535i advice
01-15-2010, 04:10 AM
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My Ride: | 2006 550i | Silver Gray Metallic | Sport Package | 6-speed MT | Logic7 | NAV | CWP | Tan Dakota Leather | Stock 124s | 35% tint |
Hey guys,
A friend of mine who knows very little about cars is deciding between a 535 and a 550. He drove a 2000 528, and he is very ready to get back in a bmw after a few lease years with an ES350. Knowing he's not a big car guy, I advised to him find a well optioned 2008 528. I felt this was the best approach to keep the price down, but get back into a 5 series. While looking at a few 528s on the lot, the sales guy talked him into driving the 535. 5 minutes in the car, and he decided the 528 was off the table (big surprise).
Anyway, he asked my opinion, and I told him that my only reservation with the 535 was the concerns I read about HPFP on this forum, and the not too inspiring experience I had with my 2001 Audi S4. I told him neither of these were good reasons for him not to buy, but that is what drove me to the 550. I also said you must get CPO to be safe.
Long story short, he has found a 2008 535 with 20K miles that was lemoned for the very same HPFP issue. It was bought back by the manufacturer, and now it is being sold as CPO with the maintenance plan to 100K as well. Very attractive price IMO. Any advice on how I should advise him on this car?
As a side note, he's also looking at 550s. He's driven mine, and he's convinced he wants one of the 2 cars. He's much more concerned about options, color and price right now than the difference between the turbo six and the 8.
Thanks for your help.
-Grady
A friend of mine who knows very little about cars is deciding between a 535 and a 550. He drove a 2000 528, and he is very ready to get back in a bmw after a few lease years with an ES350. Knowing he's not a big car guy, I advised to him find a well optioned 2008 528. I felt this was the best approach to keep the price down, but get back into a 5 series. While looking at a few 528s on the lot, the sales guy talked him into driving the 535. 5 minutes in the car, and he decided the 528 was off the table (big surprise).
Anyway, he asked my opinion, and I told him that my only reservation with the 535 was the concerns I read about HPFP on this forum, and the not too inspiring experience I had with my 2001 Audi S4. I told him neither of these were good reasons for him not to buy, but that is what drove me to the 550. I also said you must get CPO to be safe.
Long story short, he has found a 2008 535 with 20K miles that was lemoned for the very same HPFP issue. It was bought back by the manufacturer, and now it is being sold as CPO with the maintenance plan to 100K as well. Very attractive price IMO. Any advice on how I should advise him on this car?
As a side note, he's also looking at 550s. He's driven mine, and he's convinced he wants one of the 2 cars. He's much more concerned about options, color and price right now than the difference between the turbo six and the 8.
Thanks for your help.
-Grady
01-15-2010, 04:39 AM
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That the car was lemon'd for the HPFP doesn't bother me that much since it's pretty normal...at least it wasn't lemon'd for the electrical system or something else. I would make the decision based on the reputation of the service department. It's not a question of when he will need to get the pump replaced, and when the time comes will the dealer bitch around an not replace the pump right away or just take care of him right away?
01-15-2010, 05:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Krozi' post='1091226' date='Jan 15 2010, 08:39 AM
That the car was lemon'd for the HPFP doesn't bother me that much since it's pretty normal...at least it wasn't lemon'd for the electrical system or something else. I would make the decision based on the reputation of the service department. It's not a question of when he will need to get the pump replaced, and when the time comes will the dealer bitch around an not replace the pump right away or just take care of him right away?
Depending on the price, it could be okay. I also believe that BMW is warrantying the HPFP for 120k and that is transferrable. I rec'd a letter in the mail stating something to that effect, either 100 or 120k. The HPFP is a crap shoot either way, as some have replaced 4 or more inside of 25k miles, and others have had no problems at all. If he doesn't care about the HPFP issue, what does it matter?
01-15-2010, 05:52 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
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If the car was already lemon'd then how can you be certain the next buyer won't have the same headache the previous one did?
CPO warranty or not - I'd put my money on another 535i or 550i.
CPO warranty or not - I'd put my money on another 535i or 550i.
01-15-2010, 05:52 AM
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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.
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How much are they asking for the 535?
01-15-2010, 06:24 AM
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My Ride: | 2006 550i | Silver Gray Metallic | Sport Package | 6-speed MT | Logic7 | NAV | CWP | Tan Dakota Leather | Stock 124s | 35% tint |
Originally Posted by porsche911targa' post='1091255' date='Jan 15 2010, 09:52 AM
How much are they asking for the 535?
01-15-2010, 06:43 AM
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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.
Originally Posted by grady' post='1091270' date='Jan 15 2010, 10:24 AM
$31K
01-15-2010, 08:16 AM
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My Ride: 2010 VW Passat Wagon 2.0l Tsi
Grey/Grey Budapest 18"
Lost to HPFP issues:
08 535i sport pkg
Lost to Dreaded E61 Sun roof leaks:
07 E61 530Xi
Dose he like taking the car up to 3-5 a year to get he HPFP replaced? If it has already been lemoned/bought back I would not touch it.
550... for me all the way , no Turbo BMW motors ever again...
There are some other wide spread issues with the N54, but if he the guy plans on modding it the 535i is generally cheaper to get upgrades for. Bigger gains for lees money.
Other issues common to the N54
over heating
Turbo lag due to DMS software upgrades from BMW
HPFP failures
Injector Failures ( tide to Fuel system and HPFP)
Waste gate failures
Turbo failures/ replacement
The 550 has some too, but in my mind is a safer bet.
550... for me all the way , no Turbo BMW motors ever again...
There are some other wide spread issues with the N54, but if he the guy plans on modding it the 535i is generally cheaper to get upgrades for. Bigger gains for lees money.
Other issues common to the N54
over heating
Turbo lag due to DMS software upgrades from BMW
HPFP failures
Injector Failures ( tide to Fuel system and HPFP)
Waste gate failures
Turbo failures/ replacement
The 550 has some too, but in my mind is a safer bet.
01-15-2010, 08:35 AM
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My Ride: | 2006 550i | Silver Gray Metallic | Sport Package | 6-speed MT | Logic7 | NAV | CWP | Tan Dakota Leather | Stock 124s | 35% tint |
Thanks a lot for the quick and informative responses. Split vote, but this gives me some good things to highlight.
I've already told him that I probably wouldn't buy it, and I think that is influential in his decision. I suspect he'll end up forking over a few extra bucks for the 550.
I've already told him that I probably wouldn't buy it, and I think that is influential in his decision. I suspect he'll end up forking over a few extra bucks for the 550.