Is this a really bad idea?

K.C. Leblanc · 5 Feb 2026 at 18:06

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My Vauxhall Disatra is off to the scrap yard, and since I'm going on a bit I'd like something a bit comfier. Is an ancient BMW a really bad idea?

Jumper118 · 6 Feb 2026 at 08:20

That could get expensive really fast, but at least it's na straight six. If you can fix the small issues it has yourself I don't see why it would be a bad idea. If it can last you 2-3 years I guess it's worth it

JRS · 6 Feb 2026 at 08:21

The advert text says 325i. That alone is a bit of a red flag if they can't spell 525i correctly

Also, if the aux belt pulley rattle is a common and cheap fix why haven't they done it?

randal · 6 Feb 2026 at 08:31

JRS said:
The advert text says 325i. That alone is a bit of a red flag if they can't spell 525i correctly

Also, if the aux belt pulley rattle is a common and cheap fix why haven't they done it?

Cos they took it in PX for £500, paid the valeter, and wants to clear a grand.

It's also had an oil leak for the last decade according to the MOT history.

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=+WF05+GVR+&checkRecalls=true

Previously owned a 2008 118d which was a monumental pain the butt hole. Between DPF issues, dodgy glow plugs and starter packs, and the ridiculous set of conditions that need to be met for regen I'd be wary tbh. If you're handy with a set of spanners and have the time however it'll give you plenty of project if that's what you want.

dacads · 6 Feb 2026 at 11:03

randal said:
Cos they took it in PX for £500, paid the valeter, and wants to clear a grand.

It's also had an oil leak for the last decade according to the MOT history.

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=+WF05+GVR+&checkRecalls=true

Previously owned a 2008 118d which was a monumental pain the butt hole. Between DPF issues, dodgy glow plugs and starter packs, and the ridiculous set of conditions that need to be met for regen I'd be wary tbh. If you're handy with a set of spanners and have the time however it'll give you plenty of project if that's what you want.

Can't really compare a diesel with this petrol engine. None of those issues will be prevalent in the 525i

Engine is pretty bombproof but probably needs things like the valve cover replacing if there has been a leak.

I believe it's the N52 engine, I had the 130i which was the same engine albeit slightly more power. Look up common issues there really aren't many.

Maybe I'd be more worried about the gearbox? Not sure on their reliability or longevity

K.C. Leblanc · 6 Feb 2026 at 13:01

Interesting thanks guys, I've got a couple of other cars to look at, but if they don't tick the boxes I will give this a look.

randal · 6 Feb 2026 at 13:03

dacads said:
Can't really compare a diesel with this petrol engine. None of those issues will be prevalent in the 525i

Engine is pretty bombproof but probably needs things like the valve cover replacing if there has been a leak.

I believe it's the N52 engine, I had the 130i which was the same engine albeit slightly more power. Look up common issues there really aren't many.

Maybe I'd be more worried about the gearbox? Not sure on their reliability or longevity

You raise a fair and valid point. Should indicate the levels of PTSD (Pretty Tired of Sodding Diesels) that car left me with.

sovietspybob · 6 Feb 2026 at 14:32

I think the engine is fundamentally reliable but it's a 20 year old car so it's always going to be a roll of the dice.

If its just for puttering around then go for it if you're handy with the spanners but bangernomics can go either way, you could get years out of it without much bother at all or it could catastrophically go wrong next week.

jaybee · 6 Feb 2026 at 14:35

I dislike car ads that mention things that are wrong but are common and/or easily fixed. If that were the case, they'd be fixed already.

K.C. Leblanc · 6 Feb 2026 at 15:54

randal said:
You raise a fair and valid point. Should indicate the levels of PTSD (Pretty Tired of Sodding Diesels) that car left me with.

My last 2 have been deisels, both with 200k+ miles. I'm currently borrowing the MIL's Meriva, I can't get used to how much quieter it is on tickover.

K.C. Leblanc · 7 Feb 2026 at 10:03

K.C. Leblanc said:
My last 2 have been deisels, both with 200k+ miles. I'm currently borrowing the MIL's Meriva, I can't get used to how much quieter it is on tickover.

Just to add, the Vauxhall Meriva is not a paragon of refinement. It's probably the 3rd worst vehicle I've ever driven.

dave28 · 7 Feb 2026 at 10:40

Nothing more expensive than a cheap German car is the old saying

DD_Crash · 7 Feb 2026 at 14:38

dave28 said:
Nothing more expensive than a cheap German car is the old saying

My Mk1 TT would cost me £760 road tax if I still had it!

Rroff · 7 Feb 2026 at 14:41

jaybee said:
I dislike car ads that mention things that are wrong but are common and/or easily fixed. If that were the case, they'd be fixed already.

Or the car is a money pit and they've got fed up of solving one issue just for another to arise.

K.C. Leblanc · 8 Feb 2026 at 16:46

So today I looked at a Dacia Duster, with broken heater controls, being sold by an old woman who I was getting weird vibes from. And also viewed a Volvo V70, which was really nice for a cheap banger, but there was two inches of water in the passenger footwell! While I understand Volvo are a lot like tanks, this wasn't quite what I was expecting.

Buuuuut, I've found a Mondeo. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601169212352?sort=distance&searchId=dba35f8f-91d5-4f90-929c-1093055dbeeb&make=Ford&model=Mondeo&page=1&postcode=gl51rl&radius=10&advertising-location=at_cars&fromsra=&backLinkQueryParams=channel=cars&make=Ford&model=Mondeo&postcode=gl51rl&radius=10&sort=distance&flrfc=1&calc-deposit=180&calc-term=48&calc-mileage=10000

I mean, it's a bit high millage. But I've bought higher millage cars, so I'm going to have a look tomorrow.

Diddums · 8 Feb 2026 at 17:09

Christ, I remember the days when that was a £400 car :eek:

What is your criteria? I love a bit of bangernomics me.

K.C. Leblanc · 8 Feb 2026 at 20:01

Diddums said:
Christ, I remember the days when that was a £400 car

What is your criteria? I love a bit of bangernomics me.

It does seem like we're in a time warp. About 10 years ago I bought a 21 year old Volvo for £300. This morning I was looking at 24 year old Volvo and it was £1200, and there was a nicer one (same age) for sale at £2000.

The main criteria is, within 10 miles of Stroud (because I'm sharing a car with my brother in law at the moment and can't put loads of time into this) and an estate, MPV or 4x4. It needs a decent boot and room in the back (step son is 6' and hasn't stopped yet!!!). Ideally under £2000 but there is some wiggle room, we're looking for a stop gap really.

IC3 · 8 Feb 2026 at 23:36

E61 isn't a bad choice, it has the good ol' M54, but it has a more complex suspension setup made out of aluminium and it uses fibre wires.

I would get the E39 personally.

jigger · 10 Feb 2026 at 08:35

Probably a bad idea. I’d definitely want a few quid stashed away to use it as a daily driver.

sigma · 10 Feb 2026 at 13:18

When people say the engine will be reliable I think this statement needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. The engine block might be reliable but things connected to it?

Does it have vanos? Disa? Coolant system that probably needs replacing? Sensors that fail often especially at this age. Can't recall all other things that are probably going to be issues but I'm sure there are more. Oil leaks as mentioned can be a pain.