Tiger10

Looking at a 2004 E60 525i. 100k miles. Interior is in good condition. Exterior is in really good shape.

First Generation iDrive --> I don't know what this means.

Brakes need to be changed, there is a gasket leak and the transmission will need to get looked at (when you hit the gas, it revs up a little bit then accelerates).

Is $10k a good deal for this car? Does anyone have insight to the repairs/maintenance I can expect with this car at this stage in its life cycle? Has anyone had any issues that I can expect to encounter?

Goal is to have the car for 3-4 years until I can afford to get something new.

Thank you for your help.

cmyachtie

I'd keep looking, there are ones out there in that price range without those signs of neglect/possible problems, assuming tranny is automatic could cost a bundle especially by going to dealer also if you can try for a 2005 instead rather than 2004.
Also if you are getting car from a dealer try to get some warranty included, maintenance could be substantial $$$at 100K miles, you're not stating anything about maintenance records so am assuming you don't know and that could be a reason for looking for another one.

tonyb635

Yeah, I agree. You might just be in for a surprise fro your wallet with some of the signs you mention. I would move on. A car like that is not for someone who is tight on funds.

KyleB

pass. sounds like the car likely needs a transmission. $10K for a 525i that needs a gearbox is not a good deal IMO.

lbredefe

tiger,


I paid 10,500 for my 04 530i, loaded, with 85k miles and full service records from a bmw dealership. I would avoid it and keep hunting, it may not seem like it now, but you will find a good bmw. I started looking last october and just found the one i was looking for at the price i wanted, in may. i went into 30 different dealerships before i found one that was willing to deal and wanted to move a car.

tips:

1) find a bmw at a dealership in an area where bmw's dont typically sell well, and it has been on their lot for more than 60 days

2) wait till the end of the month

3) negotiate the hell out of it, they wanted 14,500 for the car and i got 10,500 out the door.

if you are aware of a trans problem that huge that will only get worse, you're looking at almost immediately sinking $2.5k to $5k into the car, so in all reality you would end up paying retail for it.

something to keep in mind.

luigi524td

I think you've been given good advice and "fair warning" ... Good deals on problematic pre-owned BMWs almost always wind up emptying your wallet. And even well-maintained BMW are expensive to keep that way because of well-documented failure-prone parts (batteries, cooling systems, automatic transmissions, electrical systems.modules that suffer from water damage, etc). So whatever direction you take - plan reserve $$$'s for repairs.

Last point from me - watch and read carefully any "aftermarket warranty" a dealer (BMW or otherwise) might try to sell you. They often do not cover known failure points on BMWs. And never mind what someone "tells" you ... it's what is in print on a signed contract that counts!!

H F

Great advice, the guys are leading u in the right direction..U can find one in excellent condition and well maintained just keep searching. good luck

Tiger10

Thanks everyone. This has been very helpful. I'll keep looking.