Reputable dealers in Dublin to buy a BMW

LillySV

Hi Folks, im currently on the look out for second hand car at moment and have my heart set on a BMW 5 series m sport in the 2006 to 2010 year range, depending on price. I notice though that a lot of the cars for sale seem to be in the Dublin area. Could anyone advise me of any good reputable dealers that i can buy a car like this off of in Dublin? Im a little apprehensive about buying one of these second hand due to the amount of clocked and crash repairable cars that have flooded the country in recent years and also want to ensure that dealer will stand over their car warranty if anything happens (ie dreaded timing chain problem) .

LillySV

im just looking and see that dunnes motor services, sarsfield motors, beacon motors , evra motors and <SNIP> crop up frequently, would anyone have experienceo f any of these companies, good bad or indifferent?

thanks

Idbatterim

ok, some of the dealers have bad to good reps, each car needs to be judged on its own merits! DO NOT purchase one of these cars without having it checked by a bmw specialist first! Honestly, I would and do prefer to go private and buy from an enthusiast, like those on http://www.bmw-driver.net/Index.asp.html

take it from someone who has driven bmw;s for years, has 3 in the family and whos brother is also an enthusiast, forget whatever these garages say, you want that car properly inspected on a ramp, with diagnostic software, with a well trained eye etc, if they wont facilitate this (and I havent come across a garage that wont, walk away)...

are you looking for petrol or diesel, what are your requirements etc?

bmw wont directly sell that age, Beshoffs in howth have an excellent reputation... The rest of the ones you mentioned, its pot luck to a large extent...

Im a little apprehensive about buying one of these second hand due to the amount of clocked and crash repairable cars that have flooded the country in recent years

this is a legitimate concern, but you dont want to buy some melon that isnt clocked or crash repaired and end up having to throw tons of cash at it, to put right either..

LillySV

Idbatterim wrote: »

ok, some of the dealers have bad to good reps, each car needs to be judged on its own merits! DO NOT purchase one of these cars without having it checked by a bmw specialist first! Honestly, I would and do prefer to go private and buy from an enthusiast, like those on http://www.bmw-driver.net/Index.asp.html

take it from someone who has driven bmw;s for years, has 3 in the family and whos brother is also an enthusiast, forget whatever these garages say, you want that car properly inspected on a ramp, with diagnostic software, with a well trained eye etc, if they wont facilitate this (and I havent come across a garage that wont, walk away)...

are you looking for petrol or diesel, what are your requirements etc?

bmw wont directly sell that age, Beshoffs in howth have an excellent reputation... The rest of the ones you mentioned, its pot luck to a large extent...

this is a legitimate concern, but you dont want to buy some melon that isnt clocked or crash repaired and end up having to throw tons of cash at it, to put right either..

Thanks for advice, I'm looking for diesel, I'd like 530d m sport but 530d m sport probably more likely and a more sentinel option

Idbatterim

are you doing enough driving to warrant a diesel? have you driven a bmw before?

goochy

Enra are only just open. Sarsfield have a terrible reputation. <SNIP> used to be <SNIP> - it's a bit of a strange operation !! something just doesn't feel right they don't even put their name in cars they well.
I would not be buying a car like that from any used car dealer without a history check and a mechanics report

LillySV

Idbatterim wrote: »

are you doing enough driving to warrant a diesel? have you driven a bmw before?

Test drive one two years ago when they same price for 08 as they are now! Price for them is gone daft. Wife drives small miles and I drive big miles, car is for wife but I'd like to take car on an odd day

bmwguy

If you want a 530d in those years you will have very few cars to choose from. The 520d took over in about 2006 and 95% of 5 series sold since then are 520d. There is a reason for their popularity though they are a fine car. If you do find a 530d before 2008 it will be 1494 Euro a year to pay on motor tax, after that significantly cheaper maybe 400 a year. But you won't find a post 08 one. As for dealers, the warranty on what you are looking for (between 6 and 10 years old car with 150+k on it probably) will not be very comprehensive. I would go private, save a lot of money for the any repairs but do get it checked out by a mechanic that knows his stuff. And avoid the engine affected by the timing chain issue, I think it's called n47. If mileage is not high look at petrol models too total ownership costs might be on a par with diesel.

