Oil or petrol 5 series

[crankedup]

In the new year its likely I will replace our daily runner with something altogether more comfortable. Used to own a 525i back in the day and found it to be very nice indeed in terms of comfort, so going back to one.
Not a big budget at around 5/6k so looking at an 2005/6 model with average miles but good service history. However really don't know where we would be better off, either an oil burner or petrol? We do 10-12k year retired couple usual use shopping, social and occasional long trip. Any advise please.

[hornetrider]

I'd be happier buying a petrol at that budget and looking at your intended use.

[crankedup]

hornetrider said:

I'd be happier buying a petrol at that budget and looking at your intended use.

Thank you, in terms of longevity as the car we buy will likely be showing around 80k on the clock, is it reasonable to assume maintenance/reliability will be OK. I realize that its a gamble on a used car of this age/mileage but in general terms.

[hornetrider]

There are common issues which you will pick up from a buyers guide that you need to look out for, and I think you have to accept a BMW will cost more to service and upkeep than a Mazda for example. On the upside however I do find them very pleasant to drive so the outlay, for me, is worth it.

[crankedup]

Yup, thanks for comments, I will have a look at some 'whichcar' sites.

[Smiley198700]

I got a 55 plate 330i for 6k, so I think that budget would get you an E60 petrol..

If you're looking around the 80k miles mark and an auto then the box oil will be due a change, about £400. BMW say the box is sealed for live but ZF recommend it is changed, I know who I believe

Plenty of stamps in the service book, previous MOT advisories etc, the usual. Servicing is condition based so the car will bong at you when things need changing, check how long things have until they need doing (pads, oil etc) using the idrive or dash computer thing. Not sure how to do this on the e60 but there will be plenty of guides about. 80k is nothing to worry about if there's plenty of stamps in the book...

Edited by Smiley198700 on Saturday 29th November 11:23

[aeropilot]

Smiley198700 said:

I got a 55 plate 330i for 6k, so I think that budget would get you an E60 petrol..

The OP will struggle to get a sub-100k mileage, E60 petrol 'six' for his budget IMHO.

[Fox-]

aeropilot said:

The OP will struggle to get a sub-100k mileage, E60 petrol 'six' for his budget IMHO.

The oldest E60's are 11 years old now, surely 11 year old 530i's with under 100k do not command more than £6k?

[pointedstarman]

If fuel type doesn't bother you then look for the car that has the right spec / history / condition. The E61 is a nice place to be in any form. Reliability isn't bad regardless of fuel type.

[Shirt587]

aeropilot said:

Smiley198700 said:

I got a 55 plate 330i for 6k, so I think that budget would get you an E60 petrol..

The OP will struggle to get a sub-100k mileage, E60 petrol 'six' for his budget IMHO.

05 plate, 85k miles, E61 545i (so V8, which is obviously two better than a six ) - I paid 7k.

[Smiley198700]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...


Lots of 523i's out there but although I've never driven one I think they'd be a bit underpowered

[daemon]

aeropilot said:

Smiley198700 said:

I got a 55 plate 330i for 6k, so I think that budget would get you an E60 petrol..

The OP will struggle to get a sub-100k mileage, E60 petrol 'six' for his budget IMHO.

Plenty around.

530i with auto would be my choice.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[crankedup]

Thanks again to all contributors, some very good advise offered. Seen a couple of cars which looked to fit the bill but then found 'smokers pack fitted'. We are all non smokers and highly sensitive to the odour of stale tobacco. Mighty fine cars though!

[CharlesdeGaulle]

crankedup said:

... found 'smokers pack fitted'. We are all non smokers and highly sensitive to the odour of stale tobacco. Mighty fine cars though!

Don't let the presence of the pack put you off. When I was speccing a tax-free BMW, cars for the UK market had to have the Smokers Pack fitted. The key for you will be to ensure the one you buy doesn't smell of smoke; don't get distracted by the presence of the pack.

As an aside, I sold a 523i estate earlier this year to a PH-er. The common and well-known issues aside, I thought the car was great. In no way is it under-powered for normal use for a retired couple. I sold it for rather less than your budget.

[JimmyTheHand]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Don't let the presence of the pack put you off. When I was speccing a tax-free BMW, cars for the UK market had to have the Smokers Pack fitted. The key for you will be to ensure the one you buy doesn't smell of smoke; don't get distracted by the presence of the pack.

My last car had the Smokers pack - it was very much this is one we can get quickly from stock somewhere with the options I wanted but I had to accept other options I wouldn't have ticked

[Fox-]

crankedup said:

Thanks again to all contributors, some very good advise offered. Seen a couple of cars which looked to fit the bill but then found 'smokers pack fitted'. We are all non smokers and highly sensitive to the odour of stale tobacco. Mighty fine cars though!

They've pretty much all got that. My F10 has the Smokers Pack and has never once been smoked in.

[StuntmanMike]

daemon said:

Plenty around.

530i with auto would be my choice.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

I didn't realize they were that cheap, that last one the 56 reg, would that have the newer engine? would that make it a better car? do they all have the manky looking rotary heater controls?

[Fox-]

late 05 onwards is the newer engine - the 258bhp N52 which replaced the 231bhp M54 which was carried over from the E39.

Most of them have those awful heater controls yes, unless they had Advanced Climate spec'd in which case you get slightly less manky but still fairly crappy heater controls.

[StuntmanMike]

Cheers Fox, so would the newer engine suit the car better? I have the M54 in an E46, truly epic engine but I couldn't help feel it would be a tad under powered in an E60.

[daemon]

Fox- said:

late 05 onwards is the newer engine - the 258bhp N52 which replaced the 231bhp M54 which was carried over from the E39.

Most of them have those awful heater controls yes, unless they had Advanced Climate spec'd in which case you get slightly less manky but still fairly crappy heater controls.

The heater controls arent great, and you're right advanced climate gave you upgraded controls. 535d's came with it as standard - mine both had it.

I'd an 03 530i a couple of years ago with all the toys at the time - factory fit upgraded alloys, leather, NAV, auto, plus other stuff. From memory i got £3500 for it, but it was a bit mileagy. It was sold to some russian bloke who was shipping them home.