545 purchase advise
12-31-2013, 12:37 PM
#11
Senior Members
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i "Ben Hogan's 5 Iron"
SilverGrey/Black Sport, L7, NAV, CW, AS, Split FR
2003 Audi A4 3.0 CVT "Part of the Moniker"
Silver/Ebony, Prem, CW, Star 17s
Think the 550 is a better choice, though not cheap to maintain.
Your looking at manual so might be a wait to find something. The maitenance on the 545 looks pretty good. The clutch seems about right in terms of mileages. A plus.
If you don't mind doing your on repairs where possible, a used e60 aint bad. Its quite a car, particularly in light of its value.
DIYs I've done with my 77K car. Brakes (rotors/pads), tranmission oil change, differential fluid change, replace windshield wiper pump (left front wheel well), replace vaccum pump fuel tank (right rear well), front right tie rod, two batteries (no register on either one), replace air filter box clamps, and replace power steering canister/filter and fluid flush, and front right forward mud flap.
BMW Work. Moon roof lub, battery wiring issue, reprogram active steer (off center tilt), and couple of misc recall items
Future Work Before 100K. CCC Idrive module is seems shot. Possible DIY, all belts, possible coolant related items, spark plugs, broken cupjholder, replace linkage on driver side seat extender, paint chip repairs, and headlight lens polish.
Your looking at manual so might be a wait to find something. The maitenance on the 545 looks pretty good. The clutch seems about right in terms of mileages. A plus.
If you don't mind doing your on repairs where possible, a used e60 aint bad. Its quite a car, particularly in light of its value.
DIYs I've done with my 77K car. Brakes (rotors/pads), tranmission oil change, differential fluid change, replace windshield wiper pump (left front wheel well), replace vaccum pump fuel tank (right rear well), front right tie rod, two batteries (no register on either one), replace air filter box clamps, and replace power steering canister/filter and fluid flush, and front right forward mud flap.
BMW Work. Moon roof lub, battery wiring issue, reprogram active steer (off center tilt), and couple of misc recall items
Future Work Before 100K. CCC Idrive module is seems shot. Possible DIY, all belts, possible coolant related items, spark plugs, broken cupjholder, replace linkage on driver side seat extender, paint chip repairs, and headlight lens polish.
01-13-2014, 05:52 PM
#12
New Members
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 550i
Auto trans, Navigation, Comfort Access, Adaptive Lighting, Dynamic Drive, Sport Package, Logic 7 Audio, Voice Control, Shades, Active Steering, PDC, Heads Up Display, Heated Front Seats, CD changer, Satellite, Extended Lighting Pkg
I'd go for a 550 over the 545, but that said, the V8s have a HUGE potential problem: valve stem seal leaks. Especially after 100K miles. I bought my 550i (ideally wanted the tunable 535i) thinking I'd avoid engine issues like oil leaks common on the 545. Well, I didn't count on the white smoking exhaust issues that cropped up a week after my purchase at 103k miles. I love the car but it can be a money pit. Go 530 manual or even 535i, in my opinion. Avoid the V8
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post