BMW E60 523i/525i

[K0dAx]

Good day everyone, I am interested in getting an E60 523i/525i (having an NA phase) preferably with the m sport bits. I wanted to know what kind of prices these can be picked up at (good condition, well maintained, full service history, etc) and I would appreciate pointers for sale from fanatics or seen on other sites and deemed potential "good buys". Thanks.

 

[ecKARd]

Any reason not to go for the 530i? I believe it's the better buy with not a real world fuel economy difference?

 

[Rotinaj]

Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.


50k for a early 525I with 200 000km and up with minimal toys.
100k for a well loved 530i with 150 000km and a few nice toys.

 

[K0dAx]

Any reason not to go for the 530i? I believe it's the better buy with not a real world fuel economy difference?

Since this would be my first BMW, I felt the 530i would be a bit overwhelming, which is why I wanted a smaller engine so to speak. The 525 would be a good midpoint though.

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Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.


50k for a early 525I with 200 000km and up with minimal toys.
100k for a well loved 530i with 150 000km and a few nice toys.

Are the M52 motors problematic? What kind of maintenance (preventative or otherwise) should I expect to do on a good 200k+ km 525i example?

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Any reason not to go for the 530i? I believe it's the better buy with not a real world fuel economy difference?

Since this would be my first BMW, I felt the 530i would be a bit overwhelming, which is why I wanted a smaller engine so to speak. The 525 would be a good midpoint though.

---

Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.


50k for a early 525I with 200 000km and up with minimal toys.
100k for a well loved 530i with 150 000km and a few nice toys.

Are the M52 motors problematic? What kind of maintenance (preventative or otherwise) should I expect to do on a good 200k+ km 525i example? Also, how does the sportspack ruin the car in your opinion?

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[Budleigh]

Any reason not to go for the 530i? I believe it's the better buy with not a real world fuel economy difference?

Since this would be my first BMW, I felt the 530i would be a bit overwhelming, which is why I wanted a smaller engine so to speak. The 525 would be a good midpoint though.

---

Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.


50k for a early 525I with 200 000km and up with minimal toys.
100k for a well loved 530i with 150 000km and a few nice toys.

Are the M52 motors problematic? What kind of maintenance (preventative or otherwise) should I expect to do on a good 200k+ km 525i example?

---

Any reason not to go for the 530i? I believe it's the better buy with not a real world fuel economy difference?

Since this would be my first BMW, I felt the 530i would be a bit overwhelming, which is why I wanted a smaller engine so to speak. The 525 would be a good midpoint though.

---

Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.


50k for a early 525I with 200 000km and up with minimal toys.
100k for a well loved 530i with 150 000km and a few nice toys.

Are the M52 motors problematic? What kind of maintenance (preventative or otherwise) should I expect to do on a good 200k+ km 525i example? Also, how does the sportspack ruin the car in your opinion?

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It's not a supercar. Get the 530i. It will be lighter, and is less likely to have spent its early life as a frustrated person's company car.

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[RAArmstrong]

Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.


50k for a early 525I with 200 000km and up with minimal toys.
100k for a well loved 530i with 150 000km and a few nice toys.

Literally no such thing as an M52 powered E60...

 

[S1NGH 911]

Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.

Once again the bakery the is open and you publishing false information



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[RAArmstrong]

Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.

Once again the bakery the is open and you publishing false information



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[K0dAx]

It's not a supercar. Get the 530i. It will be lighter, and is less likely to have spent its early life as a frustrated person's company car.

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While I get the appeal of the 530i in terms of power, won't the other costs like maintenance be significantly higher compared to the "smaller" variants? Considering going as small as a 520i since it's meant to be a daily driver predominantly.

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Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.

Once again the bakery the is open and you publishing false information



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just googled and found out the m52, is old generation and not in the e60:hammerhead:

Can you give me your opinion or insight based on my OP?

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Sportspack ruins a otherwise fantastic car.

Avoid M52 motors, get a M54 525/530i that has been lovingly serviced and it will chug along for a long long time with minimal costs.

Once again the bakery the is open and you publishing false information



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can you offer me your insight based on my original query?

 

[RAArmstrong]

Some insight.

523 and 525i you will tire of and get bored of. 530i is your best option. Otherwise look for a 520d or 530d. If you can find a nice one. I had an E60 530d and it was the best car I've owned. Hands down.

The E60 520i was never brought to South Africa and you wouldnt want one either. You also dont want an F10 520i either.

Maintenance on the 530i vs 525i and 523i will be virtually the same as they share the same engine, just different displacements and other minor differences.

 

[S1NGH 911]

Try and get the 530i with the N52B30 engine


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[K0dAx]

Some insight.

523 and 525i you will tire of and get bored of. 530i is your best option. Otherwise look for a 520d or 530d. If you can find a nice one. I had an E60 530d and it was the best car I've owned. Hands down.

The E60 520i was never brought to South Africa and you wouldnt want one either. You also dont want an F10 520i either.

Maintenance on the 530i vs 525i and 523i will be virtually the same as they share the same engine, just different displacements and other minor differences.

Fair enough, now to start the hunt.

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Try and get the 530i with the N52B30 engine


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Seems like it's the clear choice, 530i it is.

 

[EnricoBrown]

@KOdAx ...... What area are you in

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[RonCT]

I agree... having owned BMW 2.0l, 2.5l and 3.0l variants, it makes sense to go straight for the 3.0l.

In my experience the costs are similar, and you won't notice the fuel consumption difference between a 2.0 and 3.0 unless you consistently drive at high revs.

 

[K0dAx]

@KOdAx ...... What area are you in

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I'm in the Kimberly area.

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I agree... having owned BMW 2.0l, 2.5l and 3.0l variants, it makes sense to go straight for the 3.0l.

In my experience the costs are similar, and you won't notice the fuel consumption difference between a 2.0 and 3.0 unless you consistently drive at high revs.

Makes sense, around how much does a good E60 530i go for nowadays?