523SE - Is it worth it?

[Barreti]

Hi chaps,

In my search for a replacement opted out company car/daily runaround yesterday I came across this BMW 523SE tucked in the back corner of a non-BMW dealership which Mrs Barreti fell in love with immediately.

It's a 1997 with 92k and a full BMW service history. It has Alpina skirts on but isn't one and has been lowered.
It's comes with black leather, BMW Business CD with autochanger, PDC, aircon.
All the shutlines look good, the alloys are 18" and the fronts are perfect although one back one is a bit scuffed but the other is badly scuffed (kerbs I guess)
The Tyres are CEAT Tornado, which I admit I've never heard of, and look newish.

Now I know nothing at all about Beemers, so I need some advice please.

According to what I've been able to read since last night this is an E39 - is this right?

My old car was a Saab 900XS and I have been looking at Saab 9-3's as a replacement because they are wonderfully comfortable and very reliable (my 900 had 160k on it and only failed me once in 3years/60k with an aux drive belt failure)
So this is what the BMW would be up against. Can it cut it?

There's a bit of rust around the boot keyhole. Is this an indicator there could be tin worm issues and if so where else should I look?

Are there any other 'general' things I need to watch out for if I go back and test drive it?

I reckon I'd get it off him for £5k cash. Is it worth going for or should I go back to looking for a Saab?

Thanks for your help.
IanB

[JulianHJ]

Barreti said:

Hi chaps,

In my search for a replacement opted out company car/daily runaround yesterday I came across this BMW 523SE tucked in the back corner of a non-BMW dealership which Mrs Barreti fell in love with immediately.

It's a 1997 with 92k and a full BMW service history. It has Alpina skirts on but isn't one and has been lowered.
It's comes with black leather, BMW Business CD with autochanger, PDC, aircon.
All the shutlines look good, the alloys are 18" and the fronts are perfect although one back one is a bit scuffed but the other is badly scuffed (kerbs I guess)
The Tyres are CEAT Tornado, which I admit I've never heard of, and look newish.

Now I know nothing at all about Beemers, so I need some advice please.

According to what I've been able to read since last night this is an E39 - is this right?

My old car was a Saab 900XS and I have been looking at Saab 9-3's as a replacement because they are wonderfully comfortable and very reliable (my 900 had 160k on it and only failed me once in 3years/60k with an aux drive belt failure)
So this is what the BMW would be up against. Can it cut it?

There's a bit of rust around the boot keyhole. Is this an indicator there could be tin worm issues and if so where else should I look?

Are there any other 'general' things I need to watch out for if I go back and test drive it?

I reckon I'd get it off him for £5k cash. Is it worth going for or should I go back to looking for a Saab?

Thanks for your help.
IanB

I'm no expert, but I was looking around at similar last year. I'd hazard a guess that £5k might be on the high side. The alloys are E39 M5 style (most likely replicas). For that example I'd be more inclined to offer £4k-£4.5k, especially as it's got some rust.

[Mustard]

Far far too much money for a tarted up 97 523i (worth about £3k trade)

how about

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/180559.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/187520.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/176882.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/182678.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/171442.htm

Note: 528i's are no more thirsty or expensive to maintain and are better drive

[WindsorRob]

I'd echo the sentiment that 5k is way too much. I bought a Yr 2000 523 with the factory sport pack nearly three years ago, with 69k on the closk and paid £8500 - I reckon it's only worth 3k now with 131k on it. Hence a 97 albeit with 90 odd k miles is no way worth 5k.

A good place to try are the BCA BMW open group auctions - you would get a much newer motor for the same money.

[Vee]

1. Tyres are budget. It looks like the dealer has just picked up some smarter wheels with the cheapest tyres available and put them on to tidy it up.
Makes me wonder if there is anythign wrong with the suspension.

2. More importantly these cars suffered from the nikasil cylinder liners.
You should check that it has had a replacement engine or that there are no compression problems.

3. As already advised, £5k is way over the top for it.

[ec523]

You can have mine for 6k, tonnes more power remap miles better fuel economy....

[Barreti]

Well isn't that bloody typical. I bought a 320 about the same time as you posted that comment!
I suppose I'll find cars on every street corner now

Thats a really lovely looking motor EC523, it will sell in no time. Thanks for the offer and good luck with the sale.

[PherBoy]

Far far too much money for a tarted up 97 523i (worth about £3k trade)

[ec523]

Barreti said:

Well isn't that bloody typical. I bought a 320 about the same time as you posted that comment!
I suppose I'll find cars on every street corner now

Thats a really lovely looking motor EC523, it will sell in no time. Thanks for the offer and good luck with the sale.

thanks Barreti...but I am not selling really I still have not finished the mods on it. But when I do it will go on sale here on PH only....come to bimmerflex with your 320 and see what can be done a BMW...