Need advice on second hand purchase

Canaboid

I've driven a motorbike for the last 4 years but now with the immenent arrival of Canaboid junior I need a car (keeping the bike for commuting).

I've been looking for a 2nd hand 5 series and test drove this today http://www.ronchawkemotors.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=233806

It drives well, no noise or squeaks and seems fairly sound but I must admit I'm not well up on what to check for.

Can anyone offer any advice ? I guess I'd like to get someone to give it a once over before I buy but I don't know anyone to bring along. What's the going rate to get someone to inspect the car and where might I find such a person ? Any Boardsters interested in a nixer or recommend someone who would.

Thanks in advance for any help.

CTU_Agent

I recently bought a second hand car- somewhat similar car. I know a lot of what to look for... when are you buying it..... PM me with details if preferred.

Eoin

What kind of warranty is being offered? If it is any less than 6 months parts & labour then I personally would bring the car to a BMW garage for a full check just for peace of mind.

Canaboid

eoin_s wrote:

What kind of warranty is being offered? If it is any less than 6 months parts & labour then I personally would bring the car to a BMW garage for a full check just for peace of mind.

No warranty offered but I wouldn't have thought that unusual for a car of this age. Dealer agreed to 2 months cover for anything serious going wrong.

WRT having a BMW garage check it how does this typicaly work. I book it in and then convince the dealer to give me the car for a day ?

landser

i had a 93 520i. recurring problem with the thermostat going, which can lead to the head gasket blowing. i bought mine in 99 and got 6 month warranty. a week later timing went. would've cost me c.£1,500 to fix. sold it cos of the thermostat problem and fear that the head gasket would blow someday

great car though overall imho. there's a back street mechanic behind Comans pub in Rathgar who services bmw's at good price... dave curry motors. dunno if he'll do a pre purchase check.

Eoin

Canaboid wrote:

No warranty offered but I wouldn't have thought that unusual for a car of this age. Dealer agreed to 2 months cover for anything serious going wrong.

WRT having a BMW garage check it how does this typicaly work. I book it in and then convince the dealer to give me the car for a day ?

I would walk away to be honest - IMO the only real advantages of buying from a dealer are:
1) Getting a warranty
2) Trading in your car

I would imagine that the age of the car is a factor alright, but given that you are getting a very short warranty - and quite a vague one at that, then you may as well go for a cheaper private sale and tell the seller you will meet them at a BMW garage where the car will be fully inspected.

Canaboid

Thanks for the info guys.

My next question is what should I expect to pay a BMW garage to check it and can anyone suggest a southside (Dublin) garage for same.

Eoin

Canaboid wrote:

Thanks for the info guys.

My next question is what should I expect to pay a BMW garage to check it and can anyone suggest a southside (Dublin) garage for same.

I don't know they charge or what they are like in general, but Maxwell Motors are based in Blackrock and are a pretty big dealership.
<edit>
I don't know if you need a BMW dealer to do a pre-puchase check, or if a backstreet mechanic can do just as good a job - maybe someone else can shed some light?

list of Dublin BMW dealerships

unkel

pm kbannon - he will know someone that will check it out / come with you for a small fee

If that doesn't work out, I know a trusty BMW specialist garage in the north inner city that would do an inspection for you for a reasonable price. Of course you would have to agree with the dealer to take the car away for a few hours in that case

The owner of the garage just bought himself a new (lol 7 year old) E39. He is keeping his 14 year old E34 that he has had for nearly 8 years for his wife :eek:

I too owned a E34 530iA V8 for over 3 years without any major hassle. Sold it when it was just over 10 years old, still going strong. Currently have a 8.5 year old 735iA V8 - nothing at all wrong in the 15 months I have it now

Seth Brundle

There are a few contacts listed @ www.bmwcarclubireland.com/contacts.php
Personally I can recommend Robert Harrison in Sandyford who helped me out last year and knows his BMWs (PM me for number)

CTU_Agent

robert harrison will just love that you've pasted his mobile phone number right there on the Internet for all to see..... :rolleyes:

damo605

Run for the hills!!! These cars are a completely overratted heap of sh1te.... I had one ('93 520i) and it was a money pit and I know a few other people who had them too as well as other beamers and their ones were just as bad if not worse.
That's daft money for a '94 520 anyway - if you really have to get one pay half the money and be sure to get a proper warranty. I think dealers have to give a 3 month warranty by law anyways unless it's a trade sale and that sure as hell ain't a trade price!
The E34 520i looks and sounds very nice but there's a good chance you will end up hating it very quickly so be warned. As for what to look out for, try EVERYTHING! Have a look at http://www.bmwe34.net/ for some good information on these cars - also have a look at some E34 forums and note how high a % of the posts are related to problems in comparison to forums for other brands....
Think with your head, not with your heart.... And talk to a few mechanics or people who own or have owned them and find out what they think.
If you do go ahead check that the water pump has been replaced with one with a metal impeller (Original ones had a plastic impeller that didn't last very long), check that the wipers don't catch the top of the bonnet, check for vibration around 60mph and don't assume balancing the wheels will necessarily sort it, check all the dials work exactly as they should, etc. etc. These plus tons of other points are known weak spots and can be very expensive to sort.
Best of luck finding your new car!

Canaboid

Thanks for all the advice guys. You have dissuaded me from the 520.

Think I'll start looking at Camrys in the same price range

unkel

You sinner! How can you compare those cars?

mike65

A Camry??? You'll die of boredom.

Dont be put off the bmw. Just get yourself clued up and get it inspected.

You could pm Dahamsta as he has a e34 model of about the same age bought last year.

Mike.

CJhaughey

unkel wrote:

You sinner! How can you compare those cars?

Depends what Canaboid values, a slightly tacky geezer image with the Bavarian Money Waster or a usually stone reliable if slightly boring Toyota Camry.
BTW how many problems do you see people complaining about with Camry's?
My guess is probably 5% compared to BMW's!!

lomb

they can be money pits especially high milers or unverified mileage cars without alot of receipts.

i know a guy who bought a 525 diesel 96 or 97 and it was clocked by its previous owner for sure. now he wants to clock it again before selling it. the car feels like it has 200k miles on it when it currently displays 100 and he wants to shave it to 70 :rolleyes: so beware peeps theres alot of dodgy characters around and alot of dodgy cars also

the 5 series is prime clocking fodder especially the small engined petrols or the diesel as they hide miles well but they dont mechanically(driven by top sales reps doing astro mileages)