Transmission???? If an AT I would run as it has not likely been serviced.w
Looking at used BMW 528 or 3 series
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Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: Doog
I would avoid BMW all together....you'll get a much better value and about 99% less headaches from a nice used Lexus. It just depends if you need the whole German engineering status thing or not. But used BMWs are notorious for requiring lots of time and mucho $$$ to keep them going. I have several friends who have gone that nightmare route with used Beemers. If you gotta go German...look for a nice used Audi.
Stay away from Audi too. I've had my fair share of problems from both BMW and Audi.
Haven't tried Benz though. May give it a shot eventually.
If you get an E class without a lot of options like Airmatic you will be GTG. Unlike BMW MB comes set up from the factory, you don't have to touch the cooling system pretty much ever.
E320/350 4matic or RWD, not much goes wrong.
Having said that the 5 series your looking at is one of the last good BMW's before they decided to forget about driving and add bloat.
I drove a 2014 528XI recently and I was like ughhhhhhhh. I'd rather buy an older 5 or 7, they were better cars. Plus I'd want a stick. At least for me, RWD, a sweet I6 and a manual is what a BMW is. If you get it any other way it sucks the fun out of it, might as well buy a Lexus at that point.
Originally Posted By: Doog
I would avoid BMW all together....you'll get a much better value and about 99% less headaches from a nice used Lexus. It just depends if you need the whole German engineering status thing or not. But used BMWs are notorious for requiring lots of time and mucho $$$ to keep them going. I have several friends who have gone that nightmare route with used Beemers. If you gotta go German...look for a nice used Audi.
Stay away from Audi too. I've had my fair share of problems from both BMW and Audi.
Haven't tried Benz though. May give it a shot eventually.
If you get an E class without a lot of options like Airmatic you will be GTG. Unlike BMW MB comes set up from the factory, you don't have to touch the cooling system pretty much ever.
E320/350 4matic or RWD, not much goes wrong.
Having said that the 5 series your looking at is one of the last good BMW's before they decided to forget about driving and add bloat.
I drove a 2014 528XI recently and I was like ughhhhhhhh. I'd rather buy an older 5 or 7, they were better cars. Plus I'd want a stick. At least for me, RWD, a sweet I6 and a manual is what a BMW is. If you get it any other way it sucks the fun out of it, might as well buy a Lexus at that point.
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Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I drove a 2014 528XI recently and I was like ughhhhhhhh. I'd rather buy an older 5 or 7, they were better cars.
Should have looked at the new 3-series. It is the same size (inside and out) as the older 5-series. Also, skip the "XI" version. The AWD BMWs have different suspension setups that makes them feel less sporty.
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Plus I'd want a stick. At least for me, RWD, a sweet I6 and a manual is what a BMW is.
+1
I drove a 2014 528XI recently and I was like ughhhhhhhh. I'd rather buy an older 5 or 7, they were better cars.
Should have looked at the new 3-series. It is the same size (inside and out) as the older 5-series. Also, skip the "XI" version. The AWD BMWs have different suspension setups that makes them feel less sporty.
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Plus I'd want a stick. At least for me, RWD, a sweet I6 and a manual is what a BMW is.
+1
I don't like the 3 series to many HS kids have them, and every idiot who gets his first job in Stamford leases one.
I don't know what I want I'm not to serious right now, but I do know what I don't like. The new Audi's are nice but they are a POS as they age.
Only reason I drove it is my business partner loves them, and the 6 series which is also a barge, well at least with the I6. The salesmen didn't like it when I was like I'd take an 80's M6 over this any day of the week. Modern cars really don't excite me anymore.
You can lease them cheap though, $1k down and $618 a month all in, and I suspect those numbers could be improved a bit.
I don't know what I want I'm not to serious right now, but I do know what I don't like. The new Audi's are nice but they are a POS as they age.
Only reason I drove it is my business partner loves them, and the 6 series which is also a barge, well at least with the I6. The salesmen didn't like it when I was like I'd take an 80's M6 over this any day of the week. Modern cars really don't excite me anymore.
You can lease them cheap though, $1k down and $618 a month all in, and I suspect those numbers could be improved a bit.
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They always have a couple up at Limerock, just a good old fashion European GT coupe. Also unlike some 80's cars they have aged well.
Instead of a new 6 series I rather buy:
A sweet 6 or M6 coupe.
A Jag XJS with the 12, I mean come on why not.
Mercedes 560SEC.
