Hi, just registered to the forum but always got on here whenever I had any questions I needed answers to. But I would like some feedback to this. I currently own right now a 2003 BMW 325i sedan. I had it since 98k miles now having a little over 148k. So I enjoyed this car from the second I bought it, but its time to get an upgrade.
I’m looking at the BMW 5 series 2004-2007. Right now I see 2-3 that peak my interest. A 2004 525i with 90k miles for $9,300 miles by a woman private seller whose kept it really clean, a 2005 545i with Sports Package and 110k miles for $8,900 from another private seller, and another 2004 545i with 84k miles from a dealer for $10,000.
I read / heard mixed signals about the 5 series for those years. Can any of you help me out? What are the pros & cons of both 525i & 545i? Comparisons? Is gas mileage that much of a difference from 525i to 545i? Common issues??? Im trying to decide which one I should go for. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks for all those who took the time to read this.
E60 garbage is E60 garbage.
Do you want I6 repair bills or V8 repair bills?
The M54 I6 is very reliable. The N62 V8 is without doubt the worst engine BMW had made in the last decade.
Couple a terrible engine with a garbage chassis and you've got a big old pile of garbage.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
My family owns 3 M54 engines, two in a 3 series and 1 in a 5 series. They're great. On reliability i have to recommend the 525. It's 0-60 time won't be impressive, so maybe look for a 530 instead?
2005 E46 330 ZHP Imola Red
2004 E46 325 M56 Steel Metallic Blue - Sold
im sorry but if those two are garbage then the m54 is garbage as well.
You can have good and bad experiences with either cars. I do however recommend the 550i if you had the additional money.
A E60 is little more than a E39 with a revised queer looking collection of bodywork. I6 drivetrain is basically identical, as is the suspension. Yes they added Dynamic Drive/Active Steering but those are just band aids to help control a sloppy pig weight chassis. Yes I drive them all the time. I work on BMW's for a living, and take them apart for salvage too. E60's are junk cars, especially the early years. You could not give one to me to use as a personal car, not even a M5. I'd keep the S85, but then hand you back the junk car.
If you are dead set on a E60 your money would be best wasted on a M54 530i with a 6spd manual. That is going to be the most reliable, best to drive of the bunch.
The N62b44 is without a doubt the worst engine BMW has made in the last decade. Every single one of them is junk junk junk.
Honestly in Houston, E60's are a brotha car, for the man that can't afford the ever popular E65/E66 sevenfauxfhive. (every one of those are junk too) That and the occasional Indian dude. Everyone else knows they are garbage and unloaded them as soon as they could on the unsuspecting.
Straight and simple a E60 isn't an upgrade over your E46 just because its newer and the numbers on the trunk are numerically higher.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
If you really really really want the 545i for its sheer power than research 'valley of death'. Set aside extra coin for the repair. OP was is your budget?
'13 328i F30
'13 Mustang 3.7 V6 Coupe Premium Pony Package
PAST
87 528eA. 01 525i/5 Sport
87 528e/5. 01 M5
92 525i/5. 03 325xi
92 535iA. 10 Mustang V6 4.slow
99 528iA Sport. 13 X1 xDrive 35i
I originally posted the thread for some honest detailed straight up feedback as to why i should or shouldnt buy one over the other or none at all...obviously i had some questions if i took the time to post on here... And whats assuming i cant afford anything more? Just cuz im looking at some under $10k does not mean I cant go higher... I have 3 good paying jobs
- - - Updated - - -
I actually considered the 545i because of some old forums posts ive read about the horse power and the extras added to it, but have a personal friend who told me that those cars could be a nightmare if pockets are not ready.
I really have no set budget. I can go as far as $15k but was browsing those around $10k. No need for me to spend extra if i dont really need to.
I was also looking at 2006-2009 Acura TL, TSX, 2007 Lexus IS300 but really wanted to stick with BMW, but if shouldnt, i wont go for it...
Last edited by dominyc718; 10-24-2013 at 11:11 AM.
