Old BMWs - would you?!
Discussion
...following on from my musings of second hand cheap cars and specifically the old Honda I had seen...would you buy a 140,000 mile 330i or a 528i for £1500 or under? I only mention those two models because I've come close to buying them in the past and like them and a few are about. Seen a couple that tickle my fancy, but the potential bills frighten me as the E46 in particular seems to have a reputation for airbag light problems and various sensors going wrong...Are you basically looking for a car that has had as few owners as possible and plenty of history? Currently watching a 528i auction on ebay, its a 1999 car with 139k miles on it... cant summon the courage to hit the bid button however!!
Bezza1969 said:
...following on from my musings of second hand cheap cars and specifically the old Honda I had seen...would you buy a 140,000 mile 330i or a 528i for £1500 or under? I only mention those two models because I've come close to buying them in the past and like them and a few are about. Seen a couple that tickle my fancy, but the potential bills frighten me as the E46 in particular seems to have a reputation for airbag light problems and various sensors going wrong...Are you basically looking for a car that has had as few owners as possible and plenty of history? Currently watching a 528i auction on ebay, its a 1999 car with 139k miles on it... cant summon the courage to hit the bid button however!!
Not only would I -- I did.BMW E39 523iSE on a P reg 97K miles £3800 (sold 18 months and 38K later for £2600).
Best value car I've had by miles.
My 330d is on 142k and still running like a dream. I broke every sensible rule in the book when I bought it, it was accident repaired with no history, however I'd had the use of it as a courtesy car for a couple of years when I had the 328i and it drove really well, so I said b
ks to it and bought it.
18 months later, it's done 35k with no major issues, only non service thing I've had to fix was an alternator belt, cost 120 quid. I may have been lucky, however it's a lovely car, only thing I'd change would be to swap for a 330i Sport.
Actually, thinking about it I had the phantom bulb warning light, which cost £2.50 to fix.
ks to it and bought it. 18 months later, it's done 35k with no major issues, only non service thing I've had to fix was an alternator belt, cost 120 quid. I may have been lucky, however it's a lovely car, only thing I'd change would be to swap for a 330i Sport.
Actually, thinking about it I had the phantom bulb warning light, which cost £2.50 to fix.
CraigyMc said:
Not only would I -- I did.
1998 328i Touring.
Bought it last Sept with 126k miles on the clock. Two months later I drove it to Berlin and back including a jaunt on the Autobahn up to 138mph. Currently my daily (on 141k). Super car, excellent all rounder to the extent I've neglected my E30!
Frances The Mute said:
There's plenty of well worn examples out there that have plenty of life left in them. Just use your head, do your research and buy wisely. The rest falls into place.
This. Take your time to find a good example. A good example is a joy, a poor one can easily be a depressing money pit.Have done- E39 525D Touring. The previous owners have replaced everything that fails 10K miles ago. I'm now 6k miles and 8 months into trouble free ownership of a car that drives like new. Diesel only because it costs 1/3 less here.
I'd have no hesitation in sinking 2.5K+ into one of the best cars BMW ever made........there's a fantastic looking 530i Sport manual in the 1 to 5K large barge thread that has to be an utter bargain if it checks out.
I'd have no hesitation in sinking 2.5K+ into one of the best cars BMW ever made........there's a fantastic looking 530i Sport manual in the 1 to 5K large barge thread that has to be an utter bargain if it checks out.
As per others, bought my '96 E36 328i 6 years ago at 72k miles. It's now done 110k and all it's needed (apart from tyres/brakes/oil/coolant) were a suspension bush and a cam sensor, £150 for parts all in I reckon and very DIYable. Considering it also does track days I'm very impressed.
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