BMW 5 series 2012

joey100

I've been looking for a new car for a while, boss in work is selling his 2012 BMW 5 series 2L diesel. Car is spotless, full service history from BMW garage, 4 new tyres just put on it. I'd be very tempted, but just wondering what the running costs of a car like this would be.

Already checked insurance and it's not too bad at all, 650 for fully comp. Currently we have a 2012 seat ibiza 1.2L petrol. Get around 530km for 45 euro worth of petrol, tyres are around 280 for the car and service around 220. Would be on the border of needing a diesel, do a fair bit of driving and of my commute more than half is on motorway.

It's probably one of them situations where if you have to ask you can't afford it but what sort of running costs would you be looking at? Had been looking at a 2014/15 golf or octavia so am changing the car either way.

Is there anything that I should be looking out for on this car? It would be a very early reg 2012, have read about timing chain issues but they seem to have been sorted in 2011.

blingrhino

Tyres,Tyres, Tyres at around €250 a tyre i found this the biggest running cost excluding fuel with the 5 series.

Stallingrad

You only live once, sounds like a good one so why not?

Your only problem will be if you find running costs are too high and have to get rid of it, every car after will be a disappointment.

joey100

Cheers for that, was thinking that alright, he has told me there is run flats on it. Said he gets them in Clarehall beside the hilton for 160 euro a tyre but sounded bit cheap to me. Pretty sure it's the 17 inch alloys on it if that makes any difference.

bazz26

There will be a difference in running costs over your current car for sure. The 5 Series like any premium branded car can be expensive to repair if something big goes wrong irrespective of how much you pay for the car years down the line. This was still a €50k plus car remember so you won't run one on a shoe string budget.

In saying that I'm on my second one and they are excellent comfortable machines designed to eat up miles. I presume it's an automatic?

joey100

Cheers Bazz. Yep it's an automatic, def not expecting it to be as cheap as my current one to run, can run that for nothing. Have had cars in the past where I didn't fully realise the running costs and it ruined the car for me (mazda RX8, when I bought it petrol was 1.28 a litre, when I sold it it was 1.68 a litre). I knew it would cost me money but just wan't expecting it to cost as much so just trying to see how much this might cost. I don't expect the day to day running costs to be a huge amount more, the fear is if something does go wrong in it though, and the cost that might be.

Mickiemcfist

joey100 wrote: »

Cheers Bazz. Yep it's an automatic, def not expecting it to be as cheap as my current one to run, can run that for nothing. Have had cars in the past where I didn't fully realise the running costs and it ruined the car for me (mazda RX8, when I bought it petrol was 1.28 a litre, when I sold it it was 1.68 a litre). I knew it would cost me money but just wan't expecting it to cost as much so just trying to see how much this might cost. I don't expect the day to day running costs to be a huge amount more, the fear is if something does go wrong in it though, and the cost that might be.

I can't see the 5 series being anywhere near as expensive to run as the rx8, it will be as reliable as the seat but 2 or 3 times more for repairs should they be required

Theboinkmaster

joey100 wrote: »

Cheers for that, was thinking that alright, he has told me there is run flats on it. Said he gets them in Clarehall beside the hilton for 160 euro a tyre but sounded bit cheap to me. Pretty sure it's the 17 inch alloys on it if that makes any difference.

€160 seems cheap for 17" decent branded run-flats, id be thinking more like €200-250. Check camskill.co.uk for idea of prices.

ive a 2011 520d and find running costs fine once I use good indy mechanic, tyres definitely the most expensive.

Outside of regular servicing my wishbone front suspension arms have had to be replaced on either side which is expensive, was told the 5 series ones are not very strong. May be due to all the speed ramps around me!

Have to say I love my f10. If your boss has 17" I assume it's not an m sport? I wouldn't buy it then as both inside and out the m sport is far superior to SE so that would be a dealbreaker for me.

bazz26

I bought two 19" Goodyear Eagle F1 run flat tyres for a shade over €200 each online. I'd imagine 17" would be a good bit less. Buying local is a different kettle of fish though.

SmithySeller

Tyres were my biggest cost on the E60 (sold in 2014), until I changed to normal tyres. I had persistent issues with RFTs. Are they any better now, anything stopping the OP when the time comes changing to normal tyres?

joey100

Nope it's the SE edition alright, few extras on it but if I was buying new I'm not sure they would be extra's I'd add. It's not a car that was originally in my thoughts to even look at, and not sure if it's even for me either.

I was thinking that about the tyres alright, would it be worth it to change them all to normal tyres when the time comes.

Trojan

I'd change all to normal tyres (don't mix RFT with non-RFT). Going with the high end of mid range like Goodyear, Dunlop, etc from Camskill will save you a fair bit over getting RFT Michelins.

SmithySeller

Well my issues was mine was an M-Sport with low profile tyres, couple that with a really bad road home and the RFT's couldn't cope. I had constant side wall issues and/or the Car telling me I had a puncture. But an SE will have a lot larger profile, so you may not see any issues. The ride was also noticeably different (i.e. better and more comfortable) on normal tyres.
I'm currently contemplating buying a 2015 520 GT, and I swear, thinking about the tyres is giving me nightmares, they're 20" RFTs :eek:. That and the N47 engine...

Mickiemcfist

SmithySeller wrote: »

I'm currently contemplating buying a 2015 520 GT, and I swear, thinking about the tyres is giving me nightmares, they're 20" RFTs :eek:. That and the N47 engine...

Not to mention the nightmare of having to look at it every day

SmithySeller

Cant say I wasn't expecting that :pac:

I really like the facelift, genuinely think its a lovely car, and the interior is nicer than a standard 5 Series imo. When I first sat in the back seat I was very pleasantly surprised by the additional space...

