E60 530i M Sport - Advice?

[Pulse]

Can anyone give me some advice?

I'm tempted by a 530i M Sport, around 05 plate.

What are the 'required' options? What should I look out for? Are they any good? Any other advice?

[mbrain]

Nice choice.

As for required options I personally go for what I want. Sat Nav/full leather/Auto etc may help resale, but if it's not what you want, why pay more now for something that you don't need!

All I personally look for is leather and bluetooth. Quite happy with my £100 TomTom, than pay £1k extra for a built in system.

[richterswil]

mbrain said:

Nice choice.

As for required options I personally go for what I want. Sat Nav/full leather/Auto etc may help resale, but if it's not what you want, why pay more now for something that you don't need!

All I personally look for is leather and bluetooth. Quite happy with my £100 TomTom, than pay £1k extra for a built in system.

Agree - the built in SatNav is nice and I think it works well but my iPhone would do the job just as well.

For me I'd be after auto, bluetooth, black/grey/silver, xenons and I don't like the cubed 'metallic trim' which is standard but it is all so personal....

Pretty sure 2005 cars will have 18" wheels - I much prefer those with 19" wheels if you can find one just budget for tyres!!

[Pulse]

Cheers. The one I'm looking at has leather and pro nav, and it's Silver. Oh, it's auto too.

Looks ideal, but I'm now just wondering if I will miss having a sports car. My previous car was a Z4 Coupe, and before that an Astra VXR.

[M-J-B]

Pulse said:

Cheers. The one I'm looking at has leather and pro nav, and it's Silver. Oh, it's auto too.

Looks ideal, but I'm now just wondering if I will miss having a sports car. My previous car was a Z4 Coupe, and before that an Astra VXR.

They are wonderful cars, but if you are worried about missing your 'sports car', why are you thinking of moving to an E60?

I suggest you write down your wish list and see if it fits the bill. If you expect a sports car, you're going to be disappointed. If you fancy a comfortable, fast saloon which is quite a nice place to sit in (I have an 07 535D and for the third year have driven to the South of France....it does it so well!), the an E60 could well be the car to buy.

Just my 2p

[Pulse]

M-J-B said:

Pulse said:

Cheers. The one I'm looking at has leather and pro nav, and it's Silver. Oh, it's auto too.

Looks ideal, but I'm now just wondering if I will miss having a sports car. My previous car was a Z4 Coupe, and before that an Astra VXR.

They are wonderful cars, but if you are worried about missing your 'sports car', why are you thinking of moving to an E60?

I suggest you write down your wish list and see if it fits the bill. If you expect a sports car, you're going to be disappointed. If you fancy a comfortable, fast saloon which is quite a nice place to sit in (I have an 07 535D and for the third year have driven to the South of France....it does it so well!), the an E60 could well be the car to buy.

Just my 2p

Main reason... It's a lot cheaper than my Z4. I don't fancy the pre-facelift Z4, and like that the 5 has all the toys. I guess I need to drive one...

[M-J-B]

Pulse said:

M-J-B said:

Pulse said:

Cheers. The one I'm looking at has leather and pro nav, and it's Silver. Oh, it's auto too.

Looks ideal, but I'm now just wondering if I will miss having a sports car. My previous car was a Z4 Coupe, and before that an Astra VXR.

They are wonderful cars, but if you are worried about missing your 'sports car', why are you thinking of moving to an E60?

I suggest you write down your wish list and see if it fits the bill. If you expect a sports car, you're going to be disappointed. If you fancy a comfortable, fast saloon which is quite a nice place to sit in (I have an 07 535D and for the third year have driven to the South of France....it does it so well!), the an E60 could well be the car to buy.

Just my 2p

Main reason... It's a lot cheaper than my Z4. I don't fancy the pre-facelift Z4, and like that the 5 has all the toys. I guess I need to drive one...

Good idea.

