poynter

Im looking to get back into a BMW. I've had an e30, e36, and both sedan and coupe e46. Im very familiar(or was) with the e46 as the last one I had for five years. I did the cooling system overhaul and replaced the vanos seals with bysians set. I did my own LCA's and bushings, brakes, coilover install etc. The reason I can afford to drive a bmw is because I fix them myself. Our nearest BMW dealership is 70 miles so it has to remain that way for my next one.

Ive narrowed it down to another e46, sedan 5MT or an 04 525i that is for sale locally. The e60 has 130K miles which is higher than I want but its at a price where I could have a grand or two left over to take care of refreshing anything it needs.

So my biggest question is wether the 525i would be as DIY friendly as the e46 was to me. The model im looking at has the logic 7 and xenons and is a 6MT.

thanks!

pradden

Hey whats up! I'm in Lexington The E60 is an amazing car! Although it is one complicated machine, there's still a lot you can do yourself. If you get one, being that far away from a dealer, I would learn as much as I can about the car and common problems. Also it is very important to get your E60 inspected before you buy. I have an 06 525i and love it! Good Luck!

poynter

I live in somerset and the e60 Im looking at is in lex.

I actually just posted on drivelex asking about local euro shops and where I could get a PPI done. I would rather not go to don jacobs and would like to find a shop that is DIY friendly and will do resets and programming.

pradden

Yeah definitely do not deal with Don Jacobs.. For maintenance I can't do, I use a guy named Daniel Wells at Import Auto Specialists. He is a really good mechanic and honest, but he does not do programming or coding. He can clear and reset service indicators in i-Drive, but no NCS type stuff.

525iEnjoy

Spark plugs, brakes,Wheels, sway bars, seats, air filter, cabin filter, suspension (not struts), oil changes are really not hard at all and all can be done if you have the DIY 101basic knowledge or know how. The major stuff like cooling and trans pan etc.. is doable but messy.If your gonna get a 525 spend a little more for the power of the 3.0 530 same car more HP and Torque

poynter

I would go with a 3.0 if I could find one for the same price. the 525i im looking at Ive got them talked down to 10K

525iEnjoy

I can sell you mine for close than or less than that with coilovers, and some updated stuff 91K all service up to date. ajs.schaefer@gmail.com

poynter

socals a bit far of a drive.