Compare between two BMW 5 Series - help me make a decision

[SheikhMidas]

Hey everyone,

I'm in the market for a BMW Series M Sport. I have a specific interior I'm looking and and I've narrowed it down to two options.

?

Option 1 - Main Dealer

Pros

- Comes with 1 year warranty

- No service due for another 7months or 8,000miles

- Has all the features I thought I wanted (Harmon Kardon speakers etc.)

Cons

- More expensive

- Higher mileage

?

Option 2 - BigMotoringWorld

https://bigmotoringworld.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/5-ser...

Pros

- Lower mileage

- Has some features I didn't know about but seem interesting - like wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and the display key

Cons

- Would need a major service straight away, last service done in 11/21 at 31,000 miles

- Would only get a 90-day warranty

?

Can you help me decide? Are there any cars I've overlooked?

Edited by SheikhMidas on Wednesday 4th January 22:49

[surveyor_101]

Depends what you want the car for how long you will own. With the 5 series I would want a 30 not a 20.

I would go for the 520i but if you doing 30 plus miles a day they maybe the 20d would be better.


530e is a nice middle of the road car like 230bhp and plug in hybrid


180bhp for that size of car is not great!

Edited by surveyor_101 on Monday 12th December 15:32

[FSEngineer]

Having heard horror stories about Big Motoring World's customer service and business practices I'd be giving them a very, very wide berth. The manufacturer approved one would seem a sensible bet given it seems to be higher spec and a very similar price, mileage isn't unreasonable for a 520d as they're notorious motorway mile munchers.

[OnionBhaji99]

Just to add to option 1. From experience it's very easy to negotiate an additional year of approved used warranty into the cost, so two in total (in short just ask for it). For me that would seal the deal.

[popegregory]

Approved one is all of £200 more expensive?!? (Minus whatever Big’s admin fee is?!)

[Dimebars]

I'd spend thousands more to not buy anything from Big Motoring World based purely on the horror stories that exist

[matt21]

Option 1 all day long. On top of what everyone else has said, the 520d is better spec and the 2.0 diesel engine suits it well for long distance driving. My 520d Touring averages 52mpg and does almost 800 miles on a tank. Yes a 530d will be better but it’s a lot more money. Finally 60k isn’t that high on a 4.5 year old car

[Funk]

I bought an AUC '17-plate (G30) 530i in October. Let's just say I'm very fking glad I have a year's warranty with it...

So far it's had new engine mounts and it's with the dealer right now as the iDrive system shat itself a few weeks ago (Nav won't load, Voice Control not working). They're in the process of entirely re-coding the car... and also replacing the coolant tank/sensor as the car chucked up an erroneous low coolant warning Friday night (the coolant level was fine when checked Saturday morning).

I posted about the issues over on Bimmerpost:

Drivetrain: https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
Nav: https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
Startup jolt: https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...

Edited by Funk on Monday 12th December 18:34

[Sunday Drive]

Used approved all the way.

It’s £200 more expensive, which is less than 1% of the cost.

[ilikejam]

Option 2 appears to have a warning sign on the dash?

[Geffg]

From what I’ve read about big motoring world I’d avoid it like the plague. I’d always buy from Bmw due to the warranty etc. if it’s only couple hundred more from Bmw it’s a no brained.

[Funk]

ilikejam said:

Option 2 appears to have a warning sign on the dash?

Probabaly something minor like 'Low washer fluid'. In fact, looking at the fuel gauge it's probably warning about that.

[DanL]

Go approved used is my advice.

On the subject of the pros you mention for the other car, display key is unlikely to be a pro. It’s a large, ugly key that you’ll never use, because it’s large and ugly.

[Funk]

DanL said:

Go approved used is my advice.

On the subject of the pros you mention for the other car, display key is unlikely to be a pro. It’s a large, ugly key that you’ll never use, because it’s large and ugly.

Yep, all that's now done through the My BMW app on your phone which you'll already have with you - making the Display Key redundant.

[Googie]

ilikejam said:

Option 2 appears to have a warning sign on the dash?

Low fuel warning light- agree option 1 ideally with a 2 year warranty

[Yomamaisasnowblower]

Like others have said, I agree BIg Motoring World are to be avoided. Not a great reputation, used to be a fair bit cheaper but I guess they are now also cashing in on the current market conditions and pricing like everyone else.

[Brett748]

Is the G30 unreliable? I was thinking of getting one next year, I thought they would be pretty solid like my F30 330d was.

[Wills2]

Choose the dealer car regardless of spec.

[Brett748]

Is the G30 unreliable? I was thinking of getting one next year, I thought they would be pretty solid like my F30 330d was.

[Funk]

Brett748 said:

Is the G30 unreliable? I was thinking of getting one next year, I thought they would be pretty solid like my F30 330d was.

In all fairness to mine it's never let me down or left me stranded. Just rather more 'fixing things' than I would ideally like.

Actually I really ought to praise Group 1 BMW Brighton's service dept; they've been superb with sorting the issues under warranty, the only fly in the ointment was that their wait time on booking availability is somewhat lengthy - it was 3 weeks before they could take mine in for the faults reported on the 22nd Nov.