Buying 4 year old 535d

aristotle25

Hi,

I am close to buying a 4 year old BMW 535D with about 50k miles on the clock. I drive about 20k miles per year.

I know mpg will be around 30-35 at best, tax will be high at 1290, insurnace will be higher than what i currently pay and servicing costs will be high. But I can live with it I think.

Question is what else should I consider about the 535 before I buy it? It comes with a 2 year BMW warranty so does that cover all parts and labour?

Are there any "big" services due on it outside of brake pads and stuff like that? Anything I should ask the dealer specifically?

Thanks
A

Gumbo

aristotle25 wrote: »

Hi,

I am close to buying a 4 year old BMW 535D with about 50k miles on the clock. I drive about 20k miles per year.

I know mpg will be around 30-35 at best, tax will be high at 1290, insurnace will be higher than what i currently pay and servicing costs will be high. But I can live with it I think.

Question is what else should I consider about the 535 before I buy it? It comes with a 2 year BMW warranty so does that cover all parts and labour?

Are there any "big" services due on it outside of brake pads and stuff like that? Anything I should ask the dealer specifically?

Thanks
A

have you got a link to the car?
Brake pads are not a major service IMHO.
the main things would be to keep on top of the oil changes, at 20k per year i would be changine the oil and oil filter every 10k max and then once a year i would change the turbo's breather filter to prevent turbo failure.

at 50k there shouldnt be much big things like bushings, suspension components etc etc but as with all cars, depends on the car itself and how it was looked after durng those 50k.

but on another note, cracking cracking car

JJJJNR

So Jealous! gonna be my next car.. wear well OP. I'd be changing the oil on that bad boy every 7k..

aristotle25

This is the one I am looking at...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/535d-A-M/201119202344557/advert?channel=CARS

Thanks for pointers so far.

dell1211

aristotle25 wrote: »

Hi,

I am close to buying a 4 year old BMW 535D with about 50k miles on the clock. I drive about 20k miles per year.

I know mpg will be around 30-35 at best, tax will be high at 1290, insurnace will be higher than what i currently pay and servicing costs will be high. But I can live with it I think.

Is tax not 1600?

Its a soft enough engine(very few will do mega miles ie 120k plus without spending a fortune on servicing(as in thousands)) but as the mileage on the one you have linked is low enough you should get a few years out of it.

Wouldnt be a fan of the wheels in the one you have linked, could be uncomfortable due to the size if you travel on bad roads, the msport ride is bad enough on the std runflat 18s

Zubeneschamali

dell1211 wrote: »

Wouldnt be a fan of the wheels in the one you have linked, could be uncomfortable due to the size if you travel on bad roads, the msport ride is bad enough on the std runflat 18s

It's stated to have a space-saver spare, so those probably aren't runflats, so maybe not so bad.

[Edit] Hmm, looking at the close-ups, those are stupidly low-profile tyres.

I wouldn't buy a car that the first owner specced a "smoker package" on. I don't care how much valeting they do, it's going to smell like an ashtray forever.

dell1211

dell1211 wrote: »

Is tax not 1600?

Its a soft enough engine...........

535s are not 3.5l they are 3.0 twin turbo

dell1211

RoverJames wrote: »

535s are not 3.5l they are 3.0 twin turbo

I know that, what id didnt realise is that the engine was less than 3001cc

Gumbo

dell1211 wrote: »

Its a soft enough engine(very few will do mega miles ie 120k plus without spending a fortune on servicing(as in thousands)) but as the mileage on the one you have linked is low enough you should get a few years out of it.

why would you say that?

dell1211 wrote: »

Is tax not 1600?

€1293 per year.

dell1211 wrote: »

Wouldnt be a fan of the wheels in the one you have linked

i actually like these wheels on the E60, but would rarther the optional 19" 172M Spyders.

dell1211 wrote: »

could be uncomfortable due to the size if you travel on bad roads, the msport ride is bad enough on the std runflat 18s

i would recommend a test drive for the OP, i have an E60 at home with 19" 172M wheels and run flats and if im totally honest, the ride is better than my GF's E90 with 18" and runflats!

