E60 buying guide?

[Blu3R]

Where can I find detailed information about the E60, specifically the diesels?

I like the idea of one but not sure which would suit me best and then how to fully check the multitude of features and interrogate the idrive etc. Where is the forum of choice for E60s?


Thanks,
Rob

[sparkythecat]

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/forum/65-e60e61-2004-2010/

[Blu3R]

Thanks. Doesn't really need to be expanded on

Just can't seem to find a simple buyers guide, that forum i'm sure will be great but for a newbie it's information overload!

[eastsider]

Blu3R said:

Where can I find detailed information about the E60, specifically the diesels?

I like the idea of one but not sure which would suit me best and then how to fully check the multitude of features and interrogate the idrive etc. Where is the forum of choice for E60s?


Thanks,
Rob

If you can give an idea of what age (pre/post LCI) and specific engines you are looking at then I'm sure useful pointers from owners will be forthcoming.

[Blu3R]

eastsider said:

If you can give an idea of what age (pre/post LCI) and specific engines you are looking at then I'm sure useful pointers from owners will be forthcoming.

I'm looking for a pre LCI 535d M Sport and I'm not fussy whether it's an E60 or E61.

[Davie_GLA]

I've got a 2006 525d MSport. One thing i will say that the pre-LCI cars aren't economical in any way shape or form.

[anonymous-user]

Davie_GLA said:

I've got a 2006 525d MSport. One thing i will say that the pre-LCI cars aren't economical in any way shape or form.

Bit harsh -I have gone from a pre LCI 530d to a F11 530d and gained around 5mpg max, so not that shabby.

[Blu3R]

So would I be better off longer term to raise my budget and look at LCI engined cars? I'm not in it purely for the economy but I do intend to do around 15k a year and after 2-3 years of ownership I assume I'll have a more desirable car to sell?

[louiebaby]

Davie_GLA said:

I've got a 2006 525d MSport. One thing i will say that the pre-LCI cars aren't economical in any way shape or form.

Excuse me for being rude, but what does LCI stand for?

[/bmw noob]

[dave87]

Life Cycle Initiative (basically, facelift)

[sparkythecat]

louiebaby said:

Excuse me for being rude, but what does LCI stand for?

[/bmw noob]

It's something menstrual BMW included in their nomenclature for their later E60 models

[louiebaby]

Thank you both!

I wondered, now it's confirmed.

[Davie_GLA]

Twice in one week i find myself back peddling from a PH thread. i've now done my weekly drive to work and i'm averaging 34mpg. I've used just over a quarter tank of fuel and range is estimating just under 560 miles to the tank.

I am driving it like a saint though so not sure how long that will last!

[ritch]

Davie_GLA said:

Twice in one week i find myself back peddling from a PH thread. i've now done my weekly drive to work and i'm averaging 34mpg. I've used just over a quarter tank of fuel and range is estimating just under 560 miles to the tank.

I am driving it like a saint though so not sure how long that will last!

I'm getting that in a 525i (3.0 LCI). I switched to petrol after a slow and thirsty merc diesel - the 525i is costing the same to run as the merc, and getting between 430 and 470 miles out a tank of petrol which is a surprise (same as merc).

[sparks_E39]

It's easy to get nearly 40 mpg out of my 528i at the speed limit on a longer journey.

[robsa]

LCI - Life Cycle Impulse

[eastsider]

Blu3R said:

So would I be better off longer term to raise my budget and look at LCI engined cars? I'm not in it purely for the economy but I do intend to do around 15k a year and after 2-3 years of ownership I assume I'll have a more desirable car to sell?

I would say yes. But for an LCI 535d Sport you are probably looking at £16k plus.

[eastsider]

It seems from a quick look on PH just now that LCI adds 2.5-3k to a 535d. This is a keenly priced LCI one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3369103.htm

If you can live with blue, £16.8k at Sytner BMW leicester seems ok? Advert is sparse to say the least though, poor effort from a main dealer. Check the spec carefully.

[BEEMER69]

eastsider said:

It seems from a quick look on PH just now that LCI adds 2.5-3k to a 535d. This is a keenly priced LCI one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3369103.htm

If you can live with blue, £16.8k at Sytner BMW leicester seems ok? Advert is sparse to say the least though, poor effort from a main dealer. Check the spec carefully.

that one is showing as sold and from the pictures looks like lacking in spec, especially Sat Nav going by the size of the display.

[sparkythecat]

Blu3R said:

So would I be better off longer term to raise my budget and look at LCI engined cars? I'm not in it purely for the economy but I do intend to do around 15k a year and after 2-3 years of ownership I assume I'll have a more desirable car to sell?

Just bear in mind that the 335d is a diesel tuned more for performance than economy and is the sort of car more likely to appeal to an enthusiast than an ordinary Joe. Fuel costs, tyres insurance and VED will all cost more than its smaller engined brethren, so by choosing a car like this, you are limiting your potential market come resale time. A 520d or 525d with lots and lots of toys is likely to be far easier to sell in 3 years time than a 535d, particularly one with a poverty spec.