Discussion
I've gone cold on my previous want so now think 523/528 for around £7 - £7500 will do nicely. Used to run the 523iSE with manual box.Nice but had quite a bit of in town transmission shunt. Is there a big difference in the Auto box version in terms of running costs between the two varients and any tips buying what to watch for please.
If it is any help I had an E39 523, and found it very similar to a friends 528i, in fact I could hardly tell the difference.
Saying that I didn't welly his 528i too much, so there may be a greater power hike at the top of the rev range.
Both are pretty bombproof, but get a post 1998 model as the earlier ones suffered (well some did) with nicasil bore wear problems. This is where additives to our fuels broke down the liners on the cylinders meaning smoky starts, rough running and general nastyness from within the engine.
Jaguar also suffered from this problem. Bmw did change the engine gratis, but not sure if they are doing so now.
Mine was an S reg, and was one of the earliest not affected by it.
Other than that, the only things that I am aware of going wrong are the LCD Displays for CD/Climate control.
Great cars though, 523i or 528i.
Go for the SE models, preferably with leather.
Hope that helps a bit.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Wednesday 23 June 19:24
Saying that I didn't welly his 528i too much, so there may be a greater power hike at the top of the rev range.
Both are pretty bombproof, but get a post 1998 model as the earlier ones suffered (well some did) with nicasil bore wear problems. This is where additives to our fuels broke down the liners on the cylinders meaning smoky starts, rough running and general nastyness from within the engine.
Jaguar also suffered from this problem. Bmw did change the engine gratis, but not sure if they are doing so now.
Mine was an S reg, and was one of the earliest not affected by it.
Other than that, the only things that I am aware of going wrong are the LCD Displays for CD/Climate control.
Great cars though, 523i or 528i.
Go for the SE models, preferably with leather.
Hope that helps a bit.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Wednesday 23 June 19:24
silverback mike said:
Go for the SE models, preferably with leather.
The lower power SE models are nice [I've got one], but if you are going to get leather seats, get heated leather seats.
Otherwise they are cold in winter, and hot & sticky in summer - a dreadful combination.
I used to have unheated leather seats on my Jaguar. Never again.
crankedup said:
Thanks for info, were your cars Auto or manual, I'm wondering about getting the Auto but will this option lower the MPG to any great amount?
In my experience, not to any significant degree. After a shaky start, I'm now getting 30-31 mpg out of my 152 mph wagon.
The BMW auto box is very good - slurs the changes very smoothly, and if you want it, the manual is there.
Not like some auto boxes.
Mate who owns a X type Jag went for a ride in my BMW 530 SE Auto, and was impressed with how smooth the changes from 0-110 mph were.
Just mash the pedal and go.
crankedup said:
I've noticed that the prices have dropped hugely recently, I would expect a more steady decline in value now as the car ages?
Yes. I don't know about trade-in prices, but for sale prices on BMW seem subject to very slow decline.
Thanks for responses guys, been looking at stuff available, so many silver cars, shame cos I want the Oxford green or dark blue or possibly a burgandy. Any one of those with a light colour full leather interior
Not going to rush over buying it because I want the top spec from 98' onwards. With my budget I may have to wait a bit longer maybe.
Loads of people seem put off by 100,000 milers but I would have thought that a fully serviced car should be ok for twice that?
Not going to rush over buying it because I want the top spec from 98' onwards. With my budget I may have to wait a bit longer maybe. Loads of people seem put off by 100,000 milers but I would have thought that a fully serviced car should be ok for twice that?
Scooby, you've been quiet lately.
Onto mileage, 100k is no problem, my 525i, granted, an E34, but it is the same engine as an E39 523 has 165k, I had a look at the cams, and insides of the engine recently, the cams had no wear at all on them, literally nothing. The engine is as quiet as a mouse, doesn't leak (now I have fixed the rocker gasket), and is as efficient as ever. Mind you, it has been serviced well.
100k on something not as well built is a lot of miles, but on one of these engines it has years and years of life yet.
Personally I would have no problem at all buying a BMW with 100k, I don't work for BMW either.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Saturday 26th June 18:57
Onto mileage, 100k is no problem, my 525i, granted, an E34, but it is the same engine as an E39 523 has 165k, I had a look at the cams, and insides of the engine recently, the cams had no wear at all on them, literally nothing. The engine is as quiet as a mouse, doesn't leak (now I have fixed the rocker gasket), and is as efficient as ever. Mind you, it has been serviced well.
100k on something not as well built is a lot of miles, but on one of these engines it has years and years of life yet.
Personally I would have no problem at all buying a BMW with 100k, I don't work for BMW either.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Saturday 26th June 18:57
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