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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 3 of 41

#18 of 399 Too expensive to own? by dngary

Dec 23, 2006 (3:01 pm)

I recently fell in love with the 530i during a test drive. I am looking to purchase a 2004 model with about 41,000 miles. It is pre-certified from a BMW dealership, so the limited extended warranty will last on this car for 3 more years from its original date of service. Price out the door will be about $36,500. I am currently a Buick Regal owner. I'm very worried that the cost of maintenance will be quite expensive. I drive about 12,000 miles per year. The dealership has a policy for purchase ($1,400) to pay for all scheduled maintenance costs for 2 years after the original warrant ends. Is it worth it? Can someone calm me down or am I right to be nervous?

#19 of 399 Re: Too expensive to own? [dngary] by div2

Dec 23, 2006 (10:59 pm)

Replying to: dngary (Dec 23, 2006 3:01 pm)
Can someone calm me down or am I right to be nervous?
 
As I've repeated umpteen times on these boards:
 
Relax! Most of the "horribly expensive" BMW maintenance/repair stories are spread by people who heard that his best friend's sister's college roommate knew a guy who had a dentist whose broker told him that it cost his second cousin $3000 to change the oil on his 318i. Yes there ARE some dealers and independents who grossly overcharge their customers. Having said all that, there are good dealers and independents out there who charge fair prices and offer a BMW Car Club discount.
Finally, I ran a 1997 528iA to over 130K miles and my service and repair costs averaged $90 per month. I only sold it was because my wife wanted an X3. I needed to keep my US built Wrangler for political reasons- otherwise I would have claimed the 5er for my commuter sled. The current owner now has 145K on the car and she still loves it. Right now I'm thinking about buying a 2001 M5, and its CPO warranty runs out in April. No way am I going to buy any "added protection".

#20 of 399 Re: Too expensive to own? [div2] by dngary

Dec 24, 2006 (10:54 am)

Replying to: div2 (Dec 23, 2006 10:59 pm)
Thank you for the BMW "therapy" session response. I would greatly appreciate if you will indulge me for one more session. I've noticed that on BMWs and Volvos, there appears to be an accumulation of black brake dust on the wheels. I've never experienced that on my Buick or on any other American car I've owned. Why does it happen, how quickly does it accumulate, and is it easy to remove?
 
Thank you so much again for your advice.

#21 of 399 Re: Too expensive to own? [dngary] by div2

Dec 24, 2006 (11:42 am)

Replying to: dngary (Dec 24, 2006 10:54 am)
I would greatly appreciate if you will indulge me for one more session.
 
No problem! I'm glad to help.
 
I've noticed that on BMWs and Volvos, there appears to be an accumulation of black brake dust on the wheels. I've never experienced that on my Buick or on any other American car I've owned
 
If you continue to use the original equipment pads you will find that brake dust accumulations will be pretty much unavoidable. There are dust shields available that fit between the wheels and the brakes, but they can interfere with brake cooling. As a result, I don't reccommend them- and neither does BMW. The best solution to the problem is to fit Axxis Deluxe Plus pads. More information can be found here.
 
Thank you so much again for your advice.
 
You're welcome. Let me know if you have any other questions. BMWs have been my hobby for over 25 years, and I always enjoy talking about them.

#22 of 399 Re: Too expensive to own? [div2] by dngary

Dec 25, 2006 (2:11 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Dec 24, 2006 11:42 am)
I'm glad you enjoy talking about BMWs. I tend to research any purchase in great detail. This will be the most expensive car I've ever considered and I appreciate your willingness to share your expertise.
 
As you can surmise, I am a little hesitant, not so much because the 5 series isn't a wonderful car, but partly because it seems so spartan in comparison with other cars in the same price range. Even the radio in my Buick sounds better. (Well, it does.)(My frame of reference is about $36,000 out the door price for a used 530i with 42,000 miles).
   
On another note, what do you think of the "dreaded" I Drive control?
 
Please let me know when I'm getting on your nerves with all these questions. I especially do not want to spoil the holiday season for you!
 
Signed,
Still a bit nervous (now that I know I have to clean my rims of black break dust.)

#23 of 399 Re: Too expensive to own? [dngary] by div2

Dec 26, 2006 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: dngary (Dec 25, 2006 2:11 pm)
I tend to research any purchase in great detail.
 
