Buying a 5 Series BMW

thomasm

Looking for advice re buying a 5 series BMW and really know zilch about cars. Have always liked the look of them and had idea they were a great car to drive and own.

Reading reviews like parkers etc does little to change this perception. Having had a browse on this forumn which I would consider more real world the impression is not the same though. I'm reading about issues with turbos, suspensions, constant bulb failures and the car becoming expensive to repair maintain over 100,000kms.

Have budget for 2008-9 one and from what I gather a 520 D SE model with automatic gearbox is the choice to go for.
Have seen plenty for circa 16k with around 100k miles on the clock.

Begining to second guess myself on purchase and wondering a few things

1) Are they any more or less reliable than a big saloon car. Have had Mazda 6 for 5 years and not had one single problem with it.
2) What are the servicing costs on a BMW.
3) What possible issues should I be looking out for on a car with above spec
4) Are there any maintenance issues due in the next 20-30k kms like timing belt etc.

This snd any other advice would be greatly appreciated because as stated I don't know enough about this yet to make a decision. Thanks in advance

Blazer

Best place is to post on bmw-drivers.net and ask there..also a member there.
They're a great car and as long as you maintain them regularly they're a fine car.
the 08 models (520D) have the newer N47 engine which can have the timing chain issue.
I have the 07 model which has the older engine and I love it to bits..
So far over 170,000 kms on it and nothing really major to fix, regular oil services around 15,000km and had brake discs on front to change...

Joe Hart

I had a manual 2008 520d.
The engine didn't do it for me coming from a 130bhp passat. Wasn't as quick as the specs suggested. The gearbox annoyed me no end, really stiff gear changes. Bit of nice spec but the stereo was scandalously poor.

Get rid of the run flats, costly to replace. It drove really well and the engine let it down but budget is obviously important.

thomasm

thanks for the replies, have joined the BMW forumn recommended

Idbatterim

I had a manual 2008 520d.
The engine didn't do it for me coming from a 130bhp passat. Wasn't as quick as the specs suggested. The gearbox annoyed me no end, really stiff gear changes. Bit of nice spec but the stereo was scandalously poor.

Get rid of the run flats, costly to replace. It drove really well and the engine let it down but budget is obviously important.

coming from the 130bhp?! the bm has 177 bhp!

Joe Hart

Idbatterim wrote: »

coming from the 130bhp?! the bm has 177 bhp!

I know. Didn't feel like it, seemed to lack torque. MPG was also worse.

bazz26

I'd imagine the extra weight and size of the 5 Series would be a factor too.

Joe Hart

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd imagine the extra weight and size of the 5 Series would be a factor too.

About the same weight as far as I'm aware. Possibly lighter....
It probably had more linear power delivery that made it feel slower.

YbFocus

Stay away from the 20's, they are troublesome. Move to a 25 or even a 30, bit more in the tax but its worth every bit!!

unkel

thomasm wrote: »

4) Are there any maintenance issues due in the next 20-30k kms like timing belt etc.

BMWs use timing chains that should last the lifetime of the car (with no maintenance / replacements required like some cheaper built cars). That said, there were some issues with timing chains on some BMW cars in recent years as blazer mentioned. I'm not au fait with the details, but surely someone will tell you exactly which cars / years to avoid

Joe Hart wrote: »

I had a manual 2008 520d.
The engine didn't do it for me coming from a 130bhp passat. Wasn't as quick as the specs suggested. The gearbox annoyed me no end, really stiff gear changes.

These are not known issues. Looks like you bought a lemon?

Stainless_Steel

I have a 2005 E60 520 petrol and absolutely love it.

So far I've had a control arm ball joint with excessive wear and a oil leak from the valve cover gasket, which is common on the M54 engine. I did both jobs myself so didn't bother me.

Was never a fan of the diesels. Can't beat the straight six petrols in my opinion.

thomasm

Got to say having looked into it and asked around the general feeling is to avoid which is a big surprise. My mechanic sealed it for me by advising strongly against..

rocky

... or get a new mechanic

dave45dave

YbFocus wrote: »

Stay away from the 20's, they are troublesome. Move to a 25 or even a 30, bit more in the tax but its worth every bit!!

Why would you say such a stupid statement and not back up your theory

thomasm

rocky wrote: »

... or get a new mechanic

Shoot the messenger Not just him, speaking to other owners filled me with no confidence. As I said really surprising to hear as I've always wanted one of these

YbFocus

dave45dave wrote: »

YbFocus wrote: »

Stay away from the 20's, they are troublesome. Move to a 25 or even a 30, bit more in the tax but its worth every bit!!

Why would you say such a stupid statement and not back up your theory

Any quick run online can highlight that the engine is troublesome. Injectors, turbo and the dreaded timing chain snap fault are all common.
Its a small enough engine, in a big car with quite a bit of power being developed.
Too much stress in my opinion. Get a bigger engined variant, they have a much easier time with all the torque.
Once you do the swirl flaps and remove the DPF (If yours has these) then you'll be flying it.

Your mechanic told you right, any mechanic with knowledge on these engines will say the same.

Now Dave does that float your boat??? You just spammed a thread with a useless post that has nothing to do with anything, calm down.

dave45dave

YbFocus wrote: »

dave45dave wrote: »

Now Dave does that float your boat??? You just spammed a thread with a useless post that has nothing to do with anything, calm down.

I'm not spamming anything , why didn't you just post that information (which was helpful) in the first place , besides a one liner with no other info.
BTW I have a 520 , nearly two years now with no problems at all. Can't fault the car at all , but then again it's an 06. Op is looking at 07-08 which are known for chain problems.
(Calmed down now)

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

rocky

thomasm wrote: »

Shoot the messenger Not just him, speaking to other owners filled me with no confidence. As I said really surprising to hear as I've always wanted one of these

you're only doing 12-15k km, get a pre-08 petrol, much cheaper than an 09 diesel so you can cover tax for a good few years, plus it's much more refined... did the mechanic say anything about petrols?

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

thomasm

rocky wrote: »

you're only doing 12-15k km, get a pre-08 petrol, much cheaper than an 09 diesel so you can cover tax for a good few years, plus it's much more refined... did the mechanic say anything about petrols?

No I said diesel circa 2009 to him, in fairness milage may be a bit higher possibly up to 20k depending on work. I will have a look at your idea of a petrol version thsts a bit older and see how it stacks up cost wise. Thanks for the feedback