Advice on purchasing a 5 series

[RayMan101]

Hi guys,

as the post says, I am looking for advice on trading my 2010 320i e90LCI in for a possible 2008 525i M sport.
the car has 164k on the clock.
Mileage doesn't mean much to me, so that doesn't bug me at all.

So besides a full service history, and getting the VIN number to check at the stealers on its history, are there any things I need to be aware of about the car?

Thanks

 

[yush1]

Hi. Did you consider a 530d maybe?

 

[RayMan101]

Hi

I did yes. couldn't find anything in CT in my price range.

 

[husaindindar]

Bit of advice...

Stay with the diesel motors.

I struggle with fuel on a 325i.
Very solid and powerful. Cruises well also but the fuel bill is heavy.

---

If it is a must and you do end up going for it,
check:

Water pump, when was it replaced? Usually more than 100 000km off it is borrowed time.

Vanos solenoids, go bad after 120 000km

Auto boxes need oil changed at 100 000km. If not done, check gear shift smoothness on cold engine.

 

[yush1]

520d?

 

[RayMan101]

thanks guys.

If I can find a 520d for my price in CT - I'll definitely go for it.

 

[Ralf*]

I recently purchased a 2008 E60 525i
just over 70 000 km on the clock
immaculate condition
purchase price R160 000 (R30 00 trade in on the E39 530d and cash)

my thread :
https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=86991

coming from the E39 530d to the E60 525i
what I found:
1) consumption from 10.8 l/100km on the "d" to 11.9 l/100km on the "i"
2) Acceleration defenitely a lot more sluggish
3) The E39 was showing its age...shake and rattle and vibration...vs now silky smooth and solid
4) The E39 had a tape deck, and I had a box full....now I am resignated to a single CD or Radio 702
5) Too much confusing selection on the i-drive, and no water temp gauge anywhere to be seen
6) The E60 I have has lower profile tyres (M Sport kit) and the ride quality makes you feel the road conditions a lot more due to the smaller side wall height, the E39 was more forgiving, so the ride quality for an old man like me has lost its smoothness slightly....I was expecting a luxuirious "wafting" for an newer generation BMW 5 series, and am slightly dissapointed

but

I intend to keep the E60 for the next 12 years or 200 000km

 

[Rotinaj]

no water temp gauge anywhere to be seen - not quite. Check at the rev counter when cold.

As for ride quality. Throw away the 18's and put it on 17's without RFT and it should glide.

 

[RAArmstrong]

Just throw away the RFT's and you'll notice a massive difference.

 

[akira01]

hiii www.facebook.com

 

[SubLoaded]

hiii www.facebook.com

wtf?

 

[Ralf*]

Just throw away the RFT's and you'll notice a massive difference.

doesn't have RFT's
still a slightly rumbling drive
have lowered the tyre pressures to the minimum value quoted on the "door"card
Now I get lots of people telling my that my tyres are flat

 

[RayMan101]

Thanks guys....

I'm still eyeing them, but stop me if I'm wrong here, but most of the generic specs they put on the Gumtree ads regarding fuel economy is almost/pretty much the same.. the average of 8,6l/100km (2006 550i m Sport) compared to my 2010 320i e90 (LCI) - which is the same
So, besides the day to day running cost/service cost, and with our fuel price always going up - what are your guys' view on the 525i / 550i model

still looking for the diesel model in my price range...mgwaiting:

 

[graan13]

Just throw away the RFT's and you'll notice a massive difference.

doesn't have RFT's
still a slightly rumbling drive
have lowered the tyre pressures to the minimum value quoted on the "door"card
Now I get lots of people telling my that my tyres are flat

You do have the Msport Ralf :smilebounce:... lower ride height, bigger rims with low profiles so it will be a little stiffer over bumps etc. I run mine with higher pressures than the door info.... about 240 front and 260 rear (I still have the blasted run flats on). There should actually be a 6 cd shuttle in the glove box, right at the back right corner, that was std in the car, have you not seen it? The water temp gauge or lack there of also annoys me, there is a fiddly method using the trip reset button but its rather frustrating trying to get the sequence right .... Ive done it once and have already forgotten how to do it!!!.

 

[Budleigh]

Thanks guys....

I'm still eyeing them, but stop me if I'm wrong here, but most of the generic specs they put on the Gumtree ads regarding fuel economy is almost/pretty much the same.. the average of 8,6l/100km (2006 550i m Sport) compared to my 2010 320i e90 (LCI) - which is the same
So, besides the day to day running cost/service cost, and with our fuel price always going up - what are your guys' view on the 525i / 550i model

still looking for the diesel model in my price range...mgwaiting:

A 550i will never get 8.6l per hundred km.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Ralf*]

Just throw away the RFT's and you'll notice a massive difference.

doesn't have RFT's
still a slightly rumbling drive
have lowered the tyre pressures to the minimum value quoted on the "door"card
Now I get lots of people telling my that my tyres are flat

You do have the Msport Ralf :smilebounce:... lower ride height, bigger rims with low profiles so it will be a little stiffer over bumps etc. I run mine with higher pressures than the door info.... about 240 front and 260 rear (I still have the blasted run flats on). There should actually be a 6 cd shuttle in the glove box, right at the back right corner, that was std in the car, have you not seen it? The water temp gauge or lack there of also annoys me, there is a fiddly method using the trip reset button but its rather frustrating trying to get the sequence right .... Ive done it once and have already forgotten how to do it!!!.

I had to have a look
Nothing in there, except a white box and lots of wires, I suspect that it is where the 12cd JVC changer has the FM Modulator now located.

I googled and found this video, which clearly shows where you state the CD changer should be, but alas not on mine anymore

 

[Budleigh]

Not all E60s came with the change, as far as I remember...

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[VinceM]

This is in jhb and I have not seen the car nor know anything of it.

Looks like a e60 with e39 money

http://https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-...=Co-M-LowerFunnel&utm_campaign=Cars+-+Gauteng


https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-ba...=Co-M-LowerFunnel&utm_campaign=Cars+-+Gauteng