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Buying a used 5 Series

399 messages,  Last post on Feb 05, 2013 at 12:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 11 of 40

#101 of 399 Re: Which is more important, age or mileage? [bucca4us] by coop9

Nov 29, 2007 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: bucca4us (Nov 16, 2007 11:08 am)
Mileage is definitely more important. I bought a 1997 528 last year that had 162,000 miles on it and since lst year, I have had to have the heads rebuilt (4000.00) replace the catalytic converter (1900.00) plus and about 2500.00 of other misc things. Before I bought the car, I had a pre-purchase inpection done at an import place and it checked out fine but, the next time I would take it to a BMW dealer for that inspection because, they know their cars best.
 
I do love to drive it because no other car can handle the road like a BMW and the brakes are off the hook. I also have a mercedes and between the two cars and putting premium gas in both, I may trade the BMW for something with lower maintenance cost. Having two high maintenance cars is not fun.

#102 of 399 2004 530i CPO or 2005 530i by pstse

Dec 30, 2007 (10:37 pm)

Hi,
I am looking at these two cars. Here're the stats
2004 530i CPO warrenty til' Sept 2010. It has 36K miles asking for 30K.
2005 530i warrenty til' Nov 2008. Not a CPO. It only has 20K miles asking for 32K.
 
Assume both cars have the same spec, what would you pick? Since ext warrenty last til Sept 2010, would I be better off picking up the 2004 CPO? Or go with the low mileages newer car (actually, I believe the 05 is only 2 month *newer* than the 04) since it has less wear and tear...
 
Thoughts?
P

#103 of 399 Re: 2004 530i CPO or 2005 530i [pstse] by 530ir1150r

Dec 31, 2007 (7:24 am)

Replying to: pstse (Dec 30, 2007 10:37 pm)
If everything else is equal, it is probably worth $2000 to get 16,000 miles. Other things to consider though are:
 
Check maintenance records on both cars; any BMW dealer should be able to access this information with the VIN #s;
 
Find out if either car or both were leased; probably both;
 
If both cars were leased and only maintained to "free" services; the CPO car makes more sense the closer you will be to 100,000 miles when the CPO warranty expires.
 
Chances are either car will be fine.

#104 of 399 Re: 2004 530i CPO or 2005 530i [530ir1150r] by pstse

Dec 31, 2007 (10:03 am)

Replying to: 530ir1150r (Dec 31, 2007 7:24 am)
Hi 530ir1150r,
Thanks for your input. Yes, both are lease returns. As to svc record, I tried checking with local dealer and they refuse to reveal the recording citing privacy issue (Sign!)
 
Do you have any ballpark figure on how much $$ should set aside annually on wear/pair for these types of cars?
 
TIA
P

#105 of 399 Re: 2004 530i CPO or 2005 530i [pstse] by 530ir1150r

Jan 01, 2008 (11:56 am)

Replying to: pstse (Dec 31, 2007 10:03 am)
Their refusal to reveal maintenance history tells me their is little if any history to reveal.
 
My personal experience with my 2002 530i SP, 5 speed and Premium Package is:
 
2002; $ 117.59
2003; $ 43.38
2004; $1819.35 (new tires and wheel repair)
2005: $1744.21 (new tires)
2006; $1609.38 (preventive radiator replacement)
2007: $3185.51 (brake problem, snow tires and wheels).
 
I think you can expect $1500-$2000 per year. Automatics probably will be more expensive over time. Also, remember that extended warranties and maintenance plans would only have saved me $1400, not counting deductibles.
 
I just had my oil changed at 105k and the dealer advises the belts need changed ($250) and the front brakes and rotors need replaced soon ($650).

#106 of 399 2004 530i Lease return by bristol2

Jan 10, 2008 (12:05 pm)

Hi all,
 
Currently excited about a 530i with 31k miles, 6-sp manual (manual is a 'must have' for me) for $27,998.
 
Questions:
I assume it is a lease return. When you guys (Shipo & 530ir) refer to 'only free maintenance being done', what is the disadvantage suggested by that comment? I thought all maintenance for a that reliable?
 
I am going from a loaded v6 Accord sedan with 6-speed, giving up approx 20 hp with the move to the BMW. Will I be disappointed by the get up and go?

#108 of 399 Re: 2004 530i Lease return [bristol2] by shipo

Jan 10, 2008 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: bristol2 (Jan 10, 2008 12:05 pm)
"I assume it is a lease return. When you guys (Shipo & 530ir) refer to 'only free maintenance being done', what is the disadvantage suggested by that comment? I thought all maintenance for a that reliable?"
 
I'm not sure I understand the question. Could you please rephrase it?
 
"I am going from a loaded v6 Accord sedan with 6-speed, giving up approx 20 hp with the move to the BMW. Will I be disappointed by the get up and go?"
 
Will you be dissappointed? I doubt it. Even if it is a tad slower than your Accord (and it may very well not be, BMW is very conservative with their HP ratings), I suspect that the overall driving experience will be so far superior to the Honda that you won't even notice.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#109 of 399 Re: 2004 530i Lease return [shipo] by bristol2

Jan 10, 2008 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Jan 10, 2008 2:00 pm)
I'm not sure I understand the question. Could you please rephrase it?
 
I guess what I'm trying to ask is, should I be more cautious knowing that the car I'm looking at was a returned lease?
Also, I have read a couple of times about BMWs being certified beyond the usual warranty, should I assume that would only be true for cars that were bought? I'm assuming a leasee would have no interest in an extended warranty.

#110 of 399 Re: 2004 530i Lease return [bristol2] by shipo

Jan 10, 2008 (7:04 pm)

Replying to: bristol2 (Jan 10, 2008 5:47 pm)
I think I've found where you've posted your questions.
 
I wouldn't worry about buying a lease return BMW simply because the maintenance during the lease period is free so the chances are extremely good that any lease return vehicle has been maintained properly. If you're not sure, typically the dealer will print out the entire service history of the car.
 
By buying a used BMW from a BMW dealer, there is a good chance the car has been CPOed (setup as a "Certified PreOwned vehicle), and as such it will come with a limited 100,000 mile warranty. Said warranty isn't as good as the bumper to bumper warranty of the new cars, however, it covers most of the expensive bits. I believe that you can opt to buy both a fully B2B warranty as an extra cost item (I don't recommend this) as well as an extended maintenance plan that covers all maintenance up to 100,000 miles. The extended maintenance plan is a pretty good deal, especially if you aren't inclined to do a lot of your own maintenance.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

Messages Page 11 of 40

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