BMW 525d SE -In love again (BMW 525d SE Saloon)

Member Name: astuteinvestor

Product:	BMW 525d SE Saloon
Date:	14/06/06 (2784 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: performance and fuel consumption

Disadvantages: None

Just exchanged my Mercedes ML 270 CDI for a BMW 525d SE Saloon. The difference in terms of performance, fuel consumption and driveability is amazing -wow wow. The Merc ML was ok (if you want a bucket load of space and modest performance), but at this level I am discerning, critical and expect a lot lot more for my money. Depreciation is also high on the Merc.The Merc felt like a slow and sluggish 2 tonne truck in comparison to the sleek looks and elegant smart performance of my BMW saloon. The BMW 525d SE is a magician's dream. Incredibly quick and sure footed, but light on fuel consumption at the same time. This is important with diesel fuel costs running at 96-100p per litre. On a combined cycle the BMW is expected to return over 35 mpg, compared to around 21 mpg on the Merc ML. The electronics and information feedback in the car leave my old Merc ML in the shade. Before I had the Merc my previous car was a BMW. I switched to Merc because I was looking for a higher level driving experience. Well I was disappointed. I have returned to BMW ownership and at the moment I am unlikely to consider a Merc again. I have road tested the Merc E 270cdi saloon as well and the BMW 525d SE saloon seems to leave the Merc standing.

As far as ownership is concerned, I found Merc dealers and their salesman arrogant; they seemed to be doing me a favour showing me their cars. The service department was excellent though. When I took my boring ML in for part-exchange with Merc they offered me a lower price in exchange. BMW gave me a higher part-exchange value and were looking to please me in every way. Their salesmen were excellent and they were genuinely interested to the last detail in helping me out with getting the purchase decision right. I am glad I have returned back to BMW ownership and will consider going back to try another BMW in a few years.

Disadvantages - minor concern is that the brakes on this car may be a little sharp and grippy for me, but at the moment I am in love with my new machine and can live with this quirk --at the price bracket it is the ultimate driving machine as far as I am concerned: for now anyway. I am new to this electronic gizzmo but the i-drive is a challenge to work with and the gear shift on my automatic is different (small flick switch etc) compared to the Merc, but these are adjustments I can easily cope with. Merc offers a 30 year warranty on their cars (Mobilo) while BMW can't match this at the moment.

Summary: BMW 525d SE saloon -a driving pleasure. Glad I made a switch from Mercedes ML.

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Driving comfort: