Dealer Purchasing & Service Forum What's your dealers sales and service department like? Post finance and lease questions here too.

buying used bmw

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 07:14 PM
  #1  
gyunwoo869's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

Hi guys im planning to buy used 5 series currently i found 3 options to buy
1. 2004 530i(white) (68kmiles)
2. 2004 545i(black) (74kmiles)
3. 2006 525i(black) (70kmiles)

they all have same price range which is around $18000
all three cars have clear title
im not sure which one to buy. i like all of them
530i i like the interior and exterior design
for 545i i know it has the most power
and 525 its the newest of those 3... i can't really decide what to buy
can you guys please help me?
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 07:18 PM
  #2  
luigi524td's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 0
From: The State of Southern NJ!
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by gyunwoo869' post='1026428' date='Oct 6 2009, 11:14 PM
Hi guys im planning to buy used 5 series currently i found 3 options to buy
1. 2004 530i(white) (68kmiles)
2. 2004 545i(black) (74kmiles)
3. 2006 525i(black) (70kmiles)

they all have same price range which is around $18000
all three cars have clear title
im not sure which one to buy. i like all of them
530i i like the interior and exterior design
for 545i i know it has the most power
and 525 its the newest of those 3... i can't really decide what to buy
can you guys please help me?
It'd help to know what your driving requirements and needs are. The 525/530 are similar in performance; the 545 (depending on options) can be a hoot to drive and very expensive to maintain. Is this purchase your first BMW?
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 07:24 PM
  #3  
AKAlius's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,573
Likes: 0
From: Houston,TX
My Ride: Original E60 Spec: 530i - Silver Grey Out, Black Dakota Leather In, Navigation Pro, Voice Command, HiFi Audio, Sports Package, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package w/ Heated Seats, Style# 123 Alloy Track Wheels, Auto AC, Power Front Seats, Active Turn Xennon Headlights, Mods: OEM M-Tech Front Bumper, OEM M Side Skirts, OEM M5 Rear Bumper, M5 Trunk Lid Finisher, M5 Style Mirrors, Custom Hamann Style Splitter, Custom Hartge Style Diffuser, RD Sport Boot Spoiler, LCI Taillights, Bruce Miranda's V4 LCI Retro Cables, 6000K Xenon light Bulbs, Xenon White LED License Plate Lights, 8000K HID 9006 Fog Lights, Akalius� Front Headlight Euro Overlays, Matte Black Kidney Grilles, E60.Net Clings, Debadged, Llumar Tinting "Micro Edged, 15% Rear 35% Sides, Engine Mods: Custom Magnaflow Quad Exhaust w/ Eisenmann Stamped 3� Tips, RPI Scoop (Red) Added Electronics: V1 Equipped (Hardwired), OEM Alpine CD Changer Retrofit, Shoes: SOLD-20" Staggered Vertini Hennesey Rims, Falcon 452's Tires-SOLD New Shoes: 19" VMR 710 Hyper Silver, General Exclaim UHP 245/35/19 Front-275/30/19 Rear, Gloss Silver Caliper Paint Job DIY ^_____________ Retired ______________ Took Delivery 10/26/2009: LOADED! E60 M5 Silverstone II/Black, Active Seats, Comfort Ventilated/Heated Seats, HUD, Brushed Aluminum Trim,
Default

I'd go with 545i since your going to eventually want more power.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 07:38 PM
  #4  
flipspeed's Avatar
Members
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
My Ride: 2007 530xi, alpine white, dakota black interior, nav... stock.
Default

since the price is the same and the mileage is more or less the same i'd go with 545i.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 07:38 PM
  #5  
CWS530's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,998
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Default

Well, there's only a 10hp difference between the '04 530 and the '06 525 (225 vs. 215, respectively), but two years newer. The 545 is a powerhouse, but also a bit long in the tooth. It just boils down to what you paln to use the car for--tearing it up or driving in comfort w/ reasonable performance?
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 07:45 PM
  #6  
gyunwoo869's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by luigi524td' post='1026432' date='Oct 6 2009, 11:18 PM
It'd help to know what your driving requirements and needs are. The 525/530 are similar in performance; the 545 (depending on options) can be a hoot to drive and very expensive to maintain. Is this purchase your first BMW?
Yes this is my first time to purchase bmw. i try to study little bit of 5 series because i am fallin love with bmw 5 series.. im not really depends on the horsepower or torque... actually my last choice was bmw 545i my friends told me its all about the power they want me to choose 545 but i read engin problems(recall) about 2004 545i so im little bit worried. Im kept thinking about buying 530i becuase i think it has the better option than two other cars however 530i is private seller im not sure if the car is well maintained or not. i know 2004 525i is underpowered but 2006 525 engin got better so i think 2004 530 and 2006 525 has silmilar in performance. Still im not sure what to buy tho...
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 09:03 PM
  #7  
chadld's Avatar
Members
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: San Rafael, CA
My Ride: 2006 525i Silver Gray, Gray Dakota Leather, Sport Package, Premium Package, Navi, Steptronic, Xenons
Default

Originally Posted by gyunwoo869' post='1026457' date='Oct 6 2009, 08:45 PM
Yes this is my first time to purchase bmw. i try to study little bit of 5 series because i am fallin love with bmw 5 series.. im not really depends on the horsepower or torque... actually my last choice was bmw 545i my friends told me its all about the power they want me to choose 545 but i read engin problems(recall) about 2004 545i so im little bit worried. Im kept thinking about buying 530i becuase i think it has the better option than two other cars however 530i is private seller im not sure if the car is well maintained or not. i know 2004 525i is underpowered but 2006 525 engin got better so i think 2004 530 and 2006 525 has silmilar in performance. Still im not sure what to buy tho...
I bought a 2006 525i about a month ago that had 63k miles. You don't mention if any of these cars haas the sport package. Mine does and I love it, but if a smoothh ride is your priority you should skip it. The '06 525 has what I would describe as adequate power. It's not really slow by normal car standards, but it doesn't surge the way a 545 would. I also drove an 05 530i, same engine as '04, and it felt a little faster than my 525, but nothing dramatic.

In the end, if you plan to keep the car for several years and you don't need the extra power, I'd go for the newer 525.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 09:17 PM
  #8  
vlad_b's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 928
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
My Ride: 2005 BMW 545i Sport Package, Jet Black M166 OEM Wheels M5 Style Body kit RPI Scoop BMC Air Filter Valentine One Radar Detector 35% tint all around
Default

I have 545i. And yes it costs to maintain it. But after owning 525 - its a difference and it worth it.

I would take the car to mechanic before buying to make sure there are no major issues with it and get 545 if all well. And, I would reccomend extended warranty for piece of mind
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 10:25 PM
  #9  
stevenbeboo's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NYC
My Ride: 2008 528I 2008 Triumph Daytona 675
Default

JUST DO IT
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2009 | 04:38 AM
  #10  
porsche911targa's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts, USA
My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny. 2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter. Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
Default

Originally Posted by vlad_b' post='1026540' date='Oct 7 2009, 01:17 AM
I have 545i. And yes it costs to maintain it. But after owning 525 - its a difference and it worth it.

I would take the car to mechanic before buying to make sure there are no major issues with it and get 545 if all well. And, I would reccomend extended warranty for piece of mind
+1

Can't emphasize that enough: GET THE CAR INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED BMW SHOP BEFORE YOU BUY!!! This is true even if you're buying from a BMW dealer.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:12 PM.