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

It's stated to have a space-saver spare, so those probably aren't runflats, so maybe not so bad.

the space saver was an option and could be specced even with run flats. (on the E60 at home).

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Hmm, looking at the close-ups, those are stupidly low-profile tyres.

there 19" wheels, so profile will most likely be 35 or maybe 30. not stupid low imo, but everybodies different.

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a car that the first owner specced a "smoker package" on. I don't care how much valeting they do, it's going to smell like an ashtray forever.

ive often wondered about this myself, the smokers pack is simply the ashtrays, its on my E90 and the E60 in my house too, but nobody smokes, if this option is deleted, what goes into the voids instead, as its a no cost deletion option IIRC.

aristotle25

I test drove it yesterday and didn't see any issue with the wheels. I drove motorway and b-roads. Yeah its a bit bumpier than norm on bad roads due to the suspension but I can live with it.

The space saver wheel was an option the original buyer bought with the car. The smoker package thing apparently is just there by default and the salesman is adamant the previous owner was not a smoker. I didn't get any smell in the car and it didnt have full valet at that stage.

Zubeneschamali

kceire wrote: »

its a no cost deletion option IIRC.

I just checked, and you're right.

bryaner

It certainly looks the part..

Gumbo

bryaner wrote: »

It certainly looks the part..

+1 its a cracking car imo
a bit scarce on options if im honest, if i was spending that monty i would want Xenon and sat nav and maybe heated seats which 99% of the UK 535d cars in this price range does have.

TheBazman

As a current owner of a 2007 535d all I can say is DO IT!! They are a fantastic motor and you have covered off a lot if the bases. If it is 2007 try to get the LCI model as it has a few upgrades and a little more power. 18" runflats are around 220 so expensive and a service with brake pads/discs can be costly. Best to go to an Indy.

Gumbo

TheBazman wrote: »

As a current owner of a 2007 535d all I can say is DO IT!! They are a fantastic motor and you have covered off a lot if the bases. If it is 2007 try to get the LCI model as it has a few upgrades and a little more power. 18" runflats are around 220 so expensive and a service with brake pads/discs can be costly. Best to go to an Indy.

+1
the one the OP is looking at is an LCI so 282bhp instead of the older 272bhp engine.

Gophur

Beautiful car but hideous bling-bling, drug-dealer wheels.

Matt Simis

Gophur wrote: »

Beautiful car but hideous bling-bling, drug-dealer wheels.

They are flat silver 5 spokes... they dont look bling at all?! Are we looking at the same car?
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/535d-A-M/201119202344557/advert?channel=CARS
I would have considered them quite nice but reserved.

These are drug dealer wheels:

txpjl

I like that car OP. Wheels look good to me, don't change a thing.

Good luck with it if you buy.

TX

dell1211

kceire wrote: »

why would you say that?

Those engines(post e39 model) are well known not to take big miles, my brother has a 05 530d from new(05) with big miles and its cost him thousands and thousands and more thousands to get there(2 turbos, air suspension, 2 clutches, few injectors). It has about 150k on it now and its a very very tired car(despite full main dealer service history to 120k), feels well down on power. Id imagine the 535d with an extra turbo/more power will be under more pressure so more problems once they pass the 100k mark. Even a simple test would be to count how many taxis run 530ds versus e classes as these lads know what car will give high trouble free miles, although I acknowledge that the new 320cdi mercs also give trouble, its the part and parcel of owning a modern high bhp diesel, they wont give big trouble free miles like the old 300 eclass.

kceire wrote: »

€1293 per year.

Already corrected

kceire wrote: »

i would recommend a test drive for the OP, i have an E60 at home with 19" 172M wheels and run flats and if im totally honest, the ride is better than my GF's E90 with 18" and runflats!

What kind of roads do you run on? My brother has gone through about 10 replacement 18s star spoke alloys which are notorious for cracking(so bad that David Prentice in Newry keeps a few in stock) due to bad roads and the stiff run flat tyre. Add to the fact that the rears are 275/35 its very expensive.

Gophur

Matt Simis wrote: »

.........

These are drug dealer wheels:

Them, and only them, eh?

Great to have expert opinion on tap!

