e39 520i?

Vikings

Just sold my Honda Accord there today in record turn around time from first phone call to handing over the dosh

Now its new different car time. From past record i'll probably only be keeping the car for a year or two so i'm leaning towards going down the bangernomics route again following my last e30. Im keeping an eye out for decent e30's at a good price but in the mean time I want to pick up something quickly that I can use daily.

Went out and took a few e39 520i's out for a spin today and liked them, looking at the bottom of the barrel though around the €2k price tag so hard enough to find a clean example.

Anything in particular to look out for or check? Might go take a second look at one in particular tomorrow, sub €2k from a dealer.

Or any suggestions for other cars? (Preferably sub €3k and looking at 2.0l max)

oh and af_thefragile...i don't think ill go for a ford puma before you suggest it

Curlz24

Could you PM me your email,I may be able to help you out

Seth Brundle

Check that all electrics work.
Check for any strange noises, etc when starting up from cold and when driving.
Check for overheating.

See http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/attachments/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/85356d1247256018-e39-buyers-guide-aug-05-bimmer-e39-buyers-guide-8-2005.pdf
and
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=24786

Curlz24 wrote: »

Could you PM me your email,I may be able to help you out

Whats wrong with posting responses on the thread like everyone else?

Vikings

Cheers for those links kbannon, i've taken a few for a spin and have somewhat narrowed it down to 2 particular cars. Now looking for some boards opinion to help sway my decision!!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-SE/201032199194095/advert?channel=CARS

This one seems to be in decent nick to me, pros + cons:

+ Good condition outside, alloys in good nick + spare alloy.
+ Cheaper than other 520, 3 months engine/gearbox warranty, serviced & new tyres etc.
+ Higher spec, MFSW, cruise control, did I mention cheaper?
+ Parrot bluetooth kit + taxed until January
- Couple of trim bits need replacing, rear cup holders and 2 radio buttons
- Didn't drive as smooth as other 520, gearbox in particular felt clunkier!
- Headlights affected by condensation pretty bad (common on these I know)
- NCT out in March.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520i-ONL/201034199293606/advert?channel=CARS

I took this out and really liked it, price is putting me off slightly.

+ Low mileage for year, only 1 previous owner and close to FSH.
+ I prefer the look of this car, colour etc. Very nice blue interior, though odd at first really grew on me. Oh and the 17" alloys arent bad either.
+ Headlights are perfect no condensation (every other one I looked at had it)
+ One year engine/gearbox warranty, fresh NCT until January. (visual retest tomorrow)
- Paintwork. Keyed down both sides hitting all panels, not immediately noticable but on closer inspection paint needs a lot of TLC.
- Alloys are in desperate need of a refurb, spare wheel only 15" steely.
- Key needs replacing, remote central locking not working. Said they were quoted just over 100 for this. Some trim here needs work/replacing too.
- Slightly lower spec to one above yet more expensive due to history.

So that's where I stand right now, I walked out of the garage with 2,500 in my pocket yesterday because the dealer would not budge on the price of the silver one even though I would have drove it away then and there. After a call later he dropped it to 2,750 with years warranty but i'd have to replace key myself.

Now the blue one, better spec, lower price. I prefer how the silver one felt to drive, the interior and the look overall. Only slightly higher mileage.

Do you pay close to €1000 extra for a lesser spec car for the slightly extra piece of mind of a 1 owner car with a history? In this price bracket? Thats my dilemma!! Appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this far and reply

Vikings

Another days thought leaves me leaning towards the cheaper one, 6 months tax come January and assuming it passes the NCT no bother gives me a years motoring for very little on the road. Sell it in a years time and not lose a fortune either. Anyone convince me otherwise?

Seth Brundle

IMMO, I'd hold off for something with a better spec but the second one isn't bad!
FYI the 520i made after June 2000 was 2.2L
Also get the warranty in writing and I'd recommend getting the car looked at by a pro before parting with the money!

Vikings

Vikings wrote: »

- Alloys are in desperate need of a refurb, spare wheel only 15" steely.

I may be wrong, but aren't they off an E34, if so no wonder they need a refurb :pac:

Vikings

Vikings wrote: »

Another days thought leaves me leaning towards the cheaper one, 6 months tax come January and assuming it passes the NCT no bother gives me a years motoring for very little on the road. Sell it in a years time and not lose a fortune either. Anyone convince me otherwise?

Never assume a 5 series will pass an NCT no bother, a subframe bushing or similar could be quite costly and they are more or less consumables with mileage.

Vikings

Yeah, in particular with the cheaper one the lack of history is off putting.

AC cars will do a full pre purchase inspection on it for me for €149 so going to ring the garage and see what they say about that one - it will either give me peace of mind to go with it or push me well away from it.

If paying €150 for a check I'd wait and find one privately for a more realistic price (sub €2000), no point paying dealer premium when you're getting them checked out imo. As trade ins they are effectively worth sfa so with patience you should pick up a gem privately.

Vikings

Got a number for a guy out in Sandyford from bmw-driver.net who will do a full inspection for me at a better price. Going to see what he thinks of the cheaper one, garage seemed happy to let it go get checked over so heres hoping for some good news.

I'd love to hang on and find a beaut, but with my own car gone since Friday I don't know how long I can last - one weekend without a car was bad enough!!