Opinions on a couple of 5ers for sale
Discussion
Hi guys,
does anybody have any thoughts on these two cars?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
and
http://www.auto-invest.co.uk/vehicle_detail.asp?Ve...
The second one is for sale on Auto trader at £2290
Any tips on negotiating points / questions to ask would be helpful...
Thanks!
does anybody have any thoughts on these two cars?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
and
http://www.auto-invest.co.uk/vehicle_detail.asp?Ve...
The second one is for sale on Auto trader at £2290
Any tips on negotiating points / questions to ask would be helpful...
Thanks!
the second looks a lot nicer from the photos, it also has the M steering wheel instead of the bus wheel.
I would check the engine codes for nikasil issues - there is a specific prefix to look for (I believe) that tells you whether it has the steel lined block. Unless they have already had the engine replaced under warranty. That would be my only concern on a pre 98 car - the first one is almost certainly a nikasil block (correct me if I'm wrong) the second may not be depending on the engine build date.
I would check the engine codes for nikasil issues - there is a specific prefix to look for (I believe) that tells you whether it has the steel lined block. Unless they have already had the engine replaced under warranty. That would be my only concern on a pre 98 car - the first one is almost certainly a nikasil block (correct me if I'm wrong) the second may not be depending on the engine build date.
My preference is the second one too, though having talked to the owner of the first, I am sure there is room for movement on the price which could sway me the other way as this car is purely a workhorse.
Re. the Nikasil block - would this still be a problem, I would have thought that any issues would have raised their ugly head by now?
Is the smaller wheel an easy retro-fit?
Re. the Nikasil block - would this still be a problem, I would have thought that any issues would have raised their ugly head by now?
Is the smaller wheel an easy retro-fit?
MotherFunk said:
Just bought a 5, not tourer though.
145k miles on a 98 for a grand.
are these not a bit expensive?
just my 2p
(full service history etc..)
Unfortunately there aren't a lot of 528s local to me so I have limited choice. I will certainly be negotiating hard though as I agree they are a bit pricey - especially the private sale car. What I really want is a 528/530 sport for <£4k but they are like hens teeth...145k miles on a 98 for a grand.
are these not a bit expensive?
just my 2p
(full service history etc..)
I'd probably get a better deal on a 523 - they seem more popular down here, but I understand they cost the same to run as the 528 with a lot less performance.
skoff said:
MotherFunk said:
Just bought a 5, not tourer though.
145k miles on a 98 for a grand.
are these not a bit expensive?
just my 2p
(full service history etc..)
Unfortunately there aren't a lot of 528s local to me so I have limited choice. I will certainly be negotiating hard though as I agree they are a bit pricey - especially the private sale car. What I really want is a 528/530 sport for <£4k but they are like hens teeth...145k miles on a 98 for a grand.
are these not a bit expensive?
just my 2p
(full service history etc..)
I'd probably get a better deal on a 523 - they seem more popular down here, but I understand they cost the same to run as the 528 with a lot less performance.
A quick update...
I have been to look at the first car and was actually pretty impressed, though resisted the temptation to put a deposit down as it is the first one I have seen.
It did have the nikasil block, but had steel liners fitted at 90k. I don't think it was a new block, which I suppose would have been preferable, but at least bore wear shouldn't be an issue. anybody have any thoughts on that?
There was a very slight wobble (and I mean slight) between 60-80 (ahem - 70), but the seller said it started to happen after new tyres were fitted, so I guess it's just balancing, not sure how to check otherwise really. I actually got on ok with the bus wheel - I think it will suit motorway cruising, which is what the car is for, so not sure it is too much of a deal breaker, more a negotiating point.
Some of the rear suspension has been done in the last 30k including the pump and one air bag, so that should be less potential expense.
Gearbox oil has not been changed, apparently on the advice of the local indy, gear changes in auto and manual were smooth and the car pulled pretty well for a big old boat. I don't really have a reference point to compare it with, but it seemed fine. the seller told me that if he has been driving hard and then drops back to impulse power then it holds onto gears, but I guess that's just the 'box in learning mode???
The colour is pretty vile if I am honest, and it really makes the car look like a 'family' car, but that might be a good thing as it's pretty anonymous to look at.
