High Mileage 5 Series'

[Davie_GLA]

Thanks, i guess i'm looking for what to look for whn buying a 5 series of this vintage bar the usual standard checks.

I'll go and browse the respective websites for the marque i'm looking at. I think i've managed to cut the 407 idea down in it's prime. Next it getting her to believe that autos are cool.

[Vee]

Davie_GLA said:

It's the things like the turbos and suspension stuff that worries me at this mileage.
It should however have a fair amount of paperwork, so hopefully some of the scarier stuff has been replaced and is still in it's youth.
I need the car to last at least 4 years under my ownership, so it must last.

Rather than how long, how far do you intend to drive it ?
I had a 2002 330d. FBMW history turbo replaced at 100k, etc, etc.
The turbo went again on the M1 at 141k . . . spectacularly taking the front of the car with it. Totally burned out.

If you're doing less than 20k pa I'd side with 10 Pence that there is to much to potentially go wrong to warrant a diesel over a petrol.

Edited by Vee on Monday 26th January 13:47

[Welshbeef]

One way of checking out how probable the failure is, call up a warranty comp and ask for a quote for a say 530i vs a 530d identical in every other way then if one is a lot more then there you go, if its less then you know its more of a fact that a few are shouting loud.

[10 Pence Short]

Welshbeef said:

One way of checking out how probable the failure is, call up a warranty comp and ask for a quote for a say 530i vs a 530d identical in every other way then if one is a lot more then there you go, if its less then you know its more of a fact that a few are shouting loud.

I don't think it's a BMW specific issue; it's a modern diesel specific one. Young cars with high mileages have rarely been driven by owner drivers and are not always treated with the respect you might if it was your own.

Modern diesels need looking after properly because of the reliance on the turbo and highly complex fuel systems.

If they're not looked after, they don't last long.

Unless you seriously need the economy, I would go for a NA petrol over the diesel every single time because there is less to go wrong and they're better placed to cope with servicing abuse.

[Davie_GLA]

I probably do about 15-25k a year. Perhaps much less on that depending on the weather.

I dunno, i'm super paranoid about something going wrong and a big bill. I don't want to endure the 'I told you so' speech from the better half.

[Vee]

Davie_GLA said:

I probably do about 15-25k a year. Perhaps much less on that depending on the weather.

I dunno, i'm super paranoid about something going wrong and a big bill. I don't want to endure the 'I told you so' speech from the better half.

You don't want to be looking at a high milage modern diesel then.

[Welshbeef]

If your that worried then dont buy a diesel, inveriably you'll end up being one of those unlucky few ... Buy a 520i/523i/525i/528i and enjoy.

[richieblacks]

I've got a 530d touring with 108,000 miles that's been in the family since new, runs perfectly, can't fault it. Fantastic for doing big milages 650miles out of a tank at a steady 85mph!
Turbo went at 86,000 miles, water pump went soon after, (they were both covered under an extended BMW Warranty) anything over 100,00 miles is likley to have had them replaced already.
The things that are a pain in the arse are the wheel speed sensors that control the Speedo, rev counter, ABS, Traction Control and Cruise Control, they go every 2-3 years like clockwork and are £300-£400 to fix at a main dealer. At 100,000 miles things like Dampers start to go but that's no huge expense.
Did have a VERY big bill recently, but that's because I was keen to keep it's full BMW Service History. Find a good specialist and you'll never need another car!

Oh yeah, mine's for sale if you want one

[matt uk]

Davie_GLA said:

I probably do about 15-25k a year. Perhaps much less on that depending on the weather.

I do that mileage in an e39 530i. It may cost a bit more in fuel but it was cheaper / lower mileage to buy vs the 530d equivalents as I had also read (and have first hand experience) of modern turbo diesels.

530i just plods on regardless of how many miles a month I ask of it. The missus much newer turbo diesel returns nearly double the mpg when it's working but is a fking liability (which if the manufacturer hadn't coughed to cover the costs of a new turbo / EGR valve, I'd be well out of pocket).

In my experience, I would take a new diesel if it was run as company car and all maintainance costs were covered as the tax breaks and mpg make it worth while. But if I'm parting with my own cash for an older car, then I'll take my chances on a n/a petrol engine every single day of the week.

[Welshbeef]

Changing all 4 dampers isnt cheap. Your looking at a good few hundred per axle, mind you if they need doing then get them done and your car will hadle like its new.

[Davie_GLA]

Thanks. Not really into the tourings as much.

How 'good' are the petrol version, probably 520, 523 etc at this mileage?

[matt uk]

Davie_GLA said:

Thanks. Not really into the tourings as much.

How 'good' are the petrol version, probably 520, 523 etc at this mileage?

Smaller 6-pots are a false economy on the 5 series I reckon. Fuel and running costs are only fractionally cheaper. Have a look at the bigger 2.8 and 3.0 units - great engines.