Porsche 928
I think I'd have a lot more fun with those. 80's and 90's vintage cars are the best really. New enough to drive like a modern car, but old enough to be pretty simple. Back before everything became a rolling X box they had to make mechanically competent cars that worked. Now they just slap layers of electronics on it and claim its better.
Instead of a new 6 series I rather buy:
A sweet 6 or M6 coupe.
A Jag XJS with the 12, I mean come on why not.
Mercedes 560SEC.
Porsche 928
I think I'd have a lot more fun with those. 80's and 90's vintage cars are the best really. New enough to drive like a modern car, but old enough to be pretty simple. Back before everything became a rolling X box they had to make mechanically competent cars that worked. Now they just slap layers of electronics on it and claim its better.
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I have a 2000 BMW 528i 5MT with the M sport and appearance packages. I've had it since it was 3 years old. It now has 140,000 km (87,000 miles). I suppose you could call it grandpa driven. It's been a good car.
Had the Vanos repair done under warranty (the very last day). Have had a few cooling system problems (a hose and broken bleeder valves - twice). One of the front wheel sensors went out as well. I now have the trifecta - 3 dash lights on intermittently for traction control, ABS and brakes. There is supposedly a straightforward $300 rebuild of the control unit available that corrects all 3 - which I'll do once the roads are ice free again (as the ABS still actually works).
With the exception of the Vanos the drive train has been bullet proof.
I've been looking around at new cars lately but haven't found any that I like as well.
It does cost more to maintain that my Honda Accord V6 6MT.
Ecotourist
Had the Vanos repair done under warranty (the very last day). Have had a few cooling system problems (a hose and broken bleeder valves - twice). One of the front wheel sensors went out as well. I now have the trifecta - 3 dash lights on intermittently for traction control, ABS and brakes. There is supposedly a straightforward $300 rebuild of the control unit available that corrects all 3 - which I'll do once the roads are ice free again (as the ABS still actually works).
With the exception of the Vanos the drive train has been bullet proof.
I've been looking around at new cars lately but haven't found any that I like as well.
It does cost more to maintain that my Honda Accord V6 6MT.
Ecotourist
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
They always have a couple up at Limerock, just a good old fashion European GT coupe. Also unlike some 80's cars they have aged well.
Instead of a new 6 series I rather buy:
A Jag XJS with the 12, I mean come on why not.
Well if it comes with a cot to sleep in your garage while you are continuously working on it...well Ok.
They always have a couple up at Limerock, just a good old fashion European GT coupe. Also unlike some 80's cars they have aged well.
Instead of a new 6 series I rather buy:
A Jag XJS with the 12, I mean come on why not.
Well if it comes with a cot to sleep in your garage while you are continuously working on it...well Ok.
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I think I'd have a lot more fun with those. 80's and 90's vintage cars are the best really. New enough to drive like a modern car, but old enough to be pretty simple. Back before everything became a rolling X box they had to make mechanically competent cars that worked. Now they just slap layers of electronics on it and claim its better.
AMEN!!!
I think I'd have a lot more fun with those. 80's and 90's vintage cars are the best really. New enough to drive like a modern car, but old enough to be pretty simple. Back before everything became a rolling X box they had to make mechanically competent cars that worked. Now they just slap layers of electronics on it and claim its better.
AMEN!!!
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I think I'd have a lot more fun with those. 80's and 90's vintage cars are the best really. New enough to drive like a modern car, but old enough to be pretty simple. Back before everything became a rolling X box they had to make mechanically competent cars that worked. Now they just slap layers of electronics on it and claim its better.
AMEN!!!
I agree with this comment too. I've been considering replacing my 2000 BMW 528i with an even older BMW 5 series, a Mercedes 300D or a Volvo 240 series. A lot of the problems with my BMW have been in the electronics. They make a very solid and reliable car and enclose it a layer of less reliable electronics.
Ecotourist
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I think I'd have a lot more fun with those. 80's and 90's vintage cars are the best really. New enough to drive like a modern car, but old enough to be pretty simple. Back before everything became a rolling X box they had to make mechanically competent cars that worked. Now they just slap layers of electronics on it and claim its better.
AMEN!!!
I agree with this comment too. I've been considering replacing my 2000 BMW 528i with an even older BMW 5 series, a Mercedes 300D or a Volvo 240 series. A lot of the problems with my BMW have been in the electronics. They make a very solid and reliable car and enclose it a layer of less reliable electronics.
Ecotourist
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