F10 520d vs 523i

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colebruno

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I've read thru most of the posts but could not find a definite answer as to why 520d is a better car compared to 523i. From what i gather, the advantages of 520d are as follows:- 1. $50k cheaper - real value (best reason)2. Good FC - good savings on monthly expense (probably half of 523i)3. Better torque4. Less maintenance??? Advantages of 523i:- 1. Less hassle during fueling2. Better HP/acceleration on HW???3. cleaner engine??? Sorry, I have not own a diesel car before and needs to be educated and converted. Perhaps some Sifus here can assists. Cheers!
 
My personal opinion is that if we can afford a rm300k+ car, then issues like fuel consumption is secondary. For such a vehicle I would be looking at other issues like comfort and driving experience. My personal feel is that the smooth as silk in line six beats the 4 pot diesel anytime, regardless of higher torque from 4 pot


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Bro the pros and cons are well listed but the 520d acceleration on HW is more than good enough. You will notice that recently the oil burners are getting more popular. I believe in future with the diesels getting more popular the maintenance costs will get lower as:
i) the repair shop boys become more familiar and don't make the wrong diagnosis and change unnecessary parts.
ii) the parallel importers of OEM and ori parts will bring in parts to cater for the large volume of diesel bimmers.
iii) the fact that BMW Malaysia is promoting diesel especially the 2L engine for 3 series 5 series and x-3 will mean that bimmers with same engine will soon be plentiful and may outnumber the petrol ones for new registrations and this again boost my above views.
I am now a total oil burner running a stable of 2 Rextons with the mb 270cdi engine and new Actyon 2 with 2 L euro 5 common rail diesel engine. From my experience with the older Rexton it is the wrong diagnosis that inflates the repair costs and create a bad reputation for the diesels. Now as both my repair shop and I understand the engine better and with the availability of OEM parts the maintenance costs is becoming very reasonable and the remapped ECU makes them a joy to drive!
 
I work with diesel engines and aftertreatment systems for a living and am interested in understanding if any diesel-heads out there know whether the Malaysian government is going to introduce legislation of diesel engines emissions in the near future?

The reason i ask is because if emissions start being regulated (i.e. Euro 5 level and beyond), the introduction of DOC-DPF-SCR (aftertreatment) systems or EGR will definitely change the overall total cost of ownership of diesel passenger vehicles. It probably won't affect vehicles purchased prior to the legislation being enacted but may change the future landscape of owning diesel passenger vehicles.

Does anyone know whether BMW published any reports of the results from their testing of the N47 with Malaysian Euro 2 diesel fuel? I tried Googling it but had no fruitful results. I'm surprised to read comments from BMW that the testing showed no ill-effects on the engine (quote: http://star-motoring.com/Previews/2011/Diesel-5-launched.aspx) - using such high sulfur content fuel will definitely degrade the lube oil at a different rate amongst other potential issues, which in turn will have an effect on the engine performance at some point and especially so when the engine was initially designed to run on higher quality diesel fuel.

And to add to that, BMW Malaysia's choice of included service + repair for 3 years / 60,000 km compared to longer durations / distances in other countries is an interesting fact.
 
BMW Malaysia's BRSI 3 years/60,000km is applicable to both diesel and non-diesel models.
 
Lowest sulfur content in which diesel supplier?

There is one diesel supplier who has markedly lower sulfur content than the others. I am not sure if its Esso, Shell, Caltex or Petronas. it seems one of the suppliers sells diesel with sulfur content of below 50ppm compared to the rest at below 500ppm. ANyone can confirm this?
 
Another advantage of diesel:
Diesel doesn't ignite easily unless compressed. In case of a collision (touch wood!), you have 1 less thing to worry about :-S
 
KT1;683608 said:
There is one diesel supplier who has markedly lower sulfur content than the others. I am not sure if its Esso, Shell, Caltex or Petronas. it seems one of the suppliers sells diesel with sulfur content of below 50ppm compared to the rest at below 500ppm. ANyone can confirm this?