Matt Simis

dell1211 wrote: »

Those engines(post e39 model) are well known not to take big miles, my brother has a 05 530d from new(05) with big miles and its cost him thousands and thousands and more thousands to get there(2 turbos, air suspension, 2 clutches, few injectors).

Clutches and Air Suspension are not part of the engine, the part you have issue with. TBH, a Fuel Injector isnt an engine part either. My mother has a 535d with about 80k KM on it and all we had to replace was the air suspension compressor due to a poorly designed (and fixed in 06-on) hose in the wheel well that gets cracked (pulling in dirt). I also replaced the swirl flaps as preventative maintenance.

Stock MSport Alloys were cracked on the rear (not an engine part and not even on the car in question, so not applicable) but easily repaired.

dell1211 wrote: »

What kind of roads do you run on? My brother has gone through about 10 replacement 18s star spoke alloys which are notorious for cracking(so bad that David Prentice in Newry keeps a few in stock) due to bad roads and the stiff run flat tyre. Add to the fact that the rears are 275/35 its very expensive.

Thats your brother's car's problem not all 535ds, stock wheel width on a 535d is not 275 its 245. Sounds like he went for an even harder, sportier setup and is simply paying the price.

Gophur wrote: »

Them, and only them, eh?
Great to have expert opinion on tap!

What a silly reply!?

TheBazman

Mine is 2007 with 160k kms on it - no major issues at all - just the usual wear and tear. No turbo problems and no issues with the 18" wheels. I fully intend keeping it for as long as it keeps driving.

Nonoperational

I've never heard of that being a soft engine at all. Anyway in my experience the 2 year BMW premium selection warranty is pretty comprehensive. You are going to have two years of worry free motoring there and many more if you look after it.

Gumbo

Gophur wrote: »

Beautiful car but hideous bling-bling, drug-dealer wheels.

are you serious?
Wheels look great, imo of course!

dell1211 wrote: »

Those engines(post e39 model) are well known not to take big miles, my brother has a 05 530d from new(05) with big miles and its cost him thousands and thousands and more thousands to get there(2 turbos, air suspension, 2 clutches, few injectors). It has about 150k on it now and its a very very tired car(despite full main dealer service history to 120k), feels well down on power. Id imagine the 535d with an extra turbo/more power will be under more pressure so more problems once they pass the 100k mark. Even a simple test would be to count how many taxis run 530ds versus e classes as these lads know what car will give high trouble free miles, although I acknowledge that the new 320cdi mercs also give trouble, its the part and parcel of owning a modern high bhp diesel, they wont give big trouble free miles like the old 300 eclass.

sounds like your brother hasnt been changing the Breather filter as recommended!
to go through two turbos is avery very rare, yo even go through one is rare enough while not uncommon!
BMW will give a goodwill gesture if you have full history with them.

ive had 2 TD BMW's now, both over 100k and on original turbo's without issues and both still pulling as strong as the day they left factory, including one whosh has been remapped.

the Merc E class is a comfy cruiser, and feels like a barge on the road, i had an E320CDI and it in no way compares to a 5 series imo.

dell1211 wrote: »

Already corrected

and now concurred

dell1211 wrote: »

What kind of roads do you run on? My brother has gone through about 10 replacement 18s star spoke alloys which are notorious for cracking(so bad that David Prentice in Newry keeps a few in stock) due to bad roads and the stiff run flat tyre. Add to the fact that the rears are 275/35 its very expensive.

all sorts of roads, i do my daily commute through side streets and back roads and the odd motorway at weekends.

and as posted above the standard tyre on the E60 MSport is 245 at the rear with 225 or is it 235 at the front so your brothers car has upgraded the wheels, which means you have to allow for some trade off in comfort against looks.

Gumbo

gpf101 wrote: »

I've never heard of that being a soft engine at all. Anyway in my experience the 2 year BMW premium selection warranty is pretty comprehensive. You are going to have two years of worry free motoring there and many more if you look after it.

plus it can be extended after the 2 years if the OP feels like it.

Matt Simis

Kceire, got any details on the Breather filter replacement on the 535d? I changed the oil+oil filter on my mothers, but didnt check the breather.

