2004 BMW 5 Series E60 Reliability - first BMW
11-12-2010, 01:49 PM
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Hi all,
This is my first post. At the moment, I am trying ever so hard to convince my dad to get out of his 10 year old Ford hatchback for stacks of reasons. Not only is our family a lot bigger now than it was 10 years ago, the Ford is quite unsafe, getting a 1 star ANCAP safety rating. I have always loved BMWs (and Mercedes-Benzes) whilst my dad is "a car is to get you from A to B" person. Consequently, all sort of conversation about ever having a vehicle from one of those two German marques has failed with my father citing too expensive "maintenance and repair costs".
I'm from Australia, and I have found a few good 2004 525is and 530is. They are all in the low $30,000s (AUD). However, they all have done (or nearly done) 100,000km (60,000 miles). The service issue isn't as pressing anymore, as I have found some highly regarded BMW workshops in the area run by BMW trained and ex-Adelaide BMW mechanics that service for a reasonably good price. However, the main issue here is whether 100,000km is too much, and I have found conflicting information about E60 reliability. I understand that kilometres don't always mean much; someone could've travelled most on longer highway journeys compared to someone who has travelled half of that but in stop-start conditions that are worse for wear and tear. However, 100,000km is still 100,000km.
If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated. And if anyone could also give me some handy hints on how to convince my father that would be greatly appreciated too!
Many thanks,
Will
This is my first post. At the moment, I am trying ever so hard to convince my dad to get out of his 10 year old Ford hatchback for stacks of reasons. Not only is our family a lot bigger now than it was 10 years ago, the Ford is quite unsafe, getting a 1 star ANCAP safety rating. I have always loved BMWs (and Mercedes-Benzes) whilst my dad is "a car is to get you from A to B" person. Consequently, all sort of conversation about ever having a vehicle from one of those two German marques has failed with my father citing too expensive "maintenance and repair costs".
I'm from Australia, and I have found a few good 2004 525is and 530is. They are all in the low $30,000s (AUD). However, they all have done (or nearly done) 100,000km (60,000 miles). The service issue isn't as pressing anymore, as I have found some highly regarded BMW workshops in the area run by BMW trained and ex-Adelaide BMW mechanics that service for a reasonably good price. However, the main issue here is whether 100,000km is too much, and I have found conflicting information about E60 reliability. I understand that kilometres don't always mean much; someone could've travelled most on longer highway journeys compared to someone who has travelled half of that but in stop-start conditions that are worse for wear and tear. However, 100,000km is still 100,000km.
If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated. And if anyone could also give me some handy hints on how to convince my father that would be greatly appreciated too!
Many thanks,
Will
11-12-2010, 02:26 PM
#2
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Well . . . .
The 2004 530i would be the car I would look at to begin with. The 525's are way under powered, they have a problem pulling their own weight forget about 4 passengers in the car. Its always better to have 1000 US dollars kept aside for your BMW's maintainence. If thats what you can do then I would say, you have begun to look at the right choice. 60,000 miles is good mileage on a car. I would say you are exactly half way in for any expected major repairs. I would assume that the 530i could go atleast 120,000 miles, assuming the fact that your not burning the car doing funny things beating the rpms to death.
A person who believes a car is a vehicle that takes you from point A to point B is never going to be willing to buy a BMW. I meet a lot of these people and they aim towards spending the least, getting what they feel is sufficient (If you know what I mean). If your dad says a BMW is a depreciating investment, I would agree. If he says its expensive to maintain, I would agree. If he says a toyota could do the same for lesser price, I would some what agree. The reason being all the people who drive expensive cars drive it because they enjoy it, they feel the rythm of a car, they appreciate the design and beauty. You cant convince any one to believe a BMW is THE car if they cannot feel the car
Remember, there is a difference between what you need and what you want. BMW is what you want (And looks like your Dad doesnt
)
BMW's are not just any cars, its a PERFORMANCE CAR - A car that is not designed to go super fast but a car thats build using precesion to deliver highest drivers satisfaction.
Its going to be hard to win but to him his own man.
Good Luck
The 2004 530i would be the car I would look at to begin with. The 525's are way under powered, they have a problem pulling their own weight forget about 4 passengers in the car. Its always better to have 1000 US dollars kept aside for your BMW's maintainence. If thats what you can do then I would say, you have begun to look at the right choice. 60,000 miles is good mileage on a car. I would say you are exactly half way in for any expected major repairs. I would assume that the 530i could go atleast 120,000 miles, assuming the fact that your not burning the car doing funny things beating the rpms to death.
A person who believes a car is a vehicle that takes you from point A to point B is never going to be willing to buy a BMW. I meet a lot of these people and they aim towards spending the least, getting what they feel is sufficient (If you know what I mean). If your dad says a BMW is a depreciating investment, I would agree. If he says its expensive to maintain, I would agree. If he says a toyota could do the same for lesser price, I would some what agree. The reason being all the people who drive expensive cars drive it because they enjoy it, they feel the rythm of a car, they appreciate the design and beauty. You cant convince any one to believe a BMW is THE car if they cannot feel the car
Remember, there is a difference between what you need and what you want. BMW is what you want (And looks like your Dad doesnt
)BMW's are not just any cars, its a PERFORMANCE CAR - A car that is not designed to go super fast but a car thats build using precesion to deliver highest drivers satisfaction.
