08 5 series opinions

positivenote

hI guys,
Im thinking of going to look at this car... am I missing something or does it seem like a good deal?
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/08-bmw-520-diesel-auto-beige-leather-fsh-nct/17809110

as something similar from a main dealer with more miles is priced higher..
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-5-series-520d-se-saloon-lci-only-84k-miles-2/16622189

what mpg would I be expecting to get out of these traveling motorway/national roads predominantly for 100miles a day.
Is there anything else of note I should keep in mind?
Thanks

drunkmonkey

Yea they both contain the exploding engine, see if it's been replaced. 525 or 530 would be a better option with just slightly more road tax.

positivenote

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Yea they both contain the exploding engine, see if it's been replaced. 525 or 530 would be a better option with just slightly more road tax.

Exploding engine? How would I know if it’s been done

drunkmonkey

positivenote wrote: »

Exploding engine? How would I know if it’s been done

Unless they have proof from BMW you don't, also check BMW with the reg they'll let you know.
Just looking on done deal you'll pick up a 530d for around the same money, safer bet and and lot nicer to drive.Even some F10's there.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/motors/bmw-s-timing-chain-problem-comes-back-to-haunt-carmaker-1.2869493?mode=amp

selectamatic

N47 2.0d's like to eat timing chains.

The six pot m57 3.0d which is in the 525d up as far as 2010 would be a safer bet as these had the old reliable chain design. Cheap tax ones are about €700 to tax per annum which isn't too bad really. Good strong engines which are very much detuned in standard form.

positivenote

Thanks for the clarification guys... very helpful. Alternatively I have also been thinking about c or e class options.. I was looking at this...
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-c-class-2009/17679054

I’m open to advice on all this so thanks in advance

bazz26

Something doesn't look right with that car to me. The panel gap looks wider where the bonnet meets the front passenger side headlight and wing compared to the driver's side to me.

ofcork

Mercedes also need their chains changed too as they do not last.

commited

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-525-3l-new-test/17663678
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-530-m-sport/17221893
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-730d/15848731

commited

Alternatively consider an '07 M47 engined LCI 520d. There aren't too many of them around, but you can find them. These engines are generally way more reliable for a slight MPG penalty over the newer 520d.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-2007-520d-nct-and-tax/17858508
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520-diesel-auto-nct-05-2018-one-owner-car/17261805

Only another €300/year in tax over the original cars you linked but €4k cheaper and less likely to throw massive bills.

positivenote

just as a mater of interest, I was searching around last night as you do and came across this in the UK:
http://www.northovercars.co.uk/used-car-details/used-mercedes-benz-e-class-e220-cdi-blueefficiency-avantg-saloon-silver-automatic-diesel-id_41096342089.aspx#lg=1&slide=0

am I missing something obvious because the same/similar spec is almost 17k here:
http://www.beshoffmotors.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=1903961&r=

surely a all in trip one to the UK costing approx 200euro would be worth the saving of around 3-3.5keuro
Thanks

bazz26

Where are you getting €200 to get over and back to the UK with a car? The ferry trip back alone might cost close to that. Also that garage is located on the southeast coast of England so add fuel/food, etc too. You will be looking more like €400 or more for travel.

Also that car is a 2009 E220 costing £10k which is about €11,200 plus you have VRT on top of that (cannot get a VRT figure as the VRT site is down). The one in Beshoffs is a year younger and slightly more powerful E250, probably can negotiate bit of a discount off it for a cash sale and will come with a dealer warranty so the difference in price may not be that sensational when all things are considered rather than just sticker prices.

RobFowl

Looking at 07/08 5 series touring myself.
If the timing chain has been sorted properly would that reassure most?
Hard to find non 2.0 liter examples...

millington

Both cars are fairly expensive, dealer or not.

drunkmonkey

RobFowl wrote: »

Looking at 07/08 5 series touring myself.
If the timing chain has been sorted properly would that reassure most?
Hard to find non 2.0 liter examples...

Probably have to go north or the UK huge drop in tax on the 08 on. Not sure if it's from June 08 on. You don't really want the 2.0l get the 530d if the budget allows. FSH if possible.

Is this out of budget? It's well specced with a full service history http://banbridgecars.com/listing/2008-bmw-530d-m-sport-touring/

positivenote

okay guys, just to update this. The tax has run out on my 2003 e39 msport (touring) so i'll have to pay at least another 400+ to get it back on the road. This will buy me another 3 months looking for a replacement. However, my mechanic just rang me tonight, ive asked him to keep an eye out for something, and he said that he has just serviced a 2006 c180 that the owner is looking to get rid of. The mechanic says its a smashing car that needs nothing done to it and has no signs of the wear and tear of a 12 year old car. Its got 60k miles on it and the owner is only the second owner having bought it in 2008. Its manual and has full leather without a scratch on it.

They are going for 2.5-3k on carzone. Im just thinking that for the sake of 2-3k I could get a year or two out of it at least maybe even more? whilst saving a few bob towards something newer over the course of the next year or two.
any opinions on this would be welcomed
THanks

drunkmonkey

We've had 2 of these in the family,. C180 manual and a C200 Kompressor, the c200 in auto all day long over the manual 180.
Go auto if your going Mercedes, it's worth it for not having to deal with that god awful foot handbrake alone.
If you need space maybe an e series, the e series estate is even a 7 seater.

positivenote

saw the merc today.. beautiful car in great nick all round. smaller than i thought, but maybe im just used to the space in the e39s I have had. Seems to be running like a charm, all sounded great... my mechanic emphasised again taht it drives like a new car, but he wouldnt pay silly money for it either. Then the lad said he was looking for north of 6k for it:eek: I could haggle him down to just over 5k for cash, but id still have to throw 600+ at her to tax her in a months time. Again its a 2006 c180 (manual) with 65k miles on her. I told him that my budget was 4k but as the night has gone on, im starting to think should I go back with a better offer... surely theres more of a car out there for equivalent money.
any opinions on whether ive made the right choice... as Im due to pay 400 euro to tax my own e39 for another 3 months.
Cheers

selectamatic

Christ no, 4 or 5k would be mental money for a 2006 c180 regardless of spec or condition.

