High Mileage e60
Discussion
I'm currently in the market for an e60 (530/535d)
Most likely to be a 530d by the choice of whats out there. Would I be doing myself a bad turn by spending ~2k less on 140k car than a 100k car?
EDIT: I'm also considering an e65 - would I see much detriment in fuel economy this way due to the added weight etc?
Most likely to be a 530d by the choice of whats out there. Would I be doing myself a bad turn by spending ~2k less on 140k car than a 100k car?
EDIT: I'm also considering an e65 - would I see much detriment in fuel economy this way due to the added weight etc?
Edited by Sparkzz on Saturday 27th September 19:20
Buy on condition.
Its possible the big mile car has had a suspension refresh so is certainly a better car than the lier miles. Then again its possible the high miles has had nothing beyond oil filters discs and pads.
Which is better buy?64k question and without question buy on condition.
140 k miles is just approaching DPF change that's £600-1k worth of work if it done than you'll never need to do it again.
535d make sure its LCI otherwise high 20's mpg is what you'll come to expect v high 30's
Try to get the option spider alloys look great worth the extra.
It is a barge so keep in mind quick direction change
Its possible the big mile car has had a suspension refresh so is certainly a better car than the lier miles. Then again its possible the high miles has had nothing beyond oil filters discs and pads.
Which is better buy?64k question and without question buy on condition.
140 k miles is just approaching DPF change that's £600-1k worth of work if it done than you'll never need to do it again.
535d make sure its LCI otherwise high 20's mpg is what you'll come to expect v high 30's
Try to get the option spider alloys look great worth the extra.
It is a barge so keep in mind quick direction change
E65 a significant step up in quality of build from the E60, especially the pre LCI 5ers. The 7 wears the miles well and all the stuff you'll struggle to find on a 5 in one car (xenons, electric seats, nav, high beam assist etc) is standard on the big one.
I've got a 730d and been running it for nearly 7 years. It's been supremely reliable and is still a lovely place to sit for long periods. For the five grand it's worth now I can't bear to part with it. I drive newer metal quite often but nothing (apart from an F01, which actually doesn't ride as well) seems to match it. Find a nice one and it'll be all the car you'll ever want.
ETA - the difference in mpg between a 530d and a 730d of that vintage is negligible.
I've got a 730d and been running it for nearly 7 years. It's been supremely reliable and is still a lovely place to sit for long periods. For the five grand it's worth now I can't bear to part with it. I drive newer metal quite often but nothing (apart from an F01, which actually doesn't ride as well) seems to match it. Find a nice one and it'll be all the car you'll ever want.
ETA - the difference in mpg between a 530d and a 730d of that vintage is negligible.
THX said:
I'm after one of these, too.
Just been looking at one with 130k on.
What questions should I be asking the sales dude? I had a quick drive and it felt flawless, save a little vibration but the wheels looked a little tatty and the pressures were all off.
Any advice appreciated.
Wheels could be bent if so not possible to repair. Just been looking at one with 130k on.
What questions should I be asking the sales dude? I had a quick drive and it felt flawless, save a little vibration but the wheels looked a little tatty and the pressures were all off.
Any advice appreciated.
Welshbeef said:
Wheels could be bent if so not possible to repair.
Bent wheels an occupational hazard running these cars. I have had three straightened by Lepsons while they refurbed a set. Like new and around £75 all in per wheel. Watch for blistering on the sidewall with Goodyear runflats too - another common cause of vibration.Two other areas worth checking. The DPF and whether the sump on the gearbox is leaking (it is plastic and often cracks with time). Did 100k in my E61 before trading up to F11 and gearbox leak was only issue I had besides tailgate loom fraying and replacing two thermostats as car was running cold (both common problems - Google for more info).
ETA: this is an American site but gives an idea of how sophisticated wheel straightening is these days
http://rimrepaircenter.mymobilebuilder.com/site/ho...
Edited by drmark on Sunday 28th September 17:38
Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be avoiding the pre LCI 535; high 20's MPG doesn't fit the bill very well. Realistically I've got 10 grand to spend as an absolute maximum. If I can't get an LCI for that I think I'll be hunting down a 7 series.
On the other hand, anyone know what an e92 335d coupe would do MPG wise, and is the e92 a worthy contender to an e60?
On the other hand, anyone know what an e92 335d coupe would do MPG wise, and is the e92 a worthy contender to an e60?
Edited by Sparkzz on Sunday 28th September 20:02
There's the difference, I'm looking at around 6k! Haha.
Powerfully Built Jr Director, here.
The garage dude said they'd get the wheels sorted (they all say that, but I'm not touching it unless they do) so I'll let them get that done and see what's what. One of the front tyres was flat and pumped up in a hurry, so could have just been pressures. They're replacing the front tyres (if sold) so could be nothing.
