E60 BMW

LawlessBoy

How's it going lads looking to upgrade the car in the next few weeks. After looking at a few cars I'm almost certain it'll be a 520d E60. I know about all the common problems that go with the N47 engine (timing chains and swirl flaps mainly) but I'm guessing most of then at this stage have had the work done to prevent it happening again.

Basically what I'm looking for are peoples opinions on them that nay have owned them in the past. Would you recommend the msport model over an SE? If I could get a higher spec SE how would it compare with the M-sport model.

Thanks for any replies in advance

LawlessBoy

Forgot to mention I would be upgrading from a 2002 vw Passat 130bhp 6 speed.

Idbatterim

might be best to go for a pre 2008 one (just make sure its not the problematic engine) if you are going for a 08+ one, have it thoroughly checked, at least if this fails now, I believe it is a lot cheaper to get the job done, than it used to be.. . the SE will be more comfortable and cheaper to buy, m sport a better looking car in my opinion...

LawlessBoy

Anyone know what the auto version is like in comparison with manual?

Idbatterim

i havent driven an auto diesel. but people say the auto with the diesel is much better...

bazz26

Auto is a nicer drive to manual imo and no flywheel to worry about either.

BTW, the engine with the timing chain problems doesn't suffer with swirl flap issues. The swirl flap issues were with the older engine.

LawlessBoy

I never thought an e60 would be such a hard car to come across from a second hand car dealer. Went around a few places earlier looking to get a test drive arranged in either auto or manual to see what i think of it and nowhere had one! Were all either 320s, 525, or 520i

Idbatterim

i personally wouldnt get a 5 series in manual...

LawlessBoy

Idbatterim wrote: »

i personally wouldnt get a 5 series in manual...

Ive never actually owned an auto car though thats prob where my hesitation is coming from. I can see what you mean its a cruiser and i do mostly motorway driving so an auto does seem like the obvious choice.

bmwguy

Yeah go for the auto. I am looking at e60s at the moment probably a 525i. Sport models you do feel imperfections in the road alright as the suspension is much stiffer and the car is slightly lower. The SE is a more comfortable car. But the sport is not bad, still comfortable plus you will have the sports seats. Sport much better looking though that will sway it for me

MarkN

LawlessBoy wrote: »

Ive never actually owned an auto car though thats prob where my hesitation is coming from. I can see what you mean its a cruiser and i do mostly motorway driving so an auto does seem like the obvious choice.

Had a 2009 LCI E60 520d M-Sport with tan leather. Was a nice looking car. Hard enough to come by due to the recession but not impossible. €390 for the tax on the auto post 2008 and the better electronic auto box also. Stiffer than the SE but will be worth more when you sell it and as has been said, probably a better looking car too.

bmwguy

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-523i-m-sport-new-nct-low-miles/11491231

I have a thread going about how I prefer my e39 but I still think the e60 is a good car and I am going to buy one. The one in the link was my favourite what do you guys think of that for price? I just think at my mileage it's much the same cost to buy a 6 cyl petrol as a 4 cylinder diesel. OP if your miles are higher keep looking diesel

MarkN

bmwguy wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-523i-m-sport-new-nct-low-miles/11491231

I have a thread going about how I prefer my e39 but I still think the e60 is a good car and I am going to buy one. The one in the link was my favourite what do you guys think of that for price? I just think at my mileage it's much the same cost to buy a 6 cyl petrol as a 4 cylinder diesel. OP if your miles are higher keep looking diesel

It would be worth holding out for a 525i. Same tax, better performance and just an all round nicer version I think. Had a 323ci and recently a 325ci and the latter is a smoother, more enjoyable engine.

bmwguy

MarkN wrote: »

It would be worth holding out for a 525i. Same tax, better performance and just an all round nicer version I think. Had a 323ci and recently a 325ci and the latter is a smoother, more enjoyable engine.

I have a 525i at the moment e39 and I think the 523i e60 is the same engine (at least same bhp at 192) I would be happy enough to be honest. I believe the 525i is 218bhp in the e60. Spec and condition will be the key drivers for what I pick up in the end. Does an asking price of 6k (realistically walk away with it for 5.5k) seem reasonable for a low mileage 06 in good nick once everything else checks out?

LawlessBoy

Would be looking at the 520d myself. No chance I could insure a higher litre model even though I would love one! Supposed to be going to view this tomorrow its only about 15 mins away so worth the spin. What do you guys think about this.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/11759305

Does this come across as a bit cheap or is it just me? There is SEs priced higher but they are from dealers

bmwguy

I came across that 520d myself just today looks good. Get your 2 insurance quotes and compare anyway. My take is that the petrol is a grand cheaper, has 62000 miles less than the diesel and is the same year so it's just makes better sense at my low mileage. No horror stories about the petrol either but you should be ok with the 06 diesel. Tax difference is 1080 for the petrol v 710 for the diesel and fuel consumption will be about 25mpg for my driving and the diesel will be 40mpg for same driving. That one does a nice example. Let us know if you do look at it anyway

LawlessBoy

Yeah petrol makes no sense for me with the mileage I do it probably is a nicer drive though. Especially if you go for 525.

Idbatterim

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sal...miles/11491231

I have a thread going about how I prefer my e39 but I still think the e60 is a good car and I am going to buy one. The one in the link was my favourite what do you guys think of that for price? I just think at my mileage it's much the same cost to buy a 6 cyl petrol as a 4 cylinder diesel. OP if your miles are higher keep looking diesel

lovely car. The asking price seems fine. the 523 and 525 are both 2.5 litre, would be great to get a 525, problem is they are rare as hens teeth here... if ultimately diesel and petrol will cost the same for ownership roughly, I would be going with the 6 cylinder petrols that bm are renowned for, over the 4 pot diesel every time...

bmwguy

Idbatterim wrote: »

lovely car. The asking price seems fine. the 523 and 525 are both 2.5 litre, would be great to get a 525, problem is they are rare as hens teeth here... if ultimately diesel and petrol will cost the same for ownership roughly, I would be going with the 6 cylinder petrols that bm are renowned for, over the 4 pot diesel every time...

Roughly the same. 30 Euro petrol per week v 20 Euro for diesel. 20 Euro per week tax v 14 for diesel. But it's a grand cheaper, has half the miles and even though I never had a diesel I reckon it will be cheaper to maintain/repair from what I read here which will justify the higher weekly running costs. But who knows, it's about getting a car you like I suppose

LawlessBoy

This might not be happening at all now. Company i have my current insurance policy with a refusing to transfer the insurance to a 520d because im under 25.