Gumbo

Matt Simis wrote: »

Kceire, got any details on the Breather filter replacement on the 535d? I changed the oil+oil filter on my mothers, but didnt check the breather.

In regards to position etc I haven't a value but I would assume it would be similar to the 30d and 20d engines in that BMW recommend to change it every 3rd oil service. Personally I'd change it every 2nd oil change depending on mileage.

The 535d has the vortex style filter which technically means it never has to be changed but there only 30 euro or something, 27 stg so worth doing every 2nd oil change, in my opinion again of course.

aristotle25

Well I have decided to go for it, deposit paid and hopefully picking it up on Saturday.

Sad to see my octavia 1.9tdi go but the 535 will be a nice replacement

Gophur

aristotle25 wrote: »

Well I have decided to go for it, deposit paid and hopefully picking it up on Saturday.

Sad to see my octavia 1.9tdi go but the 535 will be a nice replacement

Well done, and well wear! May you have many safe travels in it.

mickdw

aristotle25 wrote: »

Sad to see my octavia 1.9tdi go

At least you have been used to the power:D:D

Gumbo

aristotle25 wrote: »

Well I have decided to go for it, deposit paid and hopefully picking it up on Saturday.

Sad to see my octavia 1.9tdi go but the 535 will be a nice replacement

Good stuff, looking forward to seeing some decent pics of it.
Ohh and join up to BMW driver forums, there's 2 535d owners over there too.

aristotle25

kceire wrote: »

Good stuff, looking forward to seeing some decent pics of it.
Ohh and join up to BMW driver forums, there's 2 535d owners over there too.

Which forum is that - http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/ ?

Gumbo

aristotle25 wrote: »

Which forum is that - http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/ ?

Yep, that's it!

aristotle25

Here is a rather crap video showing the acceleration in the 535D. I kicked down the accelerator at 10kmp...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBXHIwDsnjo

After 3 months of driving I have to say its a great car. I get 40mpg easily when cruising on the motorway and about 35 on average with mostly a long commute and bit of city driving.

Really love the tight suspension and grip on the road, its such a difference to my old octavia.

Kind of worried about driving in the snow but we'll see....

Only negatives are quotes of €200 for an oil\filter change from the main dealers plus I have spent a small fortune in Halfords keeping it looking clean and shiny.

Theboinkmaster

aristotle25 wrote: »

Here is a rather crap video showing the acceleration in the 535D. I kicked down the accelerator at 10kmp...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBXHIwDsnjo

After 3 months of driving I have to say its a great car. I get 40mpg easily when cruising on the motorway and about 35 on average with mostly a long commute and bit of city driving.

Really love the tight suspension and grip on the road, its such a difference to my old octavia.

Kind of worried about driving in the snow but we'll see....

Only negatives are quotes of €200 for an oil\filter change from the main dealers plus I have spent a small fortune in Halfords keeping it looking clean and shiny.

Post up some pics!

Nonoperational

Glad your enjoying it!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

aristotle25 wrote: »

Well I have decided to go for it, deposit paid and hopefully picking it up on Saturday.

Sad to see my octavia 1.9tdi go but the 535 will be a nice replacement

Those two car a miles apart in performance, the 535d engine is very strong and smooth, way to easy to get to licence melting speeds without realising it....however you might miss the humongous boot in the octavia

REMAP

unkel

Glad you like it and thanks for the update

aristotle25 wrote: »

Kind of worried about driving in the snow

Don't be! Either get winter tyres and if you don't want to go that route, make sure you have a stash of sandbags around your home (200-300KG worth, I'd say) and throw those in the boot when there's heavy snow

Matt Simis

My mother has a 535d and put Winters on it last year. Performed excellently.
With the current summers on in the wet it will easily spin up then hammer you with Traction Control pulling out at junctions as I was um.. testing last week. With peaky torque spikes like this, it wouldnt be any fun at all on Summer tyres in Snow.

