E60/61 520d/530d under 3k

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

M-sport an absolute MUST.
The more gadgets the better.
Automatic ESSENTIAL.
Any colour bar silver.

I've been trawling the internet for a month and have found very little, originally I wanted an e61 but they're like hens teeth.

Possible?

JC01

Only for the roughest scrap heap you can find, 3k won't buy a good e39 anymore never mind an e60.

Now an SE e60 for under 3k is realistic and there's plenty of them out there.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

JC01 wrote: »

Only for the roughest scrap heap you can find, 3k won't buy a good e39 anymore never mind an e60.

Now an SE e60 for under 3k is realistic and there's plenty of them out there.

I found this today,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/530d-msport/18265403

They're out there, Im just not a fan of that colour.

bazz26

I'd say your best bet would be a 530d for under 3k. The higher tax means that your more likely to get more car for your money. A 525d is worth looking at too, they would have been 2.5 litre back then so cheaper tax but still a bit nicer than the 520d.

The other thing to watch out for is that there are a good few SEs being advertised as M Sports as they are more desirable. These fake SEs have aftermarket M Sport body kits and spyder rims. The best way to tell a genuine M Sport is by the inside roof headlining. SE headlining is standard white while genuine M Sports is charcoal.

Take a look at this one:


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/530-bmw/17928431

bazz26

A 525d here:


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-525d-e60-m-sport-top-spec/18205572

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

That's good info bazz. It'll be my first e60 so I'm kind of going in blind but I have a very knowledgeable BMW mechanic to come with me. Anything I'm looking at has to have the all black interior same as my e46, everything kind of looks wrong with grey/brown leather/black trim combo.

There's a very nice e61 on adverts, 525d but yer man is looking for 4k. The car is probably only worth 2.5 and he's not one for negotiations when I called about it.

E61 is what I'm REALLY after but I'm getting desperate now, I bought a rough VW bora to tide me over after I sold my e46 and it's deeply unpleasant to drive.

The BMW you posted has 191 miles, I've had a few bmws with that engine and I know that's the danger zone. Something around 150 miles would mean a lot less headaches from turbos, suspension, alternators etc.

bazz26

An E61 especially in M Sport will be hard to find especially in budget.

This E39 Touring might interest you but I don't think I'd pay that sort of money for it:


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-525d-estate-nct-and-tax/17917365

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

E39 would almost feel the same as my e46, I'm looking for something a little more modern.

The missus would murder me.

Heres Johnny

Hunky Monster wrote: »

I found this today,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/530d-msport/18265403

They're out there, Im just not a fan of that colour.

Nothing wrong with that one it's a nice looking car. Why stick to diesel? You're obviously not worried about tax since you mentioned 530d.

There are petrol around 523i/525i I'm sure they will be cheaper than the diesel but won't have the grunt of a 530d. Would easily match and better 520d though.

I have 523i sport 2006, very smooth engine and decent if not spectacular performance.

bazz26

E61 535d. Could you knock them down a bit on the price?


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-535d/18281048

JC01

Hunky Monster wrote: »

I found this today,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/530d-msport/18265403

They're out there, Im just not a fan of that colour.

You'll find them alright but 99/100 of them will be scrap when you go look at them, I say that as someone who has looked at probably 25 e60s over the last few years as loads of friends and family have owned one at some point and Iv had 1 myself. The highlight for me was looking at an "immaculate" 525d that was going for big money, mid-teens at the time. As soon as we opened the bonnet we saw the front headlight clips were broken and cable tied back in place as the car had been crashed!!

Trust me when I say you do not want to buy the very cheapest of a car that was once a 70k car, you need to buy a well looked after one or they can become ridiculously expensive to keep really quickly.

Buy an immaculate SE rather than a rough MSport would be my advice and I say that as someone who hates the SEs, I just know how much a bad e60 will cost you!

Mickiemcfist

bazz26 wrote: »

E61 535d. Could you knock them down a bit on the price?


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-535d/18281048

Think that was for sale by a dealer in the last month or so for the same figure, I'd be wary.

