wife needs 5 series, advice please
Discussion
Wifey is changing her car for a second hand 5 series (e39???)
I fancy a 528i, but is a 523i the best option, and is the 520i too slow?
I would anticipate the best value vehicle is the 523i, but 520's are significantly cheaper.
Also, does anyone have any experience, good or bad with each model.
Ta in advance
Mike.
I fancy a 528i, but is a 523i the best option, and is the 520i too slow?
I would anticipate the best value vehicle is the 523i, but 520's are significantly cheaper.
Also, does anyone have any experience, good or bad with each model.
Ta in advance
Mike.
Experience of a 520 is that they are pitifully slow and thirstier than both the 523 and 528. The 528 is nicer to drive than the 523, more torque but unless your wife is an enthusiast she probably would be bothered by the difference. Also 520s are a bugger to shift second hand (hence why they are cheaper).
If you are buying any of the above and they are manufactured between '96 and '98 they will have alusil engines which are prone to bore wear (as opposed to BMW drivers who are prone to bore women). Check any potential cars to see if they have had an engine change, if not, make sure you have a FBMWSH as you can still get them to cough up if it does fail.
My personal opinion is go for the 528, there isnt much in it on fuel consumption and they are definitely that bit nicer to drive.
If you are buying any of the above and they are manufactured between '96 and '98 they will have alusil engines which are prone to bore wear (as opposed to BMW drivers who are prone to bore women). Check any potential cars to see if they have had an engine change, if not, make sure you have a FBMWSH as you can still get them to cough up if it does fail.
My personal opinion is go for the 528, there isnt much in it on fuel consumption and they are definitely that bit nicer to drive.
We have a 99 528ise In Black with the manual gearbox. Absolutly fantastic car. No difference in fuel consumption between 523 and 528. Just got 35MPG going to Manchester and back at 90-100mph average. Must have FBMWSH and watch out for electric faults. It seems to be the only thing that goes wrong with them. Would recomend buying a car with an extended BMW warenty which you can keep on extending untill the car has done 100,000 miles. Well worth having. If you get a 2000 model you will get a facelift, and the sport models are well worth getting. Lets face it they look a lot better. A late model 520i is also worth considering as has 170BHP the same as the 523. Good luck
Thanks for the replies.
Glad the overriding opinion is for the 528i. I will start looking for one of those then rather than 523i. We don't do that many miles in her car so the petrol consumption shouldn't be that bad.
I presume only go for one with FBMWSH or a new engine. Due to the nicasil problem?
Problem is though scooby she doesn't like auto or leather....
>> Edited by silverback mike on Friday 10th October 10:14
Glad the overriding opinion is for the 528i. I will start looking for one of those then rather than 523i. We don't do that many miles in her car so the petrol consumption shouldn't be that bad.
I presume only go for one with FBMWSH or a new engine. Due to the nicasil problem?
Problem is though scooby she doesn't like auto or leather....
>> Edited by silverback mike on Friday 10th October 10:14
Just to be different, if you are getting a manual then I would go for the 523.
I believe the 2.5 litre engine in the 523 is smoother than the 528 and revs more freely. If you go auto then you will not rev the engine as high and then the 528 is the best bet with its higher torque.
Also, if the car is for your wife she will slide around on standard leather seats. She will be much happier with cloth sports seats, which are narrower and give more support.
FBMWSH is essential, but they (BMW) are happy to extend this well beyond 100,000 miles. I have a letter in front of me now offering to extend my warranty for a further year and the car (330i) has already done almost 100,000 miles. Not cheap though, £454 for a 3 series and £566 for a 5 series.
Your wife will love the car, if my wife's comments about our 525 are anything to go by.
I believe the 2.5 litre engine in the 523 is smoother than the 528 and revs more freely. If you go auto then you will not rev the engine as high and then the 528 is the best bet with its higher torque.
Also, if the car is for your wife she will slide around on standard leather seats. She will be much happier with cloth sports seats, which are narrower and give more support.