MojoMaker

Check the utility Joey - if you're used to throwing a bike (or two) into the back of a Golf for example you may find the cabin of a 5er a bit restrictive - on many the seats don't fold for example. I found saloons and an active lifestyle (dogs, sports gear etc) wasn't a brilliant mix. They can do it, just not that well.

Mickiemcfist

SmithySeller wrote: »

Cant say I wasn't expecting that :pac:

I really like the facelift, genuinely think its a lovely car, and the interior is nicer than a standard 5 Series imo. When I first sat in the back seat I was very pleasantly surprised by the additional space...

haha it's a lovely car inside alright

SmithySeller

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

haha it's a lovely car inside alright

Come on have a look at this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201708098183500?make=BMW&sort=sponsored&year-from=2015&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&co2-emissions-cars=TO_150&model=5%20SERIES%20GRAN%20TURISMO&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&maximum-mileage=30000&postcode=bt161gg&page=1

Ps. Sorry OP, don't mean to hijack your thread

Pkiernan

Stallingrad wrote: »

You only live once, sounds like a good one so why not?

Your only problem will be if you find running costs are too high and have to get rid of it, every car after will be a disappointment.

Dude it's a common 520d, not an M5

Stallingrad

Pkiernan wrote: »

Dude it's a common 520d, not an M5

Interior, ergonomics, comfort, refinement, build quality, all among the best. Doesn't have to be an M5.

MarkN

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

Outside of regular servicing my wishbone front suspension arms have had to be replaced on either side which is expensive, was told the 5 series ones are not very strong. May be due to all the speed ramps around me!

What's the mileage on the car OP? I think a combo of our roads and harder run flats plus bigger rims (bigger than what is on the car you're looking at) and it's worth considering they may need to be done. BMW mechanic I know said he's done a lot of them on the F10.

I had to replace two wishbone arms on my F13 a week after I bought it - BMW full price was €800 :eek:

WhatsGoingOn2

You can get Hankooks for €123. Probably about €15 each to get fitted.

https://www.oponeo.ie/details-tyre/hankook-ventus-s-1-evo2-k-117-225-55-r17-97-y-run-on-flat-mfs#155659659

Blazer

I get all my tyres from oponie.ie and saves me a nice few bob.
The tyres on a 520D are 225/55/17 and are from €108 upwards for runflats.

eg https://www.oponeo.ie/details-tyre/pirelli-p7-cinturato-225-55-r17-97-y-run-on-flat-#155223526

I stuck with the runflats on mine..the newer generation are a lot better and while ideally I'd like to throw michelin pilot 4 on mine the hassle of carrying a spare doesn't appeal to me unless I picked up a space saver.
Runflats are extremely handy though when you get a puncture.

KFed

joey100 wrote: »

I've been looking for a new car for a while, boss in work is selling his 2012 BMW 5 series 2L diesel. Car is spotless, full service history from BMW garage, 4 new tyres just put on it. I'd be very tempted, but just wondering what the running costs of a car like this would be.

Already checked insurance and it's not too bad at all, 650 for fully comp. Currently we have a 2012 seat ibiza 1.2L petrol. Get around 530km for 45 euro worth of petrol, tyres are around 280 for the car and service around 220. Would be on the border of needing a diesel, do a fair bit of driving and of my commute more than half is on motorway.

It's probably one of them situations where if you have to ask you can't afford it but what sort of running costs would you be looking at? Had been looking at a 2014/15 golf or octavia so am changing the car either way.

Is there anything that I should be looking out for on this car? It would be a very early reg 2012, have read about timing chain issues but they seem to have been sorted in 2011.

On carzone, bradys have a 2012 520d se asking 20k. Bmw main dealers have a few examples asking 22-24k. There are 3 x 2012 ibizas asking 7-9k. In practice im sure theyd all come down a little from the asking.

Obviously running a 20k car will cost more than an 8k car.

To get an idea of the extra running costs id compare changing from the ibiza to the 520. Both are 2012 so 5y old, so assume over next 5y, 2022 theres not much value left.

Purely in depreciation then the 520 will cost you 4k/yr versus 1.6k/yr to hold the ibiza. I wouldnt necessaril factor in a tax saving, diesel taxes may rise on back of emissions scandals, and would youd save a bit on mpg? How is the ibiza for economy?

If the 520 needs any repairs its likely to be more expensive. Ive done a timing chain on a 320d (2008 n47) and that cost 2k at an independent but was it not resolved on the n47/520d series prior to 2012? Do your homework there, it is a costly repair and if it did fail at speed the consequences could be fatal.

All in Id say the 520d car would be roughly twice as expensive to run, all in than an ibiza. Depreciation is always the biggest cost.

Could you handle the cash cost of an unexpected turbo, dpf or other issue on the 520?

Would 1k a year average over five years set aside for tyres, and maintenance stretch you?


If you can take the depreciation and have cash spare to handle the unexpected if it arises, then no doubt you can afford it.

What model octavia or golf are you considering? Obviously a newer car so more years of life left in it really.

Neither the ibiza or golf/octavia would compre to the 5 overall though, it is a great machine.

Theboinkmaster

MarkN wrote: »

What's the mileage on the car OP? I think a combo of our roads and harder run flats plus bigger rims (bigger than what is on the car you're looking at) and it's worth considering they may need to be done. BMW mechanic I know said he's done a lot of them on the F10.

I had to replace two wishbone arms on my F13 a week after I bought it - BMW full price was €800 :eek:

120,000 kms or so, I ditched the run-flats so not using them. I think it's all the speed ramps where I live TBH.