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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 37 of 41

#354 of 399 Re: 2003 BMW did well thanks to this Board [hoosierbmw] by roadburner

Dec 25, 2009 (11:31 pm)

Replying to: hoosierbmw (Dec 23, 2009 2:32 pm)
Maintenance is higher, it just is...nothing you can do.. it ticks off my wife, but it is my car. That is why I bought a used one. Oil changes cost me $100 plus.. again made wife mad , but can go further btw changes.
 
Have you considered changing the oil yourself? It's dead easy on an E39. Oil and a filter will run $60. Join BMW CCA, most dealers and shops offer CCA discounts. A good indie BMW tech will likely save you money as well.

#355 of 399 E39 possible purchase - what to look out for? by sunilb

Dec 28, 2009 (2:44 pm)

Any thoughts on what to look out for when looking at used 540it's and the M5? I ask b/c I'm not as familiar with these larger engines and possible issues.
 
I'm seeing a few out there with 75K miles, offered for $14K (540it) to $18K (M5). I'm sure maintenance will be pricey, but I'd like to go in with my eyes "wide open" for any potential major issues.
 
Thanks.

#356 of 399 Re: E39 possible purchase - what to look out for? [sunilb] by firstforkjim

Dec 28, 2009 (6:02 pm)

Replying to: sunilb (Dec 28, 2009 2:44 pm)
Cooling (rad, water pump) and electrical systems are well documented trouble areas. Tranny and engine issues, if/when occur, are very expensive to fix. Massively expensive if M5. Having or finding independent BMW mechanic with BMW-specific training/tools essential for happy long-term ownership. Finding well-maintained unit (in excess of factory spec. if possible) equally essential. With those two conditions, what you spend in repair and maintenance you will more than save in depreciation.

#357 of 399 Re: E39 possible purchase - what to look out for? [sunilb] by roadburner

Dec 28, 2009 (11:17 pm)

Replying to: sunilb (Dec 28, 2009 2:44 pm)
I almost bought a 2003 540i Sport in January 2009, but I decided to be practical and keep my Mazdaspeed 3. Big mistake. Right now I have my eye on a 2000 M5 that I'm hoping to pick up for less than 16K. BMWtips.com and m5board.com are excellent places to do a little research. The S62 seems to be a fairly reliable engine; most problems you may encounter are relatively minor(if not necessarily cheap to fix)- such as thermostats, VANOS solenoids, etc. Other than that, you just have the typical E39 maladies such as suspension bushings, window regulators, and radiators.

#358 of 399 Re: E39 possible purchase - what to look out for? [roadburner] by sunilb

Dec 29, 2009 (4:44 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Dec 28, 2009 11:17 pm)
I spoke to an independent BMW mechanic last night and he said to expect to spend $2K-$3K annually for the M5... or roughly 50% more than for the 540 (as an example, he said that the all four brakes on the M5 would run $2K). Now, I could justify this because I should only need to do the brakes every 4 years or so.
 
He basically said that it would make more sense to get the 540 w/manual transmission.
 
Is this what you guys had in mind, cost-wise?

#359 of 399 Re: E39 possible purchase - what to look out for? [sunilb] by roadburner

Dec 30, 2009 (12:10 am)

Replying to: sunilb (Dec 29, 2009 4:44 pm)
I spoke to an independent BMW mechanic last night and he said to expect to spend $2K-$3K annually for the M5... or roughly 50% more than for the 540 (as an example, he said that the all four brakes on the M5 would run $2K).
 
Aside from brakes, I can't see where he's getting those numbers. Do more parts fail on the S62? Are said parts more expensive? A combination of the two? With regards to the brakes, you can get Centric rotors and StopTech pads from Zeckhausen Racing for $608. Several M5 board members have used them with no complaints. Either do the install yourself(it's very simple) or have your indie guy do it.

#360 of 399 Re: E39 possible purchase - what to look out for? [roadburner] by sunilb

Dec 30, 2009 (9:51 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Dec 30, 2009 12:10 am)
From what he was saying is that all of the parts are more expensive. I'll have to call another indy to get a second opinion of what my potential out of pocket expense will be.
 
Funny that you mentioned the MS3-- I started my process of really wanting to get a hatch/wagon but couldn't find one that was RWD and manual transmission. Though, I did consider the MS3 and GTI (GTI seems nice, but I feel a bit old for it). The 3 and 5-series wagons are hard to come by with a stick, so I've migrated to the 5-series (and I have a preference for the E39 body style / fewer electronics).
 
Why are you eyeing a 2000 model year, instead of an '01-'03?

#361 of 399 Re: E39 possible purchase - what to look out for? [sunilb] by roadburner

Dec 30, 2009 (6:49 pm)

Replying to: sunilb (Dec 30, 2009 9:51 am)
Why are you eyeing a 2000 model year, instead of an '01-'03?
 
I'm looking at a specific car that has passed a thorough PPI and is priced right. I can always upgrade the Nav system to a Mk. IV- and the Celis lights and LED tails as well.

#362 of 399 Re: 2003 BMW did well thanks to this Board [hoosierbmw] by outnspace

Jan 09, 2010 (6:11 am)

Replying to: hoosierbmw (Dec 23, 2009 2:32 pm)
You can save yourself lots of money by changing the oil yourself. It is so simple on this car, it takes about 15 minutes to do. The oil filter is topside with a screw on canister and the oil drain plug underneath the car. With the money I save I use lubro-moly oil, which is more pricey than your average oil but the best oil for this car.

#363 of 399 03 530i CWP/PP $13500.00 good deal? by decho

Mar 04, 2010 (7:43 pm)

Hi all,
currently own a 97 e39 w/160k. got clipped in the rear and ins paid me 4500.00 for repair. It;s still my daily driver, I kept the money and am considering purchasing an '03 530i steptronic, CWP and PP with 72k.
Many friends think I'm weird buying the same car but it's been a bullet (typical radiator problems/window reg).
New car is local at dealer, full service records; dealer recently replaced fuel pump, alternator/generator. I want to offer them 12k for the car....thoughts?

Messages Page 37 of 41

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