Advice Needed - 5 Series or something else?

Tails142

So I've been thinking of getting a new car for the past couple of months - coming home on friday I put a hole in the exhaust coming over a ramp so the car is totally knackered. Was setting off car alarms with the noise as I drove the rest of the way home The suspension is the cause of why the exhaust was rubbing so I would have to get that fixed or I would just wreck a new exhaust and I dont want to be pumping money into a car I'm already thinking of changing.

So, I now have to make my decision pretty quickly as to which car to get next. I can get the bus to work next couple of days but I will have to get the a new car sorted asap as I need it for travelling in work.

I had been dreaming of getting a BMW 530d - My budget is anywhere from 8 to 12k - so I reckon I could get a decent 530d. The clincher is I'm a 24yo male so the insurance is probably gonna be a grand and the tax is over a thousand too.

I had been begun to think that this perhaps brought the car above my budget. I began to look at 520, a 3-series, Audi A4, Volvo A6 etc? I'm not too keen on a 3 series, everyone seems to be driving a 3-series these days.

Basically the problem I have in weighing these cars up are the running costs - mainly servicing. Assuming I buy a 530d and I have to replace a part here or there how is the cost going to compare to doing similiar maintenance to say a S60 or a 3-series? Perhaps someone who owns a 530d could tell me how much they have had to fork up on servicing their car in the past year or two?

Thanks!!

colm_mcm

A4 or A6 1.9 TDI?

Seth Brundle

The E39 is a lovely car to drive. Insurance on my 523i was no different to my previous E30 320i and I could have gotten an E34 540i for the same price (~€800 (a few years ago - its come down since allegedly)).
A good bit of the servicing can be DIY or you could use a specialist - I wouldn't bother using a dealer except as a source for parts.
If you want one and choose against the 523d then a good 525i would be my suggestion but these may be more than your budget permits. Otherwise get a 528i or else a 523i - preferably post March 98.
For me, I have not spent much on servicing my car. I spent ~350 on getting a few things done for the NCT. Otherwise all it cost me was basic consumables (oil, filters, plugs, etc.) I certainly would not have spent over €700 in total.
Tyres for these (if on 17" rims) can be up to ~€200 each but they last long enough (~2 years).

Lex Luthor

colm_mcm wrote:

A4 or A6 1.9 TDI?

could the OP pick up a decent one for their budget??? I doubt it unless it has galactic mileage

mike65

Stlightly OT do BMW still use "metric" tyres?

Mike.

Seth Brundle

No - AFAIK that was only some E28 5 series and E24 6 series cars. You can still get the tyres for thm but they'll cost you!

colm_mcm

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=689208&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Skoda%20Superb%2C%20Price%20Max%3A%20%E2%82%AC13%2C000%2C%20Diesel%20Only%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=6696946&CFTOKEN=24888332

E92

mike65 wrote:

Stlightly OT do BMW still use "metric" tyres?

Mike.

I'm presuming that 'metric' tyres are those measured in millimetres instead of inches. Aren't run flat tyres done in millimetres instead of inches as well?

When were/are they used and by whom?

colm_mcm

they used to use metric tyres on the Metro!

BMWs with metric tyres are listed above by kbannon.

Tails142

Bleh well I rang up Axa today to check the insurance and all they'd insure me on is a 316 :rolleyes:

Lookin at a 523i - hopefully I'll be able to find someone willing to insure me, been driving six years but I've been a named driver and on company policies during that time.

rowanh

Try britton insurance, i just found yesterday they will quote me on a honda nsx, detomaso pantera and a ferarri 550! around 2-3k though for third part fire and theft.

michaelanthony

Tails142 wrote:

Bleh well I rang up Axa today to check the insurance and all they'd insure me on is a 316 :rolleyes:

Lookin at a 523i - hopefully I'll be able to find someone willing to insure me, been driving six years but I've been a named driver and on company policies during that time.

Try Quinn Direct. I was 26 when I got insurance on a 523i form them no problem.

Lex Luthor

you should be able to get a decent enough 523i in a '99 plate for your budget.
I just shifted a 97 for less than 6k, so make sure you look around. Some lemons out there so check often

smash

when people are looking at 3series/5series or A4/A6 why does someone always mention a bloody skoda as an alternative...

Tails142

Yeah right enough Quinn Direct seem willing enough to insure me on anything and not for too bad a price.


what do you think of this 7-series... would it be an absolute disaster?

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=655239

This 5-series caught my eye;
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=676667

Should I just go out and see it or would you reccommend arranging with www.carcheck.ie to do an assessment - I'm fairly technically minded but apart from rust and asking has it been recently serviced I wouldnt know what to look for really. Is it worth forking out some dough to run a check on cartell.ie also?

rebel.ranter

steve06 wrote:

when people are looking at 3series/5series or A4/A6 why does someone always mention a bloody skoda as an alternative...

I just thought it was a running joke on this forum TBH. It seems as though it's a bit more than that now though.
Stop I say:D

michaelanthony

My 523i is the most boring car I ever had. I'm selling it and buying a 740.

