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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 4 of 41

#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

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

Jan 19, 2007 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: dbcafy (Jan 19, 2007 4:16 pm)
Actually the GTO demographic is 28-45.
 
Heck the BMW 540i 2001-2003 is more expensive used than a new GTO. Biggest thing I'm worried about is out-warranty repairs, I hear on BMWs they can be quite costly.
 
-mike

#29 of 399 2004 / 2005 BMW 545i - happy? by tdb99

Jan 20, 2007 (3:58 pm)

Wanted to know if anyone can share their ownership experiences with this vehicle, am considering to purchase. Thks.

#30 of 399 Re: 2004 / 2005 BMW 545i - happy? [tdb99] by natedog03

Jan 25, 2007 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: tdb99 (Jan 20, 2007 3:58 pm)
I just bought a 2003 540I M sport with steptronic. It's the most amazing car I have ever driven, Black on Black with everthing from PDC to NAV and DSP stereo. I researched it intensley and I found BMW keeps great records.
 
First I suggest CAFFAXing it, its $25 for a month long membership to run VINs, then contact BMW USA customer service, # is on the website. They will give you the selling dealership and you can confirm options on the vehicle to make sure nothing was altered. Then call the service dept of the original dealer, explain you are going to buy a used vehicle and BMW gave you the info, anytime the vehicle was serviced at any dealership a code is entered. The service tech ran through every code with me to make sure the vehicle was clean. I even found out it had the CPO & maintaince till 100K.

#31 of 399 Re: 2004 / 2005 BMW 545i - happy? [natedog03] by natedog03

Jan 25, 2007 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: natedog03 (Jan 25, 2007 2:10 pm)
Just to add...... the most expensive service on the 01-03 5 series will be the SL2 60K mile service about $400 for the V6, $700 V8 you can shop around for BMW dealer specials and before 100K, you'll need a brake job, between $600 and $1200, depending your sport package options, size, etc. But if you get the maintaince done as scheduled, the driving experience outweighs the cost.

#32 of 399 Re: 2004 / 2005 BMW 545i - happy? [natedog03] by shipo

Jan 25, 2007 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: natedog03 (Jan 25, 2007 2:15 pm)
Last time I checked, BMW has never built a V6 engine. V8s? Yes, absolutely. I6s? Yes, and have for MANY years. V6s? Not yet, and hopefully never will.
 
Regarding the other items of maintenance that you listed, the E39 530i and 540i have the same brakes, and so I can tell you first hand that they are a piece of cake to do yourself. I did mine with new pads, rotors and sensors, and the whole thing cost me just over $260 for all four wheels. Said another way, these brakes are so easy to do that I can do the job quicker in my driveway than the time it would take to drive to my dealership and back.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#33 of 399 Re: 2004 / 2005 BMW 545i - happy? [shipo] by natedog03

Jan 26, 2007 (11:36 am)

Replying to: shipo (Jan 25, 2007 2:57 pm)
I've only had the older 7's V8, so my experience with the 6 is limited. You are correct, I apologize. If you can do the brake job in your driveway then you should. More power to you. I would never buy a used car from someone that didn't have the service records. When making any kind of investment dealership service offers some safeguards, and at least a papertrail in your research, sometimes even a warranty.

#34 of 399 Re: 2004 / 2005 BMW 545i - happy? [natedog03] by shipo

Jan 26, 2007 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: natedog03 (Jan 26, 2007 11:36 am)
Hmmm, I guess we see things a bit differently. For required maintenance (i.e. oil and filter changes, brake and cooling system flushes and the first 30K scheduled service), I have no problem using the dealer. That said, even though brake jobs are effectively part of the "free maintenance" component of new BMWs, I would never use the dealer for those parts. Why? Because parts that offer superior performance (i.e. lower dust or better stopping power/fade resistance or even a little of both) are available in the aftermarket, parts that your dealer would never use.
 
With the above said, once the warranty period is over, I would never buy an extended warranty or an extended maintenance plan. I would instead use a high quality independent shop for the messy bits, and do the rest myself. Oh, and of course keeping the necessary records all along, regardless of who performed the work.
 
FWIW, following that policy with my 2002 530i, I changed my own oil at 7,500, 22,500 and 37,500 (mid-term oil changes) with Mobil 1 0W-40 and of course used a factory filter. I also changed out my brake pads with PBR/Axxis Deluxe Plus pads that generate virtually no dust and were able to keep my beautiful factory Style 42 two-piece wheels nice and squeaky clean. When lease turn-in time came, several folks here at Edmunds were actually interested in getting to my car before BMW-FS did. Why? Because of the work that I had personally performed on the car. Go figure.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#35 of 399 Re: 2004 / 2005 BMW 545i - happy? [shipo] by natedog03

Jan 26, 2007 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Jan 26, 2007 12:21 pm)
That's cool bud. Did you add anything to it Dinan? AC Schnitzer?

#36 of 399 Re: 2004 / 2005 BMW 545i - happy? [natedog03] by shipo

Jan 26, 2007 (8:16 pm)

Replying to: natedog03 (Jan 26, 2007 2:55 pm)
Nope, I don't like modded cars. Hmmm, maybe not quite correct. I suppose if I was to keep a car to say, over 100,000 miles, I might be tempted to breathe on it a bit, however, that really isn't my style. Pretty much bone stock or I don't want it.
 
Just as my 530i was heading back to BMW at lease end, my annual driving profile changed dramatically. I went from an annual average of about 14,000 miles per year, an average that I sustained for twenty years, to more than 30,000 miles per year. Being very unsure of how long I could sustain that kind of mileage and what might come next, I opted to not replace my wonderful 5er, and instead opted to drive our spare car, an old Home Depot hack in the form of a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan.
 
Fifty thousand miles in twenty months later, it looks like this current situation is workable, however, come this September my annual mileage rate is going to get bumped again to more than 40,000. Needless to say, racking up that kind of mileage in a new BMW is simply unreasonable. Looking at my options, I'm finding low mileage (60K-80K) pristine 2000 vintage 528is (that's plural not an "is" model), with PP, SP, "M" Seats and a 5-Speed for between $15,000 and $17,000 (asking price). I'm thinking that such a car would be good for another 200,000 miles with just reasonable maintenance.
 
Hmmm, buy a new 535i for say $60,000 and drive it 160,000 miles in four years. Resale value? Not pretty. Buy a seven year old 528i for $16,000 and take it up to say 230,000 miles. Resale value? Who cares.
 
So, I told you that so that I could tell you this. I've looked at quite a few cars since I started this shopping process, and when I see a car that has been modified even a little, I move on to the next car. My threshold for modifications? Upgraded brakes and clutch? Yup, bring them on. Wheels and tires? Unless they are the factory size, pass. Body panels? Not a chance. Engine mods? Can't run away fast enough.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

Messages Page 4 of 41

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