E61 520d.

[essexplumber]

http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/vehicle.cfm?Accoun...


Always loved this shape of 5 and the performance to MPG ratio is very temping. This car is slightly over budget but he's had it a while and I'm hoping I can temp him down to £9.5k.

The milage is low for this type of car and with good care could reach the 160k+ mark couldn't it?

My only concern will be servicing/tyre/parts cost and would you say the engine is a tad small for a car of this size? Would a larger diesel be lessed stressed and if I were to buy it would a remapp be a good idea?

Also with the arrival of the new 5 series should the prices be coming down on the E60 range anytime soon?

[Triumph Man]

Would you always be ever so slightly disappointed that you didn't get one with 6 cylinders though? Just a thought.

[essexplumber]

Triumph Man said:

Would you always be ever so slightly disappointed that you didn't get one with 6 cylinders though? Just a thought.

I would but I've visited this dealer and got a really good vibe about him and the cars he sells, he has a good reputation and is localish.

Also the spec is great and manual 5 tourings are quite rare.

[sinizter]

Good looking car.

I picked up a E60 530D in January with 54000 miles. I certainly hope these can take 160k+. I hope to take mine to around that atleast, if not a bit more.

[Sir Bagalot]

Manuals are rare as no one wants them. Also interior is wrong colour (as in too light). You could use these as bargaining tools.

[essexplumber]

Sir Bagalot said:

Manuals are rare as no one wants them. Also interior is wrong colour (as in too light). You could use these as bargaining tools.

I like the interior


I would have an auto but mrs plumbers scared of driving one, not sure why as she's a good driver.

[Dapster]

Actually the spec is quite basic on that one - metallic and leather (but they all tend to have that) plus heated seats is all I can see. Everything else listed is standard fit, and the privacy glass which would have been an extra looks too dark to be standard factory spec so is probably an afterfit job. It doesn't have the media pack so may not have Bluetooth either. If you fancy manual then so much the better for you, but they are rare for a reason and that's because not many people do - but if you plan to stick 150k+ on it, resale value is pretty irrellevant.

I spoke to a fleet manager last week who has 3 x 530d tourings on his fleet with 230,000 plus each with no major failures.

[93Jay]

Sir Bagalot said:

Also interior is wrong colour (as in too light). You could use these as bargaining tools.

Is it really? We've just got a similar car, carbon black with beige interior and dark wood dash.

[essexplumber]

http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/vehicle.cfm?Accoun...

He's got this one too but it's a bit dearer.

[Contigo]

If you spend alot of time in it get the lighter interior it always makes sense. Black leather like in mine is fine if you are not in it everyday it's too claustrophobic if doing lots of miles.

[cerb4.5lee]

Triumph Man said:

Would you always be ever so slightly disappointed that you didn't get one with 6 cylinders though? Just a thought.

Totally correct, i have a E61 520d m sport 59 plate & i wish it had a more gutsy engine & the manual box doesnt really suit the short rev band aswell, but i really wanted a manual because i like the involvement more.

I like the lighter interior of the one that the OP is looking at as mine is boring black leather & the lighter colour lifts it, i think if i had a choice again though i would go 530d auto thats the best combination imo.

[essexplumber]

cerb4.5lee said:

Triumph Man said:

Would you always be ever so slightly disappointed that you didn't get one with 6 cylinders though? Just a thought.

Totally correct, i have a E61 520d m sport 59 plate & i wish it had a more gutsy engine & the manual box doesnt really suit the short rev band aswell, but i really wanted a manual because i like the involvement more.

I like the lighter interior of the one that the OP is looking at as mine is boring black leather & the lighter colour lifts it, i think if i had a choice again though i would go 530d auto thats the best combination imo.

I do a lot of short to medium length journeys so ideally I wanted a petrol manual, I would rather a larger engine as I have a fuel card so as long as its not down in the teens MPG I'm ok.

Its more who's selling the car tbh, I got the impression when I went down there to look a 330 touring last year that he sells good and straight cars. I could have bought the 330 but he advised me to wait untill the equity in my PX had increased.

I really like both of those cars but would rather a 2.5+ petrol or 3.0+ diesel.

[Triumph Man]

cerb4.5lee said:

Totally correct, i have a E61 520d m sport 59 plate & i wish it had a more gutsy engine & the manual box doesnt really suit the short rev band aswell, but i really wanted a manual because i like the involvement more.

