the-oneil

Hi everyone, this is my first post on the E60 forum and I joined today to ask your advice on an important decision I am about to make

I paid ?28K for my current 2005 530d (218 BHP) with leather, Media pack, visibility pack, service contract till 2010 and 12K on the clock.

I am not very happy about the (fuel consumption Vs refinement) of the car compared to the petrol version especially that I make about 10K miles a year and I do most of it in town (stop / start all the time).

I managed to negotiate a deal for a straight swap (head to head) for my car against a 2005 530i M sport (258 BHP) with 10K miles also with leather and mediapack but no service contract or visibility pack. Both cars are same age so have same warranty, but mine has the service pack & visibility pack where the 530i Sport doesn't.


The car is for sale for ?27K at the dealer, but he'll swap cars with me without me having to pay anything.

Shall I go for it?

Please help with your expert advice

Ps The 530i M Sport had 4 previous owners (inc BMW)!!! But has done only 10K miles. How worried should I be about this

Aeroresh

4 owners in a year/year and a half is a little worrying, it may be a lemon. If you cant trace the previous keepers, it may be worth checking with the dealer to see what work has been carried out under warranty.

As for the idea of the swap, its what ever suits you. Start stop driving will really hurt economy in any car. I can see a 530i being a lot worse then the diesel.

Residuals in the petrol are also worse, especially further on down the line. Performance is probably similar but you have to work the petrol alot harder to get the same results. Refinement wise the petrol has the edge at low speeds, otherwise, no difference really.

Decision's yours Im afraid!

the-oneil

I am counting on people voting here till the end of this weekend and I will decide then after taking as many of your valued opinions into consideration as well as visiting the dealer and will insist on contacting the previous owner before making any decisions.

Thanks

EBMCS03

4 owners? forget it. See if you can talk to the previous owners and see what the problems were... look up the service record... see what it has gone in for.

groovemasterj

I wouldn't expect a dealer to do a straight swap - unless it was in his best interest (i.e. he's getting the better end of the deal). I'd worry about the 4 owners in such a short period of time. And, as covered in previous posts, the fuel economy won't get better.

Nah, I wouldn't.

Iceman

Previously owned by BMW?



Too many ppl have been messing with it...

nickolas_g

Would you buy your new car from Hertz or some other car rental agency? Seems thats what you'll get.

the-oneil

Well

I asked the dealer to supply the details of previous owners so I can contact them.

If he does, I'll call them and see what they have to say about it.

Thanks everyone

pinguhk

No don`t do it!!!
4 owner sounds very bad!!!
The sale person will be if you do, do it.
I dont like the sound of the sale person saying you dont have to pay a penny.
I think he is trying to get rid of it quick.
I bet you will still see this car there in 4 months time.

madoon

u seem very interseted in the car...you can clearly see from the vote that this is a mistake....your car has been driven only by you and in excellent condition...why would you want to trade that in for a car you know nothing about, except that 4 ppl have bought it and didnt like it....