obi604's car buying thread

obi604

ive decided to start up a car buying thread on the advice of another member........so as to stop having multiple threads and annoying yee all ( sorry about that )

Anyways, after lots of to'ing and fro'ing and checking this and checking that and upon advise from lots of people on this forum ( thanks for all the help everyone by the way ) , I now have it narrowed down to these 3 cars :

- 2007 BMW 320D Saloon Automatic ( very few of these in Ireland )
- 2007 BMW 520D Saloon Automatic ( a few of these in Ireland )
- 2007 BMW 320D Coupe Automatic ( very very few of these in Ireland )



I would only buy the model that is PRE effecient dynamics..........firstly due to budget and secondly due to reliability

So to kick off : in an ideal world, for a diesel BMW thats 5 years old with roughly 60,000 miles, how many services **should** it have got over the years so that it would be in decent order now

Sligo1

Hi!

Mines a 2008 manual with about 50,000 or so miles (80,000km) and ive had it service probably 5 or 6 times. But the model with pre-efficient dynamics might be different. I think they usually say you need to have a car serviced about every 10,000 miles (but i could be wrong).

Blazer

Have a 2007 BMW 520D manual and it's been serviced every year.
You should at least see a minimum of 5 services depending on mileage and in fairness I'd be looking to see oil changes every 12-15k kms rather than the usual service interval of 25kms.

With 100,000km or so on the clock I'd expect 4 services minimum.

obi604

Blazer wrote: »

Have a 2007 BMW 520D manual and it's been serviced every year.
You should at least see a minimum of 5 services depending on mileage and in fairness I'd be looking to see oil changes every 12-15k kms rather than the usual service interval of 25kms.

With 100,000km or so on the clock I'd expect 4 services minimum.

I wish I was buying my car from you Blazer : ) Have looked at a couple with 60,000 miles and in 5 years, only 2 services - which at the end of the day will probably present me with problems down the line as they havent had regular services.

Blazer

obi604 wrote: »

I wish I was buying my car from you Blazer : ) Have looked at a couple with 60,000 miles and in 5 years, only 2 services - which at the end of the day will probably present me with problems down the line as they havent had regular services.

Those guys probably went by the BMW service intervals.
However everyone on any bmw forum has said to ignore it and change oil+filter every 12-16k km to avoid turbo issues etc..
Better safe than sorry I say
Did you go to a BMW garage etc?
I bought mine from there and with 72k miles on the clock it had done 4 services from what I can remember.
If they're private sales etc ask them did they get an Indy to do oil changes between services?..That's what the majority of people do. Well at least I hope they do

obi604

Blazer wrote: »

Those guys probably went by the BMW service intervals.
However everyone on any bmw forum has said to ignore it and change oil+filter every 12-16k km to avoid turbo issues etc..
Better safe than sorry I say
Did you go to a BMW garage etc?
I bought mine from there and with 72k miles on the clock it had done 4 services from what I can remember.
If they're private sales etc ask them did they get an Indy to do oil changes between services?..That's what the majority of people do. Well at least I hope they do

Havent been to a beemer garage yet as none of them have the car I want within budget and mileage etc.

Ive been asking sellers all that about the oil etc.
However, it seems to be when buying a car and you ask the seller questions ( be it private or a dealer ) , they dont really like answering them and some of them dont have a clue of the answers. I guess some people just drive cars and dont ever really worry about servicing / oil / filters etc

obi604

one particular car im looking at was on sale by a private seller for roughly about 2 months on carzone ( ad is still up there ! )

the seller obviously got sick of trying to sell it..............and the same car is now on sale at a dealers for a grand dearer ( surprise surprise )

Would this put anyone off ? i.e the fact that the private seller had the car up on carzone for 2 months and couldnt sell it ?

2 things on why private seller could'nt sell :

(1) maybe it was just the fact nobody wanted this particular car
(2) maybe people went to see it and it wasnt up to scratch ( dodgy engine or something )

thoughts

Blazer

have you a link to the ad?

obi604

Blazer wrote: »

Those guys probably went by the BMW service intervals.
However everyone on any bmw forum has said to ignore it and change oil+filter every 12-16k km to avoid turbo issues etc..
Better safe than sorry I say
Did you go to a BMW garage etc?
I bought mine from there and with 72k miles on the clock it had done 4 services from what I can remember.
If they're private sales etc ask them did they get an Indy to do oil changes between services?..That's what the majority of people do. Well at least I hope they do

Blazer wrote: »

have you a link to the ad?

is that allowed ? i.e to single out a specific car

miller50841

obi604 wrote: »

is that allowed ? i.e to single out a specific car

Yes once your not selling

obi604

Blazer wrote: »

have you a link to the ad?

Original private seller ad :

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-E90-/201219208106833/advert?channel=CARS

And now the dealer ad :

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-E90-/14413400087893300/advert?channel=CARS

miller50841

Thats mad how much in price difference can see they have been driving around also and can tell you without a doubt that they will do nothing to that car but maybe clean it.

