Something Interesting

Big Nasty

The time has come to upgrade the E39.

More than likely going to go with an E60 525i Sport Touring but slightly open to suggestions.

Max engine size 2.5, preferably petrol but if the right car in the right spec came up I'd consider diesel. Preferably RWD / AWD. Must be auto, leather, have aircon and front fogs. Would like bluetooth too. Not really in to Jap or French stuff.

Away with yee!

EDIT: Would help if I mentioned my budget!

Absolute max of €6k to spend.

Voodoomelon

So presumably it has to be an estate?

Big Nasty

Voodoomelon wrote: »

So presumably it has to be an estate?

Not an absolute must. As you know I'm not the biggest fan of the Bangle era Bimmers but I'm far more partial to an E60 Touring than a saloon.

Big Nasty

Not too fond of buying in this area but I've got a good mechanic to check it out. Preference would be blue with cream leather but this ain't bad:

http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/5-Series-523-523I-E60-M-SPORT-5DR-A/200914431929212080

Big Nasty

The dreaded silver!

http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/5-Series-525I-M-SPORT-TOURING/200814424219780190

commited

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/05-bmw-525i-m-sport-estate-automatic-low-mileage/10169656?offset=1

The 523i is sluggish, definitely hold out for a 525i. I guess I should also mention that I looked at e60s as a replacement for my e39 years ago and decided that it was a step down. Have you considered throwing some money at a suspension refresh and detailing session etc?

Toyotafanboi

petrol? check
2.5 or under? check

well, if your willing to go to the 2.5 tax bracket, go hard or go home :pac:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-with-nct/10537646
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/sale-or-swap-bmw-730-d/10108781

these look extremely comfortable and the road presence is immense. much more of a statement (if that's what your into) than a 5'er.

Big Nasty

@ committed - have that 5er bookmarked already. Thanks dude.

@ Toyotafanboi - no. Just no.
(Thanks anyway)

commited

Couple of alternative suggestions:

FWD:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-95-auto-full-leather-low-mileage/10236311?offset=15
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fantastic-volvo-v70/10502210?offset=23
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-95-9-5-2-0-lpt-linear-automatic/9866330?offset=8

RWD:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/jaguar-s-type-luxury/9471480?offset=16
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/jaguar-s-type-2-5-luxury-automatic-2005/10469434?offset=19

Big Nasty

None of them would be me dude. Be difficult to sway me from the Bimmer tbh.

In what way do you find an E60 inferior to an E39? What did you go for in the end?

commited

Big Nasty wrote: »

None of them would be me dude. Be difficult to sway me from the Bimmer tbh.

In what way do you find an E60 inferior to an E39? What did you go for in the end?

It was around 2008 and I had a 2003 530d at the time. The 523i actually depressed me driving it - it just didn't feel as well screwed together or as special. I went to years of company cars after that and got back into an e39 530i from 2012-2014. Dropped down to a Saab 9-3 for a while when I bought a house and earlier this year got a 335i. I still want to go back to an e39 and hope to in the future tbh, if I can find a decent one. Otherwise I'll be waiting a few years for f10s to come down a bit in price.

What's wrong with the e39?

commited

The facelift w211 is a far better car than the e60 imho:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-e200-kompressor/10141173?offset=16
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-mercedes-benz-e200-like-new-nct-2017/10270582?offset=25

The above are both low spec as the prices haven't come down to your budget yet.

Toyotafanboi

the more i read the OP, the more you've just described a 5 series in a cryptic fashion :pac: the E-Class is probably the next nearest alternative in fairness.

there are plenty of other ropier options, but none of which would appeal to the kind of person who's into a 5 series i guess; the likes of an IS250 (Jap) or A6 (FWD), the S-Type comes across a bit elderly i would think. you could get a 300C in budget but your going to a 3.0 and again, probably a bit of a tasteless car. if you were feeling kinda jeepy, you'd get into a nice spec Toureg or XC90. genuinely curious as to why you think a 7'er wouldn't fit the bill?

are you looking to get "up in the years" a bit, or is the car more important than the plate?

an S80 might be a good shout aside from being wrong wheel drive? e.g.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/quick-sale-volvo-s80-lux-2-5-t-auto-2007/10116041
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-s80-executive-2006-dvd-sat-nav/9899327

just seems a shame to title the thread "something interesting" and have the best solution as a silver e60 :P :pac:

Supergurrier

Ahh heyor, BN in an S80.

