Never owned a BMW, but tempted by an E39 Touring. Which one?

[kiwifraser]

Of all the brands of car I have owned, it's never been a BMW... yet.

Criteria:
E39 Touring
Famiily car for 4 with kids aged 3 and 6
Will get 30mpg minimum at 85mpg long distance cruise (theoretically, as of course I wouldn't go over 70)
Circa 8 seconds 0-60
Fitted roof rails prefered for our bike racks/ roof box
Would like a sportier looking model to a base spec - this is PH after all.
£2k max budget

Suggestions on model, spec, year, etc would be much appreciated from the resident BMW PH experts please

[Mustard]

With a 2k budget forget the diesel

As for the others, buy on condition, history and provenance, which will most likely lead you to a facelift 525i as the best value for money option

[Max M4X WW]

For 2k I guess you are looking for a ropey sport or nice SE, could be proved wrong though.

I didn't vote as for me its all about the V8, understand the requirements of 30mpg though.

Go for the 530i regardless of trim.

[kiwifraser]

Probably a nice SE, although a set of parallels in an ad really makes me smile!

[kiwifraser]

530i's just squeeze into the budget

530 diesels look unlikely, but possibly an older 525 diesel fits the bill?

[Max M4X WW]

525tds? Old fashioned tech I think and don't think they are that great on fuel/speed!

[kiwifraser]

Max M4X WW said:

525tds? Old fashioned tech I think and don't think they are that great on fuel/speed!

I thought that would be the answer

[Mustard]

Max M4X WW said:

525tds? Old fashioned tech I think and don't think they are that great on fuel/speed!

Better than the petrol by a decent margin on a run, but most have been to the moon and back(much much tougher as a result of being old school), go ok , but you'd be lucky to find one worth buying

[kiwifraser]

Thoughts?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[Fox-]

£2k budget is going to limit you to a prefacelift unless you want to play roluette with the junk at the bottom of the facelift market. Therefore, 528i.

[Fox-]

kiwifraser said:

Thoughts?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Buy a lovely private sale 528i from a nice chap who has had it for ages. Traders at this end of the market make me feel funny. Especially ones who think back seats that dont look like they have been sat in look like that.

[Fox-]

Although going against what I said, what about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Hella-E39-M-Tech-M5-...

It's cheap because it's a 520i with cloth. Nobody wants a 520i with cloth. But thats a good reason to be cheap given the other reason for a car to be cheap is because it's a bit sheddy. You'd be better with a car thats cheap because it isn't the right model or spec rather than cheap because it's a bit sheddy which I feel certain any facelift 530i Touring for under £2k would be, especially from a dealer.

[kiwifraser]

Fox- said:

Buy a lovely private sale 528i from a nice chap who has had it for ages. Traders at this end of the market make me feel funny. Especially ones who think back seats that dont look like they have been sat in look like that.

Sound advice thank you

[bolide]

Fox- said:

Buy a lovely private sale 528i from a nice chap who has had it for ages

In a nutshell. There are some really tidy E39s about owned by older chaps who look after them well. Most seem to be metallic Slate Green for some reason

I have an '02 525 D Touring and love it

Nick Froome

[kiwifraser]

Fox- said:

Although going against what I said, what about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Hella-E39-M-Tech-M5-...

It's cheap because it's a 520i with cloth. Nobody wants a 520i with cloth. But thats a good reason to be cheap given the other reason for a car to be cheap is because it's a bit sheddy. You'd be better with a car thats cheap because it isn't the right model or spec rather than cheap because it's a bit sheddy which I feel certain any facelift 530i Touring for under £2k would be, especially from a dealer.

Don't think that's the right link

[Fox-]

Oops!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[Mustard]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

£1600 ought to buy you this

Or push the budget and haggle

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Edited by Mustard on Saturday 14th April 15:09

[BorkFactor]

You will get a much nicer 528i for that money than a 530i, I would go for one of them

[Mustard]

BorkFactor said:

You will get a much nicer 528i for that money than a 530i, I would go for one of them

I'd split the difference and go facelift 525i , same bhp as 528i

[BorkFactor]

Mustard said:

I'd split the difference and go facelift 525i , same bhp as 528i

Good point - I would be looking at them too. Does the newer 525i have a chocolate cooling system?