Love the 535D.

Yes, an auto box is a must for me now, I've had enough of all that clutch pedal action in the traffic. I queued for an hour and a half for the Dartford bridge the other week, I dread to think how many times I used that damn clutch

Not fussed about the paddles but obviously it would be nice to have them.

I will get absolutely hammered for this but I would opt for the 535d over the 335i engine as I prefer the vast quantities of torque availabe just above idle

I get around 36 - 38mpg out of my TDI at present but that is due to a fully loaded boot and ladders stuck on the roof, my extremely heavy right foot (read: thrash the nuts off it) doesn't help either.

If I get 35mpg out of the 535d I will be happy. If I don't I still won't care :P

I will take a guess that BMW customer service is generally pretty good and IIRC they have different types of extended warranties available. I would be *quite* keen to get a policy on the engine and gearbox as a minimum. I am guessing the warranty is the generic 60k/3 year deal?

I only have thorough knowledge of one dealer (David Holmes in Stockport) but the service I have received so far has been exemplary. No dealer I have ever dealt with comes close and they are certainly better than Horners Skoda in Manchester was. Fawdingtons in Newcastle were very good to me too. I may not be able to afford a BMW next time I change my car, but for mew, a huge factor in buying one is the sales/aftersales/service treatment I have had so far.

Go test drive a 530d and 535d and get looking.

The 530D's will be cheaper because they are obviously more common, but there is something about a 535D touring that would just be damn nice.

Very nice car, just make sure you spec the sports seats if you are doing high miles as they offer the under the thigh support, which is just amazingly comfortable.

535d is a great car, although I was surprised how much bigger and heavier the 5-series feels to drive compared to the 3-series which feels much more nimble and chuckable. 5-series would make an ideal autobahn stormer though

Chris

It will spend most of its life hammering up and down motorways so the weight shouldn't be a problem.

My work gear is quite heavy and it can be quite 'interesting' when all of that gear is in the boot of a light car.

My rational side tells me to go for a 530d but there is another part saying "sod it, go for the full fat 535d" :P

I think I have already made my decision.

I'll try and get one with the sports seats, electric I presume.

Another vote for the sports seats. I chose them as the standard ones felt bouncy in my 1 series. I am not sure if it is the same in the 5 series, but in lesser series, Sports seats only brings electric slide bolster adjustment, everything else is manual. Mind you the seats are almost infinitely adjustable in so many directions. The 5 series might come with electric as standard in a 535D and it might even have sports seats as standard if you are looking a secondhand as most people spec them.