Looking at getting a BMW 5 Series

Yarnhall

Hi,
Thinking of getting a 5 series, the E61 version, always liked the look of them, had a quick check on carzone for 530D's, not a lot of them for sale so might just try for a 520d M (might be worth looking at petrol versions too, mileage has dropped off a bit, mix of town and motorway, 10K a year at a rough guess...)

Only really started to look into this but is there anything I should be looking out for, specific version to stay away from? It's all early days yet, need to sort out the current one pay it off (not much left on it) so talking roughly 25-30K, 08 onwards (looking up the tax it should be based on C02 and not engine size, D band?).

Also, what's the service intervals like on them, usually get a minor one done on the current car once a year regardless of mileage, any rough estimates on price for minor/full. Also, timing chains, do they need to get looked at (tensioners, if they've even got them!). Have they full or saver spares or is that down to how they were originally spec'd when bought?

Cheers,Y.

bazz26

Motor tax on car registered before 2008 will be based on engine size which means the 520d will cost €614 to tax per year. You would want to be saving a good bit on the purchase price of a 07 over a 08 model in order to benefit from the lower tax. In other words if a 07 model costs €5k less than a 08 then the €5k saved buying the 07 will buy you alot of motor tax for it.

If you are only doing 10k miles per year then I would consider a petrol model, they cost a good bit less than a diesel and your not going to make the premium you paid for the diesel back at the pumps.

Regarding the spare wheel, BMW fit run flat tyres to nearly all their vehicles these days so there is no spare wheel fitted. I don't think there is even room for one in the boot. Alot of owners have complained about the hard ride from the run flats especially on the M Sport models and some have replaced them with standard tyres and put a can of tyre weld in the boot. I have heard that BMW plan to ditch run flats in favour of stand tyres at some stage.

Cannot answer your questions on the service intervals as I have no first hand knowledge of the car.

RandomAccess

E61 is the 5 series touring, really like the look of that car.
Theres probably not an awful lot of them about though.

kincaid

Hi

is the co2 tax road on cars only come in on june/july 2008 so if you purchased a february 2008 bmw its would be taxed on old engine size rate not on the co2 emissions...
is that correct?

frank gooding

No a car purchased in Jan 2008 has the option of paying whichever is cheaper.

I know a guy that bought a 3 series in 2008 taxed it for 6 months then switched to the co2 tax to save a few bob.


Once the car is 2008 a 520d or 530d wagon would be the way to go.

I think the 535d auto would be sweet.

Ricardo G

Pesonally i would go for the 08 model with cheaper tax
Also has the 177bhp on the 520d and defo go Auto, manual is a horrible drive in this car due to its size. Fuel consumption in the 520d is amazing

bmw535d

id go for the 07/08 thats when the lci model came out with alot of updates do the car. most notably the auto gearbox which is much better than the older one.

stretch your budget to get an 08 530d auto msport touring.

service intervals are every 15000 miles.

Fishtits

OP go for a post '08 version, the tax issue is a big deal.

As for auto vs manual... depends on your taste, auto is pure luxury but they have patchy reliability and realistically you can knock 20-30% off your economy vs a manual. If it goes wrong you're looking at several grand to sort it.

Manual is bullet proof. Its not such a big deal here (vs internet forums) in that we can drive manual cars...

unkel

Fishtits wrote: »

OP go for a post '08 version, the tax issue is a big deal.

As for auto vs manual... depends on your taste, auto is pure luxury but they have patchy reliability and realistically you can knock 20-30% off your economy vs a manual. If it goes wrong you're looking at several grand to sort it.

Manual is bullet proof. Its not such a big deal here (vs internet forums) in that we can drive manual cars...

:eek:

The tax issue seems to be more than compensated in '08 cars and newer

Manuals being bullet proof - you sure?

Yarnhall

Thanks all for the replies, probably go for an early 08 520d manual, dark blue, the hunt begins

Boxtyeater

Yarnhall wrote: »

Thanks all for the replies, probably go for an early 08 520d manual, dark blue, the hunt begins

Go for a 07 Jaguar 2.00SE at Deben Motors Mansfield.com.??
Spot on dealer..sold as seen...Paul Shipley (Owner) is a top guy..

I bought a timeless Jag and my lads(2) bought 2 BMW's..Top guy...