BMW 5 Series - need information

Noxis · 9 May 2006 at 16:55

Ok in approx 6 months I will be looking to get a new car that is cheaper, will reduce my debt (to buy a bigger house) will be a family saloon and not expensive to maintain.

Because of our resident Fox I am seriously thinking of doing about £10k on a 5 series, now really REALLY how much is this going to cost to service/MOT/tax run in general. This is compared to a RX8 which averages 18mpg service is around £120 and doesnt require MOT coz its too new. I do have a debt to the bank for it tho at £300 a month.

I dont do much driving at all, commuting via train to central london daily. Its only used for the weekend shop and the odd visits to various members of family 100+ miles away.

Ninja Edit:

Oh it must be at least 4 door (will be carrying my kids when I eventually get some), have a spanky interior and I dont mind diesels.

Noxis · 9 May 2006 at 18:02

Thanks for the info Nick... I am sure i have seen those BMW pics somewhere before

Beepcake said:
If you don't do many miles then i'd probably advise the petrol over the diesel, as the diesels carry a price premium. A 530i would be plenty fast enough for most people, and there are plenty of toys available on them if that floats your boat.

Then all you need is a fake M5 badge like me

Lol yea there is a well nice 5 series on Pistonheads... except its got a M5 badge! GRR.. I wonder if you can demand it is removed without a trace before buying?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/76982.htm

However this REAL M5 looks very nice for its price :eek:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/77247.htm

Gotta be something wrong with it :confused:

Noxis · 10 May 2006 at 10:00

Information overload :eek:

Thanks Fox and others

Even tho I am not buying right this second, there seem to be bargains knocking around to my untrained eye, saw this one:

http://www.bigmotoringworld.co.uk/1742.asp

My only issue would be asking them to change the alloys before I would buy it.

Noxis · 10 May 2006 at 14:00

Kingy said:
Lower likelyhood of needing major repair work done to the car, and not having to rely on 'some muppet on Ebay' to sell the car.

I get the motorway mileage argument, but I don't understand what a 5 newer than 2002/2003 E39 530i gives you that a facelifted earlier model doesn't.

Granted it's not something that applyies to all cars, because some manufacturers regularly change the spec, so a later model means more kit etc, but AFAIK BMW didn't do this?

There is a prestige thing with having a younger car - personally I dont want a car that has the old style plates, petty and small minded I know but its just a *thing* I have (like I will never buy a Ford, or French car).

Noxis · 10 May 2006 at 14:18

Kingy said:
You're prepared to throw a couple of grand away so that the number plate is newer?

The car is prestigous in itself because it's damn good.

Your money and all that, but it's something I could never do...

Strange I know

I dont deny it I just feel that a Y reg is percieved as being a heck of a lot older than a 51 plate.

Noxis · 10 May 2006 at 14:27

So Fox you would advise a 530i minimum as a 520 is under powered slightly?

Noxis · 10 May 2006 at 19:44

Von Smallhausen said:
Each to their own Noxis, but does it have to be a Beamer for 10k ?

I don't doubt the credentials of the 5 Series, they are one of the best pound for pound cars in the world, but if I had 10k to spend on the type of motor you want, I would be inclined to stay German but go Audi.

While I will no doubt incur the wrath of some here, maybe many, I just think that BMW's in general are overhyped and overpriced. Don't get me wrong, as I said above I don't doubt them technically and money permitting I would have an M5 on the drive, but lower end I think there are a lot better cars for less money.

Just my tuppence worth anyway. Enjoy whatever you buy.

Hey Von, didnt know you trawled the murky depths of these 'ere Motor parts

I have of course considered an Audi, I am the first to admit I am a very cosmetic person and the look of the Audi just doesnt appeal to me. The A4 shell just looks v.dated now, although I like the 2005 facelift this is not a factor for a 10k car. I bought the RX8 purely on looks (the fact that its 230bhp and goes like **** off a shovel round corners and I can say I have a Wankel engine at dinner parties was just the icing

).

Honestly the laid back saloon relaxed meatyness of the 5 series really appeals to me. A mate at work has a very nice S4 tuned to nearlly 400bhp (3 or 4 years old I think it is). I dont really like the inside that much - infact not nearlly as much as the Rex inside, which considering its German Saloon vs Jap Ricer is surprising I know.

I have simply liked what I have seen of the 5 series and cannot say the same for the A4.

Noxis · 11 May 2006 at 20:02

Yea I was gonna ask this, there is a large dealer (read: stealer) down the road from me (South Croydon / Purley area).

Was wondering firstly what sort of trade in i'd get for my RX8, for example if i went for a £10k car there would they give me a £3k - £5k cheque.

Also is it likely i'd get ripped off getting from there or does a proper BMW dealer with warrenty etc out weigh that?

Noxis · 13 May 2006 at 17:35

wakey99999 said:
I went from an RX8 to a 330d and to be honest I miss the fun of the RX8. Don't get me wrong I like the 330d (I'd have to I have done 20,000 miles since August in it and its saved me soo much money 20mpg against 40 mpg) but it doesn't have the smiles per miles of the RX8.

I am getting itchy feet again and feel a new car should come a long soon but money issues are are stopping me so I think a remap to 260BHP will have to suffice for the moment.

I don't want to put you off getting a 330d (or even a 530d) because they are fantastic cars but it just doesn't have the same drivability as the RX8. If you enjoy the feel of the power and the road presence of the RX8 you will be disappointed by the Beemer.

But if money is your motivator that go for the beemer and you won't regret.

Regard part-ex, mine was a 53 plate 230 with leather and I got 15,250 for it when it was 20 months old with 25,000 on the clock. I didn't think that was too bad as my sisters boyfriends works for a larger car chain in Essex and they only managed to get 15,000 for a similar spec (with sat nav) in an auction.

Cheers

Steve

Edit

Forgot to add if you can get an ex-BMW management car then you will get a much better deal from a dealer. I got a 54 plate 330d sport 6 months old with 6k on the clock for 10 grand less then the new price.

Thanks for the info Wakey - was it a BMW dealer that gave you that trade in price? Mines a 230 Leather 04 plate thats done about 6500 miles.