Early E60/1 525i or 530i Sport Touring - Guide
Discussion
Looking to get a cheap enough weekend runabout.
Dont need a car to commute - but have a weird thing for estates
Early 525i and 530 touring seem to be reasonable cars, there seemed to be a lot of complaints when they first came on the scene (Although a lot was the styling not as nice as previous gen). Does this seem right?
What can I expect and what should I be aware of?
Is the difference in performance much? Will the longer estate feel garbage to drive?
Unfortunately I live in middle of nowhere and will probably have to travel quite a bit - so I need to do a bit of keyboard research first before checking some out
Dont need a car to commute - but have a weird thing for estates
Early 525i and 530 touring seem to be reasonable cars, there seemed to be a lot of complaints when they first came on the scene (Although a lot was the styling not as nice as previous gen). Does this seem right?
What can I expect and what should I be aware of?
Is the difference in performance much? Will the longer estate feel garbage to drive?
Unfortunately I live in middle of nowhere and will probably have to travel quite a bit - so I need to do a bit of keyboard research first before checking some out
Well according to Wiki they had the M54 engine from 2003 to 2005, then some time in 2005 they got the N52 engine.
What suits you might depend on what you've got/had and your expectations!
I had an E46 Compact with the 325i version of the M54 for 3 years and loved it, but it was heading towards some major work being needed so I sold it last February.
I replaced it with an E91 with the N52 325i engine and was pretty disappointed with it. It had high gearing and felt pretty "flat" in performance terms unless you revved the t*ts off it, whereas that wasn't a problem with my Compact - although that was a pre-facelift so only had a 5-speed box.
Anyway a couple of weeks ago I replaced my E91 325i with an E90 330i with the N52 - what a difference!
All manuals by the way.
If I was after an E60/61 I'd definitely prefer a 530i whichever generation of engine it had - but that may be because my weekend toy is an E86 Z4 Coupe with the 3 litre N52 engine.
What suits you might depend on what you've got/had and your expectations!
I had an E46 Compact with the 325i version of the M54 for 3 years and loved it, but it was heading towards some major work being needed so I sold it last February.
I replaced it with an E91 with the N52 325i engine and was pretty disappointed with it. It had high gearing and felt pretty "flat" in performance terms unless you revved the t*ts off it, whereas that wasn't a problem with my Compact - although that was a pre-facelift so only had a 5-speed box.
Anyway a couple of weeks ago I replaced my E91 325i with an E90 330i with the N52 - what a difference!
All manuals by the way.
If I was after an E60/61 I'd definitely prefer a 530i whichever generation of engine it had - but that may be because my weekend toy is an E86 Z4 Coupe with the 3 litre N52 engine.
I have a late 530i Touring.
As said above, check that everything in the tailgate works - the button for the rear screen hatch, heated rear screen, rear wash wipe, remote locking etc.
As to how it drives, it is no sports car but I think it drives quite well for something so big. I think it is quite common to move away from run flat tyres to improve ride comfort, and SEs more comfortable than M Sports.
As said above, check that everything in the tailgate works - the button for the rear screen hatch, heated rear screen, rear wash wipe, remote locking etc.
As to how it drives, it is no sports car but I think it drives quite well for something so big. I think it is quite common to move away from run flat tyres to improve ride comfort, and SEs more comfortable than M Sports.
Thanks for the tips all!
I havent owned anything like this - I mainly rent cars when I need to go places - but thats getting boring now
I seen one thats a 2005 N52 - from what people write generally the M54 was slightly more preferable the the N52, but more noticeable in the x25i versions rather than the slightly bigger x30i versions?
Is that a good generalisation? I dont see any major issues here but its getting a little long in the tooth 140k+ miles
- Unfortunately I cant get to see it for a couple of weeks, who would risk buying a car with only a remote AA inspection or similar??
I havent owned anything like this - I mainly rent cars when I need to go places - but thats getting boring now
I seen one thats a 2005 N52 - from what people write generally the M54 was slightly more preferable the the N52, but more noticeable in the x25i versions rather than the slightly bigger x30i versions?
