Advice sought, hoping to purchase a 530e
Discussion
fatvik said:
Found another one, what do you guys think? I don't think they have the best reputation but the car is under the original warranty....
link
FV
Maybe things have changed with lockdown, people buying click and collect etc, but my experience is that they advertise some well priced (sometimes even cheap) and reasonably specced examples. When you show up for a viewing/test drive the car is unexpectedly at another location or just been sold - they then try and flog you something overpriced with 80k miles on it.link
FV
In my case I went to see a decent spec 535d touring. When i got there it was subject to delays in the ‘prep department’. I was then shown a load of zero spec 520d saloons and the salesman got shirty with me when I refused to even take a look at them.
Only positive was that I had a decent drive there and back and the sun was shining.
Edited by survivalist on Thursday 8th April 17:45
Edited by survivalist on Thursday 8th April 17:47
I don't think this is anything new happen a few times to me. They ask for money down before you see the car and then your hooked. I would phone and ask specifically about a car and get them to confirm it's not sold/being viewed etc etc. If it's then not there you can be sure its someone you don't want to deal with, because they have already miss lead you
With the total budget you are talking about I would be looking at BMW AUC. Peace of mind in terms of prep, warranty and support (appreciate people have varying experiences but I would rather be dealing with a Dealer/BMW on a problem than an unknown to me used car seller).
Here is a car similar to the one you linked at Big but a much better spec.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202101308513395...
I'm sure if the deciding factor is a towbar the Dealer will be very willing to listen and build a deal for you.
Here is a car similar to the one you linked at Big but a much better spec.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202101308513395...
I'm sure if the deciding factor is a towbar the Dealer will be very willing to listen and build a deal for you.
Thank you. I don't want a dark leather interior so would pass on this one but you are on the money otherwise. I know these cars have a lot of technology in them and it would be worth it to deal through a authorized BMW dealer for peace of mind
Tow bars cannot (should not) be fitted to the e, so I have come to terms with needing a roof rack.
Another suggestion was this car, 7k less and apart from compromising on the exterior colour, it seems to have everything I'd like. Plus the money to fix things that may be wrong. What do you guys think? I can see a few paint chips on the bonnet straight away.
The idea is for this to be a wafter and to encourage me to drive more sensibly for the sake of the family who can suffer from car sickness you see.
FV
Tow bars cannot (should not) be fitted to the e, so I have come to terms with needing a roof rack.
Another suggestion was this car, 7k less and apart from compromising on the exterior colour, it seems to have everything I'd like. Plus the money to fix things that may be wrong. What do you guys think? I can see a few paint chips on the bonnet straight away.
The idea is for this to be a wafter and to encourage me to drive more sensibly for the sake of the family who can suffer from car sickness you see.
FV
In the nicest possible way, I think you need to have a think about what you really want and then use online tools to find examples. The biggest questions being:
An £18k car with c60k on it or a £27k car with 20k on it?
An M Sport or an SE?
What dark exterior colour is acceptable (metallic black/Mediterranean Blue/Sophisto grey or Carbon black on M Sport)?
Based on the above you can then look at a selection and see what has the best mix of options v condition v reseller v price. The standard spec is good. I would want the Sport + pack (Harman Kardon/privacy glass/upgrade wheels). Others would avoid that pack because of the windows and wheels. Each to their own.
You are right, for the tech on a 530E I would look for the comfort of a BMW warranty. That car you linked to looks a bit tired inside compared to the 2017 G30 I just returned with 65k on it.
An £18k car with c60k on it or a £27k car with 20k on it?
An M Sport or an SE?
What dark exterior colour is acceptable (metallic black/Mediterranean Blue/Sophisto grey or Carbon black on M Sport)?
Based on the above you can then look at a selection and see what has the best mix of options v condition v reseller v price. The standard spec is good. I would want the Sport + pack (Harman Kardon/privacy glass/upgrade wheels). Others would avoid that pack because of the windows and wheels. Each to their own.
You are right, for the tech on a 530E I would look for the comfort of a BMW warranty. That car you linked to looks a bit tired inside compared to the 2017 G30 I just returned with 65k on it.
A few points to clarify.
On 530e se and m sport both have same (se) suspension. I optioned the adaptive on mine and is great. I had a loan 530e for a few weeks at Christmas with standard suspension and the adaptive is significantly better both in comfort and handling.
Otherwise m sport gets a few nicer bits inside, nicer steering wheel and sport seats. Standard se seats are a bit pants. I went for the comfort seats which are awesome but do rob a little rear leg room.
