Upgrading, please help

unkel

Have had my '94 BMW 530i V8 Auto for just over 3 years now. Fabulous performance saloon, but want something newer now.

This is my first BMW and I would only really consider going BMW again. The good thing is that the new model is just out and the current model is losing a bit of value second hand. I was thinking of spending €7k-€12k max plus my car for a current (E39) 5 series

This car is my first automatic as well and I wouldn't want to go without it anymore

I would consider a little drop in performance, but don't want anything slowish. Would not consider an early 520i (2 liter)

Ideally I would like to go diesel, but not the old fashioned 525TDS. 530D is not in my price range, so it will propably have to be petrol for the next few years

What do you think my car is worth as part exchange? Anyone interested in buying my car of me, let me know (all elec, heated mirrors, front armrests, 4 Headrests, Pioneer 10cd changer, tinted glass, remote c/l, alarm, immobiliser, 83k miles, lots of service history)

BTW the higher the spec the better :cool: High on my wishlist are leather, sunroof, cd changer and cruise control

Edit: I do check sites like B&S, cbg, carzone etc.

ToxicPaddy

If you want something with power and some extras for that price range then you're
better of going for something like the 523i or 528i models and around the 96 -
98 time frame...

Granted some will have higher than average mileage but most will have been execs
cars and will have been company cars too so chances are that they will have been
very well looked after.

I saw a fantastic 1997 528i last year on the market for about €15k with 98k on the
clock and the works as far as extras were concerned so there are some out there
especially now that the new model 5 series is on the market.

I would keep an eye on the dealers websites and see what comes up there. Chances are that you will get one with all the specs and maybe even a warranty.
I would however sell yours privately as most dealers wouldnt even come close
to offering what its worth for trade in.

Personally Id say yours is worth about €5k to €6k at most, but you might be lucky to
get that as most wouldnt buy a car with such a large engine for private use. You
might be able to flog it to a taxi driver tho..

Tox

BrianD3

How about the old model Jag XJR? Either the 6 cylinder one or the V8. Performance is on a par with the BMW M5. Loaded with equipment. Depreciates very heavily so might be available cheap enough. Very expensive to run in terms of insurance, tax, parts, servicing and fuel consumption. However the 530i isn't exactly a cheap car to run either, so you'd be used to that.

BrianD3

mike65

unkle if I were you I'd just wait until this phase passes, it sounds like you have a peach of a car you really like - run it for a few more years until a 530d is within price range then you will have had more value out of the barge without making it much more "used".

Mike.

ToxicPaddy

You could always look at the Lexus aswell..

There are a few GS300's and LS400's around with low enuff mileage and well
within your price range and stocked to the gills with extras, leather, air conditioning,
cruise control etc etc and depreciate very heavily in value too..

But Mike is right, you should hold onto yours for a while longer. It sounds like a
peach of a car with a good long life left in it... and you might regret selling it
afterwards..

Tox

silver surfer

Have you considered a Saab - you'll get a fully loaded 93/95 approx 00 reg for that money and they came out # 8 in the JD Power survey last year, above BMW and the highest rank for a European car

unkel

Thanks a million guys for your suggestions

silver surfer, saabs are solid cars, but I really want to stick with BMW

BrianD3, the XJ6 old model can indeed be had for very little money. I'm sure that if you got one of the very few good ones, you'd be laughing all the way. Obviously the high running costs don't bother me that much, but I'd be afraid of it dying on me. Reliability only started to improve dramatically after Ford took over. Also I really want to stick with beamers

ToxicPaddy, have played with the idea of getting a Lexus and they are fantastic cars and probably the most reliable in the segment (know the JD Power scores + read a review of a LS400 many years ago that was several years old and had 185K miles on the clock - the car looked and drove like brand new) but really got the BMW bug

mike65, you are my conscience speaking

Of course I should keep my beloved 530 and drive it into the ground, have a great time and save myself loads of € - this is of course still an option I know it is the wise decision, but it doesn't really stop the itch

ToxicPaddy, I came to the same conclusion about the engine. Would be very interested in the 528 in particular, as it has similar enough performance to my 530 and it doesn't seem to cost more second hand than a 523

BTW my driving behaviour has changed somewhat since the introduction of penalty points. I still put the foot all the way down when overtaking on a single carriageway (and thus exceeding the speed limit) but don't do a lot of constant high speed driving any more unfortunately.