Eoin

michaelanthony wrote:

My 523i is the most boring car I ever had. I'm selling it and buying a 740.

How do you mean boring? I would think that the 7 series will be an even less involving drive?

Tails142 wrote:

My budget is anywhere from 8 to 12k - so I reckon I could get a decent 530d.

Please post some links if you do see any 530ds in that price range.

michaelanthony

Slow.

Eoin

michaelanthony wrote:

Slow.

I said the same test driving a 523i but I have a feeling that's because I'm more used to the low down revs and more involved feel of my 320d.

michaelanthony

My automatic 320i feels faster.

Tails142

Doesnt seem to be too many 530d's around this month but I remember looking around previously and there were more in the 10-12k bracket.

I've spent most of the day browsing and I've narrowed it down to the following specimens;

840CI; http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=660409

530D; http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=741533

528i; http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=723377

523i; http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=676667

How am I supposed to make my choice?? am I nuts even thinking about the 8 series? There was one or two seven series I saw in my price bracket but I've read the 728 is a bit underpowered... how am I supposed to avoid buying a lemon and should I just go for the highest spec I can afford which seems to be in reasonably good nick?

michaelanthony

The 530d is animal fast. The 840i is nice, the only possible negative thing is that it could look a bit dated. Everything else about it is positive.You are not nuts. Just because you are young, shouldn't mean you can't drive a big car. Young people in other countries drive big cars.

Eoin

Tails142 wrote:

Doesnt seem to be too many 530d's around this month but I remember looking around previously and there were more in the 10-12k bracket.

I've spent most of the day browsing and I've narrowed it down to the following specimens;

840CI; http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=660409

530D; http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=741533

528i; http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=723377

523i; http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=676667

How am I supposed to make my choice?? am I nuts even thinking about the 8 series? There was one or two seven series I saw in my price bracket but I've read the 728 is a bit underpowered... how am I supposed to avoid buying a lemon and should I just go for the highest spec I can afford which seems to be in reasonably good nick?

I've heard that the 8 series is very expensive to run, but I think they are a brilliant looking car (even though it appeared in the "100 worst designs" or something similar on some motoring website - link was posted here a while ago).

It's a scary thought that a 2.8 litre isn't enough engine for the 7 series, but that could well be the case. If you're going for a 7 series, then just go the whole hog and get the 740.

The 530D would be my pick of the bunch, but I'm sure there'll be some petrol snobs who'll tell you petrol or nothing.

Try www.bmw-driver.net, you'll get lots of solid advice there. If you're based in Dublin, then I'd recommend asking Al or Richie over at AC Car Sales on the SCR to have a look over any cars for you.

unkel

Tails142 wrote:

what do you think of this 7-series... would it be an absolute disaster?

Why would it be a disaster? What do you want in a car? Of all the 7-series, the 728 is the last one I'd go for but I expect a 4.4l V8 740 would be rather difficult for you to insure

Tails142 wrote:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=655239

The colour looks familiar

Tails142

unkel wrote:

Why would it be a disaster? What do you want in a car? Of all the 7-series, the 728 is the last one I'd go for but I expect a 4.4l V8 740 would be rather difficult for you to insure

Just in terms of maintenance and MPG - I dont want to buy a car that's ten grand now, and then spend another ten grand over the next 3 years getting it serviced and keeping it together, never mind just keeping it on the road which would be €1300 for tax and probably about the same for insurance again.

The colour looks familiar

Old car of yours?

I think I'm gonna keep to the original plan and go with a 530d, will have to go overbudget somewhat but sure its not gonna break that bank. Just as long as I can get this loan sorted out... :eek:

Will let you know how I get on; planning on buying from a dealer... so not gonna bother with getting an engineer out to check it, any of you have any dealings or heard stories about this Motopoint Parkwest place?

unkel

Tails142 wrote:

Old car of yours?

My current car is a '96 735 in "Orient Blau Metallic"

Tails142 wrote:

which would be €1300 for tax

Tax on a 728 is €1033. But indeed, go over 3l and it jumps to €1343

Tails142 wrote:

I dont want to buy a car that's ten grand now, and then spend another ten grand over the next 3 years getting it serviced and keeping it together

Fair point. From my experience: I've owned old large BMW saloons with V8 petrol engines for nearly 7 years now. Maintenance by my specialist has not cost me any more per year than maintenance of any brand new 1.4 small family hatch by a main dealer would cost. But granted, you need to buy a good car and you need a bit of luck too

My current car has 18" wheels with low profile tyres. Those tyres are expensive!

Tails142

Ok well I've decided to go for a 523i/528 - depending on which I can get for the right price. Planning to import it from the UK, intending to go over next week to get it - hopefully foot and mouth is gonna screw things up for me too much.

Anyway, I'm going to get whatever car I choose inspected by Dekra; one thing I am concerned about is catylitic convertors. Can I expect this to require a change after a certain amount of miles? Will the dekra inpsection show up that the cat. needs to be replaced shortly?

