Sporty petrol for under 5k

Glen_Quagmire

Going to look at a 2007 523i SE today, any advice on what to look out for?

commited

All the advice is in the above posts but you should ideally be looking at a 1 or 2 owner car with full BMWSH and the spec you want.

I always found the 523i a bit underwhelming, hopefully it has the fizz you want but I'd never describe one as sporty!!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Going to look at a 2007 523i SE today, any advice on what to look out for?

A sporty car somewhere else on the lot.

Glen_Quagmire

Jasper Disgusting Cherry wrote:

A sporty car somewhere else on the lot.

Haha, OK I agree it's not sporty but are they really that bad?

everlast75

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Haha, OK I agree it's not sporty but are they really that bad?

Like someone said above - it depends on what car you're stepping out of. To exaggerate- if you drove a Micra it would make the beamer seem like an F1 car. A focus - less so

Heres Johnny

I have a 523i e60, they are fine. It's a small bit down on power on my old e39 525i but hardly a slow car to be honest. Depends on what you want really, if it's outright power then look for a 530i or 530d.

Glen_Quagmire

I'm driving a 1.6 petrol Avensis so I'm sure it will be a big step up from that.

Would obviously like big power but I think the 523i would be fine for me.

Going to look at one shortly so any advice would be much appreciated

Heres Johnny

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

I'm driving a 1.6 petrol Avensis so I'm sure it will be a big step up from that.

Would obviously like big power but I think the 523i would be fine for me.

Going to look at one shortly so any advice would be much appreciated

I don't find it that fast but when I drive other family members cars such as a 2.0d Kia Sportage and 1.6d Ford focus they seem very sluggish in comparison. Conversely when anyone else drives my car it seems very powerful to them.

I'm no mechanic so can't tell you what to look for there but I would recommend the m sport model with 19 inch spider alloys which mine has they look great. Although on 19s there are 255 tyres on the front and 275 on the rear which is overkill and they're expensive.

I've an individual colour green on mine as far as I know, I've never seen another colour the same. Even my cousin who is my mechanic and trained in the BMW network never saw it before either. It has tan leather (orangey brown) too which is unusual he thinks it was a special order but I'm not sure.

Mechanically it has been faultless. Mine is 06 and I believe there was a mild change in 07 so yours might be slightly updated.
Mpg in town is horrendous, motorway and open roads a good bit better as that's what they're designed for.

Everyone compliments it, yesterday I had some workmates in it and they were very impressed.

Don't pay much for it, even 5k sounds on the high side. There's loads of them out there and they are not selling. Mine was 4k at start of last year from a dealer with a 6 month warranty, it had 160k kms on it.
I could have got plenty of others for low 3k there was actually a nice navy one with cream interior but the colour combo on mine just swung me. So now that's where an 07 should be priced now. Keep it 4k or under and use the spare 1k to tax it for the year.

Heres Johnny

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/06-bmw-630i-sport-low-mileage-new-nct/18005572

If you up your budget only slightly you could get something like this.....

pah

Heres Johnny wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/06-bmw-630i-sport-low-mileage-new-nct/18005572

If you up your budget only slightly you could get something like this.....

Ugh, the arse on that.

Glen_Quagmire

Went to look at a 5 series today, it was disappointing to say the least. Had high hopes from the ad and photos but it was a bit rough.

Back to the drawing board..

Glen_Quagmire

Heres Johnny wrote:

If you up your budget only slightly you could get something like this.....

Was looking at that a few times. Does it look genuine to you? Any known issues with these?

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Was looking at that a few times. Does it look genuine to you? Any known issues with these?

An e60 523i is a big heavy car, the engine is smooth but not sporty. The 630i is better, the 6 series is lighter using a lot an Al in its construction. I would not class the 630i as the fastest thing out there, but its a nice jammer. The looks are subjective. I had a 645ci and it was a grand car, fast enough if a bit wallowy. S series has few enough issues, The engine is reliable with only some minor cooling issues, usual electronics and sensors need replacing.

Glen_Quagmire

Reading back through the posts again, the Focus ST is sounding more appealing. Finding a clean and well looked after one for circa 5k may be a problem though

Glen_Quagmire

Jasper Disgusting Cherry wrote:

An e60 523i is a big heavy car, the engine is smooth but not sporty. The 630i is better, the 6 series is lighter using a lot an Al in its construction. I would not class the 630i as the fastest thing out there, but its a nice jammer. The looks are subjective. I had a 645ci and it was a grand car, fast enough if a bit wallowy. S series has few enough issues, The engine is reliable with only some minor cooling issues, usual electronics and sensors need replacing.

Yeah I had a spin in the 523i today and it was smooth and quick to an extent but not as quick as I would have expected.

Still a nice place to be though when travelling from A to B

Idbatterim

The bro has this up for sale, if it’s of interest op...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-e46-325ci-msport/18041198

C0N0R

Idbatterim wrote: »

The bro has this up for sale, if it’s of interest op...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-e46-325ci-msport/18041198

Can you post some screen shots of the add/details please, might be interested but no access to donedeal. Thanks

Mickiemcfist

Idbatterim wrote: »

The bro has this up for sale, if it’s of interest op...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-e46-325ci-msport/18041198

Nice car & clearly looked after, but the price is a bit strong. I'm driving an 01 325 msport which has less miles on it & cost me 850.

