Views on this E60 M5
Views on this E60 M5
Author
Discussion

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

253 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
quotequote all
Hi guys,

I've been looking online at M5s and have just sent off an enquiry about the one below which I'd appreciate your views on. Low miles, just had a service and appears to be in excellent condition. I know mpg is low and tax high, but is there anything in particular I should be asking the dealer about tomorrow? From looking at other examples, I *think* it's well priced but your thoughts would help.

Thanks in advance,

Martin

http://www.seymourpope.com/car-details?id=zqyq29pc...

Schermerhorn

4,352 posts

215 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
quotequote all
Ask if it has had clutch and flywheel work done. If it hasn't, you will be paying around £2000 in parts and labour.

Does it come with a mickey mouse warranty or is it BMW/Modial approved?

No warranty = walk away. These things are EXPENSIVE to put right.

Cambell

324 posts

273 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
quotequote all
Its low miles and lovely but "holy crap" that's expensive. I'd book that car on £18K - £19k absolute max based purely on age.

cosworth330

1,316 posts

263 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
quotequote all
It's slightly overpriced but then not many 30k mile ones about. Only problem buying one at that mileage is you may have some expense looming soon for discs and clutch if not already done. Mine needed a clutch & flywheel at 39k.
The alloy in the pic is curbed nearly the whole way around. For that money I would expect the car to be flawless. It's a good spec and nice colour combo though (same as mine).
As long as it has full BMW main dealer history services correctly you can buy the Mondial warranty.

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

253 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice. I just googled the clutch and flywheel issue and that's rather off-putting to say the least - especially given the relatively low miles. I hadn't actually noticed that the wheel in the picture is kerbed.

I wonder what their profit margin on this sort of car is and whether I can get them down on price or not. I tend only to buy new cars, with the exception of a 5 year old boxster which i ran for two years trouble-free. Have to admit to feeling a tad apprehensive at the prospect of buying something like this and then lots of expensive problems arising.

rassi

2,515 posts

277 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
It is a 2006, pre-LCI for 21K from a non-BMW dealer, so the (essential) Mondial warranty is not offered but you can sign up to it afterwards at your own cost. Think it is over-priced.

And if you want utmost reliability and never presented with a big bill, IMHO an E60 M5 is not for you. The clutch is just one such large bill, the epic thirst another. Fantastic cars but do the research before committing. The excellent buyers guide on top of this page is a good place to start.

Shaoxter

4,563 posts

150 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
Don't be fooled by the mileage - if it's still on the original clutch/flywheel then it might need replacing soon, and I doubt that will be covered under their warranty. It might also be on the original brake discs (>£1k for discs/pads all round) and might be due new spark plugs (£600-700).

You should probably look for a nice private example which has had all the usual problems fixed, under 60k miles and then stick on a BMW/Mondial warranty for peace of mind. Buying on condition rather than mileage is always the usual advice, and it's even more important with these cars.

Nat_H

977 posts

244 months

Monday 1st December 2014
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When I was looking for a M6, i passed over a couple of cars with 40k in them, and the wear to the interior seems excessive.

Also, i'm not a fan of the wheels and window trim.

gazchap

1,543 posts

209 months

Monday 1st December 2014
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Martin_M said:
I wonder what their profit margin on this sort of car is and whether I can get them down on price or not. I tend only to buy new cars, with the exception of a 5 year old boxster which i ran for two years trouble-free. Have to admit to feeling a tad apprehensive at the prospect of buying something like this and then lots of expensive problems arising.
When I was looking to get shot of my E61 M5 (in June) which was on 58K, was a LCI model (well, all tourings were facelifts), much rarer than the saloons, I was offered £13K - so I imagine there's a fair bit of profit in there for them.

Schermerhorn

4,352 posts

215 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
You'll find better ones.

I've been offered between £13,500 to £17,850 for my M6 by the TRADE.

The dealers have significant margins on them.

Jazzer

1,758 posts

230 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
Don't do this!

It would be worth it if being bought from a BMW dealer with the significant back-up of a two-year warranty included.

You must have the Mondial (BMW backed) warranty.....don't buy without one.

Your best bet might be to buy privately a car with the BMW warranty already on it...you can renew in due course, but do check the cost ....rockets after 60K miles.