Also before you're wary if someone could work their magic & check if I'm right!

bazz26

Transferred to an individual on 24/02. Doesn't mean it's dodgy though.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

bazz26 wrote: »

E61 535d. Could you knock them down a bit on the price?


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-535d/18281048

Out of budget and there's a difference of almost E500 in insurance.

bazz26

Thought it would be bit of a stretch alright.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

bazz26 wrote: »

Thought it would be bit of a stretch alright.

They were ok with me going up to the 3.0 msport, they almost threw a tantrum with the 335...which is bananas.

bazz26

In fairness a 535d is a different proposition to a 530d but we know what insurance companies are like anyway.

thierry14

How long are you going this car OP?

Purchase price of 3k is peanuts

A 3.0l diesel BMW is a money pit

Keep a good few k in the bank for maintenance, 05 330d is nearly 15 years old now, BMW only gave a 2 year warranty on them for a reason

Mechanics don't call BMW ( bring money withyou ) for nought

Heres Johnny

thierry14 wrote: »

How long are you going this car OP?

Purchase price of 3k is peanuts

A 3.0l diesel BMW is a money pit

Keep a good few k in the bank for maintenance, 05 330d is nearly 15 years old now, BMW only gave a 2 year warranty on them for a reason

Mechanics don't call BMW ( bring money withyou ) for nought

Having had 5 of them I don't agree with this, the youngest i ever bought was 8 years old, although they've all been petrol.
It's just about selecting a well minded one, which I've always done.

bazz26

BMW give a 3 year warranty on new cars, same as Audi, VW, Merc, etc.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

thierry14 wrote: »

How long are you going this car OP?

Purchase price of 3k is peanuts

A 3.0l diesel BMW is a money pit

Keep a good few k in the bank for maintenance, 05 330d is nearly 15 years old now, BMW only gave a 2 year warranty on them for a reason

Mechanics don't call BMW ( bring money withyou ) for nought

I'll only hold it for a year at most I'm probably going to PCP something in January.

It's not my first BMW rodeo. Look after the engines and get the work done to the diesels and they'll NEVER let you down. The only fault I have with those BMWs are suspension wears out quicker than other cars especially msports and are not cheap to fix. Apart from that I can't fault them.

Let's face it 3k would get me a grand Corolla or Hyundai but who the fück wants to drive one of those.

Blazer

Hunky Monster wrote: »

I'll only hold it for a year at most I'm probably going to PCP something in January.

It's not my first BMW rodeo. Look after the engines and get the work done to the diesels and they'll NEVER let you down. The only fault I have with those BMWs are suspension wears out quicker than other cars especially msports and are not cheap to fix. Apart from that I can't fault them.

Let's face it 3k would get me a grand Corolla or Hyundai but who the fück wants to drive one of those.

that;s because we're ripping into corners late and hitting the brakes
Its how BMWs should be ridden.
I've have both an E60 and the F10 with the 3 litre diesel engine and its basically bulletproof. Never had an issue with on both cars. Just stupid electronic bits etc.

Mickiemcfist

bazz26 wrote: »

Transferred to an individual on 24/02. Doesn't mean it's dodgy though.

I had contacted the garage at the time asking would it come nctd & didn't get a response, looks like it didnt. Now the guy is trying to get his money back, that's what somewhat concerns me, gorgeous spec though.

commited

You appear to be in a bit of a rush so I'd suggest upping your budget as you'll be waiting a long time to find a good e60/e61 under 3k that meets your requirements. I wouldn't be so bothered about mileage, I'd buy on condition, history & number of owners.

bazz26

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

I had contacted the garage at the time asking would it come nctd & didn't get a response, looks like it didnt. Now the guy is trying to get his money back, that's what somewhat concerns me, gorgeous spec though.

Anything is possible really. The guy selling it now has a few other vehicles for sale so probably a wheeler dealer flipping cars bought from the trade. Either way its a mute point now as it's not an option for the OP.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

I got a cheaper quote for the 535d. I'll go take a look and see what I can get off it, I'm prepared to walk away if his price is firm.