BMW 530 diesel versus 520 diesel - go for the newer engine?

Congratulations on a great motoring column.

I have a 520 manual diesel, which is 7 years old with 72,000 miles on the clock. Oil changes at 10,000 miles. No indications of the chain death rattle. Best car I have ever owned but am mindful of the comments on your site which indicate that problems may start at about 80,000.

There are some very good reductions on new 5 series pending introduction of the new model in a few months. Am very tempted by the 530 diesel. Do about 12,000 miles a year. Will the 530 need longer journeys to warm up and regenerate the particulate filter compared to the 520?

Asked on 17 August 2016 by Henry

Answered by Honest John
There's more to warm up, but I wouldn't worry. What you propose, getting something like a £10k discount on an outgoing model, makes huge sense for long-term ownership.
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