I never made any assumption as to your budget, frankly I seriously don't care. I was stating a statistical observation about the individuals I see owning the cars you're looking at in MY locale.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
Oh now you don't like them because they are a "Brothas" car. LMAO ... I guess if we are making stupid assumptions we can assume you can't afford an E60 because you drive an old E39. As fas as values go here are recent auction #s for 2005 745i vs. 2005 545i vs. 2001 530i/6
2005 745i
10/16/13 DALLAS Regular $12,000 83,645 Above WHITE 8G A Yes 10/09/13 SAN DIEG Regular $11,000 76,626 Above BLUE 8G A Yes 10/22/13 ATLANTA Regular $9,200 106,857 Avg Gray A Yes 10/09/13 DALLAS Regular $8,600 122,779 Avg GRAY 8G A Yes 10/04/13 DALLAS Regular $8,250 112,503 Avg GRAY 8G A Yes 10/08/13 PENSCOLA Regular $8,000 124,300 Avg GREY 8G A Yes 10/17/13 TX HOBBY Lease $7,900 95,978 Avg WHITE 8G A Yes 10/02/13 SF BAY Regular $7,500 134,091 Avg GRAY 8G A Yes 10/22/13 NEWENGLD Regular $7,300 118,031 Avg SILVER 8G A Yes 10/09/13 NJ Regular $6,900 131,846 Avg BLK 8G A Yes 10/16/13 NY Regular $6,500 132,153 Below BLACK 8G A Yes
2005 545i
10/08/13 GEORGIA Regular $12,200 78,868 Above WHITE 8G A Yes 10/02/13 NJ Regular $11,100 68,674 Above BLUE 8G A Yes 10/10/13 ATLANTA Regular $11,000 78,554 Above SILVER 8G A Yes 10/03/13 CENT CAL Regular $10,400 75,717 Above GREY 8G A Yes 10/17/13 CHICAGO Regular $10,200 103,663 Above GRAY 8G A Yes 09/25/13 SF BAY Regular $10,000 82,297 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes 09/25/13 CALIFORN Regular $9,500 83,342 Avg GRAY 8G A Yes 10/02/13 CALIFORN Regular $9,000 117,546 Avg GRAY 8G A Yes 10/08/13 ORLANDO Regular $8,800 116,328 Avg WHITE 8G A Yes 10/17/13 FRDKBURG Regular $8,500 92,530 Avg 1376408 8G A Yes 10/09/13 MINNEAP Regular $8,100 122,143 Avg BLUE 8G A Yes 10/10/13 MISS Regular $8,000 134,218 Avg WHITE 8G A Yes 10/01/13 NYMETSKY Lease $8,000 82,469 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes 10/08/13 ATLANTA Regular $7,900 141,980 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes And finally your 2001 530i/Manual
10/04/13 PA Regular $5,500 98,261 Above GRAY 6G M Yes 07/03/13 SAN DIEG Regular $4,500 146,191 Avg BLACK 6G 5 Yes 07/23/13 DENVER Regular $4,400 113,694 Avg SILVER 6G 5 Yes 06/19/13 SAN DIEG Regular $3,000 145,956 Avg BLACK 6G 5 Yes 10/22/13 NYMETSKY Regular $2,950 139,372 Avg BLUE 6G M Yes 08/08/13 NEWENGLD Regular $2,200 185,517 Below GRAY 6G M Yes
No statistics exist for my E39 as it doesn't exist, of course you would know that if you were an enthusiast, and not just some butt hurt jackass because he drives a car someone else says is garbage. Your Z4 is a queermobile too
I don't drive what I do as any sort of status symbol, and my dislike of the JUNK cars has nothing to do with the demographic that buys them here & now. They are junk. Ignorant people pay too much for junk all day. Ignorant people also don't realize they are buying junk. I don't pretend my E39 is worth a lot, hell the audiophile sound system in it is worth more than the car.... I own and drive it because its a phenomenal example of what BMW used to mean.
Hopefully the OP isn't one of those people and he buys something worthwhile instead.
Last edited by Stück; 10-24-2013 at 03:12 PM.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
Have you ever thought that the reason there are no stats for your car is most people will not spend a lot of money modding a $3000.00 car? 59d1222316403-30-wheels-pimped-out-cadillac-hot-photo-hip_hop_cars_big_rims.jpg
But some will LOL.
I haven't spent much money at all "modifying" it.
Again though, an ignorant statement from a non-enthusiast driving a pair of queermobiles
You don't even have any idea whats in it, or why it doesn't exist.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
Listen to what Stück is saying. Get an 530i/6 if you must have the E60. Otherwise, stay away.
Maybe get an E90, 330i/6?
Lazy Saturday drive in my E34: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnzvZgPnOos
Good lord, E90 is even worse but please don't get me started.
Listen guys, I'm sorry if you don't like my delivery but at least I won't lie to you. I base my point of view off all day every day personal experience with these cars. All day every day.
I'm not trying to act better than anyone else because my vehicular net worth based on auction values is higher than anothers. Who the hell cares.
If you like the aesthetics of the E60 I think you're blind, that aside it honestly is a piss poor example of a BMW at any price.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
Sonny Crockett called and wants his Testarossa vents back. miami-vice-420x300.jpgmiami-vice-420x300.jpg
The strakes on my E30 look nothing like a Testarossa thanks, never heard that before though (not), what are you 12? My E30 would rape your E60.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
Well the E60 is the best selling 5 of all time so I guess there are a lot of "Blind" people out there...
No, I think there are a lot of stupid people out there. Scratch that, I know beyond a question there are. All you have to tell those people is that it is the latest and greatest and instantly they will buy it. Its not rocket science.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
If I wanted a "fast" car I would have one and it would not be some 1/4 century old BMW...
It is not the car that is "junk", it is about an owner who makes the car "junk".
I'd buy any BMW and not be afraid of the repairs only because I'd be fixing myself. if you're not prepared to work on the 10 y.o car, then it would feel like bad car, as repair bills can be huge.
1998 323is - m50 intake manifold / 328is exhaust / Shark Injector
Well you should be a marketing guru instead of a BMW salvage man if you're so market savy...
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