Need advice for my first BMW

hopeless wanderor

Would like to get some advice for my first BMW purchase

I have been driving a beater 1.2 Fiesta for sometime now. It is now time for something new. Was looking into getting a EV but we are 1 car household so range anxiety is keeping me away from the cars plus high range models are expensive too. Have always wanted to experience owning and driving a BMW car.

Have my eyes set on BMW 3 or 5 series

For 3 series 2019 & up

For 5 series 2017 & up

Any other series to look at?

Looking at M Sport models for both, budget is 30k but lower the better. BMW approved with 2 years warranty seems like a good option.

I would be hoping to keep this car for the next 5 years atleast. Need advice on what kind of mileage for cars should be good?

For example I found 2017 5 series m sport with 150k km is cheaper than 2019 3 series m sport with 50k km.

Is 150k too much or should I be targeting for cars below 100k or any other value . Looking for BMW approved as I would like to have the peace of mind of 2 year warranty.

Any others pointers or advice on what to lookout for is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

User1998

Theres no set mileage you should be aiming for. It all depends on price, condition, service history etc. How much mileage your going to be putting on the car yourself should also be a factor.

Buddy Bubs

They're both nice cars, I found the 2019 3 series quite uncomfortable in msport setup when I went looking, a bit harsh. I think it may have had adaptive suspension but I didn't figure it out on test drive. It was a nice sporty drive though.

I bought a 2018 5 series msport 530e soon after which I found more comfortable. I had it alongside an Audi A6 for a little while and I preferred the Audi, but if you want a BMW you want a BMW.

As important as 3 series v 5 series I'd be thinking if you want a 20d or 30e engine.

Are the cars you're looking at too old for the BMW approved warranty though?

bazz26

The 3 Series is more nimble and driver focused being more compact in size. Interior and boot space are smaller than the 5 Series but the 5 Series tends to have better standard spec.

The 5 Series is more comfortable and refined. 5 Series will feel like a monster of a car in both size and manoeuvrability coming from a Fiesta though. If you going PHEV (30e) in either then take note that the boot size is reduced due to the location of the battery.

Running costs can vary between the two also with the likes of tyres for example being more expensive for the 5 Series especially on the larger wheels.

hopeless wanderor

Thank you for the inputs so far, I am going more towards the 20d models.

If buying from BMW approved used it tends to come with 2 year warranty, maybe the cutoff is 160k for the warranty

I will probably drive another 150k Max over the next few years

GPoint

approved used car warranty can be given even at 200+ k km mileage and is very good and covers everything.

Drive both cars and decide what suits better.

If you want to experience what bmw drives like definitely go for 3 series, keep it for 3 years , enjoy it and move up to 5 series when starting to want more comfort over fun on the road .

Stallingrad

If you're in the position of considering 3 or 5 series I would go 5 every time. Much more solid and premium experience. It's a big old barge though so get a good test drive in. BMW warranty is great for peace of mind but keep in mind wear and tear items like brake will be a real eye opener after your Fiesta.

Also look out for galvanic corrosion on the doors on the 5, a known issue that BMW will repair if you make a fuss.

Screenshot 2024-06-04 at 10.14.10 a.m..png

Seth Brundle

I'd also choose the 5er (have one currently) but as you're moving up from a Fiesta, it will feel big and heavy and more "old man"-ish. I'd recommend taking both out for a test drive and see what you think yourself.

Another thing to consider is the spec of the cars you look at. Whilst they have somewhat standardised in recent years, something priced quite keenly will probably come with bugger all extras so do comparison checks.

Also bear in mind servicing & maintenance costs will be much higher than what you're used to.

hopeless wanderor

Thank you all for the inputs, much appreciated. I am in no rush, just want to make an informed decision as this would be my first big car purchase.

The general consensus seems to be that the 5 series is bigger, especially coming from a fiesta, would definitely be test drive both to get a feel. From my research I see that the G series engine would be the preferred one.

So from advice received so far something that ticks the below boxes should be decent under 30k.

1. G series x20d
2. Less than 150km mileage
3. Full service history
4. 2 years BMW warranty

Seth Brundle

The mileage won't matter too much if the car has been properly maintained.

You also most likely won't get details of the FSH if buying from BMW. However, you can get an overview of the history within the iDrive menus (Vehicle Information -> Vehicle Status -> Service Requirements -> Service History) [see here]

The BMW warranty covers pretty much everything in the car and is very good. Nonetheless, check the car over thoroughly before buying. The one consolation is that should something go wrong within the two years then it will probably be covered so buying a lemon won't taste as bitter as if you were buying from a non-BMW dealer.
After the two years, you may be able to extend the warranty depending on age, etc but this might be with mapfre so, at the time, check the wording throghly because it may actually cover nothing meaningful!

Stallingrad

One more thing to keep in mind with any 5 series is it doesn't come with folding rear seats as standard. Quite a few owners spec them as an option and it's well worth having.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218432#Comment_122218432

It would depend on what you plan on carrying but I'm now on my fourth five series and don't recall wishing I had folding rear seats with any of them.

Stallingrad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218442#Comment_122218442

We lead very different lives so! IKEA, timber, Recycling centre, bikes. The boot on my Superb is huge yet I still often have the seats down.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218480#Comment_122218480

My wife's Seat is used to carry long &/or dirty things and I'm happy to not be putting crap like that in my car
I do have roof bars though (I've bought them for all of my 5ers) which I guess does make a difference when transporting my bikes.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218373#Comment_122218373

I went from a polo to a 5 series and trust me when I say avoid car parks for a few months, it is like driving a big boat in comparison to a small car and takes alot getting used to. I struggled alot and I have been driving 18 years.

