Thinking about a 5 series
Discussion
I went to see a 2012 5 series today , 520d m sport with 56k on the clock. Dealer wants 12k for it.
It's a beautiful car, really really nice. I am just wondering what to look out for on these?
Am I in danger of buying it just before it becomes a money pit? I made that mistake with my current car.
Other car I've been considering is a honda accord. I love that, but the girlfriend loves the beamer.
Im going to be taking out a 5 year loan to buy my next car, so it has to be good and reliable long term.
Or I use the 3.5k my current car will fetch and get a cheaper older car?
It's a beautiful car, really really nice. I am just wondering what to look out for on these?
Am I in danger of buying it just before it becomes a money pit? I made that mistake with my current car.
Other car I've been considering is a honda accord. I love that, but the girlfriend loves the beamer.
Im going to be taking out a 5 year loan to buy my next car, so it has to be good and reliable long term.
Or I use the 3.5k my current car will fetch and get a cheaper older car?
Bought my F10 530d from a Main Dealer 3 1/2 years ago.
55000 miles.
Racked up another 40000 since and other than normal servicing (all done by the dealer) and changing the oil mid way between services myself (because I find the fact it will do 18000 miles between changes ambitious) the only failure has been a headlamp bulb.
Bloody fantastic cars.
55000 miles.
Racked up another 40000 since and other than normal servicing (all done by the dealer) and changing the oil mid way between services myself (because I find the fact it will do 18000 miles between changes ambitious) the only failure has been a headlamp bulb.
Bloody fantastic cars.
Go for it! I bought a 520d touring last year with about the same mileage. Definitely get the m-sport, unless you're a fan of the grandad chrome on the SE.
The new 5 series is out now - but it doesn't look much different to the F10/F11 in my opinion. I reckon they did too good a job with the old one! Still looks great if you ask me.
It's no sports car, and the handling's nothing to shout about. It's also true the 530/535 are more refined, but you pay a large premium for the larger engine. Even the 520d is no slouch (in sport mode).
The new 5 series is out now - but it doesn't look much different to the F10/F11 in my opinion. I reckon they did too good a job with the old one! Still looks great if you ask me.
It's no sports car, and the handling's nothing to shout about. It's also true the 530/535 are more refined, but you pay a large premium for the larger engine. Even the 520d is no slouch (in sport mode).
In 2014/15 I drove a whole lot of new BMW 20d cars , rentals and/or courtesy cars and one my father owned. I'm assuming as they were all 14 64 or 15 plates they were the same engine?
I drove 4 3 series, one 4 series and an X1 besides the 5.
The 520 was the one that felt underpowered. It was SE but I don't recall if was the slightly detuned one, ED if they have.
That would be my main caution to you, OP, make sure you are happy with the power. 12k seems a decent price for what you're getting, I had a quick google on A/T, but it's a lot of money if the car doesn't feel 100% right.
I drove 4 3 series, one 4 series and an X1 besides the 5.
The 520 was the one that felt underpowered. It was SE but I don't recall if was the slightly detuned one, ED if they have.
That would be my main caution to you, OP, make sure you are happy with the power. 12k seems a decent price for what you're getting, I had a quick google on A/T, but it's a lot of money if the car doesn't feel 100% right.
I knew people would say get the 530d, much better engine. Only issue is insurance. My current insurance policy rubs out in October. The under writer they used on my policy seems to be fussy about what cars they will insure me on should I swap cars mid term. They wouldn't let me change to a scooby earlier this year, or a BMW 330i.
They will let me swap to the 520d with only 81 pound additional premium which I am happy with.
As for the price... To say it's low mileage it's a good price. Auto trader valuation tool has the car between 11.8k and 12.8k, so 12k is a fair price.
When it comes to mileage I only travel locally and I am not used to big cars. With this in mind speed isn't the top priority, so in that regard a 520d will be ok.
I took it for a test drive and it didn't feel that slow.
I'm.more worries about potential electrical problems costing thousands.
They will let me swap to the 520d with only 81 pound additional premium which I am happy with.
As for the price... To say it's low mileage it's a good price. Auto trader valuation tool has the car between 11.8k and 12.8k, so 12k is a fair price.
When it comes to mileage I only travel locally and I am not used to big cars. With this in mind speed isn't the top priority, so in that regard a 520d will be ok.
I took it for a test drive and it didn't feel that slow.
I'm.more worries about potential electrical problems costing thousands.
You've probably thought of this , but get the BMW insured warranty.
If there's still a 60k Miles threshold you'll be in the cheaper range and can adjust excess to bring monthlies down.
No claims for month 1 but the dealer should pick up any immediate issues under consumer rights protection.
You could just cancel your insurance , get pro rata refund and switch insurers if that's the only barrier to a bigger engine.
But if you're happy with 520d probably no point.
I think what was key is the service maintenance history being solid.
Loads of scare stories about the 335is , but my 2009 was faultless with perfect history when I bought it at 59k and my belief was past record indicates future performance and I was right. Drove it hard and none if the major faults to 85k just the injectors , done under warranty
If there's still a 60k Miles threshold you'll be in the cheaper range and can adjust excess to bring monthlies down.
No claims for month 1 but the dealer should pick up any immediate issues under consumer rights protection.
You could just cancel your insurance , get pro rata refund and switch insurers if that's the only barrier to a bigger engine.
But if you're happy with 520d probably no point.
I think what was key is the service maintenance history being solid.
Loads of scare stories about the 335is , but my 2009 was faultless with perfect history when I bought it at 59k and my belief was past record indicates future performance and I was right. Drove it hard and none if the major faults to 85k just the injectors , done under warranty
I'd be looking for one with some kind of warranty, even independent garages often offer them.
