530i Touring (2007) - anything to look out for?
Discussion
Hi All
Thinking of buying a 530i touring with 130k miles.
Need something with a big boot and reliable as a run about for a few months and saw one for sale locally.
Haven’t had a BMW before so would really appreciate any comments on things to watch out for / maintenance items to check have been done etc.. and general reliability experience.
Cheers!
Thinking of buying a 530i touring with 130k miles.
Need something with a big boot and reliable as a run about for a few months and saw one for sale locally.
Haven’t had a BMW before so would really appreciate any comments on things to watch out for / maintenance items to check have been done etc.. and general reliability experience.
Cheers!
Tailgate wiring harness can break where it passes between the tailgate and roof. Make sure everthing works.
Rear load levelling suspension can fail. Check the ride height.
Glass hatch microswitch prone to failure. Check it opens on the button, and stays shut while driving.
Very sensitive to battery condition. Replacement AGM battery and coding isn't cheap. First sign of battery issues is the clock and trip meter resetting overnight.
Late 2007 facelift cars (LCI) are generally more economical, and command higher prices. Quick check is the electronic "joystick" gearlever on automatic LCI models.
Not sure about the petrol engines, as mine was diesel. Do they suffer from vanos problems like a lot of older BMWs?
Rear load levelling suspension can fail. Check the ride height.
Glass hatch microswitch prone to failure. Check it opens on the button, and stays shut while driving.
Very sensitive to battery condition. Replacement AGM battery and coding isn't cheap. First sign of battery issues is the clock and trip meter resetting overnight.
Late 2007 facelift cars (LCI) are generally more economical, and command higher prices. Quick check is the electronic "joystick" gearlever on automatic LCI models.
Not sure about the petrol engines, as mine was diesel. Do they suffer from vanos problems like a lot of older BMWs?
Edited by clockworks on Tuesday 17th July 09:53
I had lots of problems with my saloon of the same year.
Battery wouldn't hold charge resulting in weird dashboard behavior, would lose the trip data, clock would run slow - this was very weird, never seen a digital clock lose time before. There was a recall for some battery leads which didn't fix it.
Injectors and coils made of chocolate resulting in much rough running, EML and limp mode. Possibly related to this the bloody thing would only run on posh petrol and never on BP for some reason.
Would overheat a lot, bear in mind that these cars have no temp gauge.
Battery wouldn't hold charge resulting in weird dashboard behavior, would lose the trip data, clock would run slow - this was very weird, never seen a digital clock lose time before. There was a recall for some battery leads which didn't fix it.
Injectors and coils made of chocolate resulting in much rough running, EML and limp mode. Possibly related to this the bloody thing would only run on posh petrol and never on BP for some reason.
Would overheat a lot, bear in mind that these cars have no temp gauge.
I forgot about the over/under heating issues. The 6 cylinder diesels have 2 thermostats, not sure about the others. Seems like the second one gets overlooked, so problems persist.
There's a digital water temperature gauge, accessible via the "secret menu". It's worth reading up how to enable this, and checking on the test drive. Not a massive job to change both 'stats, and probably worth doing for peace of mind.
There's a digital water temperature gauge, accessible via the "secret menu". It's worth reading up how to enable this, and checking on the test drive. Not a massive job to change both 'stats, and probably worth doing for peace of mind.
Cutoff year for n52 n53 IIRC. Lots of info on here about both engines. Both engines have their issues but the n53 is the less reliable of the two (that's coming from an n53 owner who has had no issues yet). Both can throw big bills. The n53 can throw then harder and more often.
Autobox clutches can play up, as can the mechateonic sleeve.
Suspension will be tired at that mileage if it's stock.
The electronics can't learn to swim quick enough when the boot floor fills with water if it has a sunroof.
Autobox clutches can play up, as can the mechateonic sleeve.
Suspension will be tired at that mileage if it's stock.
The electronics can't learn to swim quick enough when the boot floor fills with water if it has a sunroof.
In addition to the items already mentioned...
If the autobox (assuming it's an auto) hasn't had a service, it'll probably need one.
The panoramic roof is prone to sticking open.
On our 530d xdrive we had the windscreen wiper module pack up (which was fun on a rain-soaked motorway) and the central locking module failed.
Make no mistake - these e61s are complicated old beasts. But you get a lot of car for your money, so you pays your money, you takes your chance etc etc. If it's properly cheap, then go for it. But I wouldn't regard these as cheap, reliable motoring.
If the autobox (assuming it's an auto) hasn't had a service, it'll probably need one.
The panoramic roof is prone to sticking open.
On our 530d xdrive we had the windscreen wiper module pack up (which was fun on a rain-soaked motorway) and the central locking module failed.
Make no mistake - these e61s are complicated old beasts. But you get a lot of car for your money, so you pays your money, you takes your chance etc etc. If it's properly cheap, then go for it. But I wouldn't regard these as cheap, reliable motoring.
Thanks everyone for your comments, very helpful - sounds like there’s quite a bit to look out for.
It’s an 07, so won’t be one of the facelift models.
I reckon with some negotiation on the asking price it would be circa £4k
Need to have a think now after seeing it and taking above into account if worth taking the punt...
Thanks again!
It’s an 07, so won’t be one of the facelift models.
I reckon with some negotiation on the asking price it would be circa £4k
Need to have a think now after seeing it and taking above into account if worth taking the punt...
Thanks again!
A nice car and maybe reliable, but they're expensive to fix. They are getting to that age now where a lot can go wrong and none of it cheap to fix. When a car is £1500 and it chucks up a £1500 bill, you just get rid. On a £3500+ car, you're buried in it.
Tbh, the Mercedes E Class estate is a better bet. E270 or E320 CDI, great cars. Also, a Volvo V70 D5 or 2.4D. Both are excellent but the auto box isn't that great. Still a better bet than a 130'000 mile E61.
A pity the Japs don't make big tough estates any more.The none tied Camry and Sigma estates were legends.
Tbh, the Mercedes E Class estate is a better bet. E270 or E320 CDI, great cars. Also, a Volvo V70 D5 or 2.4D. Both are excellent but the auto box isn't that great. Still a better bet than a 130'000 mile E61.
A pity the Japs don't make big tough estates any more.The none tied Camry and Sigma estates were legends.
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