Seen as I will have to get it NCT'd nearly immediately I dont want to necessarily have to outlay a further thousand immediately after buying it. I'll be pretty strapped after vrt, tax and insurance as it is

Any opinions/experience on when cat. convertors on 523/528's will require replacing?

Seth Brundle

The cats tend to go (if they do go!) about 60-70k miles/8-10 years and dealer replacements are about €1500 - had to replace mine!
The majority of problems with the E39 are electrical - some easy to fix, some not.

Curran

I have a '96 523i - the cat is just gone on it - it was in with a good indy garage yesterday and they tried everything to get the emission down to pass the NCT but failed
She's back in tomorrow morning for a new Cat. - i'll let you know how badly it hits the back pocket :eek: Hopefully not too much!

Also, be very careful with UK cars at the moment - as mentioned in a different thread - lots of UK cars have been water damaged - so watch out for cars going for unusually cheap prices

Tails142

Cool, I'd like to hear how much they cost independent.

I also presume that a dekra/aa inspection on the car would show up water damage? I know I killed a van in a puddle and every time I started it big plumes of white smoke came out of it. Thanks though I'll keep it mind.

Currently bidding on a car on ebay.co.uk - going for a good price, fantastic spec and the dealer has hundreds of good feedback reports so I feel pretty confident that I'm going to get a good deal. Really looking forward to my new car!!

Tails142

Won the bidding on this;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150147710970&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=005

Looks pretty good, high mileage but I reckon I can get it back, taxed and insured on the road for €11,000 which is going pretty well when similiar models on carzone are going for €16k

Booked in the inspection with Dekra at £250 so hopefully they wont throw up any faults that are too serious with it. Hopefully I've just bagged a bargain!

RobAMerc

That looks v nice Tails well ware.

i was just about to post the 528 may be a better bet as the difference in insurance and fuel consumption is neg and the 5 series aint a light car, so the extra cc's will help.

Well done nice motor, you must be chuffed.

terrible to see £3700 stg turn into an €11k on the road price aint it ! fookin Ali Bertie and the 40 theives.

unkel

Very nice, Tails142

Imagine you can buy that much car for £3.7k :eek:

Rowley Birkin QC

Stunning car for £3.7k. Let us know how it all goes from here.

Best of luck with it.

Tails142

Well have the car back home and its running great.

Got Dekra to do an inspection before I went over - the guy was fairly negative about the car in some parts, but in my opinion they were only minor things; I guess they have to find some faults. I would say the check is worth doing however to make sure you're not buying a crashed car.

The cost worked out as follows;

Car €5520
VRT €2990
Dekra €400
Flights €300
Ferry €240
Tube €20

---

Total - €9470

Don't think you'd get a 5 series with similar spec in Ireland for anything less than 12k so I'm very happy.

Its takes off like a rocet, quickest car I've ever driven so I'll probably be disqualified within the year Thirsty though so I'm doing my best to behave too!!

Would definetly reccomend buying cars in the UK and especially on ebay - that guy I bought mine off seems to get ex company lease cars to shift.

Churchy

Looks like a nice car for the money m8 , good luck!

What sort of MPG you getting?

bauderline

Someone made me an offer I could not refuse, so I swapped my 05 Audi A4 2.5 TDI for a 04 545i ....

Now that DOES move like a rocket, so does the freakin petrol guage apparently !! A real nice car drive though, handles very nicely, thinking of fitting the MTEC Aero kit to it as this kit finishes off the front of the car very nicely. Its a nice subtle kit with clean lines, very similar to the kit that comes as standard on the M5.

Traumadoc

I bought my first BMW last week (05, 530 d) I have been very impressed, I usually drive a Merc (and Porsche on the Weekend) but have been pissed of withe the quality and poor service from the main dealer. The BMW is seriously fast and economical.

tuxy

Tails142 wrote:

Would definetly reccomend buying cars in the UK and especially on ebay - that guy I bought mine off seems to get ex company lease cars to shift.

Sounds like you got a good car but did it not worrying that you were bidding on car that you only had pictures of?

Tails142

What sort of MPG you getting?

Well Let's just say its worth it; got it back from London and up from Rosslare, about 500 miles on 70 litres... so that's about 29mpg - we were flying though at 80-90mph to try and make the ferry (which we missed anyway) so maybe not the most economical. Onboard computer says I'm getting 26.9mpg driving around Dublin but I havent verified it. Apart the odd time when I slip it into sports mode I've been driving calmly enough though

Sounds like you got a good car but did it not worrying that you were bidding on car that you only had pictures of?

Yes - but certain things reassured me; he had hundreds of good feedback from previous buyers with some bad feedback that you would expect; faults that emerged from the cars which it would appear he then fixed as the buyer withdrew the bad feedback.

All the pics of his cars are taken infront of the same field so I figured they were genuine pictures he had taken of the cars. The most important thing was getting Dekra to send an engineer out to inspect the car; worth every penny in reassurance as then I knew it wasnt crashed, water-damaged, chopped in half etc. I was able to speak to the engineer on the phone and talk through the faults he found on the car.

It would suck however to pay the €400 for the inspection only to find out the car is a piece of thrash and then be down the €400; but better than buying a lemon.