Is that a good generalisation? I dont see any major issues here but its getting a little long in the tooth 140k+ miles
- Unfortunately I cant get to see it for a couple of weeks, who would risk buying a car with only a remote AA inspection or similar??
Wouldn't be against it - but a wee bit harder still to find.
My plan was based on budget really - I work away a lot and was looking for decent bang to buck for weekend use.
I only really settled on a BMW as I always kinda liked them and they are reliabl-ish!
The E60/1 still look quite decent for the age (as does the e39!)
My plan was based on budget really - I work away a lot and was looking for decent bang to buck for weekend use.
I only really settled on a BMW as I always kinda liked them and they are reliabl-ish!
The E60/1 still look quite decent for the age (as does the e39!)
kenam said:
Wouldn't be against it - but a wee bit harder still to find.
My plan was based on budget really - I work away a lot and was looking for decent bang to buck for weekend use.
I only really settled on a BMW as I always kinda liked them and they are reliabl-ish!
The E60/1 still look quite decent for the age (as does the e39!)
What’s your budget, that’d be handy to know?My plan was based on budget really - I work away a lot and was looking for decent bang to buck for weekend use.
I only really settled on a BMW as I always kinda liked them and they are reliabl-ish!
The E60/1 still look quite decent for the age (as does the e39!)
There are a few on eBay currently, worth looking on Autotrader, here and Gumtree too. Possibly the Facebook pages if you’re on there also
Are you after a weekend car, or a work horse?
Ideally under 5k.
Weekend car that I can fill with whatever I need to - might do a UK or French driving tour, bit of camping (Although probably I will do this exactly once and get Airbnb or Hotels the next time).
I would ideally go for a 325/330 coupe - but the space in the 5 is handy.
5k aint huge budget tho - so it will be an older car.
Weekend car that I can fill with whatever I need to - might do a UK or French driving tour, bit of camping (Although probably I will do this exactly once and get Airbnb or Hotels the next time).
I would ideally go for a 325/330 coupe - but the space in the 5 is handy.
5k aint huge budget tho - so it will be an older car.
kenam said:
Ideally under 5k.
Weekend car that I can fill with whatever I need to - might do a UK or French driving tour, bit of camping (Although probably I will do this exactly once and get Airbnb or Hotels the next time).
I would ideally go for a 325/330 coupe - but the space in the 5 is handy.
5k aint huge budget tho - so it will be an older car.
Well I bought my immaculate E39 530i touring jap import for around your budget, just covered 85k miles, so they’re out there Weekend car that I can fill with whatever I need to - might do a UK or French driving tour, bit of camping (Although probably I will do this exactly once and get Airbnb or Hotels the next time).
I would ideally go for a 325/330 coupe - but the space in the 5 is handy.
5k aint huge budget tho - so it will be an older car.
Ok, I’ve spent a fair whack sorting cooling & suspension, but I’m happy to do that due to the condition of the car, plus zero rust!However, with your budget, I’d be looking at this, quickly:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-BMW-530i-Auto-M-Sp...
Price is a bit cheeky imo, but they’re getting rarer & cash is king
kenam said:
Alright.. not too bad!
I do kinda prefer the e60 - but that looks pretty good - and I dont need to travel as much.
For me, when I was looking last time around (last year) I ruled out the E60s as they’re so plasticky inside & cheap feeling, whereas previous E39s just felt much better, they’re put together better, if that makes sense...?I do kinda prefer the e60 - but that looks pretty good - and I dont need to travel as much.
The numerous electrical gremlins that can haunt the E60 series put me off too, more so as the early ones have the M54 engine, just like the E39...
I run a 2006 525d Touring auto as a daily. On the 18 inch wheels and modern runflats the ride is nothing short of abysmal so go for 17's on non runflats, and carry an Ebay spare wheel in the boot with a jack/wheelbrace.