They're wonderful cars, so don't give up on your dream, just buy wisely and go in with your eyes open.

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

253 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
Thanks to all of you...really appreciate your advice.

To their credit, the dealer called today and sent me an e-mail as well. However, things didn't go as I expected...

Salesman...Hi Martin, mos of the spec you have listed on your part exchange is standard.

Me...The leather trim is optional, the alloys and painted brake calipers are optional, the paint and decals are options...

Salesman...yes I'm aware of that. The leather interior is standard on your car.

Me...no it isn't...it's an option costing over £1k.

Salesman...your car is being sold new in your spec for £17k.

Me...who is selling that?

Salesman..a main dealer, oh my computer has crashed.

Me...does the car come with a bmw warranty?

Salesman..No BMW won't put a warranty on it as it's a German import. This is common.

Me..i tjink I'll just leave it.

That said, they advised that the wheel would be refurbished and they can move on price. It hasn't had the clutch and flywheel done.

Will keep looking!

cosworth330

1,316 posts

263 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
Forget that one then.

Don't let people put you off buying one, I've had mine just over a year and it's been faultless so far. You just need to find a good one.

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

253 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
cosworth330 said:
Forget that one then.

Don't let people put you off buying one, I've had mine just over a year and it's been faultless so far. You just need to find a good one.
Nice one. If I can sell my own car I could be tempted to make an offer on this which is local to me...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...


Shaoxter

4,563 posts

150 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
Martin_M said:
Nice one. If I can sell my own car I could be tempted to make an offer on this which is local to me...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Looks like a great example, way better value than the one from the dealer. Just be wary it really does have a full service history, 8000 miles in 4 years should be at least 2 oil changes (preferably more) regardless of mileage. As ever check brake discs/pads and tyres as they are expensive.

Now might be a good time to put in a cheeky offer!

goldblum

10,272 posts

193 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
Why do all dealers now do this lying bullst:

"This example benefits from having these optional extra's; "

I wouldn't buy the car just because the idiots don't know what an apostrophe is.

gaz1234

5,233 posts

245 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
Schermerhorn said:
Ask if it has had clutch and flywheel work done. If it hasn't, you will be paying around £2000 in parts and labour.

Does it come with a mickey mouse warranty or is it BMW/Modial approved?

No warranty = walk away. These things are EXPENSIVE to put right.
Wasn't yours Mickey Mouse?

Schermerhorn

4,352 posts

215 months

Monday 1st December 2014
quotequote all
gaz1234 said:
Schermerhorn said:
Ask if it has had clutch and flywheel work done. If it hasn't, you will be paying around £2000 in parts and labour.

Does it come with a mickey mouse warranty or is it BMW/Modial approved?

No warranty = walk away. These things are EXPENSIVE to put right.
Wasn't yours Mickey Mouse?
Nope. Official BMW AUC warranty. No excess to pay. No get out clauses. Saved me thousands in parts and labour. I have not paid a single PENNY for anything.

Would never run an M car without one.

biggrin

MuZiZZle

680 posts

216 months

Tuesday 2nd December 2014
quotequote all
Shaoxter said:
Don't be fooled by the mileage - if it's still on the original clutch/flywheel then it might need replacing soon, and I doubt that will be covered under their warranty. It might also be on the original brake discs (>£1k for discs/pads all round) and might be due new spark plugs (£600-700).

You should probably look for a nice private example which has had all the usual problems fixed, under 60k miles and then stick on a BMW/Mondial warranty for peace of mind. Buying on condition rather than mileage is always the usual advice, and it's even more important with these cars.
By this logic a 30k car may need a clutch, but one at 60k that had a clutch at 30k is fine?

Oh and plugs at a main dealer, I was quoted £320 supplied and fitted.





cosworth330

1,316 posts

263 months

Tuesday 2nd December 2014
quotequote all
MuZiZZle said:
By this logic a 30k car may need a clutch, but one at 60k that had a clutch at 30k is fine?

Oh and plugs at a main dealer, I was quoted £320 supplied and fitted.

I think the guide bush was the cause of most premiture clutch wear. A modified guide bush is now fitted so you would hope the clutch would last a little longer the second time. I'm not sure how long the modified bush has been available for though.

£600 for plugs seems a crazy price. £320 seems more like it although still a lot of money.