Help me choose a 12k car? Plus E60 wheel help!
Discussion
Hi all,
First post! Been reading for years.
Now my days of running around in company cars are behind me I a need a new car, as i am currently borrowing a 2004 C180k.
My budget is up to 12k, so cars are limited.
I'm thinking of buying a post LCI (facelift) E60. I am going to have a look at this one tomorrow:
http://www.premiercarz.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-5-serie...
It looks tidy (not sure about the spoiler), but my concern is that the dealer is adamant that the wheels are genuine M5 wheels...now the real deal are forged and worth quite a bit - if they are real I would sell them and put some standard M Sport ones on. Any ideas on how I can tell if they are real, by sight? Also, any thoughts on the car?
Any thoughts on any other cars I could be looking at? I'm in the south east and have the cash waiting earning 0.000000001 percent interest n the bank!
There are a few e90 / e92s out there with various engines I like the look of (2 and 3 ltr, petrol and diesel). Also seen an 07 3.0 TDI Phaeton locally.
My only real criteria is must be an auto (in the car all day for work and like to be relaxed), and up to 12k. Not too bothered about diesel vs petrol, but don't want silly MPG...30 would be acceptable. I do approx. 15k miles a year.
Appreciate any help
Sam
First post! Been reading for years.
Now my days of running around in company cars are behind me I a need a new car, as i am currently borrowing a 2004 C180k.
My budget is up to 12k, so cars are limited.
I'm thinking of buying a post LCI (facelift) E60. I am going to have a look at this one tomorrow:
http://www.premiercarz.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-5-serie...
It looks tidy (not sure about the spoiler), but my concern is that the dealer is adamant that the wheels are genuine M5 wheels...now the real deal are forged and worth quite a bit - if they are real I would sell them and put some standard M Sport ones on. Any ideas on how I can tell if they are real, by sight? Also, any thoughts on the car?
Any thoughts on any other cars I could be looking at? I'm in the south east and have the cash waiting earning 0.000000001 percent interest n the bank!
There are a few e90 / e92s out there with various engines I like the look of (2 and 3 ltr, petrol and diesel). Also seen an 07 3.0 TDI Phaeton locally.
My only real criteria is must be an auto (in the car all day for work and like to be relaxed), and up to 12k. Not too bothered about diesel vs petrol, but don't want silly MPG...30 would be acceptable. I do approx. 15k miles a year.
Appreciate any help
Sam
Those are M6 wheels, I highly doubt they're genuine however if they are, they should be stamped somewhere around the rim I think?
My money would go on this:
http://autotrader.mobi/used-cars/advert/2013021853...
My money would go on this:
http://autotrader.mobi/used-cars/advert/2013021853...
Looks good to me.
Usual E60 diesel issue is the stats (main/egr) not working properly. If you google E60 stat or similar you will see for yourself. Ideally you want to access the hidden menu, get the coolant temp up and take it for a 10-15 mile drive at 60mph+ if it doesn't get to 90deg+ then budget £200 to get the stats changed (half that if you DIY it). If you don't do this it can adversely affect the DPF and will return less MPG.
Other thing to go wrong at that age is the battery needing replacement. Hidden menu again and you can see the voltage. It should read 12+V then jump immediately up to 14.5v (ish) when engine running, if it doesn't do that then may be issue with battery on the way out.
Apart from that they are pretty damn reliable, just make sure everything works and check all the service items via iDrive and it'll be reet. Some will remove the swirl flaps for piece of mind and you've got the DPF to worry about but that applies to all modern diesels today (not swirl flaps). Given your usage though it should be fine.
RE the wheels. They are nice, but look better on an M6. I'd be getting rid and sticking some OEM 18's on myself.
Usual E60 diesel issue is the stats (main/egr) not working properly. If you google E60 stat or similar you will see for yourself. Ideally you want to access the hidden menu, get the coolant temp up and take it for a 10-15 mile drive at 60mph+ if it doesn't get to 90deg+ then budget £200 to get the stats changed (half that if you DIY it). If you don't do this it can adversely affect the DPF and will return less MPG.
Other thing to go wrong at that age is the battery needing replacement. Hidden menu again and you can see the voltage. It should read 12+V then jump immediately up to 14.5v (ish) when engine running, if it doesn't do that then may be issue with battery on the way out.
Apart from that they are pretty damn reliable, just make sure everything works and check all the service items via iDrive and it'll be reet. Some will remove the swirl flaps for piece of mind and you've got the DPF to worry about but that applies to all modern diesels today (not swirl flaps). Given your usage though it should be fine.
RE the wheels. They are nice, but look better on an M6. I'd be getting rid and sticking some OEM 18's on myself.
Edited by dave_s13 on Saturday 2nd March 20:14
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