Sellers like that are best avoided anyways, they generally know feck all about cars and as a result over estimate their resale value massively.

He'll need about 2 months of it sitting on his drive before he starts to come around to reality and sadly that won't suit your situation.

bazz26

The seller is dreaming if he thinks a 06 petrol manual C Class is worth anywhere near 6k even with low mileage.

For comparision here is a similar E Class with low mileage for under 4k:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-e200-kompressor/17753603

commited

Sounds like you just need to bite the bullet and go car shopping now! Have a look at the bangernomics thread if you want to pick up something cheap to keep you going for a while.

Leonard Hofstadter

Those petrol engines have a reputation for timing chain problems but at least it's at the front of the engine in those so it's less expensive to do.

I'd say OP you'll be disappointed with any C-class, to be honest few cars no matter what the age is are as nice as an E39 in good condition.

Lekrub

Just make sure the timing chain has been done. Recently found out the hard way. Great car apart from that.

joseywales

Had an 08 and sold with 126k miles on clock. Great car. Agree about chain, make sure it’s at least checked if not replaced.

Gravelly

positivenote wrote: »

saw the merc today.. beautiful car in great nick all round. smaller than i thought, but maybe im just used to the space in the e39s I have had. Seems to be running like a charm, all sounded great... my mechanic emphasised again taht it drives like a new car, but he wouldnt pay silly money for it either. Then the lad said he was looking for north of 6k for it:eek: I could haggle him down to just over 5k for cash, but id still have to throw 600+ at her to tax her in a months time. Again its a 2006 c180 (manual) with 65k miles on her. I told him that my budget was 4k but as the night has gone on, im starting to think should I go back with a better offer... surely theres more of a car out there for equivalent money.
any opinions on whether ive made the right choice... as Im due to pay 400 euro to tax my own e39 for another 3 months.
Cheers

He'll be a long time waiting for that - most people wouldn't take a present of a manual Merc (and with good reason), not to mention pay a premium over an auto for one. That car is probably realistically worth €2-3000 if it is in very good nick, and he can find a buyer.

positivenote

thanks for the reply chaps.I asked him again but he is locked on the price.
I'm now on my way to look at this as i thought the mercs were a tad expensive for what you were getting

http://www.chartonmotorcompany.ie/vehicles/bmw/5%20series/dublin/1897928

Im hoping that with the FSH and the Timing chain done this should be a good buy.
Any opinions welcome
Thanks

commited

Looks expensive to me. I'd much rather have a facelift M47 engined car for €5k less and pay the extra €220 in tax/year.

positivenote

commited wrote: »

Looks expensive to me. I'd much rather have a facelift M47 engined car for €5k less and pay the extra €220 in tax/year.

thanks for the response...with the timing chain done and the full BMW service history is it more likely to be reliable? Compared to others similiar out there it seems to be priced in line... i was chatting with the seller and he claims that he got it direct from main dealership where it was used as a 'demo car', should I be concerned about this? and what does it actually mean
cheers

Heres Johnny

positivenote wrote: »

thanks for the response...with the timing chain done and the full BMW service history is it more likely to be reliable? Compared to others similiar out there it seems to be priced in line... i was chatting with the seller and he claims that he got it direct from main dealership where it was used as a 'demo car', should I be concerned about this? and what does it actually mean
cheers

He means it was a car used for test drives and showing to the customer. He's probably trying to make the point it's a high spec model which demos tend to be. Wouldn't make any difference to me as it's an old car now who cares what it was doing years ago.

millington

positivenote wrote: »

thanks for the reply chaps.I asked him again but he is locked on the price.
I'm now on my way to look at this as i thought the mercs were a tad expensive for what you were getting

http://www.chartonmotorcompany.ie/vehicles/bmw/5%20series/dublin/1897928

Im hoping that with the FSH and the Timing chain done this should be a good buy.
Any opinions welcome
Thanks

A tad more will buy an F10 at this stage

commited

positivenote wrote: »

thanks for the response...with the timing chain done and the full BMW service history is it more likely to be reliable? Compared to others similiar out there it seems to be priced in line... i was chatting with the seller and he claims that he got it direct from main dealership where it was used as a 'demo car', should I be concerned about this? and what does it actually mean
cheers

I'd be surprised if this was a demo as it's not a high spec at all - no heated leather, no pro nav etc. It's more than likely a story he's reeling off, a motorcheck would resolve the question.

As I said, I'd look at the M47 engined facelift autos:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/07-bmw-520d-nct-automatic/18015823
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520-diesel-auto-nct-05-2018-one-owner-car/17261805
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-5-series-520d-se-touring-auto-panroof/17539698
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520d-m-sport-auto/18019847

positivenote

went to see it today and to be honest it didnt sit well with me. not sure if it was the e60 model itself or just the car, but it seemed a bit less refined than my e39... even less 'well made' if that doesnt sound weird. anyway thanks for the links.