recharges the battery via the brakes, sapping less engine power.
It proved its worth during a recent family holiday to France. The Touring effortlessly swallowed four of us, plus luggage (including three bikes on a Thule towbar rack), then made mincemeat of 2,000 motorway miles, averaging 32.3mpg and costing £233 in fuel.
My only complaint is that the 535d is too luxurious to be used for rugged family duties. I simply couldn’t bring myself to fill the beautifully carpeted boot with a collection of sandy buckets and wet towels.
Yet the 5-Series nearly didn’t make it to the Continent at all. A week before we left, the iDrive screen informed me that the speed-sensitive steering had packed up, making the car heavy to manoeuvre in town, but oddly light and nervous on the motorway. The driver’s electric window also gave up the ghost.
A call to BMW’s Emergency Service had assistance on the scene within 45 minutes. However, the engineer’s computer wasn’t up-to-date enough to ‘talk’ to my car, so it had to go to a dealership to be fixed. A courtesy vehicle was provided and, although I had to do some running around myself, it was all sorted within 24 hours.
The experience has dented my confidence only slightly in a car that has otherwise shown no sign of weakness at all. It even came out well when we drove it back-to-back with an M5 Touring, with most people saying the 535d was every bit as desirable as the sportier car.
Everyone who’s driven our long-termer has been impressed by its space, quality and road manners – and blown away by the engine. So far, I’m the only one to have bought it flowers, though...
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This story posted by LeaseTrader.com, the automotive service company that lets people transfer out of their Car Leases early. If you're looking to swap a lease or transfer out of your car lease, please visit www.leasetrader.com.
Print | posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 3:54 PM