Should i buy this e60?

[Azrel]

Dear sifusI'm a newcomer here. Am planning to get a used e60, year 2004, 520i model, white color (so look more sporty). Lol. After months of searching, found one here. Http://www.mudah.my/BMW+520i+E60+2+2+A-7890224.htm. I've checked out the car and it looks fine. Will bring my regular mechanic to diagnose if the car has any problem. Appreciate your opinion on whether should i buy this car or should i look for 525. Am on a tight budget, if i have more money i would certainly go for 525 or 530. Currently driving a Mini, very sad to let go but i need more space for family. Sigh. Lol! If u can highlight me on what to look out for before signing the dotted lines, it will be very much appreciated. Thanks all. Hope to be proud owner of E60 soon

 

[JFT63]

Hi n salam azrel..kindly introduce yourself in the newbie section as stated in the forum rules..later, there will be many sifus willing to offer you some advice..regards n welcome tto the forum..tq

 

[Azrel]

Ooopps sorry. I have introduced myself in the newbie section. Cheers

 

[B33mEr]

Go for the 525i you won't regret it ... Fuel consumption should be about the same as the 520i. Also with the 525i the power will be effortless unlike the 520i.

 

[zank]

I thikn you can/should get 525 for additional 10K for those 2003/4, next time better reselling value.. Good Luck!!

 

[nizar]

Since budget is an issue, my sincere opinion is to look for models with lower mileage which means less wear & tear and u will hv many more years of mileage to drive. Or else look for a more poweful japan spec E60 525i with M54 engine. U will not regret it. My piece of advice.

 

[seewai]

Since budget is an issue, my sincere opinion is to look for models with lower mileage which means less wear & tear and u will hv many more years of mileage to drive. Or else look for a more poweful japan spec E60 525i with M54 engine. U will not regret it. My piece of advice.

Bro correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't the older M54 be less powerful than the newer N62?

If budget is an issue, my suggestion is to get a used E60 523/525 with manual transmission, as used auto-tranny has proven to be more expensive to upkeep/maintain than a manual tranny.

 

[Azrel]

Thanks all for the speedy reply. Appreciate it
I personally would prefer 525 as performanc is rather important to me ad well. If i were to choose between 525 and 530 (year 2004), which one should i go for. Saw in mudah that the difference is about 10k. 530i going for 158k and its white in color

 

[gregcwho]

If it's not too budget busting..my opinion is that the 530 will put a permanent grin on your face. Unless of course your budget includes the road tax,insurance & petrol bills..

Cheers

 

[zank]

530 lah so u can tapau all those 525i .. Be the special one.. Haha..

 

[B33mEr]

Bro correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't the older M54 be less powerful than the newer N62?

If budget is an issue, my suggestion is to get a used E60 523/525 with manual transmission, as used auto-tranny has proven to be more expensive to upkeep/maintain than a manual tranny.

Is there an E60 523/525 with manual transmission on the market right now??? I don't think i have seen one yet on the market

 

[alxy]

I have a 530i so you know where my vote goes....

 

[alxy]

Looking at the car, it does not come with SatNav, which probably means it has just a 6.6" screen. So if you want to get SatNav and all that, will cost you around RM20K! So maybe better to look for a model that already has SatNav and the 8" screen, if that is important to you and you want to add DVD player, etc... later on

 

[Azrel]

Thanks again for the replies. Didnt expect to receive a lot of feedbacks, since im still a newbie. Hehe.
By the way, the 530 that im eyeing for is here: http://www.mudah.my/BMW+530i-8185317.htm.

Bro Alxy, u really racun me for 530i. Lol! With regard to sat nav, yes i really need it. Another (cheaper) option is to use my current portable Garmin ;p

Will pay a visit to the shop tomorrow. Aiyah, its been sleepless nite these few days. Its e60 nightmare ;p

 

[mkhans]

Since budget is an issue, my sincere opinion is to look for models with lower mileage which means less wear & tear and u will hv many more years of mileage to drive. Or else look for a more poweful japan spec E60 525i with M54 engine. U will not regret it. My piece of advice.

hello Brother Nizar, I am intrested at the m sport version of 525, prefer 05 , just wondering waht is the mkt price? and how do we know is the M54 engine ( is it with the pusj start button?) thanks.

 

[alxy]

530 looks good from the pics. Of course, you need to take it to the mech to have a thorough check to be sure. If you can stretch your budget, then 530 is the one for you. Drive both 520 and 530 and I guarantee you'll choose the 530

525 is also pretty decent if you don't fancy the extra grunt of the 530. But I do think 520 is a bit underpowered. If you like to drive spiritedly, you'll definitely be frustrated when the car cannot go as fast as you want it to, and you can't even chase down an Accord or Camry from the traffic lights.

 

[desbimmer]

the 530 is cheaper then the 525 in most cases so no need to stretch your budget I cannot tell from the pic because the number has been blocked out but I had tested for my friend a white fully loaded car like the pic in the link. If the comfort seats are beige and if it is a 3 digit plate, you might want (or insist) to send it to a reputable BMW workshop to have it hauled up and checked. The white 530 i saw was beautifully loaded (i love the comfort seats) and the exterior had a few scratches (which the dealer said he would fix) BUT the tyre was bloated (driver passenger side) and there was something major wrong with it as it was leaking black oil everywhere when we opened it up underneath. It was not in Sri Petaling but in Kg Atap but I believe the cars float around to avoid the 'bad press' once someone knows about it...So just check....

 

[Azrel]

Thank you desbimmer for the advice. I will definitely try to identify if that car in the link have the same specs/ problems that you mentioned. I cant make it today, very busy with work. Will check out the car anytime soon and will update you on the findings thereafter. Cheers

 

[nizar]

Bro correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't the older M54 be less powerful than the newer N62?

If budget is an issue, my suggestion is to get a used E60 523/525 with manual transmission, as used auto-tranny has proven to be more expensive to upkeep/maintain than a manual tranny.

True...... Unless u dont mind having to bear with engine oil topping up every now & then

 

[kenny75]

Thank you desbimmer for the advice. I will definitely try to identify if that car in the link have the same specs/ problems that you mentioned. I cant make it today, very busy with work. Will check out the car anytime soon and will update you on the findings thereafter. Cheers

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I'm new with this forum and haven't get bimmer yet... but still planning to buy one this year... I guess, my choice more concern to 5s instead of 3s. I rather get the size bigger since I drove MPV now... I have hardworking on it to find out more info about the 5s advantages or disadvantages...

First, thanks to all forumer & sifu give me alot of information... By rite, I prefer moderate power start from 523 or 525, instead I get 530(overpower could caused of high FC caught in traffic) or 520(underpower & helpless to save fuel)

I heard many claim about importer CBU issued such as jap spec. problem with i-drive & uk spec. problem with under rust condition. Why nobody consider about CKD if so many issued from CBU?

I will notice about radiotor leaking problem as well. I used my maths & sense of calculation, many ppl concern the manufacturer years than milleage...

lets talk about two issued different for advantages... when talk for years, resale price is better if few years old... when talk for milleage, condition tear & wear more important for us(owners) to get low milleage, no matter this car how many years....

anyway, im still keep searching till i get bimmer this year & i hope will join TT with all 5s gangs