I want a E60/E61 5 Series

[a311]

Since really enjoying my old shed of a 3 series I’ve found myself wanting an even larger German barge. It’s pretty illogical, I have no need for a big car, currently there’s only 2 of us, have a second car, no kids but probably will in a year or two.

I probably do 8k miles a year, and when the weather is good cycle into work which is a 20 mile round trip. But make several 600 mile round trips per anum to visit family up the country and something big and wafty for those journeys as well as airport runs etc.

I’m going to go and try a few different variants this week and then probably look to buy private. With my mileage it wouldn’t seem to make sense to go diesel, but with a variety of petrol lumps to go for which is the best in terms of performance and economy balance? My current mileage costs me roughly £100-£120 a month on a 2.5l 3 series and more often than not filling the tank will last me a month of commuting and general use.

Would be interested to hear off those who have owned and what they think/thought of them. I really like the looks and think they look modern compared to the E46 3 series. Budget probably around 7-10k.

[VR6 Turbo]

one of my customers is selling his! lovely example and sensible price. will find the link for you.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

VR

Edited by VR6 Turbo on Tuesday 14th February 09:28

[a311]

VR6 Turbo said:

one of my customers is selling his! lovely example and sensible price. will find the link for you.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

VR

Edited by VR6 Turbo on Tuesday 14th February 09:28

Very nice, so much car for the money too IMO.

[E38Ross]

Try and e65 7 series. You can get some massive bargains, especially on the larger petrol models. If you don't want diesel and 8 cylinders finding a 6 pot petrol may be hard.

If going for a petrol e60 I would try for the 530i. If you want waft, they're superb if they aren't on run flat tyres and not sport suspension. Went in a 530d se not long ago and ride was as good as my E38 and probably just as quiet on the motorway too.

[VR6 Turbo]

a311 said:

VR6 Turbo said:

one of my customers is selling his! lovely example and sensible price. will find the link for you.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

VR

Edited by VR6 Turbo on Tuesday 14th February 09:28

Very nice, so much car for the money too IMO.

I know he will come down a bit on that price as well as his company has just been through a major bad patch.

VR

[a311]

VR6 Turbo said:

I know he will come down a bit on that price as well as his company has just been through a major bad patch.

VR

I'm on holiday from Thurday so unlikely I could move on this but seems a bargain.

E38Ross said:

Try and e65 7 series. You can get some massive bargains, especially on the larger petrol models. If you don't want diesel and 8 cylinders finding a 6 pot petrol may be hard.

If going for a petrol e60 I would try for the 530i. If you want waft, they're superb if they aren't on run flat tyres and not sport suspension. Went in a 530d se not long ago and ride was as good as my E38 and probably just as quiet on the motorway too.

530i seems the pick of the petrols, I'd entertain a 530d but I don't think the figures will stack up for my mileage when considering higher purchase price, fuel, and parts servcing. Off to have alook at 7 series adds now, if a 5 series might be OTT for what I need then a 7 series definatley is!

Edited by a311 on Tuesday 14th February 09:51

[SWoll]

Had an E46 330i and now on our second E60/61. First was a 2004 3.0d saloon, current is 2008 525i Touring. Both great cars but newer models (2007 on) have better interiors and autoboxes.

I avoided the M-Sport models as couldn't put up with the shocking ride quality caused by the combination of 18/19" wheels, RFT's and hard suspension and didn't think the price difference was justified.

Went for the 525i as the right car came up at the right price and it's a little better on fuel than the 530i (they are both the 3.0 engine though). Earlier 530d was no better on fuel than the petrol (30 MPG ish on average) 3.0 in my experience either.

Great cars, masses of space, comfortable, nice to drive and well built. I would suggest a decent third party warranty if buying outside of the BMW network as they can be expensive to fix should anything go wrong.

[a311]

SWoll said:

Had an E46 330i and now on our second E60/61. First was a 2004 3.0d saloon, current is 2008 525i Touring. Both great cars but newer models (2007 on) have better interiors and autoboxes.

I avoided the M-Sport models as couldn't put up with the shocking ride quality caused by the combination of 18/19" wheels, RFT's and hard suspension and didn't think the price difference was justified.

Went for the 525i as the right car came up at the right price and it's a little better on fuel than the 530i (they are both the 3.0 engine though). Earlier 530d was no better on fuel than the petrol (30 MPG ish on average) 3.0 in my experience either.

Great cars, masses of space, comfortable, nice to drive and well built. I would suggest a decent third party warranty if buying outside of the BMW network as they can be expensive to fix should anything go wrong.

Cheers for that. Although I like the look of the M-Sports I've not heard anything good about the ride plus I'd imagine for good rubber the tyres would be expensive. I'd actually consider a touring as we have a dog and just seem pratical for kids junk etc. Would hopefully makie driving on the continet with ski gear etc more pleasent too.

Can certainly live with 30 MPG although I'm tempted by a V8 just so I can say I've had one.....

[VR6 Turbo]

a311 said:

VR6 Turbo said:

I know he will come down a bit on that price as well as his company has just been through a major bad patch.

VR

I'm on holiday from Thurday so unlikely I could move on this but seems a bargain.

well give him a call He might hold it for you if your keen. he is a really nice guy, feel sorry for him as he is losing a lot on the car.

VR

[kaf]

Drive the 525i and the 530i, see what you think. I agree the diesel is not worth it for you, too many issues with DPF and turbo for you to risk when you don't need to doing a low mileage.

Both are very nice just see what suits you best.

Definitely look for the maximum warranty you can find, when they go wrong they do cost many pennies to fix.

[a311]

VR6 Turbo said:

a311 said:

VR6 Turbo said:

I know he will come down a bit on that price as well as his company has just been through a major bad patch.

VR

I'm on holiday from Thurday so unlikely I could move on this but seems a bargain.

well give him a call He might hold it for you if your keen. he is a really nice guy, feel sorry for him as he is losing a lot on the car.

VR

Cheers. Need to look at the add again as I'm up in Lake District but could actually go for this particular car if it doesn't sell for a week or two.