5 series touring buying advice please
Discussion
Looking for a good size estate car and I’ve never owned a BM before so could you help me out with what to look for please, it’s advertised as,,
BMW 5 Series 2.0 520d M Sport Touring 5dr Diesel Automatic (133 g/km, 184 bhp)
It’s done 110k miles
What should I be looking for on these, engine wise are they bulletproof with regular services.
What BMW code are they known as, is things like E62 E46 etc.
Can you fit normal tyres to run flat wheels?
Anything else I should know before viewing?
BMW 5 Series 2.0 520d M Sport Touring 5dr Diesel Automatic (133 g/km, 184 bhp)
It’s done 110k miles
What should I be looking for on these, engine wise are they bulletproof with regular services.
What BMW code are they known as, is things like E62 E46 etc.
Can you fit normal tyres to run flat wheels?
Anything else I should know before viewing?
What model year is it?
I understand it is possible to fit normal tyres in place of run flats without swapping the wheels themselves.
If it is auto, bbudget for a transmission service. BMW say fill for life, however by "life" they mean "warranty period". ZF manufacture the automatic transmissions and state a service interval (fluid and filter) every 60,000-80,000 miles.
BMW standard oil change interval recommendations can be quite long (15,000+ miles) but it's far better if they are performed every 10,000 / 12 months.
further edit: 2013 might be the N47 engine? They have been known to cause issues, but it's a later life-cycle car so hopefully things were remedied by that point. It'd be good to know what sort of repairs etc have been made outside of regular servicing. For all the scare stories about them, there are vastly more that dont run into issues.
I understand it is possible to fit normal tyres in place of run flats without swapping the wheels themselves.
If it is auto, bbudget for a transmission service. BMW say fill for life, however by "life" they mean "warranty period". ZF manufacture the automatic transmissions and state a service interval (fluid and filter) every 60,000-80,000 miles.
BMW standard oil change interval recommendations can be quite long (15,000+ miles) but it's far better if they are performed every 10,000 / 12 months.
further edit: 2013 might be the N47 engine? They have been known to cause issues, but it's a later life-cycle car so hopefully things were remedied by that point. It'd be good to know what sort of repairs etc have been made outside of regular servicing. For all the scare stories about them, there are vastly more that dont run into issues.
Edited by thatdude on Wednesday 1st July 09:06
Edited by thatdude on Wednesday 1st July 09:09
Ask Mr Petrol what he thinks of his Dad's 80-85k 2013 520!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
tight fart said:
I did see that post but hopefully that’s uncommon?
Called to view and it’s already sold.
I personally wouldn't touch a 520D, or any 4 pot diesel currentlyCalled to view and it’s already sold.
Edited by tight fart on Wednesday 1st July 10:13
Everyone I know has had issues with them including my father and father in law! Both cars (X3 and F10) under warranty too...
Thanks, but no thanks
I ran a March 2014 5 2.0d Touring I bought it 3 years old in 2017 27k miles one of the best cars ever. I have now bought a G30 2017 great cars. Swapping RF to normal tyres is no problem I always do it, just hate the ride on RF
As said mega mileage N47 engine Cars that have had the BMW two yearly service intervals are a gamble. Oil should be changed yearly
Paul
As said mega mileage N47 engine Cars that have had the BMW two yearly service intervals are a gamble. Oil should be changed yearly
Paul
Edited by hilly10 on Wednesday 1st July 13:22
I love my 320d ed. It's got a decent amount of power and torque and I can get 60+ mpg on a long run. I bought mine not knowing about the N47 timing chain problem but it only had 27k on it and had oil changes/services done more frequently than the recommended 18k intervals. I get an oil change every 9k miles so I'm hoping mine will be ok. I personally wouldn't buy a high mileage BMW knowing their reliability issues, although people I have spoken to have never had major problems..
I'm in the "good experience" camp too; I've had the N47 in a E90 320 ed, Mini Countryman Cooper SD ALL4 and now my F11 525d. The vast majority of them are rock solid, but admittedly, some aren't. Same for any car in my opinion, but it's the disgruntled minority that voice their concerns loudest.
My old 2010 320ed is still in the family & now on approx. 160,000 miles, My 2013 525d has 143,000 on it, and the Mini, although moved on, is on about 60,000 miles (2012 registered).
My old 2010 320ed is still in the family & now on approx. 160,000 miles, My 2013 525d has 143,000 on it, and the Mini, although moved on, is on about 60,000 miles (2012 registered).
110k on the original chain is bloody risky. At that mileage the turbo could be well past its best as well. Factor in £1000 for a chain replacement straight away and it should be OK. 'Should', not 'will' btw!
You will be replacing the chain, but before it breaks is preferable. Despite the various updates, the N47 was never fully cured of its chain ills.
You will be replacing the chain, but before it breaks is preferable. Despite the various updates, the N47 was never fully cured of its chain ills.
That is a late N47 engine, 2014 brought the LCI 5 series with the B47 engine.
The later engine is extremely refined for a 4cyl diesel, more like the N57 30d.
I had both at the same time for months, I bought the F11 520d for work and kept the 530d, but after a while realised I was using the 520d all the time so sold the 530d.
The LCI feels a much nicer car all round imho. plus you get things like xenons as standard on the lci. Plus it is Euro 6.