Midnight_EG

Can we call you bmw535d from now on? :pac:

bmwkildare2011

Im a bmw mechanic the only thing that gives trouble on these cars is the rear pivot bearing on the suspension arm and the top arm of the multi link rear suspension, also the front arm on the front suspension gives common enough trouble and the bigest thing that can be expensive and normaly goes between 70 & 80 k is the turbo as people do not change tge breather valve filter in the rocker cover any other questions jus ask

Kilmac1

bought one new in 2006 after a bit of trouble with an 03 530d , 535d has 110 000 MILES on it now and hasnt cost a penny expect servicing and tyres great car, well wear

aristotle25

bmwkildare2011 wrote: »

Im a bmw mechanic the only thing that gives trouble on these cars is the rear pivot bearing on the suspension arm and the top arm of the multi link rear suspension, also the front arm on the front suspension gives common enough trouble and the bigest thing that can be expensive and normaly goes between 70 & 80 k is the turbo as people do not change tge breather valve filter in the rocker cover any other questions jus ask

Hi,

Sounds like you know your stuff. Do you work in a BMW dealership?

I have 57k miles on the clock now and intend to do an oil\filter change every 10k miles.

Also, should I get all the filters (fuel, air) changed as well? And the tge breather valve filter is another on seperate to this?

Thanks

aristotle25

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

Post up some pics!

Yep, will do after the weekend when I get to give it a clean.

aristotle25

unkel wrote: »

Glad you like it and thanks for the update

Don't be! Either get winter tyres and if you don't want to go that route, make sure you have a stash of sandbags around your home (200-300KG worth, I'd say) and throw those in the boot when there's heavy snow

I have 275 30 R19s on the back and 245 35 19 on the front and the BMW dealer I rang said they didnt have winter tyres for those sizes.

I got a quote for €2k from them for 4 new 17 alloys and tyres so thats a big chunk of money. If the snow is a disaster I'll leave the car at home. I'll try the extra weight in the boot, cheers.

Magown3

aristotle25 wrote: »

I have 275 30 R19s on the back and 245 35 19 on the front and the BMW dealer I rang said they didnt have winter tyres for those sizes.

I got a quote for €2k from them for 4 new 17 alloys and tyres so thats a big chunk of money. If the snow is a disaster I'll leave the car at home. I'll try the extra weight in the boot, cheers.

€2k!!! Jesus, At that price, you'd be better off getting a cheap 4wd car as a runner in the snow and then selling on afterwards! lol

aristotle25

Magown3 wrote: »

€2k!!! Jesus, At that price, you'd be better off getting a cheap 4wd car as a runner in the snow and then selling on afterwards! lol

Yeah I reckon if worst comes to the worst I can stay in a hotel near where I work for a few nights and it wont cost be €2k!

Matt Simis

aristotle25 wrote: »

Yeah I reckon if worst comes to the worst I can stay in a hotel near where I work for a few nights and it wont cost be €2k!

Well hold on, 2k is a silly price and not the benchmark here at all.
My mother grabbed 4x great condition AC Schnitzer 17" staggered alloys for EUR350 from BMW-Driver.net forum classifieds and 4x Part worn 6mm Winter tyres for EUR200 odd last year.. total cost EUR550 and saves her expensive 18" Sports Runflats (EUR220 a pop) from getting ruined and of course sliding all over the place.

Id suspect the AC Schnitzer Alloys cost more and look better than the miscellaneous 17" BMW set when new too.

dwsl280

Why not just buy the tyres and get them fitted/changed, I'm driving an M sport 530D and I plan to change to winter tyres in October, I have a quote of €30 to change them onto the existing alloys with balancing included. I'll swap back in March.

Gerard93

[QUOTEI got a quote for €2k from them for 4 new 17 alloys and tyres so thats a big chunk of money. If the snow is a disaster I'll leave the car at home. I'll try the extra weight in the boot, cheers.[/QUOTE]

Did you try eirtyre.ie they do a steel wheel with Winter Tyres, just stick on the wheel yourself if the snow is bad leave on for a few weeks, can re reused year on year if this bad weather is going to persist!

aristotle25

dwsl280 wrote: »

Why not just buy the tyres and get them fitted/changed, I'm driving an M sport 530D and I plan to change to winter tyres in October, I have a quote of €30 to change them onto the existing alloys with balancing included. I'll swap back in March.

Yeah might do that, I am just not sure what to buy. Are goodyear, continental, vredestien all ok?