Thinking of buying a 535D M Sport...some questions

[RedRobert]

Hi

Its a 2005 model, saloon, auto and some help with specific questions would be great:

1. Whats is the likely MPG?
2. Can one change the tailights to the newest 5 series tailights - the ones with the nice lines acress the lights?
3. Will M5 wheels fit ok?
4. I see insurance companies referring to 535D Sport and 535D M Sport - whats the difference?

Anything else I should be mindful of?

Thanks in advance!!
Ró

[535dman]

RedRobert said:

Hi

Its a 2005 model, saloon, auto and some help with specific questions would be great:

1. Whats is the likely MPG?
2. Can one change the tailights to the newest 5 series tailights - the ones with the nice lines acress the lights?
3. Will M5 wheels fit ok?
4. I see insurance companies referring to 535D Sport and 535D M Sport - whats the difference?

Anything else I should be mindful of?

Thanks in advance!!
Ró

1) Depends on driving style, roads etc but 21mpg to 38mpg
2) Yes it can be done but not plug and play it needs a new wiring loom etc which someone on another forums is currently making - pm me for more details
3) Yes but you will need new tyres as M5 tyres will rub
4) M sport is the M sport version the other ones an SE

HTH

[RedRobert]

Thanks mate.

Will PM you re the wiring loom is I end up getting her.

Cheers
Ró

[RedRobert]

Hi all

Have looked at the car and some other specific questions:

1. she does not have sat nav - its this a big issue on resale? my audi had sat nav and i never used it so no biggi for me personally. can it be fitted now?
2. the xenons are too high on the dip beam - how do i fix this? it blinds oncoming traffic. big issue?

thanks!
ro

[535dman]

I've replied to your email mate. I wouldnt touch a 535d M Sport without Sat Nav!

[pgilc1]

RedRobert said:

Hi all

Have looked at the car and some other specific questions:

1. she does not have sat nav - its this a big issue on resale? my audi had sat nav and i never used it so no biggi for me personally. can it be fitted now?
2. the xenons are too high on the dip beam - how do i fix this? it blinds oncoming traffic. big issue?

thanks!
ro

How long do you plan on keeping it? Once its resale value drops below £15K, not having NAV wont have any significant impact. Retrofitting is a massive job on an e60. Just make sure you're not paying the same money as one with nav

[JezF]

I'd personally never look for a car with in-built sat nav. Not when TomTom is that good, costs next to nothing and is portable.

Jez

[pgilc1]

JezF said:

I'd personally never look for a car with in-built sat nav. Not when TomTom is that good, costs next to nothing and is portable.

Jez

Unfortunately the bulk of buyers of high end 5 series, x5's etc, seem to expect it. Good news if you dont want it and you can save maybe £3000, not so good if you try to sell it a year later and theres no interest.

[phelix]

JezF said:

I'd personally never look for a car with in-built sat nav. Not when TomTom is that good, costs next to nothing and is portable.

Jez

TomTom et al are clearly better and much cheaper but there's a lot to be said for how well a factory sat nav is integrated into the car. Automatic dimming, steering wheel controls, partial stereo mute when voice announcements are made, iDrive control, theft resistant, no extra wires or suction mounts, etc. Many buyers who don't fully utilise the capabilities of a TomTom will glady forfeit that which they don't use (or perhaps even know about) for the simplicity of use and image of a built-in system.

[535dman]

phelix said:

JezF said:

I'd personally never look for a car with in-built sat nav. Not when TomTom is that good, costs next to nothing and is portable.

Jez

TomTom et al are clearly better and much cheaper but there's a lot to be said for how well a factory sat nav is integrated into the car. Automatic dimming, steering wheel controls, partial stereo mute when voice announcements are made, iDrive control, theft resistant, no extra wires or suction mounts, etc. Many buyers who don't fully utilise the capabilities of a TomTom will glady forfeit that which they don't use (or perhaps even know about) for the simplicity of use and image of a built-in system.

+1 No Professional Sat Nav in a top spec 5 series and resale is going to be next to impossible...

[pgilc1]

535dman said:

+1 No Professional Sat Nav in a top spec 5 series and resale is going to be next to impossible...

That may not necessarily be a problem if the o/p plans to keep the car for a number of years. Once the car drops below £15000 it wont be such an issue. Someone spending £40K-£50K on a car wants all the toys. Someone spending £12000-£15000 on a six year old one might not care so much if the car is otherwise exactly what they want.

I saw a 6 month old X5 3.0d SE with all the toys except NAV on BMW AUC, and it was for sale at £38995. The nearest with similar spec and NAV was about £44K. Interestingly it didnt sit long, but someone took a big hit.

[phelix]

pgilc1 said:

That may not necessarily be a problem if the o/p plans to keep the car for a number of years. Once the car drops below £15000 it wont be such an issue. Someone spending £40K-£50K on a car wants all the toys. Someone spending £12000-£15000 on a six year old one might not care so much if the car is otherwise exactly what they want.

I saw a 6 month old X5 3.0d SE with all the toys except NAV on BMW AUC, and it was for sale at £38995. The nearest with similar spec and NAV was about £44K. Interestingly it didnt sit long, but someone took a big hit.

At that sort of age I suspect it'll turn into the kind of option that won't add a lot to the car's value but will make a big difference to the ability to sell the car.