5 Series
 

I am in the process of selling my lovely Fiat Coupe having decided I need an Auto in my life, Coupe is nice but not at home in traffic so, been looking at the options for a comfy four seater auto to waft me 13 miles to work and back, not too bothered about fuel consumption but dont want sub 20 mpg.

Quite fancy a 5 series even after being staunchly anti-BMW for years its hard to ignore the reviews and superb engineering on offer, trouble is I will only be able to look at cars around 6 grand tops, is it worth bothering ? Dont want the older shape one, just the post 96 model.

How do they cope with mileage, should imagine they last well but have heard stories about bore washing and head trouble on the sixes.

Otherwise I reckon they shouldnt be to bad to run, dont do many miles so Fuel isnt that much of an issue, insurance couldnt be any dearer than the Fiat unless I bought and M5 (Fiat is Gp 19), parts can be sourced from Eurocarparts and I would service it myself as it would be out of warranty.

Mate has a 535i which he rates and may be selling but I dont really think I need a V8, he says it does 30 mpg but I suspect he hasnt actually worked it out or is trying to sell it to me !

E34 528i auto will do 32+ mpg 80mph cruise.

Higher miler 535i. Cheap as they were never that popular. 528 is good, retains value which means pricey ish.

Try autotrader. With FBMWSH mileage doesn't matter (within reason).

If you want a 528 then make sure its a '98 and after as the pre 98's all had major engine problems (328 was the same).

E39 535i is woeful on fuel, the sixes are brilliant.

The Nikasil issue was pretty much cleared up by 1998 but it's still worth checking.

£6k is quite tight but you should be able to get something for that, try and get SE spec at least and the M sports seats and M suspension though as they really make the car.

Cheers!

Phil

Senior beat me to it :)

BTW there is a nice 523i with all the kit and still under BMW extended warranty in For Sale ;)

Phil

For 6k I'd go for a 3 series. 323i SE. Good one for about 6k no probs.

Also considering a Saab of some description, I do prefer the idea of the 5 series though, it being RWD, will have a look at the three series but I have never been that keen on them, too many around and not as handsome as the 5, the 728 looks interesting as well !

If it is a pre-98, don't be alarmed if it has had the engine replaced....that's a GOOD thing. :) (re to: Nikasil Issues).

Earlier models do suffer from the odd rattle and squeek, LED dash plays up (not all the segments showing). Autos can play up after high miles. Otherwise a very solid motor, superb handling far better than 3-series.

Ideally, you must get a car with full leather, cheap skates have cloth, and you will pay in the long run due to greater depreciation and that when you sell no one will want it. In which case with 6K your struggling.

728 you could PX a pack of crisps plus £500 and get one of them!! Amazing car for the money!!

Bit "big" though eh!!

323i best bet for 6k. (imo)

7 series is indeed massive, used to drive my (usually drunk) father in law around in his M plater 730, bought it new for over 40 grand and then came home with the packet of crisps you mentioned when he sold it !

I am mechanically aware and reasonably capable but I dont have a BMW diagnostic computer or the slightest idea how a auto box works (does anybody), even after looking at it on howstuffworks.com (great site by the way) I still dont get it.

I think the higher the 6 cylinder engines, the better. I have picked up a 530i sport and it is fantastic. Bit more than your 6k budget, but have driven the rest of the range expect the 520i.....don't bother!

The 523i is probably your best bet for your budget, especially for your budget. I think the essentials are leather and automatic. The 525i is also very good. If you can stretch, than the 528i is ideal, but you may only get a decent high mileage car.

Checkout

www.bmwland.co.uk/talker for more specialist advice.

J

A mates had both the 528i auto and 523i auto old shape models (96-2004) and he reckoned the 528 was much better - fair bit quicker and not really anymore thirsty.

Some nice ones about, but also lots of sub-4k cheapies too so theres lots of low-lifes driving these round now - was in North London last week and loads of these being driven by people who think they look rich.

Still excellent cars tho - love the ring side-lights on the (2001?) facelift.

I've got an E34 525 which does 35mpg on a run but around town you can easily half that if you've got a heavy right roof ..mines auto as well!

Nath

'lots of low-lifes driving these round now '

Havent seen that up here yet, they are still on the old shape, havent seen many with bodykits, big wheels and chrome arches yet. Perhaps because the existing owners are hanging on because the new model is an aquired taste, I quite like it, many dont.

35 MPG, wow !

Excellent, North London low life image, that's posh up here because they all come and buy up our castles LOL :D Better image than a Scooby though I think.

Jacko, get an A6 2.8. Cheap as chips, and better built than a 5 series. Quicki(ish) too, though don't expect an average better than 25mpg.


A sub 100k one will cost you c.£5k for a 98/99 model

Lad at work wants 3 and a half for a P reg A6, older shape but a minter with 90k, it looks like new inside and out, basically its the old Audi 100 but I had one of those years ago (Grandad car at 24 !) and it was lovely, my one had the swoopy dash as opposed to the earlier 100 with the boxy dash, this one is pretty much the same inside, quite tempted as all I had to do to my 100 in four years (longest I ever kept a car, thats how good it was) was a PAS pump, did it myself with a recon for 90 quid, lost 1200 quid in four years of luxury motoring, only paid 2395 for it at 5 years old, bargain. Bit concerned the P reg one will be sub 20 mpg though.

A6 is better built than a 5 series?? Really?? I've not been in an A6 before so I don't know.

How is it better built? Is it just a case of more felt sound deadening or is it really better?? A6 looks a nice car though, alot of bus for the money.

Having had a a6 2.8 SE, 98 R one of the first old shape, and now having a 523iSE on a 99 T, both with leather, etc, I would say the BMW is a massive improvement over the Audi, in terms of handling, stability, and overall driving experience. Looks much better to in my opinion, and will be easier to sell on in the future.

Bought mine last month to replace the Scoob, metallic blue, beige leather, all the stuff, 30K, Full BMWSH, 9K from a dealer. Top Value.

Don't discount the 520 though. It is much better than the old shape 520, and although no more economical than a 523, it is cheaper to buy second hand.

OK, my opinion only, but the feeling of solidity is awesome (and yes, I can compare the two, or at least 3 series versus A6). Switches, buttons, etc.... much better, to my mind. As for reliability, I've stuck 40k on mine in 18 months and had no problems other than lots of fuel and servicing (not too bad). Other thing is than the V6 engines drink some oil; nothing serious, but you need to check the dipstick. Mine's using 1 litre every 2000ish miles, which is less than the handbook warns you to expect.

The handling is a different matter - a 5 series is better, no question.

As for resale - you pay less to start, you expect to get less back at the end.