Heres Johnny

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Was looking at that a few times. Does it look genuine to you? Any known issues with these?

I wouldn't even try to tell from the ad if it's genuine or not. Have to go see it really. I'm thinking of one of these for next car myself. Nice and cheap now.

Idbatterim

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

Nice car & clearly looked after, but the price is a bit strong. I'm driving an 01 325 msport which has less miles on it & cost me 850.

yeah, see he is looking for a 650. But doesnt have to sell, he was about to buy one last week, but it sold. He is happy where he is (with his 325ci), now I have a 325ci parked up, so he can sell his, use mine and wait for the right 650 to come up or just hold onto his for time being (which he is happy to do, unless he gets what he feels the car is worth) which peoples opinion will obviously differ on...

Mickiemcfist

Idbatterim wrote: »

yeah, see he is looking for a 650. But doesnt have to sell, he was about to buy one last week, but it sold. He is happy where he is (with his 325ci), now I have a 325ci parked up, so he can sell his, use mine and wait for the right 650 to come up or just hold onto his for time being (which he is happy to do, unless he gets what he feels the car is worth) which peoples opinion will obviously differ on...

Ah fair enough. 325i's are a lovely all rounder, cheap enough to run with a nice engine. Definitely moving up in the world to a 650 though!

Idbatterim

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

Ah fair enough. 325i's are a lovely all rounder, cheap enough to run with a nice engine. Definitely moving up in the world to a 650 though!

yeah, thats the thing, that engine is perfect balance of power and sits in a sweet enough place motor tax wise, with the ridiculous Irish rates on anything with any degree of power. Thats the other thing and its the reason I have not sold mine yet, despite the fact I bought an s500 a few months ago. They are such a great car, that to get you out of them, requires something fairly ridiculous and even then I had to think long and hard about it!

Glen_Quagmire

Heres Johnny wrote:

I wouldn't even try to tell from the ad if it's genuine or not. Have to go see it really. I'm thinking of one of these for next car myself. Nice and cheap now.

Ad is gone. What was it I can't remember now 😂

Heres Johnny

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Ad is gone. What was it I can't remember now 😂

2006 630i for 5950.
Loads of others out there though!

Glen_Quagmire

Heres Johnny wrote:

2006 630i for 5950. Loads of others out there though!

Cheers that would have wreaked my head.

drunkmonkey

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Cheers that would have wreaked my head.

Practical all year round https://www.donedeal.ie/view/17954986
2007 Bmw 320 Msport convertible

Rowley Birkin QC

Idbatterim wrote: »

yeah, thats the thing, that engine is perfect balance of power and sits in a sweet enough place motor tax wise, with the ridiculous Irish rates on anything with any degree of power. Thats the other thing and its the reason I have not sold mine yet, despite the fact I bought an s500 a few months ago. They are such a great car, that to get you out of them, requires something fairly ridiculous and even then I had to think long and hard about it!

PM sent to learn more about your stockpile of 325's!

Glen_Quagmire

I know I'm going away from my original post but what's are your thoughts on a comparison between a 523i and a GS300?

Idbatterim

i know there are so few 535 v 523, but at that rate of motor tax, even if the 523 are going for nothing, I would really try and get a 525

commited

Do you want a sporty car or a luxury car?

Gs300 is pretty much as far from sporty as you can get.

Glen_Quagmire

commited wrote:

Gs300 is pretty much as far from sporty as you can get.

commited wrote:

Do you want a sporty car or a luxury car?

A nice clean car which is well maintained and has a good bit of power. Sporty or luxury or a mixture of both

selectamatic

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

A nice clean car which is well maintained and has a good bit of power. Sporty or luxury or a mixture of both

A Lexus gs450h could be something to consider

Glen_Quagmire

Ended up buying a 2006 523i for 2500 with 130k miles. Seems very clean inside and out. I'm no mechanic though so not sure about the engine etc but it drives smoothly. I know I probably should have brought a mechanic with me.

There is a service sticker inside the windscreen I rang the garage and it received a full serviced last July which included rear breaks and rear flexihoses. No spark plugs replaced though, he said they must have been long life ones in it. He said next service is due in July 2018 (the car hasn't reached the service mileage yet)

Would you recommend I get it serviced again now anyway and also get an independent mechanic to have a look over it before bringing it to a service garage to have any repairs done if the independent mechanic finds anything wrong?

drunkmonkey

Just check the oil level, the one thing about a BMW you know when something is wrong. I wouldn’t go spending any money until you need to as you probably will have to come NCT time.

Glen_Quagmire

drunkmonkey wrote:

Just check the oil level, the one thing about a BMW you know when something is wrong. I wouldn’t go spending any money until you need to as you probably will have to come NCT time.

Its my first BMW so I have no idea about them. Always driven Honda, Mazda and Toyotas and never had a days trouble so a bit apprehensive about making the switch.