FBMWSH is essential, but they (BMW) are happy to extend this well beyond 100,000 miles. I have a letter in front of me now offering to extend my warranty for a further year and the car (330i) has already done almost 100,000 miles. Not cheap though, £454 for a 3 series and £566 for a 5 series.
Your wife will love the car, if my wife's comments about our 525 are anything to go by.
Only quarm we have about our manual 528 is the fly by wire throttle, post 99 cars only. It makes driving between 1mph and 5mph ie in a traffic jam very difficult as the throttle is so sensitive. The car does stationary or 5mph and anything in between is impossible without slipping the clutch.
Why is FBMWSH such a big deal?
I have a 94 525iSE touring and use a local garage and have had no big bills in 4 yrs. The car is now only worth £3K or something like that.
I am thinking of getting my wife a 528i Touring (auto, leather, aircon etc). If I go for a 98 / 99 car them I dont expect all to be BMW SH and I would not necessarily use BMW thereafter. As long as a car is well presented, all in order and well cared for then I dont car for the BMW SH. Especially as I wouldnt expect a warranty on a car that age.
am i missing something?
I have a 94 525iSE touring and use a local garage and have had no big bills in 4 yrs. The car is now only worth £3K or something like that.
I am thinking of getting my wife a 528i Touring (auto, leather, aircon etc). If I go for a 98 / 99 car them I dont expect all to be BMW SH and I would not necessarily use BMW thereafter. As long as a car is well presented, all in order and well cared for then I dont car for the BMW SH. Especially as I wouldnt expect a warranty on a car that age.
am i missing something?
Gazz,
The reason I wanted a car with BMW FSH is in regard to the Nicasil bore wear problem. There is no comeback if you have a nicasil problem and the car is serviced outside of the dealer network.
Plus, they are pretty good at looking after them (as are other garages though)
I had the bargain of the day at auction last week,
Bought a 99 523ise in Aspen silver, 1 previous owner, good miles in exceptional condition with FBMWSH for £6000. The service history checks out (Thank you scoobyzoom) and the car drives as it should.
Generally they are about 1k more than that.
They are a lot better than the E34 (Which is still a nice car ) and I have certainly not regretted buying it at all.
PS. The nicasil problem shouldn't present itself if you buy a car built post Sept 1998.
The reason I wanted a car with BMW FSH is in regard to the Nicasil bore wear problem. There is no comeback if you have a nicasil problem and the car is serviced outside of the dealer network.
Plus, they are pretty good at looking after them (as are other garages though)
I had the bargain of the day at auction last week,
Bought a 99 523ise in Aspen silver, 1 previous owner, good miles in exceptional condition with FBMWSH for £6000. The service history checks out (Thank you scoobyzoom) and the car drives as it should.
Generally they are about 1k more than that.
They are a lot better than the E34 (Which is still a nice car ) and I have certainly not regretted buying it at all.
PS. The nicasil problem shouldn't present itself if you buy a car built post Sept 1998.
gazzab said:
Cheers.
sorry what is the nicasil bore problem ?
According to PArkers a 99 T 528iSE Touring Auto is worth £14300 !!! Do they actually go for this? I might ask a chap from my local BMW dealer to find me a part ex they dont want.
Nicasil bore problem = too much sulpher in our petrol burns the bores out and top end of engine needs replacing. BMW will pay for this upto 100,000 miles as long as it has FSH with BMW.
Parkers isnt far out (for a change) as long as it has leather expect to pay around £15k off a BMW dealer forecourt as long as it has under 40k on the clock. Trade price for said vehicle is more like 12-13 dependant on spec and colour mate. hope that helps.
Wifey doesn't like the 5. Which is quite a result for me. This means the old faithfull 325i touring is being sold, and wifey wants a VW Golf (I thought she had learnt her lesson with the last sh1te Golf GTI Turbo she had)....
Off to the auctions again......
Anyone want my 325i, its a good old bus.....
Off to the auctions again......
Anyone want my 325i, its a good old bus.....
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