looking at this 525d today... any advice?

positivenote

hi guys,
looking at this today
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/525-SE-d/200948195970926/advert?channel=CARS

and just wondering what to look out for when i bring it for a spin? Im a bit suspect due to the reg being blanked out and i know that it will be an import... and also that its a private sale, thus no warrenty.

but im also going to test drive this one also
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/D-m-spor/200840190256026/advert?channel=CARS
which is a little more expensive, with more mileage but it does come with a 6month warrenty and a full service history.

any advice welcome
THanks

rabbitinlights

M-Sports are always going to be more expensive/desirable.

I've never driven the 2.5 Diesel, but it's meant to pale in comparison to the 530d on both power and refinement.

S.

Shires

positivenote wrote: »

and just wondering what to look out for when i bring it for a spin?

E39 buyers guide
Honest John
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11455

Eoin

Both are manual, which would be put me right off. The advert says it averages 40MPG. I reckon you'd get 35MPG in an auto 530d, and I know which one I'd rather have.

rabbitinlights wrote: »

M-Sports are always going to be more expensive/desirable.

And the suspension is obviously quite stiff - if the OP is looking for a more comfortable ride, then perhaps paying less for a non M-sport model might be the sensible option.

Mr Benevolent

Have you thought about getting an auto 525d? Far easier to drive. Both gorgeous cars though.

positivenote

yeah, im looking for a comfortable ride for my weekly comute of over 400k... will checking the service history be enough of a once over for the car as i aint got much of a notion at what id be looking at under a bonnet?

but reading this on Honest John link ablove is a worry:
'On 525 and 530 diesels, inlet manifold swirl actuators prone to breaking off and being ingested by the engine, causing terminal damage' :eek:

positivenote

Confab>>> cant seem to find one in my price range (approx 10k)

Shires

positivenote wrote: »

yeah, im looking for a comfortable ride for my weekly comute of over 400k... will checking the service history be enough of a once over for the car as i aint got much of a notion at what id be looking at under a bonnet?

but reading this on Honest John link ablove is a worry:
'On 525 and 530 diesels, inlet manifold swirl actuators prone to breaking off and being ingested by the engine, causing terminal damage' :eek:

Only on automatics, manuals are not affected by this.

You can blank those off, or replace the inlet manifold with one from a manual (more expensive). Google 530d "swirl flaps".

Eoin

positivenote wrote: »

yeah, im looking for a comfortable ride for my weekly comute of over 400k...

Then I'd think twice about paying extra for the looks of the M-Tech model. Have you totally discounted the 530d? I'd say you might find more in your range.

positivenote wrote: »

will checking the service history be enough of a once over for the car as i aint got much of a notion at what id be looking at under a bonnet?

I'd definitely have someone inspect it properly.

positivenote wrote: »

but reading this on Honest John link ablove is a worry:
'On 525 and 530 diesels, inlet manifold swirl actuators prone to breaking off and being ingested by the engine, causing terminal damage' :eek:

Might be something to look out for, but personally I think that Honest John's reviews don't really give enough weighting to the amount of issues a car might have had.

positivenote

Eoin,
i havent discounted a 530d by any means, but in my price range they all seem to be 100k+ on the mileage. is this an issue? if not how can i maintain something with 100k + on the clockfor a long period of time as i intend to drive this purchase till it dies... (wifes instructions with babies to be considered so prob last 'fun' car for a few years

thanks

rebel.ranter

That Meath registered one is likely to be a UK/NI import, the registration is quite high for Meath, about 9,240 cars were registered in Meath in 2002 in total. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing but if you are considering it then make sure you get a history check done. At least you'll be sure you are buying a car with the right mileage.


EDIT: Doh! I forgot about http://www.mywheels.ie It confirms that it is an import.

Eoin

There's a similar thread on this quite recently actually - yeah, there are things that need to be done at 100K or so, but if you're going to be holding on to the car for a while, then it's just a matter of when you'll have to pay to do it, rather than if. You might even find an older car with some of this work already done.

I think you might be getting too hung up on the mileage - it's only one factor to consider.

R.O.R

rebel.ranter wrote: »

That Meath registered one is likely to be a UK/NI import, the registration is quite high for Meath, about 9,240 cars were registered in Meath in 2002 in total. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing but if you are considering it then make sure you get a history check done. At least you'll be sure you are buying a car with the right mileage.


EDIT: Doh! I forgot about http://www.mywheels.ie It confirms that it is an import.

I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Ireland didn't get the 525d E39 model so they are all imports. Think there was the 525Tds for a while then nothing until the 525d in the E60.

We had a couple of 05 E60 525d's with the 2.5 engine in recently, which is probably the same engine as the E39. One with 165,000km and one with 185,000km on the clock. No issues at all with the engines, but the interiors were looking a bit tired.

There is no comparison performance wise between the 2.5 525d and the later3.0 525, yet alone a 530d.

Lex Luthor

If you are after the M-Sport, make sure it has leather..

Eoin

Lex Luthor wrote: »

If you are after the M-Sport, make sure it has leather..

Alcantara is not a bad compromise at all. Some people prefer it, and will spec down their car in favour of it.

Bearcat

google swirl flaps

positivenote

So i brought the 525d out for a spin and tbh it wasnts as nearly comfortable as i thought it would be. It didnt really have the 'pull' that i was expecting, in fact the tdi im currently driving is more comfy and i feel pulled away quicker (but i dont really mind this to be honest). However, there was also alot of white smoke coming out of the exhaust when driving, worryingly so tbh. then when i returned it to the dealer and tried to restart it it wouldnt start? the dealer said about the white moke that it was the oil filter that needed changing and that it would be done.. you'd think that this would be done to a car that hes try to sell.
So im not to sure at all about the 525d now, but maybe i shouldnt paint them all with one brush. But as comfort is important for me due to the commute i reckon i'll be giving this one a miss and keep looking.

patmartino

positivenote wrote: »

So i brought the 525d out for a spin and tbh it wasnts as nearly comfortable as i thought it would be. It didnt really have the 'pull' that i was expecting, in fact the tdi im currently driving is more comfy and i feel pulled away quicker (but i dont really mind this to be honest). However, there was also alot of white smoke coming out of the exhaust when driving, worryingly so tbh. then when i returned it to the dealer and tried to restart it it wouldnt start? the dealer said about the white moke that it was the oil filter that needed changing and that it would be done.. you'd think that this would be done to a car that hes try to sell.
So im not to sure at all about the 525d now, but maybe i shouldnt paint them all with one brush. But as comfort is important for me due to the commute i reckon i'll be giving this one a miss and keep looking.

Give it a wide berth.

The prices are way too high. You could buy an 08 car for that budget