I test drove a 520i and didn't even make it out for 5mins. Quickly realised this was not the car for me. It's a big car and the little 2.2 engine struggles with the weight. So you end up revving it much harder, probably use the same amount of petrol and have 'nothing left' when you do want to put your foot down and have a bit of performance. All in all, I felt the 2.2 just made too much of a meal of itand wouldn't cost me that much less to run.

Edited by matt uk on Monday 26th January 14:23

[Welshbeef]

matt uk said:

Davie_GLA said:

Thanks. Not really into the tourings as much.

How 'good' are the petrol version, probably 520, 523 etc at this mileage?

Smaller 6-pots are a false economy on the 5 series I reckon. Fuel and running costs are only fractionally cheaper. Have a look at the bigger 2.8 and 3.0 units - great engines.

Meh - you can buy E39 520/523i's for well under £2k thats a cheap car. 530i's and 540i's are much more to buy & as its for the Mrs does she really want a big one can't she just make do with below ave size??

[HRG]

Welshbeef said:

matt uk said:

Davie_GLA said:

Thanks. Not really into the tourings as much.

How 'good' are the petrol version, probably 520, 523 etc at this mileage?

Smaller 6-pots are a false economy on the 5 series I reckon. Fuel and running costs are only fractionally cheaper. Have a look at the bigger 2.8 and 3.0 units - great engines.

Meh - you can buy E39 520/523i's for well under £2k thats a cheap car. 530i's and 540i's are much more to buy & as its for the Mrs does she really want a big one can't she just make do with below ave size??

I got a 528I for £2.8K at the back end of last year. 76K miles, utterly fantastic car for the money

[Welshbeef]

HRG said:

Welshbeef said:

matt uk said:

Davie_GLA said:

Thanks. Not really into the tourings as much.

How 'good' are the petrol version, probably 520, 523 etc at this mileage?

Smaller 6-pots are a false economy on the 5 series I reckon. Fuel and running costs are only fractionally cheaper. Have a look at the bigger 2.8 and 3.0 units - great engines.

Meh - you can buy E39 520/523i's for well under £2k thats a cheap car. 530i's and 540i's are much more to buy & as its for the Mrs does she really want a big one can't she just make do with below ave size??

I got a 528I for £2.8K at the back end of last year. 76K miles, utterly fantastic car for the money

That is a good price - I didnt know they were that cheap!
On the older say 528i's & milage can the autobox be problematic or are manuals very rare?

[matt uk]

Welshbeef said:

matt uk said:

Davie_GLA said:

Thanks. Not really into the tourings as much.

How 'good' are the petrol version, probably 520, 523 etc at this mileage?

Smaller 6-pots are a false economy on the 5 series I reckon. Fuel and running costs are only fractionally cheaper. Have a look at the bigger 2.8 and 3.0 units - great engines.

Meh - you can buy E39 520/523i's for well under £2k thats a cheap car. 530i's and 540i's are much more to buy & as its for the Mrs does she really want a big one can't she just make do with below ave size??

Fair enough I suppose if it's a shopping car for the other half. But there are plenty of 528i cars around at that price too. 540i V8s are taking these to the next level though.

My indy charges the same for all 6-cyl cars and I'm not convinced there would be that much of tangible fuel saving either.

One can also argue that a bigger, less-stressed engine may 'age' slower than a smaller harder-working engine.

[HRG]

Welshbeef said:

HRG said:

Welshbeef said:

matt uk said:

Davie_GLA said:

Thanks. Not really into the tourings as much.

How 'good' are the petrol version, probably 520, 523 etc at this mileage?

Smaller 6-pots are a false economy on the 5 series I reckon. Fuel and running costs are only fractionally cheaper. Have a look at the bigger 2.8 and 3.0 units - great engines.

Meh - you can buy E39 520/523i's for well under £2k thats a cheap car. 530i's and 540i's are much more to buy & as its for the Mrs does she really want a big one can't she just make do with below ave size??

I got a 528I for £2.8K at the back end of last year. 76K miles, utterly fantastic car for the money

That is a good price - I didnt know they were that cheap!
On the older say 528i's & milage can the autobox be problematic or are manuals very rare?

I looked at quite a few and they were all Steptronic. For what I wanted it's great I've done about 3K miles and have averaged 25.2MPG across the board.

[matt uk]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/833201.htm

£1,600 - bargain

[VX Foxy]

My 530d had a new turbo and a couple of injectors not long after the 100k mark. Labour and 50% of parts were covered by Warranty Direct. Great car, but I agree with others that a petrol would better suit your needs.

FWIW, My experience of Warranty Direct was good well worth having on a TD, IMO.

[Davie_GLA]

She is more concerned about the size of the car and auto box.

To me it seems like the best value for money barge available at the minute.

I just think that if i buy one of the other contenders (Mondeo, vectra et al) that i will get nowhere near the level of car ill get with the big 5.