Used bmw 5 series - good buy?

[liamruairi]

First time poster - go easy!
Thinking of getting a 2014/15 5 series. A lot of ex-fleet come up around 60-80000 miles on the clock for £11-13k and am wanting an auto one with all the trimmings. They seem to have depreciated a lot by that point already so as long as I don't put too many miles on in in the next couple of years I don't think depreciation will be too much. Thing is they'll obviously be just out of warranty. As its supposed to be a reliable car thats fuel efficient if I get a good one at auction or dealer should be happy days. Anyone got any experience of warranties on these or similar? Any good companies to recommend? Carshop are doing 3 month included site arrantly (not insurance based) but obvs the prices are higher. Or I could get the bow aftermarket warranty even though its pricey and theres no guarantee they'll pay out on it. Stuck... Buy at auction and use the savings to get a better warranty or just take the plunge and hope for the best?

Thanks!

[P700DEE]

I bought a 3 year old 90K 520 SE F11 and still have it now on 147K miles 6 years old in September. In that time it has had a DMF and hence clutch, and both the rear self leveling units have failed. It also had a n/s headlight control circuit board fail due to the cover falling off. Front discs and pads, rear pads twice and discs once. Other than that just standard servicing. Some will quote timing chain issues with N47 engine, the 2014/15 have most of the issues fixed but there is a question regarding chain failure. My Indy says he mainly sees thius on cars that do a lot of stop start motoring which puts more stress on the chain each time it re-starts.
I favour no warranty as getting them to pay out can be tough.
It's a nice place to be, eats the miles and is generally reliable.

[winshent]

Why not buy one with sub 60k mileage then good can get the BMW used car warranty at the preferential rate. No grief with trying to recover repair costs, just drop off at the dealer and pick it up when fixed.

[clockworks]

I bought an E61 525d auto on 94k miles at 5 years old. Ran it for 3 1/2 years and 35k miles. Sold it for £5k less than I paid.

2 sevices at an indy, new battery, tyres, pads and front discs, wiper linkage, tailgate glass microswitch and a relay for the air suspension.

Pretty cheap motoring for a big and comfy barge that averaged 40mpg.

[liamruairi]

winshent said:

Why not buy one with sub 60k mileage then good can get the BMW used car warranty at the preferential rate. No grief with trying to recover repair costs, just drop off at the dealer and pick it up when fixed.

This is exactly what I’d like to do but they seem to be 3k out of my budget! Or compromise on spec

[liamruairi]

clockworks said:

I bought an E61 525d auto on 94k miles at 5 years old. Ran it for 3 1/2 years and 35k miles. Sold it for £5k less than I paid.

2 sevices at an indy, new battery, tyres, pads and front discs, wiper linkage, tailgate glass microswitch and a relay for the air suspension.

Pretty cheap motoring for a big and comfy barge that averaged 40mpg.

That’s good. Kind of what I was expecting. I really want a 2014 or late 2013 as there was a remodel in 13’ which addresses some issues I believe. The 2012’s and older go for a lot less now