So I need to push the button on a car this week really for daily use.
Fox if you don't mind, current 5 series, 30K to spend, any pointers?
Not fussed about colour, but nice spec etc would be great.
I bow to your knowledge on BMW, I am lost on the current models really.
It's a really bad time to buy as you know - you're going to get so little for your money even at £30k. I paid less than this for a 12 month old one, today you'd be lucky to get a decent 2018 car. Which is what you should look for, a decent 2018 car. I have spent a lot of time driving every model in the range except the 530e and the M5, and my thoughts are:
The 6 cylinder diesel is still the best model in the range for everyday use. There are risks attached to it regarding future treatment of diesel by government, but that is about the only downside. The car itself is quick enough, refined, very efficient and generally just exactly what you'd want from a 5 Series. The 520d is noticeably less refined but not significantly more fuel efficient, the 530i removes the diesel uncertainty but also removes some of the smoothness, 2 of the cylinders and some of the effortless feel. The 540i is brilliant but really just drives like the diesel whilst making a better noise and consuming 50% more fuel. A great engine in a fun car, but this is a Motorway barge, so I think on balance despite loving the engine the 540i goes in the 'what is the point' box.
In terms of spec, as the poster above says the days of tragic spec 5 Series with the postage stamp nav screen are gone. You can't buy a bad spec - any you find will have enough kit to be fine so consider any optional extras a bonus. A particular annoyance of mine is that the standard lights look a bit sad and have halogen indicator bulbs - the Icon LED lights look far better - but cars with Icon LED fitted are few and far between.
It's reasonably easy to find a car with a HUD these days, so if I was buying (Which I always planned to after 5 years with my F10, but there we go) I think I'd try and get one with the HUD. It's excellent.
I've had a quick look on the AUC website to see what I'd look to buy if I was buying today with £30k. It's really slim pickings I'm afraid, but I'd probably go with something like this:
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202112140514486?quoteref=6828cfc6-f530-4c31-a97e-7dce0d852617
However, I'd like you to consider two other options.
The first is the 6 Series GT. The 6 Series GT is a more practical yet more odd looking 5 Series. It also has a much better standard specification. Despite costing more new than a 5 Series, it is now similar money as the equivalent 5 Series. You'd need to really dislike how it looks to buy a 5 Series instead of a 6 Series GT. Unfortunately, I do really dislike how it looks so would buy a 5 Series instead but if you can get past this it is unquestionably a better car in every way than a 5 Series, as it's basically a 5 Series Plus. Here is an example:
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202109307981023?quoteref=89e00443-8aa0-401d-ac02-23114813a642
The second is the 3 Series. The more of these I drive the more I like them. The interior is excellent, the build is excellent, they are refined, they handle well, I'm almost at the point where I think it may even better a better choice. They also all have iDrive 7 as standard..
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202201051029461?quoteref=a7645b18-3a62-47cf-8fd6-eb48327bd2e5
iDrive 7 is functionally quite an improvement over iDrive 6 (Worth it for the Spotify integration alone) but pre LCI cars with iDrive 7 are rare - the last year of production only - and post LCI cars are both ugly and incredibly expensive. The reality is that for £30k you probably won't find one with iDrive 7.
Or F10 model but with Active Ride thingy I guess.
I will never understand the fuss made about adaptive suspension. Every single press review of the F10 went on about how it was a total must have - but it really isn't. A 5 Series on M Sport suspension with decent tyres rides and handles really well - I am very fussy about this sort of thing and I've never found an Adaptive fitted car to change my world. Yea, sure, its good, but that doesn't make it a must have especially when it's so rare.