Powerfully Built Jr Director, here.
The garage dude said they'd get the wheels sorted (they all say that, but I'm not touching it unless they do) so I'll let them get that done and see what's what. One of the front tyres was flat and pumped up in a hurry, so could have just been pressures. They're replacing the front tyres (if sold) so could be nothing.
I've got a fair bit of experience buying used cars, all be it around 1 - 2k.
Usually if there something not right, its best to walk away, when the dealers start "sorting" things, it usually means its been traded in for a very good reason and its a total pig underneath.
This is just my experience - I'm actually more keen on private buying now, especially when you meet someone genuine with a big book of history.
I'm saying I've got 10 grand - to be fair I don't really want to part with that amount unless its something special. My dad got an e61 recently, a 520d, off a very good friend, for 3.5k and it's got full service history and new turbo and dpf. I'm going to end up paying twice that!
Usually if there something not right, its best to walk away, when the dealers start "sorting" things, it usually means its been traded in for a very good reason and its a total pig underneath.
This is just my experience - I'm actually more keen on private buying now, especially when you meet someone genuine with a big book of history.
I'm saying I've got 10 grand - to be fair I don't really want to part with that amount unless its something special. My dad got an e61 recently, a 520d, off a very good friend, for 3.5k and it's got full service history and new turbo and dpf. I'm going to end up paying twice that!
drmark said:
Two other areas worth checking. The DPF and whether the sump on the gearbox is leaking (it is plastic and often cracks with time). Did 100k in my E61 before trading up to F11 and gearbox leak was only issue I had besides tailgate loom fraying and replacing two thermostats as car was running cold (both common problems - Google for more info).
[/footnote]
Is it really true the build quality went downhill post e39?[/footnote]
Sparkzz said:
Is it really true the build quality went downhill post e39?
I never had an e39 but I thought my E61 was a superbly put together car. I gearbox sump, 2 thermostats and some frayed wires isn't too bad for a 100k. And there wasn't a single rattle or squeak. A friend has a 54 E39 525d that I use in France. It's done 125,000 miles and is very much showing it's age. Feels 10 years older than my E61, not 18 months older.But unfair to compare just two examples. What I can vouch for is that my current F11 is leagues ahead of both. Faultless luxury (partic with adaptive drive) - at least to 70,000. Best overall car I have ever owned - and I have been lucky enough to have had quite a few.
drmark said:
I never had an e39 but I thought my E61 was a superbly put together car. I gearbox sump, 2 thermostats and some frayed wires isn't too bad for a 100k. And there wasn't a single rattle or squeak. A friend has a 54 E39 525d that I use in France. It's done 125,000 miles and is very much showing it's age. Feels 10 years older than my E61, not 18 months older.
Not surprised if it's a 54 plate - the E39 ended production over a year before 54 plate, almost all if not every 54 plate or 05 registered E39 (They exist) are ex-police cars. 04 is about as new as the non police ones go.Fox- said:
Not surprised if it's a 54 plate - the E39 ended production over a year before 54 plate, almost all if not every 54 plate or 05 registered E39 (They exist) are ex-police cars. 04 is about as new as the non police ones go.
It is a 54 owned since new by one private owner. But lives in France now. Perhaps it doesn't like the food or the mechanics.Edited by drmark on Sunday 28th September 21:38
He clearly made a wise choice 
I had a 535d sport touring on an 05 plate when it was almost a year old, drove it for 18 months and 45k miles and it was a great car, once off the run flats.
Had 3 e39's and they were also very good, in fact, in their day they were so far ahead of everything else, but if I were buying again not sure if I would go E39 or E61, think a nice 545 or 550i touring I would prefer over a 540i.
Don't get me wrong, I still think my favourite all round car was my E39 530i sport, but a lot of that is rose tinted glasses Im sure.
I think I would prefer to save £2k and get a 140k mile car and then do all the suspension, will be around a grand to £1200, that is where these start to feel tired.
I definitely think buying privately is far less risky than buying a car from a dealer in this bracket.
Had 3 e39's and they were also very good, in fact, in their day they were so far ahead of everything else, but if I were buying again not sure if I would go E39 or E61, think a nice 545 or 550i touring I would prefer over a 540i.
Don't get me wrong, I still think my favourite all round car was my E39 530i sport, but a lot of that is rose tinted glasses Im sure.
I think I would prefer to save £2k and get a 140k mile car and then do all the suspension, will be around a grand to £1200, that is where these start to feel tired.
I definitely think buying privately is far less risky than buying a car from a dealer in this bracket.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff