Manual 2003 BMW 530D?

[Moominman2]

Hello guys,

This is my first post. I apologise if it's in the wrong area?

I just need some advice please- I am looking at picking up a manual 2003 530D on 98k miles.

From what I've seen, it's been serviced regularly each year until 2015, having only covered 9k ish miles since then. It has had 3 owners (one being a lawyer who owned it for 11years). The MOT history is impressive too!

I am due to start a new job requiring me to drive 40miles a day, so I have sold my last car (MR2 MK2) to buy a more 'economical' car for motorway driving.

I want the mix of economical and fun with more power, and this car came up.

Does anyone have any experience with it and can give an estimate on how much running costs are and maintenance expected to be? I'm a bit worried that if something goes wrong, I've just chucked £2.5k away.

The alternative is buying a 2007 Golf TDI with 84k on the clock for £3k. Insurance is very similar, but I feel better with going for the 'safe' option of a TDI. But I'm an ideal world, the BMW would be my first choice if maintenance wasn't much of a factor. And by maintenance, I mean things that go wrong. Annual servicing, tyres, etc are expected obviously.

The reason for this is worry is that it's a 3 litre and I've read quite a few horror stories online and wanted a true representation if possible.

Any advice, opinions or suggestions on my situation is greatly appreciated.

P.s. The rear tyres will need replacing, as will the brake pads. I'll be servicing it if I buy it too.

Many thanks,
Luke

[NiceCupOfTea]

I would say it sounds good, and cheap for those miles and desirable manual. Would prefer the petrol myself but the diesels are supposed to be good. Check for rust and go in with your eyes open. It won't be mint but they are relatively simple cars. Check MOTs for mileage as they wear the miles well.

[Moominman2]

Thanks for your reply- it helps a lot.

I didn't see any rust and the MOT history is very good. Only failure was on the screen wash reservoir which has been fixed.

It does have a few scratches and small dents, but I'm expecting that for a 2003 reg. What I'm concerned with are the diesel costs and if anything huge goes wrong with the engine for any reason.

I'm factoring in approx £150-£200 diesel a month. Is that a fair guess for approx 700-800 miles per month mainly motorway driving?

Thanks again,
Luke

[TwistingMyMelon]

Nice cars, but getting on a bit. No matter how good a car is a nearly 15 year old heavy car wont be cheap to maintain

I would go for a Golf, or save more and get a Seat Leon with same engine

[sasquartch]

Diesel specific stuff is three main things - injectors, pumps and turbos. Any of those could easily be north of £1k to fix depending on whether you do it yourself. Often the 100k mark is when serious work starts to be needed.

Other stuff (not diesel specific) to look out for is suspension parts. Heavy cars and shocks / bushes / balljoints will all need doing regularly

It's an old car that cost 35K+ equivalent new - running costs in line with that

Having said all that it's much the same as an E39 and actually easy to work on in many cases

But don't buy one if you think it will be the same to run as a Focus or Golf

[bungz]

Nice car but as above, it is at the age and mileage when things will crop up and they might not all be cheap.

If you are handy with spanners then that will obviously help.

Wouldn't buy it for a work hack if I didn't have a bit more money back to keep it fettled.

[Al U]

Moominman2 said:

for approx 700-800 miles per month mainly motorway driving?

For that sort of mileage I don't think a diesel is worth it really. You aren't doing enough miles to make the MPG difference worth taking the hit on the cost of buying the car. With your budget you will be able to get a nicer petrol car that you will appreciate driving more than being in an older high mileage diesel getting better MPG if that makes sense.

Edited by Al U on Wednesday 12th April 12:36

[Super Slo Mo]

The 3.0 diesel is a tough engine, there are plenty out there with 300,000 miles on them, and plenty that have that mileage but are showing 100,000 on the speedo

I think the main thing with the E39 is the coolant system needs remedial work every now and then.

The old 'idea' that things need replacing at 100,000 miles is mostly urban myth in my experience. It's mostly down to luck and how well the car has been looked after.
You might be better getting on the BMW5 forum and asking the question.

As has been said though, you aren't really doing the miles to warrant getting a diesel. 1700 - 2000 miles a month, then yes, maybe it's worth it, but 800? That's not even 10,000 miles a year. The savings aren't going to add up, a nice 530i might be a better option.

ETA: Don't fall into the mistake of thinking that a Golf TDI is a significantly safer bet either. VAG group cars tend to have lots of niggly little issues that will drive you nuts.

Edited by Super Slo Mo on Wednesday 12th April 12:48

[NiceCupOfTea]

I had assumed it is an e39 bit i think others are assuming e60. What shape?

[Seesure]

I would suggest joining the 5 series forum... probably the best around for the information you are seeking... and will possibly save you a load of ££££s in the forth coming months....

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/

[austinsmirk]

purely because you've mentioned 800 miles a month: here's a curve ball idea for you.

I've just got my wife a nissan leaf. it has done dead on 800 miles in the last month.

this cost just under £20 in magic electricity.

forget a 15 yr old car with bills and get a brand new car, paying less a month than you will for your 15 yr old car, with the likely bills/maintenance that might come.

of course its not a pretty car-- but pounds shillings and pence it makes more sense than an old car by a long shot. I'm a tight yorkshire man, so it stacks up for me.

it'll have more toys than yr BMW and be quicker too off the mark.


actually, if yr doing lots of commuting- you want a 1.6/2.0 D lump that will sip diesel- you'd be getting up to and beyond 60mpg then. I'd imagine a 3.0D lump will still be not that great.

