Going to buy 2000 528i??

[Hennigm4]

This is my first post....probably a dumb question but....I have found a 2000 528i sport 5 speed with 132k on it, seller wants 4800 for it. I went and looked at it and all lights were on, check engine, brake, ASC or DCS?? and ABS. I told him I liked it but would not consider it with all the lights on, plus ac did not work and temp thingy was saying it was -40... Anyhow he said he was going to have those items fixed and have a current VA inspection done. He was good to his word, he had to have 4 new tires, rotors, pads and wheel sensors, and cam position sensor(for CEL to go out). So all lights are out except the ABS, dealer told him it is the ABS module and part alone is 1200, he said he already had to put in 2k to get it to pass inspection.

So now I have to decide whether I want to buy it and try to fix the ABS module by shipping it to ModuleMasters or similar or walk away from it. I have yet to see a 528i sport for less than 6k, and they seem hard to find, especially a 5 speed. Im thinking of offering a little less but feel guilty after all the trouble he has gone to, he seems to be a great standup guy and has a new 550? so that's why he is selling the 528.

Think its worth the gamble with the ABS light? 4 new low profile tires, brakes all around...

[youngproexec]

First and foremost, welcome to the forums. There's no such thing as a dumb question, each is unique in its own right. Second, congrats on the purchase !

With that out the way, down to business. Its good the seller was a man of his word and fixed those issues, but the biggest and most worrying part of a car with that mileage is the cooling system. These cars are notorious for cooling system failures anywhere between 80K to 100K+ miles. Ask the seller when he changed (if he changed) the entire cooling system, not just parts of it. These parts (that collectively make up the cooling system replacement list) include the following:

Thermostat and Thermostat housing
Water pump ( with a metal impeller, NOT composite, as the latter is more susceptable to breaking apart and entering the system)
Radiator
Expansion Tank and cap
Upper and lower radiator hoses and bleeder screws
Overflow nipple and overflow hose

There will be a date on the radiator visible from the upper left hand corner. You will know if its OEM or recently replaced based on that date.

Since your asking questions, inquire about vanos seals, OFH gasket (Oil filter housing gasket a common leaking and PITA part) and VCG (valve cover gasket). If he has receipts to prove when and where that'd be great.

Overall, It sounds like a decent car (based on what you said) but to find out if its a great car, I'd get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) to ensure that the above mentioned items (at least) were performed within recency.




Think its worth the gamble with the ABS light? 4 new low profile tires, brakes all around...

And to answer your question directly, it would be worth the 'gamble' ONLY if the cooling system has been replaced at the very least . You can always send your ABS module to Module masters to be rebuilt with a warranty and overall peace of mind. Check this thread for an example: http://forum.roadfly.com/threads/13174206-ABS-DSC-module-rebuild-by-Module-Masters-and-DIY

Also ask when the clutch was done. Test drive the car and see how it shifts. Ask if the fluid was replaced and with what.

[RocketSurgeon]

^ This is all excellent advice. BMWs really aren't too bad to maintain when you do as much as possible yourself. Module masters is a very good option for the abs module. It seems very nice that he fixed all of that as a good will gesture. Some people just crack open the gauge cluster and crush the LEDs for the engine light, etc. Always look out for that one. Also always try to get a car as cheap as possible because there will be unexpected problems that pop up, they just happen to be more expensive on these cars. Having a professional look over it too would be nice. Sounds like a really solid car, sweet price too. Good luck

[KevinMullins]

How did he get it past a Virginia vehicle inspection with an ABS light on?

Anyways...dealer should have had a list of codes pulled, knowing those wold help narrow down if it were the module or not. (most likely is though)
A 2000 with 132K miles on it, expect to be putting some maintenance money into it regardless of what you pay for it. If you expect all the common stuff to already be taken care of, expect to pay more.

[realjayway]

Hey .. Where are you from? How far are you from va beach? I have a bmw 528i up for grabs but they are great cars honestly and if only the abs is needed go for it but like an member said, you have to keep up with maintenance for the car otherwise money will become a pain in the a** and going to the stealership (lol) will be the best way but costly , also with the miles, you in for a coolant overhaul includes water pump, replace wore parts around engine , any o rings , gaskets, sensors & belts So be prepared. You should upload pictures of the car.

[bcain79]

I bought mine with ABS light on, I just bought a used one for 100$ and put it in - light was off and cruise control worked again. I'm in Norfolk so if you need any reputable indy shop recommendations, I know a couple. The guy selling you the car isn't named Bryan is it? If it is PM IMMEDIATLY!!!

[Hennigm4]

I bought mine with ABS light on, I just bought a used one for 100$ and put it in - light was off and cruise control worked again. I'm in Norfolk so if you need any reputable indy shop recommendations, I know a couple. The guy selling you the car isn't named Bryan is it? If it is PM IMMEDIATLY!!!

By used one do you mean ABS module that sells for 1200 new? What is this I have read about dealer having to encode a new one with the vin?

Thanks,
Mike

[KevinMullins]

By used one do you mean ABS module that sells for 1200 new?
Sure, hit up a salvage yard and take a gamble.


What is this I have read about dealer having to encode a new one with the vin?
Essentially if it is from the same year and model you "could" get lucky and everything clears up without coding.
Still recommend having it coded though and go ahead and calibrate the steering angle sensor too.

A "new" one will absolutely need coded.
If yours gets repaired, no coding.

BTW - You can get a "new" one for less than half of what the dealership is asking for them from other reputable parts sources.

[FlipredE36]

If the cooling system has been done, I'd buy it. Took me 7 months to find my 528i sport 5-speed and I got it for a little less than that price.

[pegcity]

I got a 2002 530i 5 speed for 4600 cdn with no mechanical problems so that is way too much money

[Hennigm4]

I got a 2002 530i 5 speed for 4600 cdn with no mechanical problems so that is way too much money

Bought it for 4200.00 Now to figure out the light stuff. Any recommendations for a good program to purchase so I don't have to guess?

[pegcity]

IPNA interface, you can get the cables off ebay and the software off the net.

[bschmidt25]

IPNA interface, you can get the cables off ebay and the software off the net.

+1. I got the INPA cable for $20 on eBay and installed INPA to a VM on my laptop. Works great and does everything I need for troubleshooting, clearing codes, and resetting the SI. Don't bother with Carsoft.

[allamer35]

+1. I got the INPA cable for $20 on eBay and installed INPA to a VM on my laptop. Works great and does everything I need for troubleshooting, clearing codes, and resetting the SI. Don't bother with Carsoft.

Can you link to the seller? Ive got inpa edibas...but I dont have a cable yet?

[red85k100rs]

got my 528I 5 speed 143k for $3550 us. You could eat out of the engine compartment, Everything works (dead pixel MID) no CEL, no body damage, runs great, stops, great, no oil leaks. new tires, and it came with a set of BBS wheels with new last fall snow tires.

[APDell]

If the cooling system was fixed BUY IT! That is a good deal even if you have to put another$1200 in to it IMHO. I bought my 2000 528i for $5400, after taxes and license it was $6140. I have a stack of service records that came with it that had all the cooling system fixed from the water pump to the radiator to the expansion tank and all the stuff that goes with it. Car had 135,000 miles on it. It also had the brakes done a couple thousand miles ago. I feel pretty lucky to have found it. Sounds like you are sniffing a good deal too. If no coolant system was fixed try to get him to come down a little.