Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory

Forums | Answers | Blogs | Photos | Videos | Guides | People

Buying a used 5 Series

179 messages, Last post on Aug 28, 2008 at 1:25 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

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

Outline

Messages Page 16 of 19: 1; ...; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; Prev; Next; Last

#145 of 179 Re: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/car/614642413.html [mrfinagle] by roadburner Mar 23, 2008 (6:24 pm)
Replying to: mrfinagle (Mar 23, 2008 6:28 am) $13,000 doesn't sound too bad; Autotrader shows several 2002 Sports listed for over $15,000. Still, I'd check it against Edmunds TMV and I'd also ask the guys in the "Real-World Trade-In Values" thread. The flaws you noticed are fairly inexpensive to correct. Does the car have a full service history? It's good that the "60,000 mile cooling system service" has already been performed (although my indie shop performed the same work on my 528i for $1,200). Just what did the dealer do on that $5,000 visit? It would be nice if the ATF and final drive oil had been changed as well. Does your mechanic know BMWs? Make sure that he inspects the lower control arm bushings and tie rod ends. Did you check to see that all four power windows work? The E39 5 Series is a really wonderful sports sedan. I'd set aside $80 per month to cover service and repairs and drive it for another 75,000 miles. Replies to this message: mrfinagle (Mar 25, 2008 4:23 pm) roadburner (Mar 25, 2008 7:09 pm) mrfinagle (Mar 26, 2008 8:13 am) and 1 more...
#146 of 179 Re: To Buy Or Not To Buy? [tc520] by hpowders Mar 23, 2008 (8:39 pm)
Replying to: tc520 (Mar 23, 2008 3:13 pm) Thanks for sharing your experience, tc520. You did very well! Sounds like I have quite a bit of wiggle room if I show the dealer I will walk if he won't negotiate the residual down. I already put new Contis on several weeks ago for a little over $800. Leasing would be really terrific if one didn't have to shell out for new tires before turn in. At least I will have 5 months of use from them if I decide to turn the 545i back in to BMW. Leasing 3 Series vehicles is even worse now. The run-flats that must be replaced on turn in cost around $1200 per set. There are so many new vehicles out there that I can lease or buy so I can afford to float a low ball offer for the 545i. If he takes it fine. If not, no big deal.
#147 of 179 Re: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/car/614642413.html [roadburner] by mrfinagle Mar 25, 2008 (4:23 pm)
Replying to: roadburner (Mar 23, 2008 6:24 pm) Thanks for the clear and useful response Roadrunner. I checked the trade in pages. Someone quoted $14k last Nov to trade-in a 530i w/2k less mi and prem./nav extras. Last Feb someone said $14.3. That's what the seller was asking for at first, but I bargained him down a G. I haven't been given a full service history so far. I got the receipt for the "$5000" service which was $2000 (I guess that bothers me the most that he lied in the ad and said it was jsut serviced at the bmw dealership for $5000). The work included oil pan gasket R&R, replacing the radiator, hoses, water pump, coolant. I learned a lot from calling the shop owner that did the service, (like where the seller got the $5000 number...it was quoted as what the dealer would charge by the mechanic). He said it was a sound car, a single owner (description fit the seller). I googled his shop and it looks legit. I also checked Carfax and it was serviced at least once a yr, had a single owner, no accidents, mileage checks out, that's all I can tell. My mechanic is not a BMW expert but he put it on a lift, test drove it, and brought it to a friend up the street that does high end cars. He said the engine was in good shape, but noticed some power steering weeping and that said the steering mechanism would have to be replaced in 2-3 yrs but not just now. They gave me a part price around $1100 (rack w/something-tronic), which I tried to use as a bargaining chip to lower the price but the seller wouldn't budge from $13.3. I will check the windows and look into the ATF/drive oil change (wondering if that's expensive). ">Let me know if you think anything is a deal stopper or if anything else comes to mind! Much appreciated! Replies to this message: roadburner (Mar 25, 2008 7:09 pm) mrfinagle (Mar 26, 2008 8:13 am) roadburner (Mar 26, 2008 8:32 am)
