Hello guys, recently I plan to buy a 530I, from the information provided in the main page of E60.net, I found that 530i comes with a different L6 3.0liter engine between 04,05's & 06,07's, but it's hard to find a 06's 530I under a reasonable price. therefore, could anyone tell me, beside the engine differences, is there any significant improvements (such as electronic system or mechanical system) between 04, 05 or 06 530I? if the difference is only engine, I think it won't be a big problem( BTW, does 06&07's L6 engine more reliable?)....
The reason why I asking about this is because I owned a 2005 G35 before, and my friends tell me, 2003 & 2004 G35 has a lot more electrical problems(such as the power window and sun roof doesn't work) rather than 05's, so I am thinking...does BMW has the similar situation happened?
Hope someone can answer my question.....thanks to everyone first~~~~~~=)

 

I know this wasn't your question (which I am sure knowledgeable people around here will answer), but I would definitely chosse the "new" (more recent but not most recent) Valvetronic 258 HP I6 engine. Although the figures are not very different from the old 230 HP engine, in real life the difference is huge, the Valvetronic is much more alive and athletic whereas the other delivers power in a very linear way.

 

Please bare in mind that there are differences btw USA and Europe. It's true that the 530i came with an updated engine in 03/2005, but that didn't turn up in the States. Looking at the European model, there are very few upgrades btw 04 to 06 so don't worry much about tech upgrades but buy the car that is in the best condition!

 

i had an 03 G35 and experienced problems with the power window, slight ticking from the rear, and other little problems. turned it back in the first month now i have an 05 530i for 3 months now and loving it. haven't had any problems, except with the cup colder. the buttons were sticking and wouldn't stay shut, but i got that replaced for free with it being CPO'd.

 

wow, people say japanese cars are perfect. i guess everyone has had their share of issues. japanese, german, italian, bangladeshi, korean, british.
lol. okay Bangladesh doesn't make cars, just was trying to take credit or blame here. hahahah

CPO gotta have it for peace of mind.

 

I have an 04/2005 MY06 530i with the 255HP (258PS) I6 engine. The 27HP make a huge difference over the prior model engine. The 3.0L engines have been mostly pretty reliable over the years so getting a 04,05 or 06 MY is fairly unproblematic. Just check the entire package before you leap.

 

wow, people say japanese cars are perfect. i guess everyone has had their share of issues. japanese, german, italian, bangladeshi, korean, british.
lol. okay Bangladesh doesn't make cars, just was trying to take credit or blame here. hahahah

CPO gotta have it for peace of mind.
[/quote]

03 was the first year the g35 came out and the first year or two any new car or even just technology in general, you're going to experience several issues. the power window was a notorious recall for that year.

 

Thanks to every one's answer!
One of my friends is a dealer, he'll bring me directly to the manheim auction and to see if there is any 06's 530I under a reasonable price, if not, I think I'm going to take a 05's....or maybe 04's is also OK~~=)

 

Not to complicate matters, but there were 2 distinct 525i/530i models released in 2006. If there are black front grill inserts and the old iDrive knob, it's a spring 2006 car. If it has chrome front grill inserts and the leather iDrive knob, it's the fall 2006 car. There are updates to the DSC system in the fall car, which was actually problematic for a good number of cars.

I have a spring 2006 car. It has been super-reliable.

 

Thank u ~~!!=)