What price is that 2013?
The later engine is extremely refined for a 4cyl diesel, more like the N57 30d.
I had both at the same time for months, I bought the F11 520d for work and kept the 530d, but after a while realised I was using the 520d all the time so sold the 530d.
The LCI feels a much nicer car all round imho. plus you get things like xenons as standard on the lci. Plus it is Euro 6.
What price is that 2013?
Touring442 said:
110k on the original chain is bloody risky. At that mileage the turbo could be well past its best as well. Factor in £1000 for a chain replacement straight away and it should be OK. 'Should', not 'will' btw!
You will be replacing the chain, but before it breaks is preferable. Despite the various updates, the N47 was never fully cured of its chain ills.
Haha, god you spout some doom. You will be replacing the chain, but before it breaks is preferable. Despite the various updates, the N47 was never fully cured of its chain ills.
The failure rate is around 2% for the N47. And nearly non existent on the ZF8 autos after September 2011.
I know 2% is still a huge amount in the modern world, but I think we have to be a bit more realistic.
There are hundreds of thousands out there that have done 150k miles or more without issue.
Touring442 said:
110k on the original chain is bloody risky. At that mileage the turbo could be well past its best as well. Factor in £1000 for a chain replacement straight away and it should be OK. 'Should', not 'will' btw!
You will be replacing the chain, but before it breaks is preferable. Despite the various updates, the N47 was never fully cured of its chain ills.
When inspecting the camchain, what are the signs it needs replacment? Chain stretch? Any particular wear pattern? Damaged links?You will be replacing the chain, but before it breaks is preferable. Despite the various updates, the N47 was never fully cured of its chain ills.
Touring442 said:
110k on the original chain is bloody risky. At that mileage the turbo could be well past its best as well. Factor in £1000 for a chain replacement straight away and it should be OK. 'Should', not 'will' btw!
You will be replacing the chain, but before it breaks is preferable. Despite the various updates, the N47 was never fully cured of its chain ills.
FWIW to the OP, my wife has a 15 year old BMW 120d (I think it has the previous generation engine to the N47), and that had a replacement turbo only last year at 132,000 miles. It was the actuator that failed, so only a component of the turbo, although the turbo had been whistling for...a long time. Years, I think. You will be replacing the chain, but before it breaks is preferable. Despite the various updates, the N47 was never fully cured of its chain ills.
I think it would be a fine prospect to buy such a car, just bear in mind that it might need some preventative services (transmission being one of them) but to be honest you can buy any car at that mileage and either get lucky or get a goose.
Edited by thatdude on Thursday 2nd July 08:09
I did mention above that it sold before I got to view it.
Just for info this was the car.
https://www.tradedirectcarsessex.co.uk/used-cars/b...
Just for info this was the car.
https://www.tradedirectcarsessex.co.uk/used-cars/b...
tight fart said:
I did mention above that it sold before I got to view it.
Just for info this was the car.
https://www.tradedirectcarsessex.co.uk/used-cars/b...
yeah I saw that, shame as it wouldn have been good. But in general if you find another similar one with a good service history then dont wory too much about the "what ifs", because at that mileage you'll have "what ifs" for any car. Buy on condition I guess. Just for info this was the car.
https://www.tradedirectcarsessex.co.uk/used-cars/b...
That seems expensive?!
No pro nav, no dab, no xenons.
I guess you are paying for the performance side skirts and and that funny lip?
I sold my 64 plate LCI with 90k on it for £8750 recently. It was immaculate, and had a complete suspension overhaul at 80k miles so felt like a brand new car.
I just got hold off a 61 plate m-sport with pro nav, xenons, hifi and 96k miles on it for a mate for £7000.
It seems prices at the moment are very high. I would give it a few weeks, pre lci cars will be back at £7-8k for 100k milers.
No pro nav, no dab, no xenons.
I guess you are paying for the performance side skirts and and that funny lip?
I sold my 64 plate LCI with 90k on it for £8750 recently. It was immaculate, and had a complete suspension overhaul at 80k miles so felt like a brand new car.
I just got hold off a 61 plate m-sport with pro nav, xenons, hifi and 96k miles on it for a mate for £7000.
It seems prices at the moment are very high. I would give it a few weeks, pre lci cars will be back at £7-8k for 100k milers.
tight fart said:
Looking for a good size estate car and I’ve never owned a BM before so could you help me out with what to look for please, it’s advertised as,,
BMW 5 Series 2.0 520d M Sport Touring 5dr Diesel Automatic (133 g/km, 184 bhp)
It’s done 110k miles
What should I be looking for on these, engine wise are they bulletproof with regular services.
What BMW code are they known as, is things like E62 E46 etc.
Can you fit normal tyres to run flat wheels?
Anything else I should know before viewing?
Sounds ok except for one detail?BMW 5 Series 2.0 520d M Sport Touring 5dr Diesel Automatic (133 g/km, 184 bhp)
It’s done 110k miles
What should I be looking for on these, engine wise are they bulletproof with regular services.
What BMW code are they known as, is things like E62 E46 etc.
Can you fit normal tyres to run flat wheels?
Anything else I should know before viewing?
You don't mind if I point it out? Good.
Can you get that car in the Mercedes-Benz E Class Estate version? The n it would be spot on.
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