To buy or not to buy?

[Giles]

Hi Guys - I'm trying to decide if I should take the plunge and buy a 2nd hand BMW or not - perhaps some of you can point me in the right direction with your sage advice. I've come across a couple of reasonable offers online, in fact they seem too good to be true and I'm a firm believer in the old addage, "If it looks too good to be true then it probably is!" So help me out here please.

Option 1: 2003 525i E39 with 175,000km on the clock - R90k
Option 2: 2002 745i E65 with 110,000km on the clock - R160k
Option 3: 2005 745i E65 with 165,000km on the clock - R145k

Having read some of the historical posts on this forum I see that there seems to be a common belief that pre-2004 E65's are to be avoided - if so then that would count out Option 2 above but man it is probably the best looking 2nd hand car I have ever seen. Option 3 is looking good but I have no experience with an E65 and I don't even know anyone who owns one so I'm really at a loss here.

Started out looking for the cheapest and latest model 5-Series just for the hell of it and found some really cheap offers including Option 1 above but then I stumbled onto the 745i's and now I'm leaning heavily towards an E65. Would I be able to purchase some sort of a motorplan from BMW if the deal is a provate one or how does that all work? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

The e65 is a bulletproof limo of note. Many people here swear by them and once sold regret the sale so much so that they are wanting to make their way back to the absolute luxury and comfort of the 7'er.
I would say go take them all for a drive, get them independantly checked out as well as do your research using the VIN through Natis as well as BMW to look out for comments and such...

THey are fantastic cars that shouldnt give you a days trouble, but start a slush fund just in case, a gearbox can prove a costly affair.
THe prices you have there are are reasonable ball-park figures, the 7 unfortunately didnt retain much calue at all, often loosing R100k on market price.

Either way, you wont be disappointed with any of those

 

[Raybimmer]

Also do not discard the diesel models , they can be long term posibilities .

 

[Sankekur]

I already know what LZ will say :mmm:


What about an e39 540i?

 

[moranor@axis]

you need to look at other e39s a 2.5l has nothing on the 745s

 

[zaleonardz]

Hi Bud,

What month 2005 is that E65 745 (option 3)

If it is a facelift, ie post 2005/3, then thats the one to go for.

2002 models are iffy with electricals....

The N62B45 have one flaw, in that the cooling pipe that runs through the motor tends to leak, and thats a major job. other then that, fibre optic cables to the doors tend to go poof.

Otherwise the car is, bulletproof (in some cases literally)

I would say option 2 is way overpriced... Option 3 looks good......

 

[Giles]

I already know what LZ will say :mmm:


What about an e39 540i?

Agreed - looked at a black one for R80k in super condition - but that was before I saw and fancied the 745i - I used to think that the 5-Series was my "affordable dream car" because a new 7-Series isn't and probably never will be an option - then I spotted the price of 2nd hand 7-Series vehicles and man I am so taken I want to fly to Cape Town to test drive Option 3 tomorrow! Think the seller would invite me for Xmas lunch? LOL

---

Hi Bud,

What month 2005 is that E65 745 (option 3)

If it is a facelift, ie post 2005/3, then thats the one to go for.

2002 models are iffy with electricals....

The N62B45 have one flaw, in that the cooling pipe that runs through the motor tends to leak, and thats a major job. other then that, fibre optic cables to the doors tend to go poof.

Otherwise the car is, bulletproof (in some cases literally)

I would say option 2 is way overpriced... Option 3 looks good......

Hi Leonard,

Was hoping you'd reply given your experience with E65's and I agree that Option 3 is probably the best option particularly if it is a post 2005/03 model. Seller says he is now reluctant to sell as he's having 2nd thoughts - will try and persuade him to let me have it :=):

YOu need to see the pictures of Option 2 though - what a stunning vehicle - I'd like to post the link but I'm afraid someone else will scoop the car out from under my nose so please forgive me for not doing so. Couple of pics attached though for your expert opinion.