Heated wheel a lovely option to, but not one people tend to pick (cheap to)
Other comments on towbar (no can do) and folding seats (opton) are correct.
Hk hifi a very worthy upgrade and the driving assistance pro for radar and m way self steer is priceless.
Great cars... mine is nearing end of 4 year lease and only thing I'm thinking of replacing with is x5 45e. I am sold on hybrids for their two characters and efficiency if you do most of your trips on the electric with occasional long run. I've averaged about 90mpg in 3.5 years and 35k miles. (Average miles dropped from 13k a year to about 5k with lockdown!)
On 530e se and m sport both have same (se) suspension. I optioned the adaptive on mine and is great. I had a loan 530e for a few weeks at Christmas with standard suspension and the adaptive is significantly better both in comfort and handling.
Otherwise m sport gets a few nicer bits inside, nicer steering wheel and sport seats. Standard se seats are a bit pants. I went for the comfort seats which are awesome but do rob a little rear leg room.
Heated wheel a lovely option to, but not one people tend to pick (cheap to)
Other comments on towbar (no can do) and folding seats (opton) are correct.
Hk hifi a very worthy upgrade and the driving assistance pro for radar and m way self steer is priceless.
Great cars... mine is nearing end of 4 year lease and only thing I'm thinking of replacing with is x5 45e. I am sold on hybrids for their two characters and efficiency if you do most of your trips on the electric with occasional long run. I've averaged about 90mpg in 3.5 years and 35k miles. (Average miles dropped from 13k a year to about 5k with lockdown!)
Thank you.
Please do not stop trying to make me think or consider different ways of looking at things. Otherwise, I will never learn
What I would ideally like (without compromise)
- Light interior i.e. not black, not the dark blue
- Reversing camera
- Split folding rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Not the aluminium interior trim
What I would ideally like (but would be willing to compromise)
- Exterior colour to not be black and not be white. e.g. sophisto grey would be fine
- Privacy glass rear
- 18" rims
- Car with BMW warranty
- Comfort seats / sports seats
- Lumbar support
Total Bonus
- Rear heated seats
- Rear infotainment
- Memory seats
- Mediterranean Blue exterior colour
Based on the above, it is mostly the M spec cars that tick majority of the boxes. Hence my first and second link being M spec cars.
May I ask how you can tell if a car has the adaptive suspension? In the link for the SE (a couple of posts up) there is a picture showing what looks like a button marked ADAPTIVE encompassing the SPORT COMFORT and ECO PRO buttons. Is this what I ought to be looking out for? I mean in the event the seller does not explicitly state adaptive suspension in their description please?
-FV
ps - I checked and it would be around £500 for a 1 year warranty
Please do not stop trying to make me think or consider different ways of looking at things. Otherwise, I will never learn
What I would ideally like (without compromise)
- Light interior i.e. not black, not the dark blue
- Reversing camera
- Split folding rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Not the aluminium interior trim
What I would ideally like (but would be willing to compromise)
- Exterior colour to not be black and not be white. e.g. sophisto grey would be fine
- Privacy glass rear
- 18" rims
- Car with BMW warranty
- Comfort seats / sports seats
- Lumbar support
Total Bonus
- Rear heated seats
- Rear infotainment
- Memory seats
- Mediterranean Blue exterior colour
Based on the above, it is mostly the M spec cars that tick majority of the boxes. Hence my first and second link being M spec cars.
May I ask how you can tell if a car has the adaptive suspension? In the link for the SE (a couple of posts up) there is a picture showing what looks like a button marked ADAPTIVE encompassing the SPORT COMFORT and ECO PRO buttons. Is this what I ought to be looking out for? I mean in the event the seller does not explicitly state adaptive suspension in their description please?
-FV
ps - I checked and it would be around £500 for a 1 year warranty
Adaptive button means adaptive suspension.
I think you are after my exact car! Med blue, cognac seats, memory comfort seats, heated wheel, adaptive led headlights (another must), wood trim, adaptive suspension, upgraded bluetooth with wireless charge pad, folding rear seats, hk stereo, drive assist pro...
Depending on the price ald want for it at the end of the lease( jan) I might buy it off them myself otherwise she will end up at blackbushe auctions I imagine and someone will get a bargain
I think you are after my exact car! Med blue, cognac seats, memory comfort seats, heated wheel, adaptive led headlights (another must), wood trim, adaptive suspension, upgraded bluetooth with wireless charge pad, folding rear seats, hk stereo, drive assist pro...
Depending on the price ald want for it at the end of the lease( jan) I might buy it off them myself otherwise she will end up at blackbushe auctions I imagine and someone will get a bargain
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