Sold my E46 325i and looking at a'05 545i and have questions
#11
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Location: NYC
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My Ride: 05 545i
My car is an 05 545i with 115,000 miles and runs excellent. Only problems I had so far that I fixed everything myself was the crankcase vent valves cause the car was stalling out at a stop. $20 parts with a 10 min change. I did the coolant reservoir cause it cracked. Easy fix and then I did maintenance to it. Oil, filters and spark plugs. Nothing else major was done. Car runs and drives mint. Had it almost 2 years already. As long as it checks out ok now , just do your normal maintenance and it will be ok.
#12
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Location: Houston
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My Ride: 545i 2004, SMG, Sport, Nav, Logic-7, Bluetooth phone retrofit
I bought mine new and I've driven it for 173,000 miles. There have been a couple of fairly expensive oil leaks plus the Famous Coolant Pipe. It was expensive mostly because I wasn't doing any DIY at the time.
It's a great car, if you're prepared to accept the Famous Coolant Pipe repair, alternator bracket gasket, and a few other seals as part of the cost of ownership every 100,000 miles or so. They fixed all this on the 550, so that's a better option, but I wouldn't say my experience with the 545 has been terrible. I've never regretted buying it, and I'm going to keep it a good while longer.
It's a great car, if you're prepared to accept the Famous Coolant Pipe repair, alternator bracket gasket, and a few other seals as part of the cost of ownership every 100,000 miles or so. They fixed all this on the 550, so that's a better option, but I wouldn't say my experience with the 545 has been terrible. I've never regretted buying it, and I'm going to keep it a good while longer.
#13
I bought mine new and I've driven it for 173,000 miles. There have been a couple of fairly expensive oil leaks plus the Famous Coolant Pipe. It was expensive mostly because I wasn't doing any DIY at the time.
It's a great car, if you're prepared to accept the Famous Coolant Pipe repair, alternator bracket gasket, and a few other seals as part of the cost of ownership every 100,000 miles or so. They fixed all this on the 550, so that's a better option, but I wouldn't say my experience with the 545 has been terrible. I've never regretted buying it, and I'm going to keep it a good while longer.
It's a great car, if you're prepared to accept the Famous Coolant Pipe repair, alternator bracket gasket, and a few other seals as part of the cost of ownership every 100,000 miles or so. They fixed all this on the 550, so that's a better option, but I wouldn't say my experience with the 545 has been terrible. I've never regretted buying it, and I'm going to keep it a good while longer.
#14
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Location: Houston
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My Ride: 545i 2004, SMG, Sport, Nav, Logic-7, Bluetooth phone retrofit
Legend has it the oil cooler made a difference to the seal failures. And my luck has improved since I shortened my oil change interval, although hard to prove with a small sample. I change at 200 hours, which is usually around 8000 miles.
Edit: Ahh - didn't realize the 550 has the same coolant pipe.
Edit: Ahh - didn't realize the 550 has the same coolant pipe.
#16
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My Ride: 2005 BMW 545i
I bought my 2005 545i in Feb. I have replaced the following
Valve Cover Gaskets
Water Pump
Right Timing Cover Gasket
MAF
VANOS
Things that now need to be replaced
Left Timing Cover Gasket
Lower Oil Pan Gasket
Trans Filter Gasket
I love the car just hate that I haven't been able to enjoy it without having to pay for repairs.
Valve Cover Gaskets
Water Pump
Right Timing Cover Gasket
MAF
VANOS
Things that now need to be replaced
Left Timing Cover Gasket
Lower Oil Pan Gasket
Trans Filter Gasket
I love the car just hate that I haven't been able to enjoy it without having to pay for repairs.
#17
Well I bought the '05 545i I really didn't want to spend over $20k. I have a few issues like a rough idle I can feel and a vibration that feels like the tires. The rear tires are cupped and worn as is typical and probably some of the vibration. It feels like I'm getting more vibration than I should feel thru the shifter as well maybe guibo. I am capable of doing most all mechanical repairs usually, I've rebuilt transmissions and engines before granted not BMW ones. I'm hoping for the best!
#19
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My Ride: 07' BMW 550i
I recently sold my AW E46 325i which I loved but wanted something with more room. So I test drove a 545i AW also that is a 6spd with sport ,cold weather, and premium packages. It has 84k miles and guy is asking $17,495 and is a private seller. It has the brown/black interior as well. Is this a reasonable price? Anything I need to look out for on these cars?
Thanks! I attached a photo of the car I'm looking at as well.
Thanks! I attached a photo of the car I'm looking at as well.
It's a good price, but you can mine 550i for couple thousand more and it's 2007 and listed here at the car for sale section.
#20
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Dallas, TX
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My Ride: 2006 550i
Auto trans, Navigation, Comfort Access, Adaptive Lighting, Dynamic Drive, Sport Package, Logic 7 Audio, Voice Control, Shades, Active Steering, PDC, Heads Up Display, Heated Front Seats, CD changer, Satellite, Extended Lighting Pkg
Well I bought the '05 545i I really didn't want to spend over $20k. I have a few issues like a rough idle I can feel and a vibration that feels like the tires. The rear tires are cupped and worn as is typical and probably some of the vibration. It feels like I'm getting more vibration than I should feel thru the shifter as well maybe guibo. I am capable of doing most all mechanical repairs usually, I've rebuilt transmissions and engines before granted not BMW ones. I'm hoping for the best!
Did you do the idle test for 3-5 minutes to ensure there's no white smoke from the exhaust?
Were there any service records that show maintenance?