Cheers and Merry Christmas :rollsmile:

 

[Henry330i]

I don't have any advice for you, so its just to say good luck hope you find your self a good set of wheels.

 

[Inspector_Gadget]

You are forgetting the E39 530i I have for sale...
2003 with 158000 km's FSH
Not to mention the Boston custom install...:thumbs:

 

[zaleonardz]

Bud,

With regards to option 2....

Regardless of the condition of the car, and while there are software updates available, and if everything is still working its prob going to stay working, but cars trade on two things, age and miledge.

A dealer is going to pay you 70k on a trade for that car, maybe 90k if its in a really really good shape, but no one wants an E65 cause its all going to explode within 5,000km after you bought it, and then its going to cost 200k to fix the gearbox...

Do not overpay for a 7 series, period....

That 2005 is priced right, even if it is not a facelift.

Here is a trick, go fetch the car, hopefully its a dealership, take one of the usual test drive guys with, and pull the car into another dealership, ask them for a cover....

I saw a 2005 730d trade for 110k, the guy showed me the paperwork, ok the car was white, and did not even have a sun roof, so it was bottom of the range, but 110k for a E65 with like 75 on the clock.....

Just always keep in mind that you cannot give these things away, yet it is epic, but I mean EPIC value for money, just buy the right car.

Bring it to me, I will do the inspection for you....

I already know what LZ will say :mmm:


What about an e39 540i?

Agreed - looked at a black one for R80k in super condition - but that was before I saw and fancied the 745i - I used to think that the 5-Series was my "affordable dream car" because a new 7-Series isn't and probably never will be an option - then I spotted the price of 2nd hand 7-Series vehicles and man I am so taken I want to fly to Cape Town to test drive Option 3 tomorrow! Think the seller would invite me for Xmas lunch? LOL

---

Hi Bud,

What month 2005 is that E65 745 (option 3)

If it is a facelift, ie post 2005/3, then thats the one to go for.

2002 models are iffy with electricals....

The N62B45 have one flaw, in that the cooling pipe that runs through the motor tends to leak, and thats a major job. other then that, fibre optic cables to the doors tend to go poof.

Otherwise the car is, bulletproof (in some cases literally)

I would say option 2 is way overpriced... Option 3 looks good......

Hi Leonard,

Was hoping you'd reply given your experience with E65's and I agree that Option 3 is probably the best option particularly if it is a post 2005/03 model. Seller says he is now reluctant to sell as he's having 2nd thoughts - will try and persuade him to let me have it :=):

YOu need to see the pictures of Option 2 though - what a stunning vehicle - I'd like to post the link but I'm afraid someone else will scoop the car out from under my nose so please forgive me for not doing so. Couple of pics attached though for your expert opinion.

Cheers and Merry Christmas :rollsmile:

---

 

[Giles]

Bud,

With regards to option 2....

Regardless of the condition of the car, and while there are software updates available, and if everything is still working its prob going to stay working, but cars trade on two things, age and miledge.

A dealer is going to pay you 70k on a trade for that car, maybe 90k if its in a really really good shape, but no one wants an E65 cause its all going to explode within 5,000km after you bought it, and then its going to cost 200k to fix the gearbox...

Do not overpay for a 7 series, period....

That 2005 is priced right, even if it is not a facelift.

Here is a trick, go fetch the car, hopefully its a dealership, take one of the usual test drive guys with, and pull the car into another dealership, ask them for a cover....

I saw a 2005 730d trade for 110k, the guy showed me the paperwork, ok the car was white, and did not even have a sun roof, so it was bottom of the range, but 110k for a E65 with like 75 on the clock.....

Just always keep in mind that you cannot give these things away, yet it is epic, but I mean EPIC value for money, just buy the right car.

Bring it to me, I will do the inspection for you....



Thanks for the advice Leonard and the offer for you to inspect - may just take you up on that offer - do you know if it is possible to purchase Motorplan cover for a privately sold 745i assuming it has all the necessary proof of regular serving from the agents? Otherwise, slush fund for repairs is the only other option :idea: