Buying an older petrol F10/11
Discussion
I've been considering whether to retire my E39 (530i Touring) in favour of a petrol engined F11, probably a 528/530i (no diesels, thanks!). I love the E39 but it now requires spend on the body and, as its nearly a 20yr old car, it also requires ever more attention in general if its to be kept pristine. I already lavish my attention (and money!) on an older 911, so am wondering whether a slightly newer car would make sense, even though I'm mindful of cars getting more complicated and parts accordingly so.
The F11s in my budget are around 8/9 yrs old and ~60k miles, usually 1 or 2 owners.
I was wondering if anyone has recently bought similar aged F10/11 petrol models and what its been like to own and run?
The F11s in my budget are around 8/9 yrs old and ~60k miles, usually 1 or 2 owners.
I was wondering if anyone has recently bought similar aged F10/11 petrol models and what its been like to own and run?
A friend ran the 523i for a years (the 523i and 528i stare the N53 3.0 engine) and his was thirsty for oil. Very thirsty indeed, at a litre every 1000km. A F10 or F11 is a fine car, just wait & get the one that suits you - and as I'm sure you're realising, the majority are diesels. Auto is a must in my opinion, the spec tends to be very varied, so hold out for the options you want.
The F10 n53 are much better than the early ones fitted to the E series cars. Once the injectors are at index 11 they are as reliable as an n55 or at least, should be. HPFP and coolant pump are the same. No turbos. The n53 is a sweet free revving engine and sounds good under load and at revs. Pity the idle noise is s
te but can't have everything.
te but can't have everything.E61's are a bit old now.M54 engine stuff is @ 15 years old and not really a step up from an E39 although they don't rust. A later N52 530i would be okay but go for a really low mileage one. Half the price of an F11 and a good one drives just as well really. It all depends if you can stomach the styling inside and out - they are an ugly bugger.
Touring442 said:
E61's are a bit old now.M54 engine stuff is @ 15 years old and not really a step up from an E39 although they don't rust. A later N52 530i would be okay but go for a really low mileage one. Half the price of an F11 and a good one drives just as well really. It all depends if you can stomach the styling inside and out - they are an ugly bugger.
Subjective view of course! I had a 530i E61 M Sport and it was a v good looking car in my eyes. I'm not sure where this view around the N52 being reliable has come from. Perhaps in comparison to the N53, but the N52 still has less common injector issues, oil seals, starter motors, water pumps, and of course everyone's favourite, VANOS faults. I had them all.
Touring442 said:
E61's are a bit old now.M54 engine stuff is @ 15 years old and not really a step up from an E39 although they don't rust. A later N52 530i would be okay but go for a really low mileage one. Half the price of an F11 and a good one drives just as well really. It all depends if you can stomach the styling inside and out - they are an ugly bugger.
E60/E61 can and most certainly do rust. I've seen plenty. I once saw a F10 535i for for sale on AT. With a manual, 5hst would have been a great buy, but wasn't actually looking to buy then so missed out.
That would be my pick if you can find one, or an N53 engined. Ignore all the reliability comments about the N53, most of the problem areas will have been sorted years ago and ALL engines have weaknesses, it is not beyond the realms of normal running costs.
That would be my pick if you can find one, or an N53 engined. Ignore all the reliability comments about the N53, most of the problem areas will have been sorted years ago and ALL engines have weaknesses, it is not beyond the realms of normal running costs.
Thanks for all the replies guys, sorry I didn't get back sooner! Interesting point re E61 vs F11. Personally I much prefer the F11 in terms of looks but a good late E61 is also tempting as they'd be about half the cost.
Having said this, everytime I think of selling the E39 I fear I'll regret it. Its such a great car, everything works pretty much like new (1 owner 80k mile car) its just the right blend of classic and modern for me. Such a shame its rusting away for fun though, thats what really puts me off it.
Having said this, everytime I think of selling the E39 I fear I'll regret it. Its such a great car, everything works pretty much like new (1 owner 80k mile car) its just the right blend of classic and modern for me. Such a shame its rusting away for fun though, thats what really puts me off it.
Not sure if I you’ve driven an F10/11, but they are significantly bigger than an E39. Great if you want then space but I found mine annoyingly large. I’d image a E39 feels similar in size to a F30/31 3-Series.
That said I’ve not really liked the F30’s I’ve driven so maybe sticking with what you’ve got is the way to go.
That said I’ve not really liked the F30’s I’ve driven so maybe sticking with what you’ve got is the way to go.
survivalist said:
Not sure if I you’ve driven an F10/11, but they are significantly bigger than an E39.
Interesting you should say that I used to have an e39 pre f/l & Mrs E got an F30 (IIRC) as a co car, so I sold mine as we didn't need 2 large-ish cars.I seem to remember checking the boot space & it was only something like 20 litres smaller and there wasn't much difference in the cabin space.
I bought a 2011 f10 3.0 petrol SE recently and am very impressed with how well it cruises and sips fuel. I get 35mpg out of it easily but that is always because I drive dual carriageway and motorways and all my trips are 50 miles plus which helps.
The ride is very crashy at slow speed which makes the car feel very heavy and the acceleration is okay but nothing special.
Overall I bought it because it was cheap at £8k and 52k miles and will continue to use it for the boring journeys whilst my i8 is used for the more fun ones.
The ride is very crashy at slow speed which makes the car feel very heavy and the acceleration is okay but nothing special.
Overall I bought it because it was cheap at £8k and 52k miles and will continue to use it for the boring journeys whilst my i8 is used for the more fun ones.
jjr1 said:
I bought a 2011 f10 3.0 petrol SE recently and am very impressed with how well it cruises and sips fuel. I get 35mpg out of it easily but that is always because I drive dual carriageway and motorways and all my trips are 50 miles plus which helps.
The ride is very crashy at slow speed which makes the car feel very heavy and the acceleration is okay but nothing special.
Overall I bought it because it was cheap at £8k and 52k miles and will continue to use it for the boring journeys whilst my i8 is used for the more fun ones.
What ones that mate, 523 528 or 530 ?The ride is very crashy at slow speed which makes the car feel very heavy and the acceleration is okay but nothing special.
Overall I bought it because it was cheap at £8k and 52k miles and will continue to use it for the boring journeys whilst my i8 is used for the more fun ones.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff