BMW 5 series 15-20k

Moneymaker

Not for me unfortunately, the old man would like one.

Needs to be diesel, if anyone knows of a good example or is letting one go let me know please

YbFocus

What capacity is he looking for?

They range greatly from a 520d to a 535d at that price range.

Has he any wishes for spec?

Moneymaker

He's said it doesn't matter really. He currently drives an old 525 and wants to move up a few years.

Even the 520 is well equipped and specced these days no?

dr.fuzzenstein

Moneymaker wrote: »

He's said it doesn't matter really. He currently drives an old 525 and wants to move up a few years.

Even the 520 is well equipped and specced these days no?

There's some timing chain issues with the 520d that can cost up to E8k to put right. I wouldn't accept one as a gift.
The 6 cylinder models may be better in that regard.

bazz26

Nice 530d well within budget here:



http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/BMW/5-Series/530-D/36613875667591380/

YbFocus

If you're looking around the 2010 era, which with that kind of money you are then yes the 520d's have timing chain troubles as Dr.F described.
Stay away from them and get another 6 cylinder model, they will be hard to find though because everyone bought the 20d's when the cheaper tax rate came in.

I'll keep a look out on donedeal though!

Eric Cartman

Theres better value in the bigger engines as theyre cheaper to buy. If hes happy to pay the tax on a 525 in the old band then perhaps a 530d would be the model for him, alsp a lot of 520s will just about have leather and aircon , could find a nice 530d with navigation , xenons and other premium features

bazz26

You won't buy a decent 2010 F10 for under €20k, you will be looking at an E60 and I wouldn't touch a 520d of that vintage due to potential timing chain problems. I'd drop back a few years and either get a 530d/525d like I posted above or the older M47 engine 520d.

YbFocus

True that I thought it may sneak in there but what I'm seeing is..

MaxFlower

Does this timing chain issue include the E61 (estate). I presume the engine is the same across the range?

YbFocus

Only with the N47 engine, if you're worried figure out which engine yours has, or what year is the car?

bazz26

Yes and it also effects the N57 engine in the later 525d/530d/535d also but not as extent as the 520d.

Moneymaker

Wow thanks lads sounds like a bit of a bullet dodged there.

520d is really that fragile?

That 530 looks lovely, i'll have to see what he thinks of it though :pac:

Don't the M sports have very firm suspension though? He's into his 60s now so he's past the days of tearing around in his old Capri and just wants something comfortable :pac:

YbFocus

Moneymaker wrote: »

Wow thanks lads sounds like a bit of a bullet dodged there.

520d is really that fragile?

That 530 looks lovely, i'll have to see what he thinks of it though :pac:

Don't the M sports have very firm suspension though? He's into his 60s now so he's past the days of tearing around in his old Capri and just wants something comfortable :pac:

Get him a drive in one in a dealer's, some find it very off putting others don't notice the harshness.

In my opinion it's negligable!


That N47 was a disaster, there is something on the crank in them that wears the chain and causes it to snap.
When it does you can understand that will bring top and bottom together and causes awful damage.

Preventative work can be carried out which means a new chain and updated crank but thats somewhere in the region of €3000 anyway!

bazz26

Majority of decent spec 525d/530d are M Sport. There are few 525d/530d SE around and most of them tend to be low spec or manual.

What about a Merc E Class?

Moneymaker

bazz26 wrote: »

Majority of decent spec 525d/530d are M Sport. There are few 525d/530d SE around and most of them tend to be low spec or manual.

What about a Merc E Class?

He's fair stubborn and he likes his Beamers, but yeah I like the E class.

Stuff like the A6 or Superb have been suggested also, he wants a BMW :pac:

ION08

Why are they so popular if that engine is that bad! Are people really that blinded by low tax rates and a "premium" badge?

yllw.ldbttr

ION08 wrote: »

Why are they so popular if that engine is that bad! Are people really that blinded by low tax rates and a "premium" badge?

I honestly think the problem is massively overblown on boards, and on many other internet forums.
I've had one, I know lots of other's who have them with zero problems once they are well maintained and looked after. Of course, you can be unlucky and have a problem, but the way it's talked about on here you'd swear every second one is failing, and this is just not the case.

dr.fuzzenstein

yllw.ldbttr wrote: »

I honestly think the problem is massively overblown on boards, and on many other internet forums.
I've had one, I know lots of other's who have them with zero problems once they are well maintained and looked after. Of course, you can be unlucky and have a problem, but the way it's talked about on here you'd swear every second one is failing, and this is just not the case.

Well, the problem is that this potential issue (which may never happen) will cost you E3k if you're lucky and catch it on time or E8k if it's too late.
I don't care what the odds are, but that is not a lottery I want to be part of.
The worst thing that could go wrong in my car and the worst case scenario is E2k and I would need a pump and 4 new injectors for that.
People seem to drive so called "premium" brands and say "Well, it could go boom and cost me thousands, but it's a beemer!"
I guess it's like marrying a stunningly beautiful woman, but there is a chance she will stab you in your sleep. Maybe some people find that exciting, but it's not for me.
Maybe he could consider a Lexus?

yllw.ldbttr

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Well, the problem is that this potential issue (which may never happen) will cost you E3k if you're lucky and catch it on time or E8k if it's too late.
I don't care what the odds are, but that is not a lottery I want to be part of.
The worst thing that could go wrong in my car and the worst case scenario is E2k and I would need a pump and 4 new injectors for that.
People seem to drive so called "premium" brands and say "Well, it could go boom and cost me thousands, but it's a beemer!"
I guess it's like marrying a stunningly beautiful woman, but there is a chance she will stab you in your sleep. Maybe some people find that exciting, but it's not for me.
Maybe he could consider a Lexus?

So if someone is risk averse then they buy a warranty?
Still completely blown out of proportion in my opinion, the numbers just don't add up to the amount that it is discussed as an issue.

Not saying it doesn't happen.

Moneymaker

I'd have to agree with Fuzzstein, I wouldn't want a potential 8k repair bill hanging over my head.

He's not really a fan of Lexus, like I said, stubborn :pac:

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Nice 535d for sale here haha
Just sayin :P

dr.fuzzenstein

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Nice 535d for sale here haha
Just sayin :P

Was wondering how long this would take! :P

YbFocus

Ha ha I was waiting for that too

Cleveland Hot Pocket

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Was wondering how long this would take! :P

Not been online in a while, hence the delay :P

ION08

Apparently those lexus Is220d's arent much better reliablity wise

Sobanek

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/7-Series/-730D-SE/31113517908988180/advert?channel=CARS

Since the 530d has been suggested, I guess 1494 tax isn't an issue?

These are much more comfortable than the E60 and have more gizmos too!

Moneymaker

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Nice 535d for sale here haha
Just sayin :P

Jaysus that's a beaut, i'll be around with the folks tomorrow, I imagine he'll be suitably impressed.

That's the same one Clarkson did 155mph with?

bazz26

yllw.ldbttr wrote: »

I honestly think the problem is massively overblown on boards, and on many other internet forums.
I've had one, I know lots of other's who have them with zero problems once they are well maintained and looked after. Of course, you can be unlucky and have a problem, but the way it's talked about on here you'd swear every second one is failing, and this is just not the case.

I had one for 3 years too but consider myself lucky. I know someone who had one who wasn't so lucky and it was a well cared for car.

And its not as uncommon as some believe and this is just from an Irish site where we have a smaller market compared to other countries:

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39216
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=47070
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41063
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=34566

I wouldn't fancy taking my chances a second time round.