Had an 09 530d for a couple of years, got it at 99k miles and added 40k more. I changed the thermostats as preemptive maintenance but it's been absolutely fine otherwise. Really comfortable mile muncher with space for the family.
Had an 09 530d for a couple of years, got it at 99k miles and added 40k more. I changed the thermostats as preemptive maintenance but it's been absolutely fine otherwise. Really comfortable mile muncher with space for the family.
I'm 28 and have been driving 4 years 9 months. If I can hold out until October on this policy I will have 5 years no claims, whereas if I cancel the policy I lose 9 months and go back down to 4 years.
I've been looking at 3 litres and I can afford one but would be looking close to 100k on clock and seen as this is a car o intend on keeping for at least 5 years, lower the better.
I've been looking at 3 litres and I can afford one but would be looking close to 100k on clock and seen as this is a car o intend on keeping for at least 5 years, lower the better.
None of my business but a 5 year loan for a car? Wouldn't you be better off looking at one of the pcp deals on offer? You'll get bored with a 520d after a while ( this is PH after all) and upgrading with a loan deal means you'll be stuck with that loan as you cancel it and renew to change.
LFB531,
I was thinking the same. A 5 year loan for a 5 year old £12k car tells me that there might not be much in the way of surplus cash to pay for the stuff that will go wrong as the car reaches the 8, 9 or 10 year points. Especially a complex car like an F10 - fitted with the somewhat dodgy 20d.
I was thinking the same. A 5 year loan for a 5 year old £12k car tells me that there might not be much in the way of surplus cash to pay for the stuff that will go wrong as the car reaches the 8, 9 or 10 year points. Especially a complex car like an F10 - fitted with the somewhat dodgy 20d.
LFB531 said:
None of my business but a 5 year loan for a car? Wouldn't you be better off looking at one of the pcp deals on offer? You'll get bored with a 520d after a while ( this is PH after all) and upgrading with a loan deal means you'll be stuck with that loan as you cancel it and renew to change.
Why not?? How is PCP better?I have recently looked at this myself and a loan had a better APR, the car is yours to do with as you wish, not tied in a specific balloon payment date. As long as the depreciation doesn't get ahead of the remaining amount on the loan where is the problem? Can't afford the payments after 9 months, you can sell the car, clear the loan no problem. Get bored after a year, trade it in for another no problem. You don't have that easily with PCP.
Unless you buy a car outright (which obviously all PH member do
) it doesn't matter who gets your monthly payment as long as the amount you're paying back doesn't leave you in a negative when it come to change. I've just paid off the balloon on a PCP deal which if I would have carried on with at the same monthly payments would have be the same as a 6.25 year loan.
Just bought a 2011 F11 520d M Sport, auto with 66k miles a week ago and its already gone back to BMW on a flat bed. Luckily its an AUC so covered under warranty. Went in to limp mode and check engine light came on, managed to get the half mile home. Not sure what the issue is at the moment as its only just started to be looked at.
Honestly I think the 20d isn't enough for the size of it, it feels sluggish above 50mph. However I am coming from an E90 330i so make of that what you will. I wish I had waited to find a larger engine petrol car. Ours has good spec with professional nav, visibility pack, 19s... the smaller nav screen looks silly IMO with the big plastic blanking plate around it.
Honestly I think the 20d isn't enough for the size of it, it feels sluggish above 50mph. However I am coming from an E90 330i so make of that what you will. I wish I had waited to find a larger engine petrol car. Ours has good spec with professional nav, visibility pack, 19s... the smaller nav screen looks silly IMO with the big plastic blanking plate around it.
stumpage said:
LFB531 said:
None of my business but a 5 year loan for a car? Wouldn't you be better off looking at one of the pcp deals on offer? You'll get bored with a 520d after a while ( this is PH after all) and upgrading with a loan deal means you'll be stuck with that loan as you cancel it and renew to change.
Why not?? How is PCP better?I have recently looked at this myself and a loan had a better APR, the car is yours to do with as you wish, not tied in a specific balloon payment date. As long as the depreciation doesn't get ahead of the remaining amount on the loan where is the problem? Can't afford the payments after 9 months, you can sell the car, clear the loan no problem. Get bored after a year, trade it in for another no problem. You don't have that easily with PCP.
Unless you buy a car outright (which obviously all PH member do
) it doesn't matter who gets your monthly payment as long as the amount you're paying back doesn't leave you in a negative when it come to change. I've just paid off the balloon on a PCP deal which if I would have carried on with at the same monthly payments would have be the same as a 6.25 year loan.
Indeed.
That five year loan will cost £250 a month.
A new Honda Civic SR manual (130 bhp petrol) will cost £3k down from the OP's old car and £247 a month for 3 years.
At the end of the Honda term you will have nothing. At the end of the BMW 520d term you will have next to nothing (or possibly some huge bills mid term). Note: OP was looking for a family car, would prefer an estate but could make do with a saloon, but gf didn't like the Accord. Pluses and minuses for both options, but I'd rather have a Civic as a family car than a time-bomb timing chain ancient 520d.
Or if you want to buy outright a used car, make it a reliable and cheap to fix car - not an old 520d.
That five year loan will cost £250 a month.
A new Honda Civic SR manual (130 bhp petrol) will cost £3k down from the OP's old car and £247 a month for 3 years.
At the end of the Honda term you will have nothing. At the end of the BMW 520d term you will have next to nothing (or possibly some huge bills mid term). Note: OP was looking for a family car, would prefer an estate but could make do with a saloon, but gf didn't like the Accord. Pluses and minuses for both options, but I'd rather have a Civic as a family car than a time-bomb timing chain ancient 520d.
Or if you want to buy outright a used car, make it a reliable and cheap to fix car - not an old 520d.
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