Jimbob 83

I wouldn't pay 16 grand for that if i didn't have a penny, i would buy a 840i or a Corrado and spend the rest on sweets and lucozade and and books about science

miller50841

One main problem is the car is not a 2008 and therefore has higher road tax so would be worth waiting and getting a 08

obi604

miller50841 wrote: »

One main problem is the car is not a 2008 and therefore has higher road tax so would be worth waiting and getting a 08

yeah but the 08's have that that effecient dynamics sh1te - which is supposed to be troublesome

miller50841

obi604 wrote: »

yeah but the 08's have that that effecient dynamics sh1te - which is supposed to be troublesome

All cars do give trouble some are lucky and get away without any.
If the problems put you off look into a Honda Accord or Toyota Avensis 2 very good very reliable cars

obi604

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

I wouldn't pay 16 grand for that if i didn't have a penny, i would buy a 840i or a Corrado and spend the rest on sweets and lucozade and and books about science

So you think it's way over priced ?

Or you just don't like the BMW 3 series ?

miller50841

It is a lot of money are you going to use it or will it spend most the time in the drive

obi604

miller50841 wrote: »

It is a lot of money are you going to use it or will it spend most the time in the drive

I'll use it daily and most weekends. So essentially will use it a lot.

miller50841

I use to buy cars myself that were big money but honestly would never again spend over €10000 anymore.

I would rather just change cars more often and get sick of same car all the time anyway.

obi604

Do yee think this 5 series would be a better choice than the 3 series :

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-D-SE/201231209423939/advert?channel=CARS

And to be honest, I don't really need a car as big as the 5 series.

miller50841

obi604 wrote: »

Do yee think this 5 series would be a better choice than the 3 series :

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-D-SE/201231209423939/advert?channel=CARS

And to be honest, I don't really need a car as big as the 5 series.

Can tell you now its more then 1 owner and imported.

Depends on space you need and what design you would prefer so go with what you like.

Blazer

obi604 wrote: »

Do yee think this 5 series would be a better choice than the 3 series :

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-D-SE/201231209423939/advert?channel=CARS

And to be honest, I don't really need a car as big as the 5 series.

I love mine to be honest...I found the 3 series very small compared to it and probably wouldn't consider one unless maybe a 335 or something like that.
You'll be surprised about the 5 series...the new shape mondeo is about the same size as it..slightly longer I think so it's not as big as you think..

Here's a 525D--6 cyclinder diesel so a smoother engine than the 4 cycl 520D

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/525-525D/201226208900177/advert?channel=CARS

another 520d here..again full leather interior/bluetooth etc
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520D-*SE/201224208670964/advert?channel=CARS

Call round to a few BMW garages..they're more than happy to let you take a test drive and I even got to keep the car for the weekend when I was test driving mine (had to transfer my insurance).
See what you're happy with etc.

obi604

miller50841 wrote: »

obi604 wrote: »

Do yee think this 5 series would be a better choice than the 3 series :

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-D-SE/201231209423939/advert?channel=CARS

And to be honest, I don't really need a car as big as the 5 series.

Can tell you now its more then 1 owner and imported.

Depends on space you need and what design you would prefer so go with what you like.

How do you tell that ? Is it because the speedo read out is in miles as opposed to KM ? Or have you another way of knowing ?

miller50841

obi604 wrote: »

How do you tell that ? Is it because the speedo read out is in miles as opposed to KM ? Or have you another way of knowing ?

The high number on reg if you see clocks more then likely be in miles unless have been changed now saying this it could still be a good car.

Few signs do give the imports

obi604

Blazer wrote: »

I love mine to be honest...I found the 3 series very small compared to it and probably wouldn't consider one unless maybe a 335 or something like that.
You'll be surprised about the 5 series...the new shape mondeo is about the same size as it..slightly longer I think so it's not as big as you think..

Here's a 525D--6 cyclinder diesel so a smoother engine than the 4 cycl 520D

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/525-525D/201226208900177/advert?channel=CARS

another 520d here..again full leather interior/bluetooth etc
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520D-*SE/201224208670964/advert?channel=CARS

Call round to a few BMW garages..they're more than happy to let you take a test drive and I even got to keep the car for the weekend when I was test driving mine (had to transfer my insurance).
See what you're happy with etc.

Thanks Blazer. I've always LOVED the e60 5 series, they are fair slick looking. But I have to be honest - I don't really require a car this large. I have to think of need / want ; )

Blazer

miller50841 wrote: »

The high number on reg if you see clocks more then likely be in miles unless have been changed now saying this it could still be a good car.

Few signs do give the imports

He could be right...it also looks like the pre-lci version which came out in Mar 2007 so I'd expect a car with that reg to be at least the LCI due to it's high number..for Monaghan

edit: looking at the gear stick area it's definitely the pre-lci version..
differences between the pre-lci and lci are mostly cosmetic interior.
Apart from the LED rear lights, touch sensitivee controls for the radio etc

Below link had a overview of it as well as the official bmw pdf release

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?p=914706

obi604

Blazer wrote: »

miller50841 wrote: »

The high number on reg if you see clocks more then likely be in miles unless have been changed now saying this it could still be a good car.