The chap is prepared to negotiate, though has somebody coming to see it tomorrow so I guess it might be sold by Monday - but that's the risk one takes I suppose. It has to be good practice to look at more than one car before purchase?
The thing that impressed me most was the guy selling it seemed really genuine and didn't seem to have a well rehearsed act - though that in itself might be a ploy?
I have been to look at the first car and was actually pretty impressed, though resisted the temptation to put a deposit down as it is the first one I have seen.
It did have the nikasil block, but had steel liners fitted at 90k. I don't think it was a new block, which I suppose would have been preferable, but at least bore wear shouldn't be an issue. anybody have any thoughts on that?
There was a very slight wobble (and I mean slight) between 60-80 (ahem - 70), but the seller said it started to happen after new tyres were fitted, so I guess it's just balancing, not sure how to check otherwise really. I actually got on ok with the bus wheel - I think it will suit motorway cruising, which is what the car is for, so not sure it is too much of a deal breaker, more a negotiating point.
Some of the rear suspension has been done in the last 30k including the pump and one air bag, so that should be less potential expense.
Gearbox oil has not been changed, apparently on the advice of the local indy, gear changes in auto and manual were smooth and the car pulled pretty well for a big old boat. I don't really have a reference point to compare it with, but it seemed fine. the seller told me that if he has been driving hard and then drops back to impulse power then it holds onto gears, but I guess that's just the 'box in learning mode???
The colour is pretty vile if I am honest, and it really makes the car look like a 'family' car, but that might be a good thing as it's pretty anonymous to look at.
The chap is prepared to negotiate, though has somebody coming to see it tomorrow so I guess it might be sold by Monday - but that's the risk one takes I suppose. It has to be good practice to look at more than one car before purchase?
The thing that impressed me most was the guy selling it seemed really genuine and didn't seem to have a well rehearsed act - though that in itself might be a ploy?
For some reason e39 wheels are unbalancable(sp?). I had new tyres fitted not long ago, wobble goes away, wobble is now back.
Also, in the price range you are looking you'll find cars will vary a lot from clean runners to complete dogs. If you drive a few more you might just be proving that 'the one that got away' was the best of the bunch. Always risky, but if the car and buyer seem in good order, then haggle, buy it, enjoy it.
Good luck!
Also, in the price range you are looking you'll find cars will vary a lot from clean runners to complete dogs. If you drive a few more you might just be proving that 'the one that got away' was the best of the bunch. Always risky, but if the car and buyer seem in good order, then haggle, buy it, enjoy it.
Good luck!
Ok, next update...
Been to see 2 cars today. the blue one as listed above and another touring, this time a 523.
Hmm, well maybe I am being a too demanding for the budget but neither was that impressive. The 523 was frankly a dog - it needed a fair bit of bodywork, refurb on the alloys (and a new spare which was very badly kerbed.) It also looked like it had been seriously tarted up, and the dealer was only missing the sheepskin coat for the image to be complete. It was up for £2495 and was a 99 'T' and had covered 115k - I walked away.
The blue one as listed above was better, but made a growling sound when it started. This could be nothing, but I noticed it and the others I have seen didn't make the noise. It had more toys than the first one I saw, but the interior leather was really shiny in a worn kind of a way. The dealer was prepared to move on price but not by much.
Both these cars had full SH, but no invoices at all that detailed any other work. The first dealer had never heard of nikasil, and the second wasn't really interested in discussing it - very much take it or leave it 'cos it's an old car mate'. Am I asking too much?
I am thinking that maybe I need to up the budget a bit to get something of a better quality. Trouble is I am going to be piling the miles on the car and I think it's just throwing money away spending £4-5K on a sub 100k car.
I think I will make an offer on the first car I looked at if it isn't sold and see how I get on for 6 months with it. It felt better than the others did probably because I wasn't being professionally sold to.
Been to see 2 cars today. the blue one as listed above and another touring, this time a 523.
Hmm, well maybe I am being a too demanding for the budget but neither was that impressive. The 523 was frankly a dog - it needed a fair bit of bodywork, refurb on the alloys (and a new spare which was very badly kerbed.) It also looked like it had been seriously tarted up, and the dealer was only missing the sheepskin coat for the image to be complete. It was up for £2495 and was a 99 'T' and had covered 115k - I walked away.