The oil level on the service function on iDrive screen looks OK, however the lad selling me it suggested I put a drop in it.

The service function also saying it needs brake fluid and filter change.

drunkmonkey

Don’t mind what idrive says, check it with the dip stick the sensors can go faulty and tell you it’s normal when it could be empty. It’s happened me in two 5 series.
It should be very reliable nothing to worry about really just don’t spend money until you have to.
Have fun in the ice and snow, better get used to steering from the back : )

Is it saying brake fluid or fluid service?
You can take out the filters yourself and see what there like.

Glen_Quagmire

drunkmonkey wrote:

Don’t mind what idrive says, check it with the dip stick the sensors can go faulty and tell you it’s normal when it could be empty. It’s happened me in two 5 series. It should be very reliable nothing to worry about really just don’t spend money until you have to. Have fun in the ice and snow, better get used to steering from the back : )

drunkmonkey wrote:

Is it saying brake fluid or fluid service? You can take out the filters yourself and see what there like.

Yeah will have a look the dipstick this morning.

Its says brake fluid, would this be handy topping up myself too?

Haven't even driven it since I bought it earlier this week because my insurance place is closed over the weather. Will transfer the insurance tomorrow and take it on a good spin

Glen_Quagmire

drunkmonkey wrote:

Don’t mind what idrive says, check it with the dip stick the sensors can go faulty and tell you it’s normal when it could be empty. It’s happened me in two 5 series. It should be very reliable nothing to worry about really just don’t spend money until you have to. Have fun in the ice and snow, better get used to steering from the back : )

Just looking online there, it doesn't look like there is a dip stick in this model

drunkmonkey

I’d try looking under the bonnet instead.

Heres Johnny

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Just looking online there, it doesn't look like there is a dip stick in this model

Yes no dipstick. The idrive will tell you to top up by a litre of oil when it needs it. Those engines do burn a bit of oil, something my e39s didn't do but e60 is known for it. There's a specific message for adding 1 litre of oil to it. I probably have to do it once every 3 months or so. Just a litre. Think the car holds 7 or 8 litres.

Mickiemcfist

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Yeah will have a look the dipstick this morning.

Its says brake fluid, would this be handy topping up myself too?

Haven't even driven it since I bought it earlier this week because my insurance place is closed over the weather. Will transfer the insurance tomorrow and take it on a good spin

Brake fluid isn't something that needs to be topped up unless there's a leak. Did you buy from a dealer?

Glen_Quagmire

drunkmonkey wrote:

I’d try looking under the bonnet instead.

Wasn't near the car

Glen_Quagmire

Heres Johnny wrote:

Yes no dipstick. The idrive will tell you to top up by a litre of oil when it needs it. Those engines do burn a bit of oil, something my e39s didn't do but e60 is known for it. There's a specific message for adding 1 litre of oil to it. I probably have to do it once every 3 months or so. Just a litre. Think the car holds 7 or 8 litres.

Yeah I've been reading a few forums which are saying the same thing.

Seems odd that it needs to be topped up so often but if that's the norm and it's only a litre here and there it's not a big deal

Glen_Quagmire

Mickiemcfist wrote:

Brake fluid isn't something that needs to be topped up unless there's a leak. Did you buy from a dealer?

No I bought it privately. Sure I will top it up and soon find out if there is a leak somewhere

drunkmonkey

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Wasn't near the car

It could be there some of them have it. Like Jonny said it
tells you when you need to add a litre it will use a bit.

Heres Johnny

Lot of car for the money aren't they?
5500 to buy it and tax for 3 years. Once your mileage isn't mental and fuel bills huge they are great value. You'll get 1k for it in 3 years too.

I have mine 15 months now I got it for 4k, it's a sport. I'm always looking at new cars but just waiting for something significantly better to come down in price. Drove a few new cars in a BMW dealership recently and didn't find them a step up in any way related to the value.

Enjoy the car, not sporty but it's good to drive.

Heres Johnny

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Yeah I've been reading a few forums which are saying the same thing.

Seems odd that it needs to be topped up so often but if that's the norm and it's only a litre here and there it's not a big deal

My mechanic is bmw trained and he told me it was going to do it. And it does. So no big deal.

Heres Johnny

drunkmonkey wrote: »

It could be there some of them have it. Like Jonny said it
tells you when you need to add a litre it will use a bit.

A work mate has an older one it has a dipstick. His is 04. The later ones don't have one at all. Not sure where the changeover was.

Glen_Quagmire

drunkmonkey wrote:

It could be there some of them have it. Like Jonny said it tells you when you need to add a litre it will use a bit.

I'll have a look but looks like BMW stopped installing dipsticks in 2005. It's a bit worrying relying on a senor for something so important but sure nothing can be done I suppose

Heres Johnny

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

I'll have a look but looks like BMW stopped installing dipsticks in 2005. It's a bit worrying relying on a senor for something so important but sure nothing can be done I suppose

Never heard of a failure. Trust me your car will be telling you to top up plenty in advance of any
problem.

Think of it like your petrol tank, the car tells you when to top up with petrol too. Much the same.