Would you buy this?

HarryPainful

HarryPainful

HarryPainful

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Spotted a 51, 520i (2.2L) SE near me with 142000 on the clock, 1 previous owner and full BMW service history.

It looks immaculate in the flesh, i am planning a test drive later this week.

Its up for 3k which seems ok for the age/mileage.

I'm looking at it as a mile muncher, yeah a diesel would be better, but as I said, this I just spotted and I am interested to know more.

What to lookout for?

Any questions I should be asking regarding this car?

Or should i just keep looking?

Thanks guys.
 
That's a lot of money (up-front and running) for such a car, you'd be paying for the refinement and the gadgets TBH. I think there's more suitable mile munchers from other brands. Mondy/Mazda 6.
 
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Seems pretty poor value to me, I always thought the smaller petrol engine non Sport E39's were a lot cheaper. I suppose 1 owner and full BMWSH is good though.
 
I'd have it over a 9-5 - it's actually built properly for a start, with the exception of engine power (Though not refinement as it's still got that brilliant Straight Six) it is better than a 9-5 in every possible way.

Sadly though it's nearly 9 years old and will therefore chuck bills at you. I guess only you can decide whether thats worth it, or not.

Ignoring the obvious cost implications of such a car, it is a better mileage muncher than any Mondeo or Mazda6 let alone one for under £3k.
 
Have you actually driven a circa 2004 Saab 9-5?

I only ask because i cant for the life of me see this bad build quality you go on about.
 
Absolutely - I took a 2003 9-5 out before I got my E39, as they were at the same similar money :)

It's not 'bad' like a Vectra would be, but it's not an E39 5 Series in there, either.
 
HarryPainful said:
What sort of money do you think this should be worthy?

I plan on asking if any warranty with be with it, even if it's just a few months worth.
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If it is from a proper garage then you are protected by trading laws which basically say for the first 6 months if anything goes wrong the garage either has to prove you broke it, or fix it. As it's usually impossible to prove how something broke they'll have to fix it - expect a bit of a nightmare though getting a garage to fix every single problem with a car of that age and mileage.

I always thought these were worth more like £2k than £3k?
 
£2k? £2k normally buys you a tidy prefacelift one let alone a nice facelift model. 'Immaculate' 1 owner facelift E39's are very rare these days. £2k is its TRADE value let alone forecourt price!

If its in good nick I don't see why you wouldnt pay £2.5-£3k for it. If you are that bothered about how many few hundred quid 'well priced' it is buy something else anyway as it'll eat that with the first breakdown anyway :p
 
[TW]Fox;17116858 said:
Absolutely - I took a 2003 9-5 out before I got my E39, as they were at the same similar money :)

It's not 'bad' like a Vectra would be, but it's not an E39 5 Series in there, either.
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No its not BMW build quality, i will concede that.

but compared with what this fella is thinking of buying 3k would get him a newer faster car with half the mileage.

Go on admit that much ;)
 
OP - Are you specifically after something to size and quality of a 5 series or did this just catch your eye as a potential cheap BMW?

Fox has shown over the years that his costs thousands to keep running and he probably has one of the best examples in the UK!
 
If you particularly want this model of car, this is a 'sensible' buy at this money but you must first ensure you want the 'baggage' that goes with buying a car like this thats 9 years old.

They are not unreliable, but every so often, you'll need to shell out cash.

Cost aside, they are fantastic cars. There is certainly nothing else I would buy for this side of £10k even, but thats because I'm a real fan of these cars and am happy that the associated costs are worth the ownership experience.
 
[TW]Fox;17116917 said:
If you particularly want this model of car, this is a 'sensible' buy at this money but you must first ensure you want the 'baggage' that goes with buying a car like this thats 9 years old.

They are not unreliable, but every so often, you'll need to shell out cash.

Cost aside, they are fantastic cars. There is certainly nothing else I would buy for this side of £10k even, but thats because I'm a real fan of these cars and am happy that the associated costs are worth the ownership experience.
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That's because yours is a mint, powerful top of the tree version of that car!

Not a 2.2 all be it 6 pot article.
 
No, I wouldnt buy this car.

Next question.

There are hundreds of thousands of better value cars than that for sale.
 
DiamondMark said:
That's because yours is a mint, powerful top of the tree version of that car!

Not a 2.2 all be it 6 pot article.
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To be fair the 2.2 offers the same experience as the 3.0 just... without the power. It's still silky smooth and wafty.

atpbx said:
There are hundreds of thousands of better value cars than that for sale.
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This, however, is absolutely 100% true. A good BMW is many things. Value for money is not one of them.
 
[TW]Fox;17117182 said:
To be fair the 2.2 offers the same experience as the 3.0 just... without the power. It's still silky smooth and wafty.
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Surely the dame cruising speed on the motorway is higher RPM in this car?
 
As much as I like old sheds, no I would not.

I could not justify my decision to buy a thoroughly 90s car when my money would buy me something actually designed this century, certainly not for a "Mile Muncher" and certainly not when the E39 in question is a 520i - Small engined barges in general make me a sad Panda :(.
 
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