The blue one as listed above was better, but made a growling sound when it started. This could be nothing, but I noticed it and the others I have seen didn't make the noise. It had more toys than the first one I saw, but the interior leather was really shiny in a worn kind of a way. The dealer was prepared to move on price but not by much.
Both these cars had full SH, but no invoices at all that detailed any other work. The first dealer had never heard of nikasil, and the second wasn't really interested in discussing it - very much take it or leave it 'cos it's an old car mate'. Am I asking too much?
I am thinking that maybe I need to up the budget a bit to get something of a better quality. Trouble is I am going to be piling the miles on the car and I think it's just throwing money away spending £4-5K on a sub 100k car.
I think I will make an offer on the first car I looked at if it isn't sold and see how I get on for 6 months with it. It felt better than the others did probably because I wasn't being professionally sold to.
Frankly I wouldnt want to spend £3k on an E39 for the very reasons you've identified. The more you spend the more chance you have of finding a very nice one. Sure, you wont get it back at resale time because most used car buyers are price obsessed morons (I suspect the value of my complete minter with every single invoice ever, not a mark on it, £600 of Eagle F1's all round is identical to the value of a car with the same mileage but no invoices, Linglong tyres and a few parking scrapes and 7 previous owners), but it'll serve you better for the time you own it.
Fox- said:
Frankly I wouldnt want to spend £3k on an E39 for the very reasons you've identified. The more you spend the more chance you have of finding a very nice one. Sure, you wont get it back at resale time because most used car buyers are price obsessed morons (I suspect the value of my complete minter with every single invoice ever, not a mark on it, £600 of Eagle F1's all round is identical to the value of a car with the same mileage but no invoices, Linglong tyres and a few parking scrapes and 7 previous owners), but it'll serve you better for the time you own it.
I spent £2,800 on my E39 and it is simply without doubt the best money I've ever spent on a car. You have to look at a lot to find a good 'un, but when you do they're utterly brilliant cars for the money. This was originally up for £4995!
That's a lovely car HRG... What engine is in it? Is it SE spec? I need to find a car like that...
Just been to take a 740i for a test drive 133k up for £2995. That engine goes really well in the 7. It certainly has enough power, the 540i must be epic!
There were lots of niggles with the car like PDC being inoperative (most amusing when the dealer said it was working and proceeded to back it into a fence...), lots of interior trim bits broken / not working, inoperative fuel gauge, bonnet release not working, needing new tyres - and a few other things... But it drove really nicely... If I get no joy with the 5 I tested on Friday, then I am going to expand the search to 7s as well - it felt much smaller to drive than it actually was.
I hear the good advice about upping the budget, but if I do that I want a significant increase in quality of the car. I am really getting sold on the bigger engines though - despite having to do 25-30k miles a year I think that if I can get 30mpg on the motorway then I am prepared to pay the extra £110 a month in fuel it will cost me over my little polo.
Just been to take a 740i for a test drive 133k up for £2995. That engine goes really well in the 7. It certainly has enough power, the 540i must be epic!
There were lots of niggles with the car like PDC being inoperative (most amusing when the dealer said it was working and proceeded to back it into a fence...), lots of interior trim bits broken / not working, inoperative fuel gauge, bonnet release not working, needing new tyres - and a few other things... But it drove really nicely... If I get no joy with the 5 I tested on Friday, then I am going to expand the search to 7s as well - it felt much smaller to drive than it actually was.
I hear the good advice about upping the budget, but if I do that I want a significant increase in quality of the car. I am really getting sold on the bigger engines though - despite having to do 25-30k miles a year I think that if I can get 30mpg on the motorway then I am prepared to pay the extra £110 a month in fuel it will cost me over my little polo.
Deano_BMW said:
keep looking mate, one will crop up. I just picked up a 530d manual SE with under 100k and all the big bills paid out(turbo clutch etc) for 35 hundred. How far are you prepared to travel to look for one?
Well so far I have travelled between Exeter and Bristol, About 60 mile radius from my home, I would travel further if I could be fairly sure of a good car - though the wife and 2yr old will only put up with so much... as far as the bigger engined cars go on the motorway the economy doesnt really suffer between 70-90. whereas in a smaller one sitting at a steady 90 will drink more than at a steady 70. for what its worth my dads 740 will see 30 on the motorway sitting at 80 odd.its only short journeys and stop start driving that kills the economy in his.
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