Looking at future car purchase, I was thinking of getting either '04 525i with 75k miles for no more than $20k or lease a 335i.
The 525i is from somebody in the family. It comes just about fully loaded with sport package and SAT tranny etc. Never had any problems except the front windshield had a rock chip and now there is hairline crack. I'm afraid if they replace the front windshield the seal will never be the same and possibly cause wind noise. Other than that, the car drives well but a bit on the slow side. I kept going to 5k rpm quite often. Handling was really good, no body lean could be detected and steering wheel was a bit on the heavy side. I haven't driven the 335i. The 5-series could definitely use more power. I've heard ESS was going to release a supercharger, but don't know if that's ever going to happen. I don't need such a big car but because I think I'll be getting a good deal on it I'm considering it.

Anything to watch out for on a high mileage 525i?
Obviously 335i has much more power over 525i but how is the handling comparable?

 

For the moo la try to find a 530 that has a lil more pep. Or the 545. I wouldnt bother with a high milage basemodel. A newer 335i is always a nice choice. Keep in mind that on a older mile car the maintence kicks in which could be costly. the 04 cars maintence and warranty ends in 2010 or 100K miles. There should be a slew of 05-06 cars people are trading in because of the new high powered cars.

 

First of all, I'd Like to say .
I've replaced my windshield because of rock chips. It is ok to replace it though. No problem at all.
335i is a good choice, but E60 is an excellent choice..
By the Way, I'm a bit worried about the mileage. 75K is a quite high for an 04 e60.

 

????

04 models are 4yr/50,000 miles, right?

 

Probably means for a CPO

 

I replaced my windshield as well, no problems. Actually a bunch of early E60's ('04s) replaced windshields due to stress cracks and I did not hear about wind noise complaints.
I think 20K for a fully loaded with sport is a pretty good deal, especially if you know where the car is coming from.
Having driven both cars, the handling is quite different, the 335 feels so much powerful and sporty and the transmission is so much better (And a lot of fun if you get the paddle shifter).

 

Yeh, I wasn't really sure what he meant, he said maintenance and warranty. CPO is just warranty.

Please elaborate "525iEnjoy".

 

Go with the 335. the 04 525 has the 184hp engine. If you want to do a 525, at least go with the newer engine which has more power (215hp I believe). Or do a used 530. I would not go with that 525 with that many miles. I know it's in the family, but I would resist and go with something else.

 

welcome. im with these guys against the high mileage. start off "fresher" in my opinion. maybe as another consideration other than leasing a 335, maybe leasing an e60 LCI. good luck man and enjoy the forums.

 

No prob.


A new bimmer comes with 4yr/50,000bumper to bumper and 4yr/50,000 no cost maintence.

2004 Model year plus the 4 years is 2008 fyi

Now when you buy a used CPO (Certified Pre Owned) car you get the remainder of those 2 plans if there is any left over. On this car both are expired due to milage.

In Order to re up both plans you'll have to pay up to 1500 dollars which will extend both the bumper to bumper and the no cost maintence . .

The plan adds 2years/50,000 for a max of 6years /100K so. A 2004 with 6yr/100K will = year 2010 or 100k miles whichever comes first, its 2007 and there is 75K miles on the car so that leaves the 3 years 30k miles


the CPO warranty only cover certain items like engine and trans.