Mine was cheap (1800 quid) but tbh, I would avoid diesels and stick to your planned petrol. 525i or 530i (the 520i is crap) with the old M54 engine that is less prone to very expensive faults in old age - these cars are now cheap bangers and you want banger repair costs. Rear air suspension, tailgate wiring, CCC unit for the iDrive, avoid active steering like the plague and manuals are just horrible.
Tbh, a Mercedes E Class estate is a better bet, 04/05 onwards. They certainly ride much better and the Volvo V70 is an excellent old bus although I'd be wary of autos. The manuals drive well though.
The E60 interior is pretty awful but mine has the wood trim and black leather so it's not quite the '1993 Vauxhall Carlton' that the standard one is.
Mine was cheap (1800 quid) but tbh, I would avoid diesels and stick to your planned petrol. 525i or 530i (the 520i is crap) with the old M54 engine that is less prone to very expensive faults in old age - these cars are now cheap bangers and you want banger repair costs. Rear air suspension, tailgate wiring, CCC unit for the iDrive, avoid active steering like the plague and manuals are just horrible.
Tbh, a Mercedes E Class estate is a better bet, 04/05 onwards. They certainly ride much better and the Volvo V70 is an excellent old bus although I'd be wary of autos. The manuals drive well though.
The E60 interior is pretty awful but mine has the wood trim and black leather so it's not quite the '1993 Vauxhall Carlton' that the standard one is.
Edited by Touring442 on Thursday 25th April 08:31
I just px'd my 2005 530i M Sport Touring with Synter for an X5 40d. Reg is FP55 MFK. It was a good car but the age was starting to affect it.
Rear washer pipe split - has to strip the whole interior to replace it (I didn't both)
Headlight washer motor broke
CV joint failed
Coil packs started to fail
VANOS solenoids were on their way out, throwing up EML lights.
Oil leak from the crank case.
Starter motor failed and it cost me £450 to replace (just 2 weeks before I px'd it!!)
Various pipes in the engine started to split including the breathe pipe
PDC sensors failed
I wouldn't pay more than £4k for a good one with FSH and plenty of maintenance.
Rear washer pipe split - has to strip the whole interior to replace it (I didn't both)
Headlight washer motor broke
CV joint failed
Coil packs started to fail
VANOS solenoids were on their way out, throwing up EML lights.
Oil leak from the crank case.
Starter motor failed and it cost me £450 to replace (just 2 weeks before I px'd it!!)
Various pipes in the engine started to split including the breathe pipe
PDC sensors failed
I wouldn't pay more than £4k for a good one with FSH and plenty of maintenance.
Panthro said:
I just px'd my 2005 530i M Sport Touring with Synter for an X5 40d. Reg is FP55 MFK. It was a good car but the age was starting to affect it.
Rear washer pipe split - has to strip the whole interior to replace it (I didn't both)
Headlight washer motor broke
CV joint failed
Coil packs started to fail
VANOS solenoids were on their way out, throwing up EML lights.
Oil leak from the crank case.
Starter motor failed and it cost me £450 to replace (just 2 weeks before I px'd it!!)
Various pipes in the engine started to split including the breathe pipe
PDC sensors failed
I wouldn't pay more than £4k for a good one with FSH and plenty of maintenance.
This is the think - the age of cars creeps up unnoticed now. They don't rust away like they used to ands before you know it, an E60 was 15 years old and at the stage where it's all starting to get a bit needy. All cars are the same. I bought mine for a couple of grand, all it's worth to me. Talk of 4-5 grand E39's - thus even older - is alien to me. Rear washer pipe split - has to strip the whole interior to replace it (I didn't both)
Headlight washer motor broke
CV joint failed
Coil packs started to fail
VANOS solenoids were on their way out, throwing up EML lights.
Oil leak from the crank case.
Starter motor failed and it cost me £450 to replace (just 2 weeks before I px'd it!!)
Various pipes in the engine started to split including the breathe pipe
PDC sensors failed
I wouldn't pay more than £4k for a good one with FSH and plenty of maintenance.
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