Should I buy this 520d SE?

[donkeydavid]

I've been given the chance of a 520d SE with leather, nav, 6-CD, dual-zone climate, 17-inch 5-spoke alloys, phone prep etc in September. Dark blue metallic with cream interior (bit old-man but OK). It is a Feb '08 57-plate and will have 72k on clock by then. Almost all motorway driving at no more than 80 mph by an extremely careful relative. Car is immaculate. Serviced as per schedule. It's on a lease deal and BMW have asked for £11,700 for it in September so I can get it for that. Must say I am tempted but have never owned a BMW and dibblydobbler says it's time to get a 'proper car'. The price seems good to me but what is this car going to cost me soon? It's on original pads and discs so surely they will go soon (computer says pads in 20k miles). When is timing belt due and what will that cost? It will need a service as soon as I get it (convenient for seller or what?) so how much? Any advice on pitfalls would be much appreciated.

[amir_j]

I'm keeping an eye on these with a view to buying when M Sport 57 plates are down to £15k. Been reading up and nothing major goes wrong (generally).

Car sounds a good spec (has it got parking sensors though) and price seems generous considering nav & leather.

Remember that the new model SE is out so many will be upgrading- if you don't 'need' it now then will only ever be cheaper.

Edited by amir_j on Monday 12th April 20:39

[donkeydavid]

Cheers amir. Yes, it has front and rear parking sensors. I don't know what the basic spec is but this car seems to have everything I could want. Dealers seem to be asking about £15995 for them so this seems good given I know history. No warranty of course (apart from remaining five months)........

[amir_j]

have you driven it?

[donkeydavid]

Yes - drove it yesterday. Feels absolutely fine to me. Anything I should have been looking out for?

[DavidHM]

If that car were an 07 now... I'd jump at it.

Obviously prices could head south very fast, like they did in 2008, but in today's market, I'd be very, very interested at that money, as long as it's affordable for you, etc. It's got unusually good spec for a 520d, and even the beige leather is fine, although I'd prefer it to have piano black trim rather than the silver plastic it probably has.

[amir_j]

DavidHM said:

If that car were an 07 now... I'd jump at it.

Obviously prices could head south very fast, like they did in 2008, but in today's market, I'd be very, very interested at that money, as long as it's affordable for you, etc. It's got unusually good spec for a 520d, and even the beige leather is fine, although I'd prefer it to have piano black trim rather than the silver plastic it probably has.

Agree will head south as all the company leases run out and with the new shape. In op's favour is that its (arguably) best in class, spec as you say is good and both facelift and LCI although don't know how popular blue is. Also mileage at 72k is unlikely to be past 100k when op sells (guessing) which will make things easier.

I suspect interior will be wood if beige + dark blue + older owner.

Op- as you have balance of manufacturers warranty which is the most comprehensive irrc , make sure its looked at in detail by a specialist prior to it running out to sort anything out. Also browse some BMW forums to ask advise/spot any issues as nothing springs to mind.

Edit to say- guessing on runflats? if so check out the tread as not sure how much they cost to replace.

Edited by amir_j on Monday 12th April 21:19

[dibbly dobbler]

Hoi - don't blame me !

You didn't say whether it was auto or manual David ?

Don't think they have a timing belt so no worries there (speak up somebody if I'm wrong here). Other than that you're just looking at standard consumables - it's going to be a bit more than your current beast ( a dog's a beast isn't it ?) but nothing ridiculous.

Go for it !

[donkeydavid]

Thanks everyone. Yes amir - it has indeed got wood trim but it's not as hideous as I expected it to look. You say 'older owner' - well, he is 50 so I suppose that's true but not yet pipe and slippers material! It has runflats - all OK at present but could be well down by September. It's a manual, dibblydobbler. I told him he should have piano black or something like that but he disagrees. Runflats are about £250 each - ouch! Can I put standard tyres on those wheels? Dibbly dobbler should know that as he's a tyre expert these days

[Mr E Driver]

Ditch the runflats, proper tyres and get some tyreweld and a compressor, then your sorted.

[dcb]

donkeydavid said:

Must say I am tempted but have never owned a BMW and dibblydobbler says it's time to get a 'proper car'.

+1

The image and the marketing of BMW are atrocious, but once
you get past that, they tend to be very good cars.

Have you owned many German or Japanese cars before ?
It's not an Alfa Romeo.

donkeydavid said:

When is timing belt due and what will that cost?

Noddy error - BMWs have chains, not belts, for better reliability.

donkeydavid said:

It will need a service as soon as I get it (convenient for seller or what?) so how much?

Dunno - you don't tell us if it's Oil Service, Inspection 1
or Inspection 2.

donkeydavid said:

Any advice on pitfalls would be much appreciated.

Two year old BMW with 72K on, i.e. not yet run in.
It's got ten plus years of life left in it.

If the price is right, fill your boots would be my advice.

[dibbly dobbler]

Mr E Driver said:

Ditch the runflats, proper tyres and get some tyreweld and a compressor, then your sorted.

^^^ This

[AB]

I'm struggling the concept that it is April and you are talking about the chance to buy a car in September at a given price. There's no point asking what to look out for now, or test driving it yesterday, surely?

[donkeydavid]

I get what you're saying, AB, but for some reason BMW has written to my brother-in-law saying that the price will be £11700 on 1 September. I suspect this may change (hopefully not up)and he thinks they are just trying to tempt him in to sign up for a new deal. Yes, I drove it on Sunday and things could go wrong before September but I can be sure he will tell me if there are any issues by then - it makes no odds to him if I buy it or not after all. I'm just trying to work out if this could be a good deal or not.

[AB]

They are a decent drive, I'd always recommend a 6pot over the 4 but obviously this isn't an option.

Fantastically efficient for their size.

If you have the cash and the price at the time is sensible then go for it.

[Pickled Piper]

amir_j said:

I'm keeping an eye on these with a view to buying when M Sport 57 plates are down to £15k.

Edited by amir_j on Monday 12th April 20:39

Same here. £15K is my magic number. I may also go for an estate.

pp

[donkeydavid]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'll check with my local BMW garage as to what could be needing done at around 70k miles. Must say at the moment I'll go for it!