buying first bmw

stephenmarr

Hi guys im looking at buying my first BMW.

Currently looking for an E60 or E61 525i price range aroung 6-7k max

its going to be a weekend car wont be doing big mileage.

Can you advise me on what to look for with these cars?

whats the difference with the 523i vs 525i

not to bothered with the extra premium for the M-Sport. (would be nice but not a priority)

Only colour i will not be buying is a black one.

bazz26

The main difference between the 523i and 525i was power output. The 523i had 180bhp whereas the 525i had 220bhp. Both were 2.5 litre units.

stephenmarr

How reliability with both engines?

are they identified simply by the badge?

tom_tarbucket

stephenmarr wrote: »

How reliability with both engines?

are they identified simply by the badge?

Stephen

I bought a e60 2006 523i SE Automtic about a month ago. After reading here and more research, it seems the N52 is the more reliable engine. This was the engine up until about February 2007 and then the N53 engine came in, which is not supposed to be as good. I think the 523i and 525i have the same engines, i.e. N52 to 2007 and then N 53.

I can't really comment on reliability as I only have it a month, but so far so good. As with any car, and especially a car a few years old, a lot of the reliability boils down to how well it's been looked after, has it been serviced every 10,000 miles ( feck this long life service crap ! ) has it had oil changes done on time etc etc.

In the end I settled for the 523i, because there were hardly any 525i's around, any 525i I did see had a dodgy service history etc.

Just my 2 cents.

Captain Slow IRL

I was in a 523i lately and was surprised how peppy it was; felt like a lot smaller of a car that it actually was!

Check all the warning lights are coming on and going off on the dash. Also, check that the car has run-flat tyres fitted if there's no spare in the boot.

Suspension components can give trouble in them, so make sure it's driving straight with no knocks - especially over uneven ground at low speed.

Try rocking the rear of the car up and down, by hand. If you can hear a creaking, your lower balljoints are gone.

Rear brake lines are also a fail point for the nct, with corrosion setting in, so try and find out if they were ever replaced.

Sobanek

At this price range you're looking at 2004-2005 models.

Back then 523i had 177hp, while the 525i had 192hp.

stephenmarr

cheers for the info guys.
525i's are rare not many coming up.
How does the 520i compare, im not looking for a speed machine.

Ardennes1944

For a weekend car I think you could do much better than a 523. Could get a 330ci for far less money, 231bhp and much more fun.

tom_tarbucket

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

For a weekend car I think you could do much better than a 523. Could get a 330ci for far less money, 231bhp and much more fun.

But in ops own words he is not too interested in a speed machine ; )

Plus tax on a 330 will be nearly 500 euro more.

And sound like he has his heart set on a 5 series, not a 3 series.

bmwguy

stephenmarr wrote: »

cheers for the info guys.
525i's are rare not many coming up.
How does the 520i compare, im not looking for a speed machine.

Not much difference apart from when you push them hard. If you're not into that get either. I'd be just as happy with a 520i once it was as well specced as my 525i.

stephenmarr

First baby due Nov so 3 series is to small ive had jeeps and last car was a 06 Legacy estate so i like my space.

Was thinking of looking at this one at the weekend, like the colour and mileage plus he will be giving warranty.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-I-SA/42313966359187230/advert?channel=CARS

anyway of checking the spec by using the reg?

tom_tarbucket

stephenmarr wrote: »

First baby due Nov so 3 series is to small ive had jeeps and last car was a 06 Legacy estate so i like my space.

Was thinking of looking at this one at the weekend, like the colour and mileage plus he will be giving warranty.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-I-SA/42313966359187230/advert?channel=CARS

anyway of checking the spec by using the reg?

To check the spec, just use cartell.ie or motorcheck.ie

Throw in the reg and it'll say if m sport or SE etc but your probably looking for more detailed info

That one in the link looks like an SE

Edit : it already says in ad that it's an SE. you must be looking for exact info and the extras the car has etc.

stephenmarr

Hi yeah looking to find out more info like what optional extras it has if any.

bazz26

Hard to tell really from the limited photos but the alloy wheel design look like they are upgrade rims, leather seats would have been optional on the 5 Series back then too.

Idbatterim

op this I saw this one on donedeal a few days ago, absolute cracker of a car, might be a few years older than you would like to go for though. But hats off to him as a fellow bmw enthusiast, its top notch... I love the courtesy lights...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-525i-msport/6700690

not to bothered with the extra premium for the M-Sport. (would be nice but not a priority)

IMO the m sports are far better looking and will hold their value better. A few up for in and around your price range recently, also I agree with you on the black, they just suit the car so much better...

stephenmarr

@Idbatterim
Cheers but i will be holding onto the next car for a few years hopefully and the E39 is a little dated for me and will be more so in a couple of years, as for black its the only colour i

would not buy.