Newbie buying questions
07-09-2010 | 01:52 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 2
From: socal
My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Hey everyone
I'm a little new here and navigating thru the best i can. Been looking for a everyday reliable beater to have fun with.
What do I look for What do I stay away from?
How reliable are the 545s compared to a 530?
I hear that the 530 motors are about as bullet proof of as you can get for everyday reliability
Should I stay away from the non sport models?
Is SMG going to be a big mistake for everyday use?
Thanks and sorry for so many questions right off the bat.
I'm a little new here and navigating thru the best i can. Been looking for a everyday reliable beater to have fun with.
What do I look for What do I stay away from?
How reliable are the 545s compared to a 530?
I hear that the 530 motors are about as bullet proof of as you can get for everyday reliability
Should I stay away from the non sport models?
Is SMG going to be a big mistake for everyday use?
Thanks and sorry for so many questions right off the bat.
07-09-2010 | 02:15 PM
#2
Members
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa
My Ride: 2004 530i e60, Mystic blue: license plate LED, chrome grille
I have a 530i 2004 and I haven't had one thing go wrong with it yet I got it about a year ago
well one thing only, the button that pops the trunk from the inside doesn't work , but thats being fixed next friday
and I don't call that a problem!
Love the feel and drive of the car
good luck
well one thing only, the button that pops the trunk from the inside doesn't work , but thats being fixed next friday
and I don't call that a problem!
Love the feel and drive of the car
good luck
07-09-2010 | 02:16 PM
#3
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,998
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
If HP is a concern, keep in mind that the numbers went up in MY 2006.
07-09-2010 | 05:04 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 2
From: socal
My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Going to look at a 05 530 sport in about 20 minutes.
Tomorrow I will be looking at a 545...
What is the deal with the rotted rubber on the windshield and back glass?
Tomorrow I will be looking at a 545...
What is the deal with the rotted rubber on the windshield and back glass?
07-09-2010 | 07:05 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 2
From: socal
My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Well the 530 sport that I just looked at was nice, very clean, near excellent condition. The rubber at the top of the windshield and back glass was still rotted away but otherwise 
Just wonder if he will lower his price some?
Depending on the 545 I just may come back to this one.
Just wonder if he will lower his price some?
Depending on the 545 I just may come back to this one.
07-09-2010 | 08:36 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 2
From: socal
My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Thanks,
That's what I'm leaning toward. It's just so hard to resist having power 'on tap' especially when the price is almost the same.
What I have to keep in mind is what it will cost later...
What kind of issues do people run into with the 545 as mileage starts going into the 130k, 175k and up range?
That's what I'm leaning toward. It's just so hard to resist having power 'on tap' especially when the price is almost the same.
What I have to keep in mind is what it will cost later...
What kind of issues do people run into with the 545 as mileage starts going into the 130k, 175k and up range?
07-10-2010 | 12:18 AM
#8
Banned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,983
Likes: 1
From: Queens, NY
My Ride: A Car
what's ur budget like?
Try not to get SMG. Things u will encounter problems....umm...the thermostat on the V8s need to be replaced usually. Passenger seat mat recall. Nothing too major. E60 is a good car overall.
Try not to get SMG. Things u will encounter problems....umm...the thermostat on the V8s need to be replaced usually. Passenger seat mat recall. Nothing too major. E60 is a good car overall.
07-10-2010 | 12:31 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 2
From: socal
My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
Thanks, keeping it below 18, This would be a car we would use as our everyday driver.
07-10-2010 | 06:52 AM
#10
Members
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
My Ride: 2004 545i Sport Pak
There is a recall list posted somewhere on this forum. You could use that as a place to start when looking at issues and see if the car you are looking at had them fixed, it will also give you an idea of some of the things that can go wrong. The 545 gets great gas mileage all things considered, (I've heard 550 owners who where previous 545 owners say so), and the Sport Pak is definitely nice to have if you like to have fun. Car looks cooler too!