Its going to be hard to win but to him his own man.
Good Luck
11-12-2010, 02:33 PM
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Well . . . .
The 2004 530i would be the car I would look at to begin with. The 525's are way under powered, they have a problem pulling their own weight forget about 4 passengers in the car. Its always better to have 1000 US dollars kept aside for your BMW's maintainence. If thats what you can do then I would say, you have begun to look at the right choice. 60,000 miles is good mileage on a car. I would say you are exactly half way in for any expected major repairs. I would assume that the 530i could go atleast 120,000 miles, assuming the fact that your not burning the car doing funny things beating the rpms to death.
A person who believes a car is a vehicle that takes you from point A to point B is never going to be willing to buy a BMW. I meet a lot of these people and they aim towards spending the least, getting what they feel is sufficient (If you know what I mean). If your dad says a BMW is a depreciating investment, I would agree. If he says its expensive to maintain, I would agree. If he says a toyota could do the same for lesser price, I would some what agree. The reason being all the people who drive expensive cars drive it because they enjoy it, they feel the rythm of a car, they appreciate the design and beauty. You cant convince any one to believe a BMW is THE car if they cannot feel the car
Remember, there is a difference between what you need and what you want. BMW is what you want (And looks like your Dad doesnt )
BMW's are not just any cars, its a PERFORMANCE CAR - A car that is not designed to go super fast but a car thats build using precesion to deliver highest drivers satisfaction.
Its going to be hard to win but to him his own man.
Good Luck
The 2004 530i would be the car I would look at to begin with. The 525's are way under powered, they have a problem pulling their own weight forget about 4 passengers in the car. Its always better to have 1000 US dollars kept aside for your BMW's maintainence. If thats what you can do then I would say, you have begun to look at the right choice. 60,000 miles is good mileage on a car. I would say you are exactly half way in for any expected major repairs. I would assume that the 530i could go atleast 120,000 miles, assuming the fact that your not burning the car doing funny things beating the rpms to death.
A person who believes a car is a vehicle that takes you from point A to point B is never going to be willing to buy a BMW. I meet a lot of these people and they aim towards spending the least, getting what they feel is sufficient (If you know what I mean). If your dad says a BMW is a depreciating investment, I would agree. If he says its expensive to maintain, I would agree. If he says a toyota could do the same for lesser price, I would some what agree. The reason being all the people who drive expensive cars drive it because they enjoy it, they feel the rythm of a car, they appreciate the design and beauty. You cant convince any one to believe a BMW is THE car if they cannot feel the car
Remember, there is a difference between what you need and what you want. BMW is what you want (And looks like your Dad doesnt
)BMW's are not just any cars, its a PERFORMANCE CAR - A car that is not designed to go super fast but a car thats build using precesion to deliver highest drivers satisfaction.
Its going to be hard to win but to him his own man.
Good Luck
11-12-2010, 06:45 PM
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My Ride: 2006 530i
right! i hope my n52 lasts at least 200k miles! *knock on wood*
11-12-2010, 09:43 PM
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My Ride: 2004 BMW 545i, M-Sport Bodykit, Sports Suspension, Sports Seats, Active Steering.
I drive a 2004 545i, reliability wise it's been great, only problems I have had is the alternator, which was replaced under warranty and only just recently, the vacuum brake hose leaking, which was replaced FOC under an international recall. I purchased mine with low kms a few years ago and have maintained it under the manufacturer's servicing program. I have owned and driven BMW's for the past 10 years, and from my experience, the general rule of thumb is that they do require more attention as they get older, components do wear out, suspension, brake rotors, driveshafts, cooling system, etc. and the bill adds up quickly when there is more than one item that needs attention, even at an independent specialist.
If your Dad just wants a car from A-B, he also has a choice of a brand new Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore, Honda Accord V6 or Toyota Aurion, all of which are powerful 6 cylinder full-sized sedans and all of which are similarly priced in base model form to an 04 E60 530i, i.e. mid AUD $30K. All have a brand new 3 year manufacturer's warranty and all should provide reliable motoring.
BMW's are designed and built to deliver a high standard of performance and handling, steering feel, high speed stability, braking, refinement, comfort and safety. Their engines are generally very efficient and their transmissions are very smooth and responsive. Their interiors are ergonomically designed and built using higher grade materials. This is what defines them to be a luxury high performance sports sedan and why they are a pleasure to drive. The E60 was also technologically advanced for its time with computers controlling many of its functions. A person who just wants a car from A-B may not appreciate the above or it may not matter to them.
If your Dad just wants a car from A-B, he also has a choice of a brand new Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore, Honda Accord V6 or Toyota Aurion, all of which are powerful 6 cylinder full-sized sedans and all of which are similarly priced in base model form to an 04 E60 530i, i.e. mid AUD $30K. All have a brand new 3 year manufacturer's warranty and all should provide reliable motoring.
BMW's are designed and built to deliver a high standard of performance and handling, steering feel, high speed stability, braking, refinement, comfort and safety. Their engines are generally very efficient and their transmissions are very smooth and responsive. Their interiors are ergonomically designed and built using higher grade materials. This is what defines them to be a luxury high performance sports sedan and why they are a pleasure to drive. The E60 was also technologically advanced for its time with computers controlling many of its functions. A person who just wants a car from A-B may not appreciate the above or it may not matter to them.
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