LillySV

goochy wrote: »

Enra are only just open. Sarsfield have a terrible reputation. <SNIP> used to be <SNIP> - it's a bit of a strange operation !! something just doesn't feel right they don't even put their name in cars they well.
I would not be buying a car like that from any used car dealer without a history check and a mechanics report

Thanks I thought as much. Some are simi dealers though so suprised simi put their name to them.

LillySV

goochy wrote: »

Enra are only just open. Sarsfield have a terrible reputation. <SNIP> used to be <SNIP> - it's a bit of a strange operation !! something just doesn't feel right they don't even put their name in cars they well.
I would not be buying a car like that from any used car dealer without a history check and a mechanics report

Thanks thought that but suprised simi cover some of them

tom_tarbucket

LillySV wrote: »

Test drive one two years ago when they same price for 08 as they are now! Price for them is gone daft. Wife drives small miles and I drive big miles, car is for wife but I'd like to take car on an odd day

If the BMW is for your wife and she does small miles, why are you even buying a diesel for her ?

LillySV

bmwguy wrote: »

If you want a 530d in those years you will have very few cars to choose from. The 520d took over in about 2006 and 95% of 5 series sold since then are 520d. There is a reason for their popularity though they are a fine car. If you do find a 530d before 2008 it will be 1494 Euro a year to pay on motor tax, after that significantly cheaper maybe 400 a year. But you won't find a post 08 one. As for dealers, the warranty on what you are looking for (between 6 and 10 years old car with 150+k on it probably) will not be very comprehensive. I would go private, save a lot of money for the any repairs but do get it checked out by a mechanic that knows his stuff. And avoid the engine affected by the timing chain issue, I think it's called n47. If mileage is not high look at petrol models too total ownership costs might be on a par with diesel.

Is there any reliability problems with petrols? Yea prob with n47 is its the engine used since late 07 so all the cars I can afford will have that engine.

As regards warranty is that two year warranty bmw have any good if bought it off bmw dealer

goochy

As has been said before SIMI means nothing , its all about reputation and background of owners of garage. Those who previously worked at main dealers are usually good - Alan Dorgan , Lewis motors etc.

spyderski

LillySV wrote: »

As regards warranty is that two year warranty bmw have any good if bought it off bmw dealer

That 2 year warranty is fantastic, basically the same as a new car BMW warranty. But you won't get one in the price range you're looking. The cars that are sold as BMW approved used cars have had a fortune spent on them, and there are franchise rules as to what the dealers are allowed offer. You'd be doing well to get a 2012 at this stage, and unlikely to get something older, unless it had tiny mileage or something. BMW would be valuing that warranty at around €4-5k on its own, before the price of the car is added.

Idbatterim

If you do find a 530d before 2008 it will be 1494 Euro a year to pay on motor tax, after that significantly cheaper maybe 400 a year. But you won't find a post 08 one.

im not sure about the more recent ones, but the 530d is E750 in auto and E570 in manual and I would not be buying a 530 in manual, personally...

op given your requirements, I would go for a petrol, trying to get your hands on one will be the problem!

goochy

Lewis motors who seem a good dealer - have a 2006 535D M KIT - 90K - €12,950

drunkmonkey

You can get a warranty without buying from a dealer, just ran a quote on my own car a 530d and 12mt is €450 and €650 for 2 years, some garages just resell their warranty when your buying a car http://www.carprotect.ie/new-used-car-warranty/cover-available?cid=86249

A lot of the 530's on driving.ie have been there a long time, I know some of them were still for sale when I bought mine about 2.5yrs ago.

The 530's are rare in both se and msport in anyway normal money especially from 2007 on when the facelift happened.
If your looking at an 10 on there's one for about 22k with big mileage then next is 34k after that. Even trying to find one in the UK is a struggle as they make as much there if not more and you still have to add in VRT.

If I was buying and unsure about going private as opposed to dealer, I'd spend the money on getting a BMW main dealer to check it over, it could cost €200 but you'd have a top to toe assessment of the car from BMW. I've got it done in on most ones I've had.
If the car has a service history you should be able to verify with BMW to make sure mileage checkes out at service intervals.

