Would you drive a used E60 5 years old?

[anonymousmoose]

I always like to do research well before I buy. I am still 2 years away from my next car.

Now, would you buy a 530i 5 years old? I usually keep my cars between 3-5 years so I look for something with good reliability. Where as I can afford maintenance costs I of course prefer not to throw money away, I'd rather put it into my wristwatch collection the car maintenance.

Does anyone know how long term reliability wise the E60 compares to the E90 (3 series)? Are they generally a reliable or unreliable vehicle? I have read mixed review on the internet so thought I'd ask here.

I currently drive a Holden Caprice (Australian GM version close to what is the US Cadillac type car). Where as they are not perfect, they are easy and inexpensive to maintenance due to the local parts and lots of mechanics. Yet I have always desired a German engineered vehicle.

[BMW BRAD]

Hey man, I drive an '04 e60 530i with 79,000 miles on it and it still drives awesome! I havent had any issues to speak of...... I guess it just depends on how it was maintained. I have always used oem parts and synthetic oil changes every 5,000 miles. German engineering........

[Handsome_Rob]

I would do it if it was properly maintained. You guys get the euro spec stuff so that car will have a bit more power than the USDM 530. I bought my wife a 528 two years ago and for touring its absolutely wonderful. I wish a 530 was available when I purchased. I had an e90 330 and liked it a lot. Not much on power though. 255 hp I believe. I had just stepped out of an 380hp STi which didnt help the matter. I will say that my 330 handled better than the STi. My lap times at the Ring were much better in the 330. It had zero issues when I sold it at 50k miles.

[anonymousmoose]

Thanks for the replies so far. Please keep them coming.

Also, do you guys think it is better to buy a newer year with higher kilometres/mileage or an older year with lower kilometres/mileage?

Pretty much her in Australia a 530i 04 would set you back about $40,000 (give or take depending on KM) a 530i 06 about $50,000. Wonder why there is so much difference between 2 years. The 05 are around $50,000 also. To compare, a 325i 05 about $40,000 - $45,000.

[BMW BRAD]

Older with lower! (especially if maintainance records were available)

[thebluedog]

Definitely and older model with less miles. Wow, prices are so much higher in Australia. I recently purchased an '04 (prod. date 7/04) with all options except navigation and sport package with 62,000 miles for $16,250. It was well maintained and one owner. Preferably, I think it is a good idea to purchase one with close to or less than 50,000 miles since all maintenance is covered (at least here in the US). If the maintenance if free, then it should have been maintained properly. Then, you can find someone who can check the VIN history and see if it's been properly maintained.
I was always been concerned about the reliability and maintenance costs too. I think BMW's are relatively reliable vehicles if maintained properly. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no unusually expensive repairs will be needed. I've accepted that the regular maintenance costs will be more expensive than a Japanese car. The pleasure of driving a BMW is well worth that added expense.
It an '04 530i used is $40,000, what do they cost new in your part of the world?

[anonymousmoose]

A 09 530i is about $116,824 according to our redbook (redbook.com.au). If your interested, have a look at our used car prices www.carsales.com.au

Exchange rate today is $1AU to $0.86US. But a week or two ago it was $1AU to $0.90US.

Our country has stupefying import taxes and sales taxes. Anything over $50,000 requires a luxury car tax now. I drive a Holden Caprice. Its a GM vehicle and well appointed. To get an idea, our politicians and prime minister gets one of these as a state car. They cost around $70,000 brand new and a 04 model is now about $20,000. They got it all, duel climate, memory seats, all electrics, 5ltr V8, etc etc etc.

I've always driven local cars yet when the lease on this one is up, I want to get something German. But we gotta pay to play here.



If I do not end up with a BMW, I might get the newer model of the Caprice. A two year old one lost almost half its value, they are now about $40,000. The Caprice is GM Australia version of a 7 series (but of course not as well appointed as a BMW).

[Handsome_Rob]

Do you guys have a Holden version of the VXR?

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by Handsome_Rob

Do you guys have a Holden version of the VXR?

Sure do:
http://www.hsv.com.au/hsv/home/

They are called Holden Special Vehicle. Its a spin-off from Holden. Some people argue its a brand of their own but I see it more like when you buy an AMG Mercedes versus a normal one.

[redEYEjedi]

Hey anonymousmoose, are you the same person at watchuseek? I had posted about my 3510.50 and I believe you had responded about it.

Anyways welcome and if you are looking for more information on an E60, join us at www.e60.net aka 5series.net. That forum is much more active for 5 series owners.

[e90sam]

watchuseek

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by e90sam

watchuseek

yep, same moose. Small www