525i Estate, about to view. What should I look for?

[Rosscow]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at a 2006 55 plate 525i estate on Saturday morning.

52,000 miles
One owner from new
Full BMW service history

I have been on to BMW and it has the following extras fitted:

Mystic blue
Grey dakota leather
Servotronic sports multi function steering wheel
Space saver spare wheel
Panoramic glass roof
17" star 138 style alloy wheels
Green aspect windscreen
Black roof rails
Comfort electronic front seats including heated
Loudspeaker hifi
Smokers pack
Cup holder
Park distance control front and rear
Cruise control
White indicator lenses
Automatic air con
Remote alarm

They also told me the history. One owner (Lloyds TSB). 2 dealers have looked after the car.

1st Dealer (Dick Lovett BMW Bristol)
Feb 1st 2007
Aug 22nd 2007
June 11th 2008
Aug 5th 2008
Aug 27th 2008
June 11th 2009
June 16th 2009
July 1st 2009
Aug 2nd 2009
Nov 10th 2009
Aug 12th 2010
Aug 24th 2010
Oct 8th 2010

2nd Dealer (Berry BMW Heathrow)
Oct 13th 2010

Obviously he couldn't tell me what it has had done so I will call Dick Lovett tomorrow.

Do any of you guys have an opinion on the car, service history etc. and what price do you think is fair?

It is from a 'work at home' dealer.

Thanks in advance

Rossco

[Ozzie Osmond]

Rosscow said:

It is from a 'work at home' dealer.

Avoid. You'll effectively be paying him a margin over a private purchase but without any realistic chance of a come-back if the car lets you down. Worst of all worlds.

Also, the car may cost hatchback money to buy but it still has all the running costs of an expensive BMW. nothing wrong with that but make sure you've got a cash reserve to handle any issues which arise. As a buyer the main thing you want to know is when it last had a proper main dealer Inspection Service.

[miniman]

14 visits to dealers in 3 years and 52,000 miles?

[Rosscow]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Rosscow said:

It is from a 'work at home' dealer.

Avoid. You'll effectively be paying him a margin over a private purchase but without any realistic chance of a come-back if the car lets you down. Worst of all worlds.

Also, the car may cost hatchback money to buy but it still has all the running costs of an expensive BMW. nothing wrong with that but make sure you've got a cash reserve to handle any issues which arise. As a buyer the main thing you want to know is when it last had a proper main dealer Inspection Service.

I thought the same but have a look on Autotrader - there are less than a handful of these cars with this trim in the whole country! None of which are private. He isn't offering a warranty so effectively it is the same as a private sale anyway isn't it? I presume he has bought from auction after the car was released by Lloyds TSB?

Also, with the mileage and options fitted it is bang on Glasses price for a private sale.

I realise the expense of running and am OK with that but would like to think what people value it at.

Thanks for your reply!

Rossco

[Rosscow]

miniman said:

14 visits to dealers in 3 years and 52,000 miles?

Exactly what I said. The BMW man said this was normal with the post 2006 5 series as you don't have the old interval I or interval II servicing and just take the car in when things need doing.

Don't worry though - I'm going to check exactly what it has had done tomorrow.

Thanks

[mattman]

Had a similar scenario with the e39 I recently bought - the previous owner had forgot to get the book stamped so the dealer had rung BMW who realed off a list of dates and mileages of when the car was in.
I took the service book to the dealer to get stamped up to date and out of the 8 visits only 3 were actual services - 1x was a visit to have new mirror housings fitted, another for a tyre change, 1x for a breakdown - so it appears BMW record anything it visits for, not just the servicing.

I wouldn't be too worried, buy on condition, at least if its been owned by Lloyds it won't have had any items skipped to save money - a private owner looking to save pennies would worry me more.

If its what you want and looks good, HPI clear, no obvious damage go for it - like you say he's probably bought from auction and added his profit margin - thats what ALL businesses do (and his are probably a lot smaller than BMW's) - you can always buy a 3rd party warranty if it worries you that much

[miniman]

Rosscow said:

miniman said:

14 visits to dealers in 3 years and 52,000 miles?

