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Buying a used 5 Series

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

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

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

Messages Page 13 of 41

#112 of 399 Re: 2004 530i Lease return [bristol2] by 530ir1150r

Jan 10, 2008 (9:28 pm)

Replying to: bristol2 (Jan 10, 2008 7:24 pm)
I believe for a BMW to last it has to be serviced more often than current BMW recommendations. I also believe following BMW recommendations will increase repair costs over time, like the old Fram commercials.
 
My experience is to budget $1500 per year for maintenance. I did not purchase extended warranties or maintenance plans and I paid $1400 for services and repairs that would have been covered by either. All warranty and maintenance plans have profits and commissions included in their cost. Most people will come out ahead self insuring.

#113 of 399 Re: 2004 530i Lease return [530ir1150r] by bristol2

Jan 11, 2008 (6:26 am)

Replying to: 530ir1150r (Jan 10, 2008 9:28 pm)
From your earlier posts, you suggested an oil change every 7500 miles- is that correct?
 
Given that the car is at 31k miles, what are the immediate service steps I would have to take? It seems that the first major service would be due, I imagine that the previous owner did not take care of it right before getting rid of the car.
 
Do the manuals have any differences in services?

#114 of 399 Re: 2004 530i Lease return [bristol2] by 530ir1150r

Jan 11, 2008 (6:56 am)

Replying to: bristol2 (Jan 11, 2008 6:26 am)
A leased 2004 probably has had annual oil changes and possibly the brake fluid changed after 2 years.
 
I have the oil changed at 7500 mile intervals, brake fluid every 2 years, power steering fluid every 3 years and coolant every 4 years. With previous cars with automatic transmissions, I change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. My guess is it is time to do everything. At 30k I also changed the air filter and micro filter.
 
Check Bimmer or Roundel, Tech Reporter, for maintenance recommendations.

#115 of 399 Re: 2004 530i Lease return [bristol2] by qbrozen

Jan 11, 2008 (7:41 am)

Replying to: bristol2 (Jan 10, 2008 12:05 pm)
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?
 
Did you drive the car? I also drive a 6-spd accord sedan. I recently test drove a 330Ci automatic and thought, even with the auto, it blows the doors off my Accord. Its not all about HP numbers. What I find with my Accord is that the power is pretty peaky. Not as bad as some cars, but it certainly pales in comparison to the fat wide power curve of the BMW.
 
Not to mention the Accord is VERY hard to launch in a manner that we would ever see the published 5.9 sec 0-60 number due to the aforementioned peakiness and the total lack of traction that FWD provides on acceleration. It is probably more like 6.5 secs. The 5-series is a bit heavier than the 3'er I drove, but I still think you will be more than happy ... especially when you hit any turns.

#116 of 399 Re: 2004 530i Lease return [qbrozen] by bristol2

Jan 11, 2008 (10:14 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Jan 11, 2008 7:41 am)
Great feed back!
 
I hope to test drive late next week.
 
I have a great commute, approx 70 miles at an average of 70mph with some twisty stuff. That is why I am so tempted to get out of the 'sensible' car I am in and into a potentially expensive and risky choice.

#117 of 399 Just bought a 2005 545i -- Why do I feel that I am getting too good a deal? by mike1005

Jan 12, 2008 (10:21 pm)

Just got back from the dealership and signed the papers to purchase a Certified Pre-Owned 2005 545i. I did my research beforehand and consider myself a pretty good negotiator, but I can't help wonder if the deal I got was a little "too good". Here's what I bought (and will be picking up on Monday):
 
CPO 2005 545i -- 42,000 miles
Orient Blue Metallic/Beige Dakota Leather
Premium Sound Pkg
Cold Weather Pkg
Sport Pkg.
Navigation
Power fold-down rear seats
New tires & car is in excellent condition
Clean carfax (no accidents -- this is also a requirement to be CPO)
 
I bought it for $34,400 + tax/tag/title, which is nearly $10,000 less than the value stated by Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book. I don't know if it's typical "buyer's remorse" (how could it be with this beautiful of a car?), but I am hoping someone can tell me that I just got a great deal and be happy with it. Thanks.

#118 of 399 Re: Just bought a 2005 545i -- Why do I feel that I am getting too good a deal? [mike1005] by bristol2

Jan 13, 2008 (8:35 am)

Replying to: mike1005 (Jan 12, 2008 10:21 pm)
You got a GREAT deal. Be happy with it!
 
Since you went CPO, you have very little risk in terms of repair issues. It seems like you got a great deal and a great car.

#119 of 399 Re: Just bought a 2005 545i -- Why do I feel that I am getting too good a deal? [bristol2] by mike1005

Jan 13, 2008 (1:03 pm)

Replying to: bristol2 (Jan 13, 2008 8:35 am)
Thanks! I am VERY excited about this purchase since I really wasn't in the market for a 545 and was looking for a 530. I thought the 530 had plenty of power, but when I drove the 545 it just wasn't even close (I guess that shouldn't be a surprise since the 545 has 325 hp/330 ft. lbs. torque). The extra power -- combined with all the options -- came for the same price as many of the 2005 530 models that I was looking at. It was just too good of a deal to pass up on.
 
Anyway, thanks again for the response.

#120 of 399 Re: Just bought a 2005 545i -- Why do I feel that I am getting too good a deal? [mike1005] by roadburner

Jan 13, 2008 (7:34 pm)

Replying to: mike1005 (Jan 13, 2008 1:03 pm)
Yeah, sounds like you got an excellent deal. The 5ers are a bit too porky for my tastes, but even I would have been tempted by that price...

#121 of 399 Very close to buying a used 2004 545i by djl01

Jan 24, 2008 (11:32 am)

Hi all,
 
I'm hoping to get some advice on buying a used BMW 545i. First of all, it is black w/ the beige leather, full options, heads up display and only 32k miles on it. It was a lease return but is NOT CPO. The full service warranty is up this year in 9/08 and the carfax report shows it was maintained regularly and had no prior damages. Paint, rims, body, etc. are all immaculate. I am a first time BMW buyer so I want to ask the forum, Do you think this is a good deal for $32,500.00? Please let me know if I can expect to have any problems after the full service warranty is up although I plan to buy the extended 100k warranty.
 
Thanks for your help in advance!!

Messages Page 13 of 41

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