BMW Malaysia should do an analysis and share with us the results. Then we can make the right choice. But my SA repeatedly told me to use only BHP or Caltex diesel. Apparently they have more detergent in them. As for sulphur content he has no idea and he got his info from his BMW trainer. So far I only use these 2.
 
I went to test drove the diesel powered BMW at Ingress today..
The 320d Is amazing..and very addictive. The clattering is not so obvious either ( had 36k KMs)
I am sure the F10 diesel is equally great to drive.
 
ck318ci;683705 said:
I went to test drove the diesel powered BMW at Ingress today..
The 320d Is amazing..and very addictive. The clattering is not so obvious either ( had 36k KMs)
I am sure the F10 diesel is equally great to drive.
Bro will let you test my oil burner tomorrow evening and then you can compare it to your 523i.
 
The 520d has damn good sound insulation-even better than the 320d which is already a quiet car from the inside. The smooth in line 6 of the 523i is over rated and is not a plus factor, I reckon, with its engine that is lacking in grunt and is on the way into the has-been bin.
 
ck318ci;683705 said:
I went to test drove the diesel powered BMW at Ingress today..
The 320d Is amazing..and very addictive. The clattering is not so obvious either ( had 36k KMs)
I am sure the F10 diesel is equally great to drive.

Bro, if posible please look for a 520d to test drive. As a 520d owner, I found that even running with same N47 engine, car with 6 speed (320d & X1 2.0d) accually not accelerate/behave in the same manner as the car with 8 speed (X3 2.0d & 520d). The 8 speed improve the car smoothness a lot. Especially the speed of gear changing.

For me the 520d is the sure winner (value + performance + economy) if compare to 523i. But the case might be different if BMW Malaysia price the upcoming 520i & 528i at a lower price.
 
I am sure is a good car, If I am base in KL, I will heavily consider the F10 520D
Unfortunately, Sg systems doesnt favor the Diesel registered car here.

Bro Docrayboy, dont need to say the 523I is a bin car. Not all person will favor a performace orientated car, I for one arent hence the 523I was my defaut choice.
Compare to other models like the E200 CGI, and Audi A6 2.0T. The 523i is a very competent alrounder.
 
Eclipse;683837 said:
Bro, if posible please look for a 520d to test drive. As a 520d owner, I found that even running with same N47 engine, car with 6 speed (320d & X1 2.0d) accually not accelerate/behave in the same manner as the car with 8 speed (X3 2.0d & 520d). The 8 speed improve the car smoothness a lot. Especially the speed of gear changing.

For me the 520d is the sure winner (value + performance + economy) if compare to 523i. But the case might be different if BMW Malaysia price the upcoming 520i & 528i at a lower price.

any idea when the 520i will be introduced in malaysia?
 
I doubt the 520I will be cheaper than the diesel, Would that push the Entry level 2.0 4 Potter to sub 300k?
Judging on the recent launch 520i in Sg, the price is more or less the same with the basic 523i
commom sense will say the 4 potter petrol will be slightly cheaper if not, around 523i price.
 
ck318ci;683864 said:
I am sure is a good car, If I am base in KL, I will heavily consider the F10 520D
Unfortunately, Sg systems doesnt favor the Diesel registered car here.

Bro Docrayboy, dont need to say the 523I is a bin car. Not all person will favor a performace orientated car, I for one arent hence the 523I was my defaut choice.
Compare to other models like the E200 CGI, and Audi A6 2.0T. The 523i is a very competent alrounder.

No lah....not the car. The engine, 6 cylinder NA won't be produced much more in the future because of emission standards etc....the F10 is a great car!
 
That would be Petronas

KT1;683608 said:
There is one diesel supplier who has markedly lower sulfur content than the others. I am not sure if its Esso, Shell, Caltex or Petronas. it seems one of the suppliers sells diesel with sulfur content of below 50ppm compared to the rest at below 500ppm. ANyone can confirm this?
 
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