Slingshot170

My friend is letting go of a 2004 530i and he's giving me first dibs. My question is how prevalent are the BMW automatic transmission failures with this model? The car has 180k miles and has a perfect service history all done at the same dealer it was bought from. The car hasn't seen much if any abuse threw out it's life and has been garage kept since new. I don't remember this car ever really having any issues except for the heated seats almost melted his butt once, it was fixed at BMW (new seat heater were installed). He offered me the car at a friend price of $4000. I've never owned a BMW so I don't lurk on the forums and don't have the information from reading post for the past 10 years .

Please chime in and thanks for your help.

Oh and he replaced the 530 with a 2009 M5. (envy level is high)

jtbgonesailing

Please read

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...6&d=1452348606

Slingshot170

Thanks for that

JayArras

Buying a used Bimmer is not like buying a used Mazda or Honda. Maintenance can be expensive unless you're handy with a wrench. The 2004 was the first model year,so there a lot of things lacking that they've since improved on. If you've always wanted a BMW, this might be a good opportunity, since the car history is known. But if this just came upon you out of the blue and you just think it would be kinda cool, think twice before you leap.

frchdragon

BMWs are amazing cars. But they can also be frustrating to own. Parts usually aren't cheap and garages charge a premium to work on BMWs.
But if the car has been well maintained it will last a long time. I still drive my E34 with 220k miles and it drives amazing but I spent time and money fixing everything that needed attention.

My 2005 530i has 192k miles and drives great, but I know that I will have to invest some money to redo the suspension and the little electrical issues that the car have.
I wrench on my own cars so it isn't an issue for me, but an older BMW can be a money pit...

Slingshot170

I've been wrenching on my own cars for 14 years so that's not a problem for me. I would probably hold on to this car for 4 years at the most.

I'm going to test drive it on Thursday and if the transmission feels good than I'll probably buy it.The whole "lifetime fill" BS is pure crazy but i suspect it's had at least one or two transmission services done.

oh and it has 160k miles not 180k

E60Japanese

Hi
I have a 2004 525I
when i bought it the transmission wasnt working or a dozen other things
For me it was fun and easy to repair the problems

Transmissions are a problem but they are usually an easy fix for under a 1K

I love my car and even though I said I would Only keep it for a few years, I am now wondering if I will keep it for much longer.

I have owned new cars but nothing comes close to the enjoyment I have experienced with my BMW

Andrew06

Do it! I paid $6k for my 2006 w/160k miles, and i'm glad i did every day! Parts and labor can be pricy for special things like water pump, or electronics, but if your handy these are also very logical cars to maintain. Given this car's history, i would jump on a well maintained cherry! You will want to confirm freshness/replace water pump, coils, plugs, and trans fluid. If handling is sloppy you could replace balljoints/bushings.

These Mechatronic transmissions are tough, if it works well during your test drive, you will be fine if you continue to maintain it. In all honesty, do it, immediately.

efy

I agree when I had a tranny problem a flush and new fluids seemed to do the trick, also although it is a first gen, the engine is at the last stages of dev if it's a M54 so that should be strong for many years to come especially if it's always been maintained
And at that price it's only too good to pass

Andrew06

My Mistake, it's an M54, which is a great motor, little simpler which speaks well for it's longevity. Water pump is mechanical, so disregard my comment on thelectrical pump on the N52s. Cooling system was a known maintenanceissue on the E46s with the M54, but it's a great engine. I absolutley loved my 2003 330xi with this engine. Check for oil leaks from oil filter housing gasket, as well as valve cover gasket, both well known, and i would assume the revious owner took care of them by now.