Exactly what I said. The BMW man said this was normal with the post 2006 5 series as you don't have the old interval I or interval II servicing and just take the car in when things need doing.

Don't worry though - I'm going to check exactly what it has had done tomorrow.

Thanks

Twice a month on several occasions... Has to be more than just servicing.

[Rosscow]

miniman said:

Rosscow said:

miniman said:

14 visits to dealers in 3 years and 52,000 miles?

Exactly what I said. The BMW man said this was normal with the post 2006 5 series as you don't have the old interval I or interval II servicing and just take the car in when things need doing.

Don't worry though - I'm going to check exactly what it has had done tomorrow.

Thanks

Twice a month on several occasions... Has to be more than just servicing.

I don't doubt that for a second.

But as the previous poster pointed out - its a Lloyds TSB car so I'm sure whoever had it took it to BMW for everything.
There may be 3 visits for tyres out of those - or a smashed wing mirror, or a recall, or a warning light has flashed on.

Until I call and find out in the morning I don't know but I'm trying to be optimistic!! lol!!

Of course on the other hand it may have been back 5 times for a faulty iDrive or something, in which case I won't touch it.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Rossco

[andyscole]

My 330i has been to the dealer 7 times in 45k, all with same dealer and not all were oil changes.
Plus you have the same rights from a work from home dealer as a independent, which is more than private. Called the sale of goods act. I brought a Volvo from one 2 years ago and 4 months later the gearbox started whirring. Took it back to him after sending the correct letter and to cut a long story short he brought the car back of me for £200 less than I paid. This was cheaper than him fixing it which was fine by me.

[Ozzie Osmond]

andyscole said:

Plus you have the same rights from a work from home dealer as a independent, which is more than private. Called the sale of goods act.

Yes, you've got "rights" but they're not worth a row of beans if you're dealing with a wideboy! How's he going to fix your car if it goes wrong? Just hand you some cash to spend at the dealer? And what was his mark-up in the first place?

Please be careful.

[kentmotorcompany]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Rosscow said:

It is from a 'work at home' dealer.

Avoid. You'll effectively be paying him a margin over a private purchase but without any realistic chance of a come-back if the car lets you down. Worst of all worlds.

Also, the car may cost hatchback money to buy but it still has all the running costs of an expensive BMW. nothing wrong with that but make sure you've got a cash reserve to handle any issues which arise. As a buyer the main thing you want to know is when it last had a proper main dealer Inspection Service.

Don't be so narrow minded.

I am a "work from home dealer", and like every profession there is good and bad. In my experience the bad dealers don't normally stock BMW's with full main dealer history. Cars like this with a high spec, and proper history command top money, and only a trader who knows what he is doing, and takes his responsibilities seriously will pay top money for a top car.

The bad dealers tend deal in cheap stuff that is cheap for a reason.

As for the history, it sounds spot on to me. Yes it is true with the newer BMW's they have what is sometimes called servicing-on-demand which can mean lots more visits as the computer shows all the individual items separately. Some owners take it in separately for everything the computer recommends, and some owner let two or three things light up before visiting the dealer. Calling the dealer who carried out most of the servicing will confirm the history is genuine.

Check the Panoramic Sunroof, I have seen a couple of these with problems. Also check the Gearbox, I had a 525i that had a new Gearbox, it was six weeks outside warranty, but it had full BMW history, and luckily for me they did it FOC under goodwill, would have cost about £3,500. I also heard of one other 525i with a similar problem. My car was very slightly jerky as it changed gears, it may have gone on working like that for years perfectly fine for all I know, but luckily I got it fixed by BMW.

The gearbox thing I think is quite rare, just a rare experience for me, but the Sunroof thing is more common and well known.