[Moominman2]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice and I think most of you are quite right.

I know it'll start going wrong and I'll resent having to fork out for it. Clearly I know it'll be more to run than a golf or Leon, but I will be living in the hope that nothing major will fail me.

It's the E60.

Thanks Austin- puts things into perspective for me.

I'm saving for a mortgage too so probably not one of my best ideas haha.

[sasquartch]

Super Slo Mo said:

I think the main thing with the E39 is the coolant system needs remedial work every now and then.

Edited by Super Slo Mo on Wednesday 12th April 12:48

It's an E60. My comment was that the early E60 is much the same mechanically and suspension . Mostly easy to work on for the home mechanic

Super Slo Mo said:

The old 'idea' that things need replacing at 100,000 miles is mostly urban myth in my experience. It's mostly down to luck and how well the car has been looked after.
You might be better getting on the BMW5 forum and asking the question.

Edited by Super Slo Mo on Wednesday 12th April 12:48

From personal experience I would say 100k miles is exactly when BMWs start needing work - certainly 100k on original suspension means you will need to spend a fair bit to get it back to feeling nice if nothing has been done before.
The core engine is pretty bombproof but the ancilliaries aren't.

Yes, luck does come into I, you're right

Yes, the bmw5 forum is an excellent resource, I spent a lot of time on there whilst I had my E39

[Super Slo Mo]

sasquartch said:

It's an E60

Ah, ok. I made a bit of an error in assumption there...

I agree regarding the ancilliaries/suspension, although to be fair, most people don't bother renewing the suspension unless it becomes an MOT failure point. The decline is gradual and probably not all that noticeable, especially if used mainly on the motorways or around town.

It's probably something better suited to an enthusiast/home mechanic.

[mgv8]

Keep on top of the servicing and find someone good with BMW's should be good to see another 100,000.
Will be very good on long runs but around town not os much

[Moominman2]

Thanks again for the replies!

I do have a mate who specialises in German cars. I used to work for him as a teenager so I do have someone reliable.

As I say, I'm just concerned with anything major going wrong. With that in mind, does anyone have any experiences with purchasing warranty for catastrophies? Engine failure etc?

I mean, this car has 5 out of the 9 services carried out at a BMW main dealer, so it has been looked after at least.

Luke

[graham22]

As a 330D owner, I would probably still be looking at a petrol car here, 40miles a day, 20 miles each way the diesel won't really be coming into it's own.

You'll probably get mid to high 30s mpg wise. Something like a Golf GTI/Leon Cupra/Civic Type R won't be far behind without the 'diesel' worries.

What about a bigger engine small car - Polo GTI/Ibiza Cupra both 1.8 turbo petrol, these will soon return 40mpg on a sensible run like this and still be fun when required.

What car are you using at the moment? (eta Mk2 MR2, so I guess 20ish years old - Celica/Corolla T-Sport, will struggle to better 40mpg but will get mid/high 30s).

Edited by graham22 on Wednesday 12th April 17:03

[Mr2Mike]

Moominman2 said:

I want the mix of economical and fun with more power, and this car came up.

The problem here is that they really aren't all that great on fuel, especially compared to something like a Golf TDi.

[Super Slo Mo]

Moominman2 said:

Thanks again for the replies!

I do have a mate who specialises in German cars. I used to work for him as a teenager so I do have someone reliable.

As I say, I'm just concerned with anything major going wrong. With that in mind, does anyone have any experiences with purchasing warranty for catastrophies? Engine failure etc?

I mean, this car has 5 out of the 9 services carried out at a BMW main dealer, so it has been looked after at least.

Luke

To be honest, it seems a good price for the car. If it checks out and you like it, just go and buy it and don't worry too much. Look after it and it will probably be fine.
Get your mate to give it a good check over.

I personally wouldn't bother with a warranty for a car of this age and value. You could put the cost of the warranty on one side, and just drip feed cash into it each month. Then you either have money to fix it if anything major goes wrong, or you will have a little extra money aside when it comes to replacing the car.

Does the 2003 model have a DPF? I would go to the forums and find out what the most common things are to look for, and which mods are recommended, and then just get on with it.

[Sim89]

Mr2Mike said:

Moominman2 said:

I want the mix of economical and fun with more power, and this car came up.

The problem here is that they really aren't all that great on fuel, especially compared to something like a Golf TDi.

At that sort of mileage it is less relevant. But I have a 2003 E46 330d manual, same M57TU engine and it easily gets over 50mpg on longer runs and around 45 extra urban. on around 125k now, so I have done almost 30 in it, so similar mileage.

As previously said, core engine is strong - but everything is liable for replacement, not to mention suspension, drivetrain and brake components.

As a conservative list for the engine you will need to account for the following - swirl flaps, vortex breather filter, crank pulley replacement, replacing vacuum lines, all of the coolant system (thermostats x 2, water pump, radiator, split hoses, cracked header tanks), split downpipe exhaust flexi., glowplug and relay. All of this before any talk of turbos, injectors or DMF issues.

Most likely will need calipers rebuilding / replacing, brake lines too, propshaft mounting and bushes, snapped springs, worn out consumables (droplinks, balljoints, main bushes).

Mine also snapped a front differential mounting bolt last week too, resulting in the diff twisting everywhere - so it had to come off fully, drilled out and retapped, then reinserted.

So basically everything, but other than that...good cars