Experience with BMW's?

[demaples]

Am looking at a 2005 525i with 13000 miles for $27,750. Anybody have anything to share about this deal or these cars? Thanks
Dennis

[ND13]

The price is within reasonable limits for a 13k miler.

[petrym]

Price seems a couple to a few thousand too high, I'd check Kelley's Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/KBB/Default.aspx), most seller's (esp. BMW and MB owners) think their car is the most babied car in the world and can demand and get a higher price. These cars depreciate faster than most for the first three years. I'd also opt for a comprehensive warranty, BMW can be good when they are good, but can be very expensive to fix if something goes bad. :eek:

Good luck.

[demaples]

Thanks! I checked both KBB abd NADA. KBB retail is 31365, tradein value is23450, NADA retail is 30750, tradein 27000. Also did comparative searches on autotrader and most with this low mileage are advertised for over $30000, and yes I've heard about the repair costs and would opt for an extended warranty. Thanks for the input!
D

[vlam]

For that price, make sure you are getting a CPO BMW. BMW are nice under warranty but they can start to nickle and dime you to death. Once you are out of warranty, learn to fix some of the things youself or find a reputable indy.

[demaples]

Thanks, I'm pretty handy so anything other than electrical and the brain I could handle.

[ND13]

I've been in the car biz for 18 yrs...the price is fair for a 13k mile 525i.

[edbert]

My mother-in-law just returned her's(lease was up, not because of problem's). That price does seem good for the car you are getting. I also know they are a blast to drive and truly a driver's car. My mother-in-law never got used to that sensitive brake pedal, so I always asked to drive. Enjoy it!

[miner]

75% of BMW 5 series are leased in the USA.

[Phasearray]

oh, I thought it was Big Missip Women

[candyliquor35m]

Here's a 2007 328i in houston for $32,588 but it's a manual tranny with 11k miles.

http://houston.craigslist.org/car/730159402.html

[avelanchefan]

The 328i is such a sexy biatch. Even the older 325i's are nice.

[Ron-P]

For that price, make sure you are getting a CPO BMW. BMW are nice under warranty but they can start to nickle and dime you to death. Once you are out of warranty, learn to fix some of the things youself or find a reputable indy.

Good advice. I've known several people who have sold off their 3+ year old BMW's due to constant little problems. Make sure you have a bumper-to-bumper warranty on any BMW you own.

I owned a 2003 MINI (BMW product) for 18 months, 9 visits to the shop for little crap that kept going wrong. Never again will I own a BMW of any kind.

[mantis]

We have had BMW in my family for years. We have not experinced alot of problems.
My uncle still owns his 2003 BMW 540i and it has 60k on it now. He has had a clutch problem but I think thats due to the way he drives it. He drives it hard and like to push it every chance he gets. My Nephew still owns his 95 525i and that damn car has 178k on it. It's still rock solid and run fantastic. It's a pretty car with orignal paint that when waxed up looks like new. He also replaced his clutch. He had some kind of electrical problem a few years back but thats it.

I owned a 200 328i and had no problems. I sold it at 77k and it was in tip top shape. The quality of a BMW is very good. I got rid of mine in 2005 when I purchased my Pathfinder.

BMW is for people who love to drive. It's a road car. It becomes apart of you like an extention. It's a emotional attachment. I miss mine and plan on another one. I lost all of that when I decided a SUV was a better choice for my life style. I would have got a BMW X5 if it was alittle bigger inside. Not to mention it also was pushing my budget. I couldn't see spending alomost 80k on a truck that was small inside. But it drove as good and even better then my 3 series. It drove like a 5 series.

Good luck with your BMW.

[fossy]

Boss's g-friend has one.Don't know what the make or year is.fairly new but she bought it used.Alternator went out-- BMW shop wanted $800 for repair -- so he did the repair himself --
$325 for the alternator --- YIKES

[demaples]

Thanks for all the input folks. Got the news that one sold yesterday but I'm still looking. The 325's are nice but I'm 6'4" and 225 so I was thinking the 525 might fit better.

[Sami]

Screw the 5-series and go with 7-series. Much, much better. ;)

[demaples]

Yes, the7 series is nice but mileage suffers since they have a V8. Just got back from driving a 525. Very nice smooth ride. Wasn't really impressed with the performance, like, it will go but nothing spectacualr. Plenty of room too.

[Sami]

It's not too bad, I get 26mpg on highway with the 4.4 litre. It's a much more costly car, I know, but in a very different class too.

[vlam]

You should look at the 530i. Not too bad on the gas mileage and a fun car to drive. I average about 18mpg on my 540i. As for the 7 series.. I like them if I wanted to be a passenger but I prefer to drive a 5 series more.

[cmy330go]

Nothing in it's class drives better. Price seems quite fair.

It's true that BMW tends to have it's fair share of issues. But in my experience the way they drive more than makes it worthwhile. They truly live up to their claim of the Ultimate Driving Machine.

[Sami]

They truly live up to their claim of the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Nope, they don't. They drive very nice but "Ultimate" is something else, and BMW is not that.