LillySV

drunkmonkey wrote: »

You can get a warranty without buying from a dealer, just ran a quote on my own car a 530d and 12mt is €450 and €650 for 2 years, some garages just resell their warranty when your buying a car http://www.carprotect.ie/new-used-car-warranty/cover-available?cid=86249

A lot of the 530's on driving.ie have been there a long time, I know some of them were still for sale when I bought mine about 2.5yrs ago.

The 530's are rare in both se and msport in anyway normal money especially from 2007 on when the facelift happened.
If your looking at an 10 on there's one for about 22k with big mileage then next is 34k after that. Even trying to find one in the UK is a struggle as they make as much there if not more and you still have to add in VRT.

If I was buying and unsure about going private as opposed to dealer, I'd spend the money on getting a BMW main dealer to check it over, it could cost €200 but you'd have a top to toe assessment of the car from BMW. I've got it done in on most ones I've had.
If the car has a service history you should be able to verify with BMW to make sure mileage checkes out at service intervals.

So if I seen a private bmw for sale a bmw main dealer would carry out inspection for 200? That's probably worth it in long run , thanks

LillySV

drunkmonkey wrote: »

You can get a warranty without buying from a dealer, just ran a quote on my own car a 530d and 12mt is €450 and €650 for 2 years, some garages just resell their warranty when your buying a car http://www.carprotect.ie/new-used-car-warranty/cover-available?cid=86249

A lot of the 530's on driving.ie have been there a long time, I know some of them were still for sale when I bought mine about 2.5yrs ago.

The 530's are rare in both se and msport in anyway normal money especially from 2007 on when the facelift happened.
If your looking at an 10 on there's one for about 22k with big mileage then next is 34k after that. Even trying to find one in the UK is a struggle as they make as much there if not more and you still have to add in VRT.

If I was buying and unsure about going private as opposed to dealer, I'd spend the money on getting a BMW main dealer to check it over, it could cost €200 but you'd have a top to toe assessment of the car from BMW. I've got it done in on most ones I've had.
If the car has a service history you should be able to verify with BMW to make sure mileage checkes out at service intervals.

I'm starting to think that if I locate a private seller who has full service history, I could always check up with bmw. I assume the Irish bmw dealers could confirm record from uk bmw dealer also. Are the 530s heavy on juice? ... I'd say most likely end up with 520

ION08

bmwguy wrote: »

The 520d took over in about 2006 and 95% of 5 series sold since then are 520d. There is a reason for their popularity though they are a fine car.

Oh aye, "fine car" alright. :rolleyes: Notorious for eating turbo's , ingesting swirl flaps and catastrophic timing chain failure but don't let that put you off the badge, they're a "fine car".

drunkmonkey

LillySV wrote: »

So if I seen a private bmw for sale a bmw main dealer would carry out inspection for 200? That's probably worth it in long run , thanks

Yea they'll do it on any year, just check prices as some of their labours costs can vary widley from case to case, I know with my own when ever Bmw service it they tell me if anything needs attention.

drunkmonkey

ION08 wrote: »

Oh aye, "fine car" alright. :rolleyes: Notorious for eating turbo's , ingesting swirl flaps and catastrophic timing chain failure but don't let that put you off the badge, they're a "fine car".

Too true my wife wouldn't let me buy a 520 after watching a watchdog program on the bbc. No comparison to a 530 or 535. The reason they sold loads is there way cheaper than a 530. A new 520 starts at 48 and a 530 at 64.

LillySV

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Too true my wife wouldn't let me buy a 520 after watching a watchdog program on the bbc. No comparison to a 530 or 535. The reason they sold loads is there way cheaper than a 530. A new 520 starts at 48 and a 530 at 64.

Would the 530 not have same timing chain problem?

ION08

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Too true my wife wouldn't let me buy a 520 after watching a watchdog program on the bbc. No comparison to a 530 or 535. The reason they sold loads is there way cheaper than a 530. A new 520 starts at 48 and a 530 at 64.