Mac 3

Have had 3 520d's, great all rounder. Good economy, low road tax, the automatic is good, you'll get used to the space. Im not sure if any one mentioned runflat tyres yet, can be dear through the likes of advance, but you can always order online. The cheaper brands dont seem to last so try and get a recognized brand.

Some of these might have service packs that stay with the car for its first five years so you might be lucky and find one that has an active service pack.

Don't let anyone give you stick over indicators.

hopeless wanderor

Thanks all for the good advice.

hopeless wanderor

Hi All, I finally managed to find a 192 pre lci 520d with 110k KM which has all the extras I was looking for bar the HUD for 30k , comes with 2 year BMW warranty. What do you guys think?

I would have loved a LCI one but they are out of my budget.

GPoint

Took you a while !

Is this a Japanese import ?

Bill griffin has loads of 523d all well specced

hopeless wanderor

Haha, yes, it did! I am based in the Midlands, so I was not considering Dublin dealers. This is the first time I am purchasing something within this budget, so I wanted to make sure I was covered. Hence, I was only looking at BMW-approved used cars. I missed some good ones as they were quickly gone. I have put a refundable deposit on the current one as the car is being prepared, so I want to make sure the price is okay, although most cars are around that mark from my research.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123284174#Comment_123284174

To me it sounds incredibly overpriced, considering you can buy one privately for about €10k less after some negotiating. But to some people, like yourself, its probably OK value. Some people put value on buying from a dealer and getting a BMW warranty, and probably wouldn’t even consider buying privately.

Pappacharlie

I've had three BMW 520d's and the only time I went back to the main dealer was for a recall. Absolute robbers! Oil services very simple to do yourself. Change the oil and filter every 5000 miles and you won't have any problems. That's nearly half the recommended milage but its the life of your car.

GPoint

Not everyone has the tools or space or desire to drain the oil on their driveway. Recycling it, then coding the car etc. you need to know what you’re doing.

BMW warranty absolutely worth it. 2 years approved used warranty covers everything. I had dealer fixed a few issues under warranty and I would be paying a lot if it was my money.

Regarding service it’s only slightly dearer than a good indie garage but you get to keep service history. Also with indie garage you need to pay extra to enter service record into iDrive or more precisely have it synced with BMW servers.

Not all cars BMW garage sells come with approved used warranty so why people buy them quickly when they appear. I also missed a few when I was buying my current car.

djan

I think you have to weigh up the value of warranty to you. It's possibly 10k over budget so with a private sale even if the engine went completely you'd still be better off without the warranty.

Go private and get car checked by a garage that can get it on a lift and diagnostics.

Put it this way, would you pay 10k for a 2 year warranty?

CalamariFritti

I used to have a 5er for many years and scaled back to a 3 (estate). The 5 is just such a big barge these days.

Very happy with the 3, no problems whatsoever, plenty of power with the 2 litre engines too. Probably better since the 3 doesnt weigh as much and the engines are the exact same.

You keep hearing about engines 'going' (chain) but tbh I think that was always totally overplayed due to a few bad stories from engines long gone. For some reason these stories just keep swirling around.

FWIW I got an approved with warranty myself albeit from the UK (just before Brexit) and I didn't regret it but didnt need the warranty either. Car has been rock solid except for a recall (EGV valve) and there was no problem getting the recall done with a main BMW dealer here.

As for service I simply go to a local indy. I'm lucky he happens to have a lot of BMW experience but not sure thats needed for a service. Wouldnt pay the main dealer prices but a the same time I'm not paying 25k or 30k for a car and then do some half arsed cheapskate job in my driveway on it. If you cant afford a €200 service you cant really afford a 30k car IMO.

Personally I'd avoid a 150k car but it depends on the actual car of course. A rep car could have had 150k put on it in less than 3 years and it could all be motorway but it's hard to know. My limit would be 100k. My one had 36k (3.5 years old) when I got it and it looked and felt like new.

Definitely would avoid more than 1 owner, 2 max. As for M sports I dont know could be totally irrational many people get the the M sports becasue it has the best resale value but I always feel an M sports is likely to be driven harder than say a luxury trim.

bazz26

The OP is buying a G30 model which came out in 2017. The N47 engines with timing chain problems were last produced in 2016 or early 2017. It's certainly not overplayed, there are plenty of garages who made lots of money replacing these on cars well out of warranty over the years. However the diesel engines in the G30 don't suffer from timing chain issues as it's a different engine (B47). I also wouldn't agree totally with the logic that M Sports are driven harder. M Sport is just a trim level and doesn't add any performance over a SE trim. People buy them because they are more pleasing to the eye than the sedated SE. SE trim tends to be bought by older more conservative drivers however so yeah maybe that age group tends to drive with more restraint.

sligopaul

where are you seeing the 2019 g30's at 20k

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292583#Comment_123292583

Very low mileage M Sport here for €22k. This could obviously be bought for €20k being a private sale.
https://www.donedeal.ie/view/39184057

sligopaul

Seen that one, its a definite outlier there are no more within 4 or 5k of that price which means you would need to tread carefully with that one

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292631#Comment_123292631

If BMW are asking €30k, and independent dealers a couple of thousand less than that, then I think €22k is a realistic asking price for a private sale. Also there are plenty of 530e models well within €4k to €5k of it.

A basic history check would reveal all.

sligopaul

I guess we all agree the OP hardly "overpaid" by 10k for his 520d and like for like if he has received a 2 year comprehensive warranty. Not everyone on Boards is a competent purchaser or happy to risk 20k+ on a private purchase . A history check is not a safety net to all the ills that could be afflicting a 6 year old car