E39 -- E60 a worthwhile proposition?

[pincher]

Whilst idly browsing through the Classifieds (anything to escape Strictly!), I came across this

Looks like a nice car but is it really worth almost £15K to trade-up to a car only 4 years newer than my E39 530i Sport. That car has only slightly fewer miles than mine too.

So, is the E60 *that* much better than an E39? I suspect I know the answer but was wondering what the aficionado's opinion was?

ETA - I am guessing that mine would only be worth about £5k on a trade-in.

Edited by pincher on Saturday 19th December 19:37

Edited by pincher on Saturday 19th December 19:52

[HarryW]

You and me both, my 39's a little older 528 touring and I've toyed with the idea but I just can't justify 14k+ for a newer numberplate.

[jamoor]

HarryW said:

You and me both, my 39's a little older 528 touring and I've toyed with the idea but I just can't justify 14k+ for a newer numberplate.

This, I have no real urge to change, it's just a little bit faster and that's about it!

[pincher]

This is the thing - the E39 really is a great car and probably one of the best value barges out there at the moment. Had mine for a couple of years, which is almost the longest I have owned a car. It does everything I need it to really well. It's comfortable, it's reasonably quick when you need it to be and it has a god sized boot.

I think I should put these thoughts out of my head. And stop looking at Range Rover Sports as well!

[StuB]

I was toying with a few options a couple of years ago and decided Test driving was the best policy. All I can say is if you're thinking about it, try one, you can only confirm your fears. For me, a test drive sold it to me, probably within 10 minutes too! I'd driven E39's before and I now drive an E60 530dSE, having put 65k on the clock so far.

As for the economics, your right, run your old car into the ground if it's the cost/benefit ratio that rates highly for you. I kept running an E36 328 way past 200k on that basis, but decided the bodywork was also getting a bit too tatty. Once I'd changed to an E46 320d (chipped), I realised that however good I thought the old car, the game had definitely moved on - a lot!

HTH

Stu

[rassi]

To the OP, that E60 530d is rather overpriced! And manual aircon, etc doesn't really make it scream "buy me". If you want to upgrade, then get an E39 M5 for £10K and call it a day.

[Neil.D]

rassi said:

If you want to upgrade, then get an E39 M5 for £10K and call it a day.

4

That, my friend, is sound advice

[sparkythecat]

Have a look at the thread I started last month on the same topic. The youtube video I found on there is well worth looking at.
linky

[Egbert Nobacon]

No no no !

Save your money, keep that E39 and buy one of these ....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1388165.htm

You know it makes sense !

Merry Christmas old chap, hope all is well.

[Fox-]

Try as I might I can't love the E60 enough for it to be a worthy upgrade from the E39. The F10, however, is a different story - a complete contrast to the E60 and I have strong levels of 'want' from Day 1.

I might look for an interim car in the meantime (M5's are tempting) but I'd really like to get hold of a 12-18 month old F10 M Sport once available.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

E60 545is seem great value at the moment.

[christer]

I went from an E39 540 to an E60 550MSport. The 550 makes the 540 feel sluggish not just in acceleration but also steering, brakes and almost every other driving dynamic. Whether its *worth* it or not depends on a lot of factors that are very subjective. Is it a better car? oh yes, much much better

p.s. that car on that link is BMW Approved style pricing at the very least!

[David111]

Hi just make sure to get a decent spec if you upgrade or you will either take a hit On re-sale or find the car hard to sell. Second hand toys cost little to get but boy do they make ownership more fun - leather, sound, satnav always good!!

[pincher]

Egbert Nobacon said:

No no no !

Save your money, keep that E39 and buy one of these ....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1388165.htm

You know it makes sense !

Merry Christmas old chap, hope all is well.

You might just be right, Sir! Need to stop looking at Touregs as well

A (belated) Merry Christmas to you too

[Pickled Piper]

I'm no expert but that E60 looks too pricey to me. I am sure you could get a similar car with less miles through the approved BMW scheme.

pp

[Welshbeef]

Honestly with the new 5 series out very soon it will be at that point we see the E60 start to come down.

Have to agree they really are sticking to £10k+ and the oldest are now near on 6 years old.

[pgilc1]

Welshbeef said:

Honestly with the new 5 series out very soon it will be at that point we see the E60 start to come down.

Have to agree they really are sticking to £10k+ and the oldest are now near on 6 years old.

I'm not so sure.

BMW have probably stopped making the e60 already - or will do very soon, so there'll be less stock around for registration in 2010. If typical BMW form is anything to go by, BMW will release the SE first followed about 6-9 months later by the M Sport. Initial cars on the road will be heavily spec'd SE launch cars, followed by factory order cars 2-3 months after that. There may also be limited engine choices at launch too.

This should maintain quite a healthy space between the last of the e60's and early f10s. For example, at the minute you can buy a 2 month old pre-reg 520d M Sport with NAV, leather and 19's for around £25K from a main dealers. I'd say the first of the F10's will probably be resold at near list price so maybe £32K.

THUS, i dont think we'll see much of a knock on effect. *maybe* a little bit on 2010 reg e60s, but not enough to impact cars that are 6 or 7 years old.

Also, you can now get sub 100K miles e60's for less than £7K. Granted, not the most desirable colour combo...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2009...

Heres a reasonable 530i with leather, NAV and an auto box for £7900

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2009...

And this one...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2009...