[mantis]

Yes, the7 series is nice but mileage suffers since they have a V8. Just got back from driving a 525. Very nice smooth ride. Wasn't really impressed with the performance, like, it will go but nothing spectacualr. Plenty of room too.
I don't care for the 25 of any series. That car is underpowered.

In my opnion a 530i or better is a better experience.

[dragon1952]

I've got a '98 328i with over 120K on it. I bought it off of a 3 yr lease when it had 42K. I had to replace the auto. tranny at about 100K (GM product) for $4K. I've had to replace a radiator, water pump, air conditioner compressor, computer (under warranty), the front leather seats are worn out and under seat covers now and I've had a bunch of general maintenance but it still drives like when I got it and it has never leaked or burned a drop of oil and I still enjoy driving it immensely. It will have to totally fall apart before I'll get rid of it.

[phuz]

I've been really tempted to get a newer 330i or 335i, but with the problems I hear of I just can't comit to it. My Toyota seems to have the best of all worlds, not sure if I'm willing to accept all of the problems just for the pleasure of driving a BMW.

I'd be interested in hearing more experiences with BMWs, especially the new 3 series.

[Doctor R]

I can't comment on the new 3 series but my 2004 330i is one of the best and most problem free car I have ever owned. I originally leased it then bought it at the end of the lease. The price quoted for the 2005 5 series with 13K miles is pretty good deal, but yes they are not inexpensive to have worked on if you need to. I second the statement that I will drive this until it falls apart since it is such a blast to drive.

[disneyjoe7]

I not really a fan of BMW's as they aren't as problem free as some other cars. But all in all I heard that 3 series are pretty reliable where the 5 series isn't and the 7 series are even worse. I love the 5 and 7 series look, but sadly I need to stay far away from them. I wonder why a 5 series is priced a little low, maybe a lease POS return?

What to hear some bad shit about 7 series google BMW 750i :eek:

[mark090852]

Thanks for all the input folks. Got the news that one sold yesterday but I'm still looking. The 325's are nice but I'm 6'4" and 225 so I was thinking the 525 might fit better.

I'm 6'4" too. I've had a 328i and a 330i in the past and now have a 530i. I was cramped in the 3 series but fit much better in the 530. I don't think I would consider a 3 series again for that reason.

[Sami]

What to hear some bad shit about 7 series google BMW 750i :eek:

The only thing I've heard was electrical problems on the earlier models, all fixed by warranty (which was extended by BMW to 5y/100k bumper-to-bumper).

[sucks2beme]

Good advice. I've known several people who have sold off their 3+ year old BMW's due to constant little problems. Make sure you have a bumper-to-bumper warranty on any BMW you own.

I owned a 2003 MINI (BMW product) for 18 months, 9 visits to the shop for little crap that kept going wrong. Never again will I own a BMW of any kind.

Aftermarket warranties are not that good. You pay upfront for the average
cost of repairs + markup. Unless you get a complete pile of crud,
better to have the money on hand.

[SBrown712]

Nope, they don't. They drive very nice but "Ultimate" is something else, and BMW is not that.

I think that really depends on the model you have and the way you drive. I've had a few BMWs over the years starting with a 1972 2002 that I bought new. I had only had American cars before that and the BMW completely changed my idea of was a car was supposed to me. I currently own a '98 M3 that has about 142k miles on it and it has been reduced to my daily driver. For the first few years of it's life it served both as my daily driver and part time track car. I did make a lot of changes to the car to make it more track friendly but the one thing that I made sure was done was maintenance. I went above and beyond BMW recommended service intervals. Oil every 3k miles, tranny and rear end fluids every 40k, water pump and cooling system every 60k. The only thing I have had to do, that I don't consider to be a wear item, was replace the valve cover gasket. Everything about the car is as strong as the day I drove it off the showroom floor.... OK, the motor does make more power than stock.
I do think that on some of the newer models that have have become overburdened with electronics. BMW has always been on the forefront of electronics and it does sometimes take a year or so to get some of the bugs out of those systems.
Also, my GF has a '98 740i that she bought used and we had had some issues with it. Nothing that isn't expected on a car with that kind of mileage. We also don't know how or if the previous owner took care of the car.
So back to point, Ultimate Driving Machine? I guess that just depends on the person you ask. My answer? Hell YES.
Get one and drive it like you stole it!!
Just make sure it's model number doesn't end in 18 or 25.

[Sami]

I think that really depends on the model you have and the way you drive.

Well, if "Ultimate Driving" is a few drives on twisties 10mph above the speed limit, then it might be "Ultimate". :)

I guess that just depends on the person you ask.

Of course, most people have very limited experience with cars. If you ask a person who has only driven Lada's their whole life, and has no knowledge of any other brand, if the MB C-class is the "Ultimate Luxury Car" they for sure are going to say yes.

[MSALLA]

I have a 2002 530i. I test drove everything under the sun before I bought it. I liked the BMW over the Benz and all the higher end cars from Japan. The Benz had alot of flash and very fancy inside but the BMW out handled it by a wide margin. The 525 only has 190hp for 2002 and is very lacking in excitement. Also check with the factory for services done. That body style ran from 98' to 02' and did have a few touchy areas. The dash pod lights tend to burn out and you have to replace the wole unit. Cooling systems and altinators also tend to need attention.