bigrd

Hi everyone this is my 1st post in this forum. Some really good stuff in here

I'm in the process of looking at buying a July 2004 525d Touring to replace my Sept 2002 320d Touring. They're a very scarce commodity in the uk but I've found one whcih will be available late Sept from a dealer. The concern I have over the car is that it's covered 32,000 miles in 13 months and is retailing for ?26,995.

It's fitted with BiXenon, Adaptive headlights, Headlight wash, Service & Maint to 07/09 or 60k miles (only 28k left), 116 wheels, Dark Poplar wood, Amethyst Grey leather/black trim, no model inscription, dark tinted rear windows, Bluetooth phone preparation, Silver Grey and automatic.

Does anyone have an opinion on the price? I've found another 2 for sale for ?29,995, similar age but 20k miles less and less options fitted. I'd really appreciate any comments before I make my mind up.

535D Sport

Have you tried doing a used car search on BMW's web site. They have quite a few at the dealers around the country.

bigrd

Thanks for your reply 535d Sport.
I've been monitoring the BMW used car pages over the past month or so and have found that 525d or 530d E61s are like hens teeth. I've a budget of approx 28k. I was also considering a 525 petrol but I've become so used to driving a diesel. I'm currently trying to sell my 320d privately to give myself more haggling power but may end up trading in. I've also tried phoning round some dealers to find out if they're expecting any in that aren't listed but to no avail.
I was really wondering if anyone thought that the price the dealer's asking is fair.
Glass's guide reckons it should have a dealer retail of ?28,750.

535D Sport

You never pay the dealers asking price
I managed to get ?3600 of the list price for my 535d.

bigrd

I never do pay the full asking price. Well done in your discount, that's a really decent saving. So far I've only managed to budge them ?500. It would be good to know what sort of margin they are playing with . My last 3 cars were all new so I could always kind of work it out but haggling over a used car seams different. Do you have any thoughts on this?

535D Sport

Probably around ?2000 +. The salesman who sold me my car told me he makes more money from selling used cars than he does new.

Knobjockey

Hi

Theres a 530d Auto on ebay well spec'd with nav, service pack, sunroof etc. 04 reg with 17k with a reserve of ?28k

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4575122987&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3FMfcISAPICommand%3DGetResult%26ht%3D1%26shortcut%3D0%26from%3DR41%26query%3D4575122987%26category0%3D%26Submit%3DSearch%26fvi%3D1
hope that helps.

bigrd

Thanks for the reply. I see bidding has finished. Was this your car?

idoru

Thanks for your reply 535d Sport.
I've been monitoring the BMW used car pages over the past month or so and have found that 525d or 530d E61s are like hens teeth. I've a budget of approx 28k. I was also considering a 525 petrol but I've become so used to driving a diesel. I'm currently trying to sell my 320d privately to give myself more haggling power but may end up trading in. I've also tried phoning round some dealers to find out if they're expecting any in that aren't listed but to no avail.
I was really wondering if anyone thought that the price the dealer's asking is fair.
Glass's guide reckons it should have a dealer retail of ?28,750.
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As someone who part exchanged my 320d Touring when I bought my E61 525d Sport, I would strongly recommend you go the private sale route. With p/x you'll likely end up cancelling out any discount you've negotiated on the new vehicle, especially as (I assume) you have an E46 - the E90 will have really knocked down trade in prices on the former model I suspect (that is what the dealer will argue, I guarantee). That said, I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd prefer an E46 - what an irony that the most un-Bangled model revision has ended up looking the most bleurgh!

You're also right to stick with the diesel - it is very much smoother and free revving than the 320d 4-pot, if still a little prone to low rev turbo lag, although the turbo 'feeds in' much more progressively in the 525d (mine's a 6-speed manual). I test drove a 525i E61 with Steptronic, and while very hushed, it felt underpowered and somehow very underwhelming.

bigrd

idoru, thanks for your experiences.

I am, as you've guessed, trying to sell my E46 and had been considering buying a new E91 however I'm not that impressed by the looks. As you pointed out it's the least Bangled and looks the most bleurgh. I love the look of the E61! I've not had a lot of response on the private sale scene other than damn agencies. I have driven the new E90 2.0d and found it to be a very good car to drive but prefer the size of the E61. I had already negotiated a price so the introduction of the E91 shouldn't affect it now or if the saleman tries he'll lose a sale. And we're approaching the end of the month. He did come up with moans about my 3 year old E46 doing 57k and that they pass on cars with higher than 50k to local private dealers. Don't know if that's just a line but I do take what they say with a pinch of salt.
I had also considered a 525i but haven't driven one. It was interseting that you found the petrol 525 underpowered I found the 525d very nice and liked the smooth power delivery it's also very quiet compared to my E46. I'm going to test drive the car this Saturday (24/9/05) and will make my decision then. If I do decide to go for it I'll post some photos.

Thanks again.