#148 of 179 Re: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/car/614642413.html [mrfinagle] by roadburner Mar 25, 2008 (7:09 pm)
Replying to: mrfinagle (Mar 25, 2008 4:23 pm) noticed some power steering weeping and that said the steering mechanism would have to be replaced in 2-3 yrs but not just now. Maybe, maybe not. BMWs are notorious for having power steering hoses that leak or seep. Often a low pressure hose can be fixed by removing the crimped-on clamp and replacing it with a good screw clamp. If it does turn out that you do need a steering rack, there are several shops that sell rebuilt racks for less than the factory units(another reason to join BMW CCA). ATF/drive oil change (wondering if that's expensive) Not really; my local dealer changed the ATF and transfer case fluid on my wife's X3 for $208. In your case I'd say that $400 would be the most it would cost to service both the AT and the final drive. That said, I'd strongly advise that you use a good dealer or BMW independent shop for the transmission service, as the procedure is fairly involved- as can be seen here. Replies to this message: mrfinagle (Mar 26, 2008 8:13 am) roadburner (Mar 26, 2008 8:32 am)
#149 of 179 Re: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/car/614642413.html [roadburner] by mrfinagle Mar 26, 2008 (8:13 am)
Replying to: roadburner (Mar 25, 2008 7:09 pm) Thx roadburner! So many more questions come to mind but I'll join BMW CCA to ID shops, etc and look to forums first beforehand. Wish I could buy you lunch for the help! Replies to this message: roadburner (Mar 26, 2008 8:32 am)
#150 of 179 Re: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/car/614642413.html [mrfinagle] by roadburner Mar 26, 2008 (8:32 am)
Replying to: mrfinagle (Mar 26, 2008 8:13 am) Thx roadburner! So many more questions come to mind but I'll join BMW CCA to ID shops, etc and look to forums first beforehand. Wish I could buy you lunch for the help! No problem; ask away! And you can always shoot me a PM at roadburnercarspace.com...
#151 of 179 Buying Used 530i - 200,000 miles by fieldofdreams Apr 04, 2008 (4:00 pm)
At 200,000 miles I have a chance to purchase a 1994 BMW 530i. Anything I should look for when test driving this car? I tend to read alot of transmission comments when it comes to 530i's. The car looks clean and well taken care of, but at 200,000 I would think something has to be waiting to happen or I may be wrong? I look forward to any replies. Replies to this message: roadburner (Apr 04, 2008 6:13 pm)
#152 of 179 Re: Buying Used 530i - 200,000 miles [fieldofdreams] by roadburner Apr 04, 2008 (6:13 pm)
Replying to: fieldofdreams (Apr 04, 2008 4:00 pm) The car looks clean and well taken care of, but at 200,000 I would think something has to be waiting to happen or I may be wrong? If the car checks out fine AND you have average or better DIY mechanic skills and tools then I would say go for it. If you will have to pay for all maintenance and repairs it could be very expensive to own. DO NOT even THINK about buying the car without having it inspected by a tech who knows BMWs. It might be a decent enough deal, but you need to have all the data in front of you before you can make an informed decision.
#153 of 179 a CPO 525xi (2006 and later model) or a brandnew 328xi? by rl328 Apr 16, 2008 (12:13 pm)
Any thoughts? Thanks. Replies to this message: roadburner (Apr 16, 2008 8:33 pm)
#154 of 179 Re: a CPO 525xi (2006 and later model) or a brandnew 328xi? [rl328] by roadburner Apr 16, 2008 (8:33 pm)
Replying to: rl328 (Apr 16, 2008 12:13 pm) I ALWAYS prefer the smaller and lighter car(with RWD). You may not. You really can't go wrong with either car, so take each one on an extended test drive and pick the one YOU like.

Messages Page 16 of 19: 1; ...; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; Prev; Next; Last

To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Search Forums

Browse by Vehicle

2008 BMW 5 Series

2008 BMW 5 Series 530i Sedan, European Model Shown

Ask the Community

See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic

View All Topics

Today's Chats

Chat Schedule