WTB BMW 520d touring 14/15 reg

[kokolino23]

Hello,
I'm looking to buy a BMW 520d touring 14/15 reg with decent mileage, ideally M+.
I've got a budget of 14k cash and apparently January is a good month for finding good deals. I had a look on the usual sites (autotrader, ebay, car gurus, gumtree) and I came across some cars but I'm not in a rush.
Am I optimistic with my expectations?
Any advice, please?
Thanks a lot

Hmm...Just read on another thread that I might be better off buying the car on finance then clear it off after a few days. Still to find a good deal though...

Edited by kokolino23 on Tuesday 8th January 22:35

[Blanchimont]

Buying on finance is rarely cheaper on second hand cars. I suspect that'll be for new cars.

There's no real best time to buy a car, if you've found a couple you like, just go and have a look. The deal you'll get won't fluctuate much regardless of time, really.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say you need to get a 2015 car so you clear any ULEZ areas that will no doubt appear around the country finding an M Sport will be the hard part:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[kokolino23]

@ZX10R NIN - Thank you!

[Maccles]

Also, be aware of the N47 timing chain issue (google it). At your price point, you might be able to find a car with the B47 engine, which replaced the N47 and doesn't seem to have the same problem. The easiest way to tell which engine is fitted is to look at the bhp (this is listed in most Autotrader adverts under 'economy and performance') - the B47 engine has 190bhp whereas the N47 has 184bhp.

Of the cars ZX10R linked to, the luxury has the B47 and the M-Sport has the N47.

BMW seem to think this isn't an issue with later N47 engines but I wouldn't believe them - they barely acknowledged the problem with the N47 engine despite quite widespread problems with it.

[dwol]

The 5 series changed to euro 6 in july 13 so anything from then will be ok for the ulez areas. I bought a 525d touring on a 63 last october as I couldnt afford a low mileage 6 cylinder euro 6 for my 12.5k budget, worth a look if you fancy a bit more power using only slightly more fuel than the 520d.

[kokolino23]

Thank you so much for your replies, really appreciated!
Can I ask what's the difference between a luxury, modern and M sport, please? Different package obviously but in terms of driving, suspensions, seats (lumbar support), adaptive dampers, stability control, tyres (19" or 18"), etc ? What should I look for?
Is the pro satnav really a bonus apart of the bigger screen?
What would be a decent mileage for a 64/65 reg? Is 80k-100k too much considering that most probably was done on the motorway?
Just a handful of private sales though, most of the cars are available through garages (not a bad thing) and I suspect ex-leasing.
Cheers

Edited by kokolino23 on Thursday 10th January 00:20

[Croutons]

Google a review, tells you all about the trim level differences...


https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/5-series-...

[kokolino23]

Is the "upgrade" from SE to luxury or M sport really worth it? The engine is the same, innit?
I'd guess is down to the preferences at the end of the day but hopefully I'm wrong.
Also, what's the benefit having a touring instead of a saloon? Boot height and capacity but then again, the rest of the car is the same ?!
Please excuse my ignorance.
Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

Only you can answer those questions really, the spec question on how much sepc you want if an SE is okay with you then buy one & it's the same with the saloon/estate question, your usage will dictate which suits you best,

[Car-Matt]

Maccles said:

Also, be aware of the N47 timing chain issue (google it). At your price point, you might be able to find a car with the B47 engine, which replaced the N47 and doesn't seem to have the same problem. The easiest way to tell which engine is fitted is to look at the bhp (this is listed in most Autotrader adverts under 'economy and performance') - the B47 engine has 190bhp whereas the N47 has 184bhp.

Of the cars ZX10R linked to, the luxury has the B47 and the M-Sport has the N47.

BMW seem to think this isn't an issue with later N47 engines but I wouldn't believe them - they barely acknowledged the problem with the N47 engine despite quite widespread problems with it.

Im running a 2011 320d N47 and its been serviced regularly and has just quietly ticked past 120k miles

[Maccles]

Whilst one car has made it to 120k miles (not a particularly high mileage) without failing, there are countless examples of N47s in cars registered right up to 2015 that succumbed to this problem, reported on Internet forums and owners reviews. Whereas the B47 doesn’t yet seem prone to this. Given that the OP could find a car that meets his budget and requirements and has the later engine, I’d say it was a no-brainer to hold out for a car with a B47.

[Car-Matt]

Maccles said:

Whilst one car has made it to 120k miles (not a particularly high mileage) without failing, there are countless examples of N47s in cars registered right up to 2015 that succumbed to this problem, reported on Internet forums and owners reviews. Whereas the B47 doesn’t yet seem prone to this. Given that the OP could find a car that meets his budget and requirements and has the later engine, I’d say it was a no-brainer to hold out for a car with a B47.

The usual internet hysteria....I remember when the internet claimed Mk3 Mondeo Diesels where unreliable junk too

Yes there's a problem, but really how big is it.......

Unless i knew exactly how many properly serviced unabused cars failed compared to how many were sold then its anecdotal . In my line of work we refer to it as Anecdata

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd not call it hysteria in this case but a well proven issue I have seen a lot of those cars which have suffered with this my friend who is a independent BMW Specialist always has 2-3 of these in every week with this issue.

[Car-Matt]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd not call it hysteria in this case but a well proven issue I have seen a lot of those cars which have suffered with this my friend who is a independent BMW Specialist always has 2-3 of these in every week with this issue.

As I said, Anecdata :-)

[kokolino23]

Still looking for one, I've missed already a couple...
Can I ask if there are any other good alternatives to 520d?
Or if you know a site where I can put the reg number and find out if the BMW has b47 or n47 engine, please?
I think they were made after September 2014 but I'm not too sure about that.
Thanks a lot

[P700DEE]

You don't say where you live! I bought mine from Big Motoring World, currently they have 28 5 series Touring. They are a Car Supermarket and don't discount etc. push warranty and sales people know little about the cars. Do your research on line, service history etc. is all there. I checked the glove compartment and found the old owners details etc. and conformation of mileage. Google reviews are either 5* or 1*
https://www.bigmotoringworld.co.uk/

[SteBrown91]

kokolino23 said:

Still looking for one, I've missed already a couple...
Can I ask if there are any other good alternatives to 520d?
Or if you know a site where I can put the reg number and find out if the BMW has b47 or n47 engine, please?
I think they were made after September 2014 but I'm not too sure about that.
Thanks a lot

Not being funny but what are you playing at? There are literally hundreds for sale in your age bracket and within a 25 mile radius of my house (near derby) there are 78 for sale on auto trader

Unless you have a specific spec in mind it should be easy

[Sir Bagalot]

P700DEE said:

I bought mine from Big Motoring World

Google reviews are either 5* or 1*

Where Big Motoring World are concerned I think it's safe to say that employees did the 5* reviews.

A place to avoid at all costs.

[joropug]

Tried to pm you, but your profile doesn't allow.

I have a 2013 63 plate 320d on 58k for sale at the moment if interested. £10,495

My friend and dad both have 520d,the 3 is a lot better on fuel and more spritely.

It has split fold seats too so good for load lugging.

It's a very honest car , for sale on pistonheads and other sites. If you want any info or general BMW help let me know I've had my fair share.

I spoke to my local specialist before embarking on an N47 purchase and he said so long as it's serviced properly the later cars just do not have issues like the older ones. As such I service mine every year rather than every two years!

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...