Another option I'd consider is a 7 series - any opinions on that?

mike65

Originally posted by unkel

Another option I'd consider is a 7 series - any opinions on that?

Cheap but you'll proberly have to drive it till it dies!

This from www.buyandsell.ie

BMW 730i '95. New shape, a/c, cruise control, leather interior, fully loaded, 113k mls, 2 owners, met blue, NCT 05/05, Price: €8,750 Contact: 085-7241687.

Mike.

BrianD3

BrianD3, the XJ6 old model can indeed be had for very little money. I'm sure that if you got one of the very few good ones, you'd be laughing all the way. Obviously the high running costs don't bother me that much, but I'd be afraid of it dying on me. Reliability only started to improve dramatically after Ford took over. Also I really want to stick with beamers

Understandable that you'd want to stick with BMW. Jag is a different driving experience - more comfort, less sporty, more of an "old man's car" and different image to BMW. But I have to say that you are wrong with your comments about Jag reliability. The 1994-1997 XJ6/XJR6 has a very good rep for reliability as does the XJ8/XJR8 which replaced it (1997-2003) These cars are leagues ahead of the previous XJ40 and Series 3 Jags in terms of reliability. Check out honestjohn.co.uk and carsurvey.org. The car has also done very well in Top Gear JD Power survey in recent years - ahead of BMW and Mercedes. Like any prestige car a full service histroy is essential and the cars are quite uncommon in this country, esp the XJR but then again the normally aspirated cars aren't exactly short on power (4.0 litre XJ6 has 245 bhp AFAIK)

Just doing my bit to try and tempt you away from your beloved Beemers

BrianD3

unkel

Originally posted by BrianD3
Just doing my bit to try and tempt you away from your beloved Beemers

LOL - good attempt Brian, but afraid you can't win this one

Originally posted by mike65
Cheap but you'll proberly have to drive it till it dies!

This from www.buyandsell.ie

Mike.

Thanks for the link Mike - that seems good value alright. It has the exact same engine + transmission as in my present car. Going for a 7 series, I'd probably go for the more modern 735 though (the 728 is a bit tame).

Anyway, just toying with the 7 series idea. Much more likely I'll go 5 series

Seth Brundle

@ Unkel - see my post http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=139804
[edit] meant to add that I may consider the 3L E34 [/edit]

unkel

Hello man,

see below



quote:

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Originally posted by ToxicPaddy
Personally Id say yours is worth about €5k to €6k at most, but you might be lucky to get that as most wouldnt buy a car with such a large engine for private use

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quote:

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Originally posted by kbannon
How much are you looking for it? Where are you based?

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Based in Lucan

NCT until 2005 - mileage 83K

€4500 is what I'd be looking for ONO. The car has NO Aircon, NO electric seats, NO heated seats, NO leather seats, but does have all electric windows and mirrors (also heated) and electric sunroof

The car is in BMW Sterling Silver Metallic and has never been in any crash. It has been broken into once (the original Sony stereo was stolen) but the stereo has been replaced with a better quality Pioneer

The original owner was the Finnish Ambassador to Ireland

The car is a '94 D AUTOMATIC 530i V8 - 32 Velve M60 Engine

I have owned this car for well over 3 years and I've had this car serviced

- firstly at the BMW dealer, charging me a fortune
- at a specialist BMW garage

THIS IS WRONG WITH THE CAR:

a hole in the engine somewhere that leaks oil. The magnificent (computer based) notification system tells me once in a while to fill up the engine oil. Typically I feed it with about 1 liter of oil per month. The leak can be fixed but the engine has to be lifted from the bonnet, costing several hundred €. My driveway is wrecked with the spillage anyway, so I don't care
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