Exactly. cheaper to buy, cheaper to tax and you get the badge.

Nothing to do with them actually being a "fine car"

LillySV wrote: »

Would the 530 not have same timing chain problem?

No, the 6 cylinder diesels are a great engine. just not for Ireland's cc based system

LillySV

ION08 wrote: »

Exactly. cheaper to buy, cheaper to tax and you get the badge.

Nothing to do with them actually being a "fine car"




No, the 6 cylinder diesels are a great engine. just not for Ireland's cc based system

I was told by a mechanic that the 530d was same engine with same chain but two extra cylinders....he mightn't be accurate with that statement so....

bazz26

The E60 530d retained the more reliable M57 engine right up until it was replaced by the F10 model in 2010. Whereas the E60 520d changed to the N47 engine from mid 2007 onwards.

bmwguy

ION08 wrote: »

Oh aye, "fine car" alright. :rolleyes: Notorious for eating turbo's , ingesting swirl flaps and catastrophic timing chain failure but don't let that put you off the badge, they're a "fine car".

I mentioned the timing chain failure in my post so thanks for double posting and I told him to avoid that particular engine. It's a big blight on them to have that engine problem but I didn't exactly ignore the issue.

LillySV

bazz26 wrote: »

The E60 530d retained the more reliable M57 engine right up until it was replaced by the F10 model in 2010. Whereas the E60 520d changed to the N47 engine from mid 2007 onwards.

Best bet is post 08 530 d msport so , cheaper tax and a nice motor. Are the petrols reliable? Crazy on juice? I see a 06 523i m sport for sale recently also

drunkmonkey

LillySV wrote: »

I'm starting to think that if I locate a private seller who has full service history, I could always check up with bmw. I assume the Irish bmw dealers could confirm record from uk bmw dealer also. Are the 530s heavy on juice? ... I'd say most likely end up with 520

Yea BMW should be able to confirm it, not sure about the UK but you could check with a BWW dealer there, 530's aren't that heavy I average about 40mpg but it's all on how you drive it, you could get that up to 45 without much bother.
520 has issues as somebody stated above, had a few 320's with the same engine and they can get pretty caked over time even with proper servicing but it can be looked after, I wouldn't touch a 520 with the timing chain issue, BMW are covering some of them but at the years your looking at it might be difficult especially if BMW haven't serviced it in a while.

What's your budget, I've seen a lot over the last few months while looking for a new one myself.

Yogi81

I bought a 2008 BMW X5 last year from Sarsfields motors.
Car checked out fine when I went to look at it, got an ok trade in for our Lexus and was happy out.
The car was freshly valeted and running away in the parking lot out back for me to inspect.

The following morning at home I spotted the rear passenger side was sitting way down. Ended up being a slow leak in the rear airbag, which cost over €700 to replace. This would be very evident sitting idle overnight in a forecourt, but they cleverly covered it by running the car and getting the compressor to bring it up to level. Didn't get any joy when I rang to complain. Only engine and gearbox came with 3 months warranty.

Also, I realised on the way home from buying the X5 that I left my Rayban sunglasses in the Lexus, they actually rang to say the same and said they would post them down. No sign of them after a week or two, so rang them. The salesman who I was dealing with and contacted me, said they were on his desk and would send them the next day. A few weeks later, no sign, rang again and he said they could not find them. After many, many phone calls over a few months I just gave up. Even sent one of the people I know in dublin to collect. I think they just decided to keep them.

I would not buy another car or deal with them again.

LillySV

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Yea BMW should be able to confirm it, not sure about the UK but you could check with a BWW dealer there, 530's aren't that heavy I average about 40mpg but it's all on how you drive it, you could get that up to 45 without much bother.
520 has issues as somebody stated above, had a few 320's with the same engine and they can get pretty caked over time even with proper servicing but it can be looked after, I wouldn't touch a 520 with the timing chain issue, BMW are covering some of them but at the years your looking at it might be difficult especially if BMW haven't serviced it in a while.

What's your budget, I've seen a lot over the last few months while looking for a new one myself.

I'm looking for cheap as possible ha ha , up to 15k I suppose but rather not spend that much