Edited by kentmotorcompany on Thursday 21st October 22:39

[GR4]

Apologies for thread hijack, but may be useful to OP too.
What are the common problems with the panoramic roof? My car has one too so would be good to know if there is anything I should keep an eye on.
Thanks

[Rosscow]

kentmotorcompany said:

Ozzie Osmond said:

Rosscow said:

It is from a 'work at home' dealer.

Avoid. You'll effectively be paying him a margin over a private purchase but without any realistic chance of a come-back if the car lets you down. Worst of all worlds.

Also, the car may cost hatchback money to buy but it still has all the running costs of an expensive BMW. nothing wrong with that but make sure you've got a cash reserve to handle any issues which arise. As a buyer the main thing you want to know is when it last had a proper main dealer Inspection Service.

Don't be so narrow minded.

I am a "work from home dealer", and like every profession there is good and bad. In my experience the bad dealers don't normally stock BMW's with full main dealer history. Cars like this with a high spec, and proper history command top money, and only a trader who knows what he is doing, and takes his responsibilities seriously will pay top money for a top car.

The bad dealers tend deal in cheap stuff that is cheap for a reason.

As for the history, it sounds spot on to me. Yes it is true with the newer BMW's they have what is sometimes called servicing-on-demand which can mean lots more visits as the computer shows all the individual items separately. Some owners take it in separately for everything the computer recommends, and some owner let two or three things light up before visiting the dealer. Calling the dealer who carried out most of the servicing will confirm the history is genuine.

Check the Panoramic Sunroof, I have seen a couple of these with problems. Also check the Gearbox, I had a 525i that had a new Gearbox, it was six weeks outside warranty, but it had full BMW history, and luckily for me they did it FOC under goodwill, would have cost about £3,500. I also heard of one other 525i with a similar problem. My car was very slightly jerky as it changed gears, it may have gone on working like that for years perfectly fine for all I know, but luckily I got it fixed by BMW.

The gearbox thing I think is quite rare, just a rare experience for me, but the Sunroof thing is more common and well known.

Edited by kentmotorcompany on Thursday 21st October 22:39

Thanks for the info - I'll definately give the sunroof and gearbox a good going over!

[Rosscow]

Right guys, here is what Dick Lovett have done:

Feb 1st 2007 - oil service
Aug 22nd 2007 - brake fluid and micro filter
June 11th 2008 - oil service
Aug 5th 2008 - no record
Aug 27th 2008 - MOT and piece of trim for pillar
June 11th 2009 - no record
June 16th 2009 - no record
July 1st 2009 - no record
July 2nd 2009 - amplifier aerial and PDC control unit (said it was minor only £50 labour?)
Aug 2nd 2009 - no record
Aug 7th 2009 - MOT and oil service
Nov 10th 2009 - no record
Aug 12th 2010 - MOT and track rod end
Aug 24th 2010 - no record
Oct 8th 2010 - dupliate MOT certificate issued

Of the ones with 'no record' he said nothing had been done o the car so it could have been as simple as coming in to book a service or repair or order a spare part that has been logged.

I'm waiting for Berry BMW to call me but am anticipating an oil service on the 13th.

What do we think now?

Rossco

[Ozzie Osmond]

Rosscow said:

What do we think now?

Be warned. As others have said, there's no issue with the history. But you still need to be sure you're buying it from the right place ..... but unless it's a "work from home dealer" who you know or who comes well recommended then personally I would avoid. You're giving him a mark-up, what's he giving you? The security of after-sales service? I very much doubt it.

[Jobbo]

I am pretty sure No Record means more than just popping in to book a service or buy a part. And why would a lease car driver be popping in to buy spare parts anyway? Can you speak to the dealer rather than rely on the central record just to check? It could be a Friday afternoon car; it might be that warning lights have been coming on continuously and being reset with no apparent fault found...

[Rosscow]

Right.

Have avoided this one. Turns out last week it had a command module for the iDrive replaced.

What with the aerial problem and the PDC problem I don't want to risk it.

Oh - and I checked out the VIN and it was registered in September '05 so not the 2006 he advertised!

Thanks anyway guys, lots of useful tips and advice