E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

Question about buying a 535xi

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 09:16 AM
  #1  
Og Oggilby's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA.
Default

Hi all, I am a newbie to this forum...

I am planning to buy my next car in early 2008 and keep it for as long as possible (10-12+ years). I don't drive more than 12k a year. I test drove a 535xi and loved it but I'm a bit nervous about the reliability of a BMW 5 series after the warranty runs out. I know I can purchase an extended warranty but have heard they are a ripoff. Reading through some of the threads on this forum make me wonder if buying a BMW is a mistake (for example the interior peeling thread, among others).

So... is it a mistake to buy a 2008 535xi to keep long term?
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 09:21 AM
  #2  
Ricracing's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Default

It's a facelift (LCI) model with is really good but the N54 engine is a pretty new.

The x-drive will need more service than a normal RWD.

But I wouldn't worry about it.

BMW's reliability is better than with the M-B's.

Order a March (US MY '09) built one.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 09:30 AM
  #3  
Og Oggilby's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA.
Default

Originally Posted by Ricracing' post='485988' date='Oct 25 2007, 01:21 PM
It's a facelift (LCI) model with is really good but the N54 engine is a pretty new.

The x-drive will need more service than a normal RWD.

But I wouldn't worry about it.

BMW's reliability is better than with the M-B's.

Order a March (US MY '09) built one.
Are you saying that BMW's are a bit better than M-B or a lot better. I thought M-B's had a pretty bad reliability rating.

Why a March built? Is that when the 2009's come out?
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 09:37 AM
  #4  
Ricracing's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Default

Originally Posted by Og Oggilby' post='485996' date='Oct 25 2007, 08:30 PM
Are you saying that BMW's are a bit better than M-B or a lot better. I thought M-B's had a pretty bad reliability rating.
Why a March built? Is that when the 2009's come out?
A lot better than M-B's and since Toyota (Lexus) is going down right now,
BMW may be one of the best.

As I wrote, US MY's from March production. Delivery in April/May.

Let's see what others say.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 09:39 AM
  #5  
BrianTx5's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
My Ride: 2005 545i | Black Sapphire Metallic | Black Dakota Leather | Anthracite Maple | 6 Speed Manual | Sport Package | Logic 7 | Sirius Satellite Radio
Model Year: 2005
Default

As a member of the BMW Car Club of America I get their monthly magazine, Roundel. Many people write about their BMWs that are 10 to 20 years old and have over 200,000 miles on them. More important than the reliability of the car are the driving style and the maintenance.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 10:27 AM
  #6  
pennetta's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Default

You want the body style and the drivetrain to have been out for a few years to work the bugs out. My new body style 1997 and 2004 had many major problems, my mid model 2002 and 2008 were only to the dealer for scheduled maintenance.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 11:31 AM
  #7  
Og Oggilby's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA.
Default

Originally Posted by BrianTx5' post='486003' date='Oct 25 2007, 01:39 PM
As a member of the BMW Car Club of America I get their monthly magazine, Roundel. Many people write about their BMWs that are 10 to 20 years old and have over 200,000 miles on them. More important than the reliability of the car are the driving style and the maintenance.

That's what I like to hear
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 11:40 AM
  #8  
Og Oggilby's Avatar
Thread Starter
Members
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA.
Default

Originally Posted by pennetta' post='486015' date='Oct 25 2007, 02:27 PM
You want the body style and the drivetrain to have been out for a few years to work the bugs out. My new body style 1997 and 2004 had many major problems, my mid model 2002 and 2008 were only to the dealer for scheduled maintenance.
What 2008 model do you have?

Hmmm... I think that the 535xi body style is a few years old. Is the drivetrain considered new? Also is the fact that they just added the twin turbo's something to avoid?
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
windnsea
E61 Touring Discussion
24
May 25, 2015 09:49 PM
rackhacker9275
New Member Introductions
5
May 19, 2015 02:42 PM
eagle102158
New Member Introductions
7
May 19, 2015 01:52 PM
lebom
E60 Discussion
3
Apr 24, 2015 09:08 PM
brian1225
E60 Discussion
4
Apr 16, 2004 05:59 AM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:22 AM.