That said, I bought an X5 (new) without driving one, and my current 535D without driving. You kind of know what your getting

[Pulse]

Well, that's my thought. It would be nice to have a nice car with all the toys. A totally different car to the Z4, but then it's about 6 grand cheaper! Only thing I'm concerned about is the auto box. I've heard stories in the past of them having to be reconditioned.

[M-J-B]

Pulse said:

Well, that's my thought. It would be nice to have a nice car with all the toys. A totally different car to the Z4, but then it's about 6 grand cheaper! Only thing I'm concerned about is the auto box. I've heard stories in the past of them having to be reconditioned.

I can't comment on that I'm afraid.

My 535d has the Sports Auto Transmission (available from June 07). BMW's DSG equivalent and I've done 70,000 miles without a hitch, and I drive it quite hard.

Due diligence is your friend, and a warranty either through BMW or a.n.other. I suspect these car will start to cost a few quid to maintain once they start to have a few years under their belt.

[andyscole]

Buy it. As long as it's got all the right paperwork etc it should be minimal hassle, plus the engine should be bomb proof having no turbo's.

I sold my car today so will hopefully have a 530i by Sunday...

[Pulse]

Did you get that one from CarGiant in the end?

[andyscole]

I'm going down at weekend. Was going to trade in 330 but decided better to sell private. They've had it up near 4 weeks so hopefully get a deal(assuming the cars right) I say this and someone will buy it tomorrow.....

[Republik]

Without wanting to start a new topic. I've been looking at a grey 530i with the M sport pack, 19 inch wheels, Media and visibility packs, heated seats, full leather and front and rear parking sensors.

I'm thinking about PXing my E46 M3 Cab for it. Should I go for it or would I be disappointed?

[andyscole]

What year is it as pre and post lci makes a difference?

[Republik]

It's a 55 plate

[andyscole]

pre lci then. Fantastic cars and the engine is sublime if little less bassy than e46/39 6's. I almost brought a 07 530i last month but settled for a e91 in the end as didn't need the space. For a large car the handling was great but will feel like a barge coming from your m3.

[crashS2K]

Depends on what you're looking for from your next car. If you are looking for a similar sporty drive as your m3 cab then you will be disappointed.

My previous cars included a m3 CSL and a tuned cayman s and I moved to a e61 530i touring as I needed a practical family car (we are expecting our first in the new year).

Overall car is fine, steers well, ride a bit harsh, makes a nice smooth sound when extended but nowhere near the drama or performance of my previous cars. Ultimately it fits my needs for the next few years of reliable, safe and practical transport which doesn't attract attention and is cheap to run - but somewhat dull!

However after 8 months of ownership I am already starting to get the itch for something with a little more character and soul and debating on whether I stick with the 530i, surrender to the dark side and get a 530d / 535d or indeed try to cover all bases and get a 550i Touring, RS6, E55 / C63/E63 AMG etc.

Edited by crashS2K on Wednesday 20th October 09:20

[Republik]

I need something bigger than the M3. Growing family and all, I've had a hankering for a C or E Class AMG but the insurance kills it for me. They want at least £900 a year which is £400 more than what I'm paying now. I've decided to be a little more sensible and started to look at the 5 series. Saw this one in particular and really fancy it.

[M-J-B]

Republik said:

I need something bigger than the M3. Growing family and all, I've had a hankering for a C or E Class AMG but the insurance kills it for me. They want at least £900 a year which is £400 more than what I'm paying now. I've decided to be a little more sensible and started to look at the 5 series. Saw this one in particular and really fancy it.

Linky?

[Republik]

M-J-B said:

Republik said:

I need something bigger than the M3. Growing family and all, I've had a hankering for a C or E Class AMG but the insurance kills it for me. They want at least £900 a year which is £400 more than what I'm paying now. I've decided to be a little more sensible and started to look at the 5 series. Saw this one in particular and really fancy it.

Linky?

As long as you don't go and buy it

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...