So do I
 
As you can surmise, I am a little hesitant, not so much because the 5 series isn't a wonderful car, but partly because it seems so spartan in comparison with other cars in the same price range.
 
I think you will find that BMW places a great deal of emphasis on the overall driving experience; a BMW embodies a lot of impressive engineering- but most of it is under the skin.
 
Even the radio in my Buick sounds better.
 
I've never been too impressed with the sound systems in the newer BMWs. As a matter of fact, very few of them sound as good as the OEM system in my 1995 318ti track rat. Go figure. Does the 5er you are considering have the Logic7 upgrade? It supposedly sounds pretty decent.
 
On another note, what do you think of the "dreaded" I Drive control?
 
I drove a 645Ci with iDrive for a couple of weeks last summer, and after a few days I became pretty adept at using it. Some people love it, others hate it. I think it is a flawed interface, but it wouldn't keep me from buying a BMW I really liked.
 
Going back to your original post, there is some things that I think you should know about how BMW are serviced. In most cases, the best way to keep maintenance costs reasonable is to find a GOOD independent BMW tech; you will save 25%-50% on service compared to the dealer. That said, there are some excellent dealers that offer excellent service at reasonable prices. All modern BMWs use a Service Interval Indicator to inform the driver when routine maintenance is required. On a 2004 5er an Oil Service will be called for at 15,000 miles. To be honest, I don't like to run oil that long, so I perform an oil change at 7,500 miles. I also use Mobil 1 0W-40 synthetic, which I prefer to the BMW-branded Castrol synthetic. It's a VERY easy DIY procedure and it costs me less than $45. The minor service(Inspection I) will come up at 30,000 miles and the major service(Inspection II) at 60,000 miles. An Oil Service will cost $60-$150, an Inspection I $150-$300, and an Inspection II $450-$800. Coolant must be changed every three years(using BMW Coolant ONLY), while the DOT4 brake fluid gets flushed every two years. BMW also calls for changing the ATF at 100,000 miles, although I would have the procedure performed every 50,000 miles- and I'd have the differential oil changed at the same time.
Finally, join the BMW Car Club of America. Many dealers and independent shops offer CCA members 10%-25% discounts on parts and/or labor.
 
Please let me know when I'm getting on your nerves with all these questions. I especially do not want to spoil the holiday season for you!
 
Ask away! It is not a problem!

#24 of 399 540i 2001-2003 by paisan

Jan 07, 2007 (11:56 pm)

Ok Bimerfiles, looking at purchasing a 540i 2001-2003 with the sport package and 6MT. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions also anything to look for on these cars?
 
Debating between an 05/06 GTO and an 01/03 540i
 
-mike

#25 of 399 Re: Too expensive to own? [div2] by taxesquire

Jan 11, 2007 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Dec 23, 2006 10:59 pm)
Hi, I'm also perusing this site to find out about the reality/myths of how well BMWs hold up - particularly post-2000 3 & 5-series'. Your comment, "Finally, I ran a 1997 528iA to over 130K miles and my service and repair costs averaged $90 per month" doesn't sound too encouraging to me. $90/month = $1,080/year.
 
Please comment

#26 of 399 Re: Too expensive to own? [taxesquire] by taxesquire

Jan 11, 2007 (3:08 pm)

Replying to: taxesquire (Jan 11, 2007 1:54 pm)
Is it bad form to reply to my own post? I reread your post to make usre I understood it correctly, and I guess $90/mo is fine considering it's an older car with (presumably) no finance payments being made. Still, $1,000/yr on repairs is pretty significant.

#27 of 399 Re: 540i 2001-2003 [paisan] by dbcafy

Jan 19, 2007 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 07, 2007 11:56 pm)
Comparing a 540 against GTO (Pontiac?) is like comparing Apples and Oranges.
 
BMW - The ultimate driving machine, will put a smile on your face everytime you sit behind the steering wheel.
 
The GTO - a kid's car.
 
Assuming you get a Bimmer in good condition, this car will have a higher resale value and will last longer than the GTO.
 
Then again, I might be biased. I do own a 2003 540 with the Sports Package.
 
Dave

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