I like the lighter interior of the one that the OP is looking at as mine is boring black leather & the lighter colour lifts it, i think if i had a choice again though i would go 530d auto thats the best combination imo.

I'm always slightly disappointed that I don't have the V6 tdi Passat. I agree with you on the power front, but surely the OP would like 6 cylinders to listen to? Although I do understand that he wants a trouble free car, and buying from someone he knows will somewhat boost his confidence.

[McSam]

essexplumber said:

I would but I've visited this dealer and got a really good vibe about him and the cars he sells, he has a good reputation and is localish.

Also the spec is great and manual 5 tourings are quite rare.

Then you're in business with this car if you want a manual, you're even less likely to find a 6-pot one - if such things even exist? - and you seem pretty keen with it.

The only thing I'd suggest is to take it for a drive and give it a proper good shoeing through all the gears and decide, honestly, if it's quick enough for you to live with. If so, get it done!

If not, get it done anyway and promptly remap it, because I understand it goes well on these engines.

It looks gorgeous, by the way, and that's the same interior I have in my E46 except for wood where the E61 has aluminium. Very nice place to spend time with that colour scheme

[93Jay]

McSam said:

Then you're in business with this car if you want a manual, you're even less likely to find a 6-pot one - if such things even exist? - and you seem pretty keen with it.

They do exist but they are pretty rare, few about on the bay. The auto suits the car very well, but I don't know about the 20d engine, although it can be mapped to about 220bhp IIRC which isn't bad, although I doubt it will feel as effortless as a 6 pot.

[Sir Bagalot]

93Jay said:

Sir Bagalot said:

Also interior is wrong colour (as in too light). You could use these as bargaining tools.

Is it really? We've just got a similar car, carbon black with beige interior and dark wood dash.

It's the wrong colour for resale. If you like it then you use it as a bargaining tool. Same with box.

[sinizter]

I have a Blue with the Beige interior. Far nicer looking than a black interior.

[93Jay]

sinizter said:

I have a Blue with the Beige interior. Far nicer looking than a black interior.

I have to agree there, Black interior just seemed too dull, it might be better for resale, but it's all down to personal opinion in the end.

[cerb4.5lee]

essexplumber said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Triumph Man said:

Would you always be ever so slightly disappointed that you didn't get one with 6 cylinders though? Just a thought.

Totally correct, i have a E61 520d m sport 59 plate & i wish it had a more gutsy engine & the manual box doesnt really suit the short rev band aswell, but i really wanted a manual because i like the involvement more.

I like the lighter interior of the one that the OP is looking at as mine is boring black leather & the lighter colour lifts it, i think if i had a choice again though i would go 530d auto thats the best combination imo.

I do a lot of short to medium length journeys so ideally I wanted a petrol manual, I would rather a larger engine as I have a fuel card so as long as its not down in the teens MPG I'm ok.

Its more who's selling the car tbh, I got the impression when I went down there to look a 330 touring last year that he sells good and straight cars. I could have bought the 330 but he advised me to wait untill the equity in my PX had increased.

I really like both of those cars but would rather a 2.5+ petrol or 3.0+ diesel.

If you can get hold of a 6 pot petrol you will love it, especially mated to a manual box but they seem rare, i looked at a 530i manual when i had my x5 & i really wanted it, much prefer petrol cars more enjoyable to drive & listen to.

[cerb4.5lee]

Triumph Man said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Totally correct, i have a E61 520d m sport 59 plate & i wish it had a more gutsy engine & the manual box doesnt really suit the short rev band aswell, but i really wanted a manual because i like the involvement more.

I like the lighter interior of the one that the OP is looking at as mine is boring black leather & the lighter colour lifts it, i think if i had a choice again though i would go 530d auto thats the best combination imo.

I'm always slightly disappointed that I don't have the V6 tdi Passat. I agree with you on the power front, but surely the OP would like 6 cylinders to listen to? Although I do understand that he wants a trouble free car, and buying from someone he knows will somewhat boost his confidence.

I certainly agree with you regarding sound, a nice 6 pot petrol would do the OP proud, i almost want to stick a bag over my head in shame when i hear my 5 series diesel 4 pot ticking over!! its dreadful, but i bought it purely for cheap running costs as a daily driver...but its so dull.