Which 5-Series for 12k

[matt21]

Whats the best buy out of these two for the following:

3yrs, 60,000 miles. 60 mile daily commute.
Reliability, economy together with performance, luxury and comfort are key.
Long motorway journeys every other week.

Dec 2005 BMW 530d M Sport manual - 75k
June 2007 BMW 525d SE manual - 65k Facelifted and a few more toys.

Both same price, both absolutely mint, FBMWSH etc, both 12k.

Guess the trade off is a newer cars with a better ride, few more toys and less miles for a car thats nicer looking and quicker.

What would you go for?

[outnumbered]

An automatic... any particular reason you're after a manual car ?

Edited by outnumbered on Thursday 30th September 23:09

[matt21]

outnumbered said:

An automatic... any particular reason you're after a manual car ?

Edited by outnumbered on Thursday 30th September 23:09

Nope. Just slightly better economy and better price. And the two I have come across (without even looking) are manual.

Currently drive a 2000 530iA SE with 172k which I love, but worried about a big bill around the corner...

[S800VXR]

matt21 said:

Whats the best buy out of these two for the following:

3yrs, 60,000 miles. 60 mile daily commute.
Reliability, economy together with performance, luxury and comfort are key.
Long motorway journeys every other week.

Dec 2005 BMW 530d M Sport manual - 75k
June 2007 BMW 525d SE manual - 65k Facelifted and a few more toys.

Both same price, both absolutely mint, FBMWSH etc, both 12k.

Guess the trade off is a newer cars with a better ride, few more toys and less miles for a car thats nicer looking and quicker.

What would you go for?

Both will eat what you want them to do but id say the 525se would make a more comforatable ride as the sport setup is quite firm. Personal preference would be the 530 as on looks alone its much nicer on the eye.

[Hammerhead]

Think I'd go for the facelifted car if it were my money. The interior is much, much better for starters & you're going to be spending a fair amount of time inside it.

[outnumbered]

I'd also go for the later car as the interiors did improve, the i-Drive is better, etc. The post-facelift engines are also more economical. Our pre-facelift 525d only averages 26-27mpg in mixed use.

I still think the diesel engines favour an autobox much more than a manual, and manual 5ers above the 520 level are actually pretty rare in my experience, but as long as the car is cheaper to start with, you shouldn't lose out at resale.

Edited by outnumbered on Friday 1st October 10:20

[matt21]

Hammerhead said:

Think I'd go for the facelifted car if it were my money. The interior is much, much better for starters & you're going to be spending a fair amount of time inside it.

how are they much, much better?

[matt21]

And am I mad to purchase either instead of my 2000 530i (172k!)

[Hammerhead]

matt21 said:

Hammerhead said:

Think I'd go for the facelifted car if it were my money. The interior is much, much better for starters & you're going to be spending a fair amount of time inside it.

how are they much, much better?

Google images is your friend if you can't compare the two side by side. Materials used look and feel much better IMHO.

[Barton]

I'd spend a tiny bit more and get a 530i Sport auto with 49k, much nicer engine but still over 30 mpg on a run

There may be one that's gone on PH classifieds this afternoon........

Edited by Barton on Friday 1st October 15:58

[Fox-]

matt21 said:

Hammerhead said:

Think I'd go for the facelifted car if it were my money. The interior is much, much better for starters & you're going to be spending a fair amount of time inside it.

how are they much, much better?

Have a google for the BMW LCI Changes document. They made a number of subtle interior changes which, when combine, make a suprising amount of difference. The biggest difference is the new door cards which no longer look like an unfortunate accident with a set square and look far far better. They've also increase the quality of the materials used to, and I quote, 'give a more premium look an feel'. It now feels like a 5 Series ought to, the pre LCI E60 is imho under par.

I wouldnt buy any pre LCI E60 myself therefore the 525d SE in this thread would win.

Frankly though I'd buy neither - upgrade the E39 to a decent E60 LCI - without a compromised specification - or dont bother. You'll regret the wrong E60.

[matt21]

Fox- said:

matt21 said:

Hammerhead said:

Think I'd go for the facelifted car if it were my money. The interior is much, much better for starters & you're going to be spending a fair amount of time inside it.

how are they much, much better?

Have a google for the BMW LCI Changes document. They made a number of subtle interior changes which, when combine, make a suprising amount of difference. The biggest difference is the new door cards which no longer look like an unfortunate accident with a set square and look far far better. They've also increase the quality of the materials used to, and I quote, 'give a more premium look an feel'. It now feels like a 5 Series ought to, the pre LCI E60 is imho under par.

I wouldnt buy any pre LCI E60 myself therefore the 525d SE in this thread would win.

Frankly though I'd buy neither - upgrade the E39 to a decent E60 LCI - without a compromised specification - or dont bother. You'll regret the wrong E60.

Thanks what I am thinking and LOVE the E39 but starting to become scared something big will go wrong.

And my CD/radio keeps intermittently cutting out, which bizarre as it sounds, is driving me insane!

[miniman]

That will almost certainly be the ignition switch, which is a £30 / 20 minute fix. If I had £12k to spend, I'd put £2k aside to maintain the E39, buy a nice Chim for £8k and have a decent holiday.

[matt21]

miniman said:

That will almost certainly be the ignition switch, which is a £30 / 20 minute fix. If I had £12k to spend, I'd put £2k aside to maintain the E39, buy a nice Chim for £8k and have a decent holiday.

Tell me more on ignition switch....?

I heard it could be resoldering needed on the BM24 sound system.

I have a Integra Type R in the garage so no need for a Chim, at present!

Don't have 12k burning a hole in my pocket, just concerned there could be a mammoth bill around the corner on the E39 along the lines of cooling system / gearbox etc.

[miniman]

It causes all sorts of weird electrical gremlins. Mine caused:

- wipers failing
- stereo failing
- horn failing
- bulb warnings when they were fine
- windows failing

The other electrical thing that will need doing eventually is the clock spring cable between the steering column and wheel, it will cause airbag and multi function wheel failures.