What are the older 5 series Beemers like??
Discussion
I'll soon be flogging both our cars (pug 405 diesel and MR2 Turbo) cos I'm off to UNI in septemnber and we can't afford to run 2 cars.
The Pug has got some problems with the engine (worn bore I think) so I'm getting rid before it gets too bad to sell on.
Anyway, I'll be needing something fairly big (got 2 dogs) thats good on the motorway, I'll be travelling from Leeds to Huddersfield every day which isn't a particularly long journey in miles but the M62 can get well clogged so I want somewhere comfy to sit.
So I'm thinking of a 1990-93 5 series, anyone got any experiences on runing costs, reliability etc or any other suggestions that might fit the bill.
Budget will be around 2.5 to 3k.
cheers.
>>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 8th May 10:26
The Pug has got some problems with the engine (worn bore I think) so I'm getting rid before it gets too bad to sell on.
Anyway, I'll be needing something fairly big (got 2 dogs) thats good on the motorway, I'll be travelling from Leeds to Huddersfield every day which isn't a particularly long journey in miles but the M62 can get well clogged so I want somewhere comfy to sit.
So I'm thinking of a 1990-93 5 series, anyone got any experiences on runing costs, reliability etc or any other suggestions that might fit the bill.
Budget will be around 2.5 to 3k.
cheers.
>>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 8th May 10:26
Haha! Its great that people still have the misconception that these cars are unreliable / rust etc... keeps em cheap for those in the know.
And yes, I do mean reliable; like I sold mine to a mate when it had 65k on the clock and he wound it round to 120k in 2 years with no issue's at all... cracking car, cracking value.
And yes, I do mean reliable; like I sold mine to a mate when it had 65k on the clock and he wound it round to 120k in 2 years with no issue's at all... cracking car, cracking value.
CarZee said:What you mean is he managed to get all the value he could out of the engine, before the bodywork disintegrated..
trackdemon said: he wound it round to 120k in 2 years with no issue's at all... cracking car, cracking value.
You could put it like that, but of course you'd be wrong. Being galvanised the bodywork would probably outlast a simlar age 5 series....
I shan't rise to any more jibes
The BM's a realy nice car, theirs something special about the older 5 and 7 series. Its hard to exactly put my finger on it. But the dash design, general build quality and the view down the long bonnet on both these models is very apealing.
Generaly I'm a manual gearbox kind of person but theirs nothing wrong in wafting about in an old auto luxo barge actualy I enjoyed it. This came as a bit of suprise as previous auto experience had been pretty hatefull.
(I drive these cars fairly frequently as I'm a customer service driver with BMW)
I've owned a couple of Alfa 164's they do not RUST !!!, unless they have suffered accident damage. The build quality is pretty good. My first example was on 80k miles the second example I owned was on 130k miles.
The first one (1990 v6) I owned for 3 months then wrote it off in a moment of overexburant driving1 And the second (1991 v6 lusso) I had for a year befor getting bored. The only problems I suffered revolved around the motor controling part of the heater system and a miss fire caused by a loose conection.
Admitedly it might have been different if I kept my cars a little longer. But compared to most of the other cars I've owned these were very reliable.
I'm not convinced of the handling of the car (although the torque steer is very amusing/frightening depending on your point of view) but to be fair both cars were over 10 yrs old when I bought them.
Generaly I'm a manual gearbox kind of person but theirs nothing wrong in wafting about in an old auto luxo barge actualy I enjoyed it. This came as a bit of suprise as previous auto experience had been pretty hatefull.
(I drive these cars fairly frequently as I'm a customer service driver with BMW)
I've owned a couple of Alfa 164's they do not RUST !!!, unless they have suffered accident damage. The build quality is pretty good. My first example was on 80k miles the second example I owned was on 130k miles.
The first one (1990 v6) I owned for 3 months then wrote it off in a moment of overexburant driving1 And the second (1991 v6 lusso) I had for a year befor getting bored. The only problems I suffered revolved around the motor controling part of the heater system and a miss fire caused by a loose conection.
Admitedly it might have been different if I kept my cars a little longer. But compared to most of the other cars I've owned these were very reliable.
I'm not convinced of the handling of the car (although the torque steer is very amusing/frightening depending on your point of view) but to be fair both cars were over 10 yrs old when I bought them.
The E34 5 series is one of the best all-round cars. I took a taxi in London last year and it was an E34 520, about 10 years old. Inside was great leather, comfort so me and my girlfriend had a lovely luxurious journey. It took the corners so smooth, and had a supple ride - overall had superb handling. I have driven quite a few old 5s, and almost bought an E34 M5, so after giving the fair I said "Nice car sir", he gave a big grin and said almost no one else ever recognised it, I told him E34s are amongst the best and he seemed happy, gave me back my tip!
I think for older cars, if you do not mind their big size, they are amongst the best you can have. Just do not go down the back roads of Wales, they will be too big, heavy too, so the brakes will flop, and you will scrape the walls. For this type of drive, take a smaller car.
I think for older cars, if you do not mind their big size, they are amongst the best you can have. Just do not go down the back roads of Wales, they will be too big, heavy too, so the brakes will flop, and you will scrape the walls. For this type of drive, take a smaller car.
I currently drive a 1989 525i (G-reg). It is totally reliable, fast, very comfy, full leather interior, allround lecy windows and sun roof, and even has a full service history, all the way from 1989! It doesn't have a spot of rust anywhere, everything works except the brake pad wear sensor, which has a mind of it's own.
They are great cars, and although I'm intending changing it for a 7-series in the near future, I cannot get round to it simply because there's no need.
It does about 25mpg, insurance for me is about £300 per year.
I would say that if you get a good one, it will last you for your entire university career, and then some. In moments of greed and madness, I've tried to sell it several times to the medical students who come to our practice. Make me an offer!!
They are great cars, and although I'm intending changing it for a 7-series in the near future, I cannot get round to it simply because there's no need.
It does about 25mpg, insurance for me is about £300 per year.
I would say that if you get a good one, it will last you for your entire university career, and then some. In moments of greed and madness, I've tried to sell it several times to the medical students who come to our practice. Make me an offer!!
nubbin said:
I've tried to sell it several times to the medical students who come to our practice. Make me an offer!!
I might just do that m8, I'm only in Leeds so not too far from you.
25mpg is a bit thirsty though, what sort of driving do you do? I'll be on the motorway a fair bit, would it be reasonable to assume that I'd get a bit more than that??
Anyone have any thoughts on the Ford Scorpio?? I normally don't like Fords (at all) but this one seems to be a bit special, apart from being ugly as feck, even has its own website.
www.fordscorpio.co.uk
Someone has spent a LOT of time on that site, its really rather good.
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Friday 9th May 09:17
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Friday 9th May 09:18
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