Few signs do give the imports

He could be right...it also looks like the pre-lci version which came out in Mar 2007 so I'd expect a car with that reg to be at least the LCI due to it's high number..for Monaghan

edit: looking at the gear stick area it's definitely the pre-lci version..
differences between the pre-lci and lci are mostly cosmetic interior.
Apart from the LED rear lights, touch sensitivee controls for the radio etc

Below link had a overview of it as well as the official bmw pdf release

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?p=914706

What's lci ?

And it's not Monaghan, it's Meath ; )

Blazer

obi604 wrote: »

What's lci ?

It's the redesign of the car BMW did in 2007 for the E60 series...
Have a read of the above links I posted and it explains the differences between the pre-LCI and the LCI versions.

obi604

Ive been saying the BMW 5 series is a bit big for me, but jaysus, this car looks nice :


http://www.carzone.ie/search/201224208670964/advert

If yee had the choice between the above 5 series and the below 3 series, which one would yee go for

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-E90-/14413400087893300/advert?channel=CARS

GavMan

obi604 wrote: »

Ive been saying the BMW 5 series is a bit big for me, but jaysus, this car looks nice :


http://www.carzone.ie/search/201224208670964/advert

If yee had the choice between the above 5 series and teh below 3 series, which one woulod yee go for

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-E90-/14413400087893300/advert?channel=CARS

Go look at them side by side. It's not a huge car to be fair. Probably get more bang for your buck too. The black msport someone linked to looks a beauty

Blazer

GavMan wrote: »

Go look at them side by side. It's not a huge car to be fair. Probably get more bang for your buck too. The black msport someone linked to looks a beauty

That was me I think...525 M-Sport...loves bloody gorgeous.
And honestly..the 520D isn't that big..I think it's that fact that the 3 series look a lot more compact.

obi604

This is in regard specifically to the 2007 BMW 320 D and 2007 520 D.

Before September 2007, I think these cars were *pre* efficient dynamics ( 163 BHP ) and then after September 2007, I think they were efficient dynamics ( 177 BHP )

A couple of posters on another thread are not fans of the efficient dynamics engines, and this was kinda putting me off the efficient dynamics. At the end of the day, its only 2 opinions, I mean there must be thousands of efficient dynamics engines in Ireland and around the globe that dont cause problems. im just trying to look at the bigger picture and not be put off a particular engine because of 2 opinions.


no dis respect whatsoever to these posters, they seem to be very in to their cars and have a great knowledge of cars and are very helpful and patient on this motors forum towards me and other people.


So just wondering, has anyone on here had any problems with the efficient dynamics model of the 320D or 520D from 2007 onwards ?

obi604

2007 BMW 320i automatic with 63,000 miles.

Is 63,000 miles a lot for a 5 year old Petrol AUTOMATIC ?

Jimbob 83

Certainly below average, around the time where you will be having your 1st major service on most cars.

166man

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

Certainly below average, around the time where you will be having your 1st major service on most cars.

20k km isn't exactly certainly below average. 100k km is enough miles...

Jimbob 83

I only see 63,000 miles tbh which is still below average on a 5 year old 3 series even an auto petrol, 20k km would be suspicious if anything and not neccisarily a good thing for the car as most Irish people wouldn't have even done more than 1 oil change at that milage

166man

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

I only see 63,000 miles tbh which is still below average on a 5 year old 3 series even an auto petrol, 20k km would be suspicious if anything and not neccisarily a good thing for the car as most Irish people wouldn't have even done more than 1 oil change at that milage

I wouldn't be suspicious of a car with an average of 20k km. Maybe 10k km might ask questions but on an auto petrol I see no need to be suspicious.

Jimbob 83

You didn't say average, i assumed you meant 20k km total

obi604

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

I only see 63,000 miles tbh which is still below average on a 5 year old 3 series even an auto petrol, 20k km would be suspicious if anything and not neccisarily a good thing for the car as most Irish people wouldn't have even done more than 1 oil change at that milage

When you mention 20,000 KM here, what are you on about ? 20,000 KM a year or what ? Why are you saying 20,000 KM is suspicious ?

166man

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

You didn't say average, i assumed you meant 20k km total

20k km in 5 years would be seriously seriously low. Alarm bells would be going all over if the miles were that low, even though I appreciate that there are some out there that do that low mileage annually.

obi604

2007 BMW 320D Coupe Automatic with 90,000 miles

any thoughts ?

presuming it has a full service history, would it be a good buy or am I just asking for trouble on an Auto box with this amount of miles

obi604

So after months of searching around, I finally bought my first BMW : )

Its a 2008 E90 BMW 320D M Sport saloon Automatic 177 BHP ( Registered Jan 2008 )

I like it so far but the engine seems a bit noisy at idle ( more so than my 2005 Audi A3 )

its also my first automatic

Couple of questions

- It does not seem to be the efficient dynamics model. I thought all 2008 E90's had efficient dynamics ? Any thoughts on this ?

- How do I know if the car has a DPF or not ?