Cmere Gwan Gway

Toyotafanboi

Supergurrier wrote: »

Ahh heyor, BN in an S80.

Cmere Gwan Gway

don't know the man personally, just thought we were trying to find a 5 series alternative i'm out, i'm out :pac:!

Supergurrier

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

don't know the man personally, just thought we were trying to find a 5 series alternative i'm out, i'm out :pac:!

Big Nasty

E Class does nothing for me tbh.

Nothing wrong with the E39. Mine's an 02 so 13 years old. Guess I'd just like to upgrade a bit. Also it's a 520 and I find it a fair bit underpowered hence the want for a 525.

Big Nasty

Had planned on checking out all three of those 5ers today. Went to see the grey one first and took it for a drive. Lovely car in the flesh, seemed very tight, gearbox is smooth and braked straight. Really liked it.

http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/5-Series-523-523I-E60-M-SPORT-5DR-A/200914431929212080

Went to Parkwest to see the silver 523 but they weren't open. Then called about the silver 525 but he didn't answer.

Tbh I felt the power in the 523 more than adequate, certainly more impressive than the 520. I would have liked to drive the 525 to compare but I'd really prefer not to buy a silver car.

While there's plenty of E60 Saloons for sale there's not a big choice of Sport Tourings. As I said I really liked it so am gonna get it checked out and if it's straight I'll see if I can strike a deal.

Unless something else comes up in the next few days.........

commited

I'd still try a 525i before deciding! How did you feel about the e60 vs e39?

Big Nasty

commited wrote: »

I'd still try a 525i before deciding! How did you feel about the e60 vs e39?

Went and viewed that 525 you linked this morning. Noticeable difference in power but I was happy enough with the power in the 523. Car was a dog unfortunately. Loads of scuff marks, no service book, parking sensors not working, EML came on while testing and went in to limp, box clunky and felt like a caliper was lose when braking.

The '60 is an entirely different car to an E38 or E39. Lots of aspects I like, few bits in styling I don't. That said I can't find another marque I'd be happier in.

commited

How did you feel about the interior build quality of the E60 vs e39? I really thought it fell down there.

Leonard Hofstadter

commited wrote: »

How did you feel about the interior build quality of the E60 vs e39? I really thought it fell down there.

Have to agree on that, the E39 definitely feels better screwed together.

Mind you, the E60 is newer. To be honest OP I don't see any reason for you to look beyond an E60 525i, but be warned, the LCI models with the N53 engine are nowhere near as reliable as the pre-LCIs with the N52. Also, the LCI 525i has a 3.0 litre engine rather than the 2.5 litre fitted to the pre-LCI 525i, even though they both have the exact same amount of power.

Big Nasty

commited wrote: »

How did you feel about the interior build quality of the E60 vs e39? I really thought it fell down there.

I don't know. It's different alright. I'm not saying I don't like it. Think I prefer the wrap around dash in the E38/9. Has a couple nice features though.

Big Nasty

Got that 523 Sport Touring checked out today. Report back to say it's in exceptional condition. Picking it up tomorrow!

Spipov

Big Nasty wrote: »

Got that 523 Sport Touring checked out today. Report back to say it's in exceptional condition. Picking it up tomorrow!

Who checks it out for you?

Big Nasty

Spipov wrote: »

Who checks it out for you?

Very good buddy of mine who's a mechanic.

Spipov

Big Nasty wrote: »

Very good buddy of mine who's a mechanic.

Some people have all the good friends...

Well wear looks a cracker

farna_boy

I know it's not a BMW but it does check the other boxes:
Estate
2.5l Petrol
Automatic
Under budget (@3900)
and something interesting (i.e. twin turbo)

Mitsubishi Legnum: