BMW E61 Petrol Advice Please

[g3org3y]

Magikarp said:

The 3 series boot is too small. I’d looked at Volvo v70s as well but by all accounts are fiddly and overly complicated to maintain. They also seem expensive.

I’d had an E60 before so know the car in general.

There are a few on Autotrader that seem agreeable enough as far as budget goes.

This is why I’m asking, to either confirm my choice or to have to rethink and end up with a bloody Mondeo.

E61s (and E91s tbf) seem to go for decent money. As I mentioned before, it's often the spec that lets them down.

Here's an SE example from the 1-5k smoker barge thread

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104081...



Blue on Blue (da ba dee).

Sunroof (pro or con depending on your opinion) & looks like Pirelli tyres all round.
However, no heated seats, no xenons and small iDrive screen.

[Magikarp]

Thank you. My previous E60 was a curious one. The first owner had spec’d individual nappa leather (in a gorgeous cream), dual zone a/c but manual seats and halogen headlights.

[bmwmike]

helix402 said:

Magikarp said:

There is a lot to think about here. So much so that I’m beginning to doubt whether a diesel might not be a better option; as the likelihood of getting a V8 is remote.

IMHO the 530d is much better than the 530i, as you asked for a petrol I recommended one. The petrol sounds better. The diesel goes better, uses less fuel, has fewer oil leaks-but some cities may not like it. Also as this is PH lots of people prefer petrol. I wouldn’t recommend the V8 due to lots of problems and even worse mpg than the 6 cyl petrol.

The petrols go fine if you remember to keep the revs up, which usually means a cog lower. The diesel runs out of puff at lower revs, whereas the six pot petrols just keep pulling up to the redline. Horses for courses but i'd take the petrol over the diesel any day of the week, unless doing monster mileage. The n53 is very good on a run (when working properly!! including NOX), probably not that much in it anyway - high 30's for n53 compared to high 40's for the 530d?

Edited by bmwmike on Monday 12th April 10:53

[Magikarp]

We have had a chat and the budget is no longer fixed - I’ve suggested that £7-8000 is more likely to get something better.

Hopefully when the time comes something suitable will present itself.

Thanks again for all your advice, it’s very much appreciated.

[Touring442]

Dare I say it, but the W211 Mercedes E Class estate is probably a more reliable option, and yet are still very pleasant to drive. Much better ride, bigger boot.

If you go for an E61, buy a 525d or 530d. Petrols are alright I guess but they piss oil out plus water pump etc. The ride is poor (I ran a 525d SE Touring for a year - on non runflats) plus I had electrical niggles such as that bd tyre pressure warning system. The boot isn't very big - I have an E46 Touring plastic boot liner and it's too big for the E61. The 6 speed ZF auto is alright. Check the spec of any car you're buying and avoid active ride like the plague. You do not want to know what it costs to fix that, ditto active steering.

They're an OK car but there are better options such as the Merc.

[Magikarp]

That's very interesting, thank you

I will investigate this. Not something I'd considered previously, having had an E60.

[SPaul]

If you would consider e60 instead of e61 check this one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104050...

that is my baby

[Magikarp]

SPaul said:

If you would consider e60 instead of e61 check this one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104050...

that is my baby

Thanks, but I need an estate so the dogs can have their own spaces when we are out and about.