On the way home today, my Accord and made a sound like a high-pitched "hmmmmmm" and then it shut off. It cranks, but makes a new sound from the engine innards. I don't feel like working on it so I'm considering a 2007 BMW 530XI auto with sport package and 134K miles. Any reason to not buy one or anything to look at before I buy? The VIN is WBANN73577CN03800 if anyone wants to, you know, check that and email the results.
PS if anyone is interested in a busted 2001 Accord, let me know.
I can't email reports because I'm using someone else's account, but carfax is clean.
3 owner- 2006 (New jersey) 2009 (New Jersey) 2012 (North Carolina)
Personally I'm not a big fan of the e60 chassis. I think they are are way to expensive to maintain for my likings. Lots of expensive modules that are common failures along with (more) expensive cooling system failures and oil leaks.
I've had 3 5 series wagons. Got over 300K miles out of first two. At 200K on my current. Only thing you need to do beyond regular maintenance is change radiator and water pump at about 125K whether it needs or not. Mine have been uber reliable. Bought them all used with around 100K. So I've driven them a total of 500k miles.
Convenience of an SUV with handling of a sedan. You don't know you're driving a wagon until you look in rear view mirror.
Water pumps, serpentine pulleys and cooling system stuff seems to pack it in with some regularity. The serpentine pulley failure can have catastrophic results. They have biodegradeable wiring in the headlight and taillight units. The rear gate latches tend to break, but there's diy fixes. The n52 is a good motor and the na holds up a bit better or lower maintenance than the turbos. Without receipts for the above stuff, plan on $2-3k in deferred maintenance. A 6mt either 530xi or 535xi is a true unicorn, but they exist. It is a bit more maintenance intensive than my e39 and parts are more. It's also significantly more of a modern car than an e39.
This just in: did a compression check on the Accord and got zero psi on 1-3 and 60 psi on 4. At best a blown head gasket. Lots of blow-by too but no water in the oil and no oil in the water.
I'm going to look at the BMW on Saturday and hoping it won't cost more than $7500.
You had me at wagon...
I prefer Audi wagons, but BMW wagons are better than no wagons. :)
Apis
How rusty is your Accord?
Reason not to buy? One generation too new.
I've thought for quite some time an E39 or E46 wagon (depending upon space needed) would be about the perfect DD. I think that era of Bimmer is pretty much the apex of the modern enough to live with/old enough to not be overly complicated curve. $7500 should find you a nice example of either.
I found them to be pretty heavy and so fairly slow with the N52 motor, so I went with the E91 instead. The 530 had an option for sport seats, which were pretty swank, but rare. I did see many 530's with lots of mileage on them when I was shopping so I took that as a good sign that they hold up well. No big reasons not to buy, just the normal BMW cooling issues as above.
Furious_E wrote: Reason not to buy? One generation too new. I've thought for quite some time an E39 or E46 wagon (depending upon space needed) would be about the perfect DD. I think that era of Bimmer is pretty much the apex of the modern enough to live with/old enough to not be overly complicated curve. $7500 should find you a nice example of either.
This is exactly how I feel. I really like the e39 and own an e46 wagon. Being a BMW specialist has really turned me off from late model examples. The e39/e46 have just enough luxuries to feel like a Bimmer but not heavy on electronics (ie-expensive failures). First time you have to replace the electric water pump or the 5 hour(!) valve cover gasket you'll miss the older m54 engines.
I didn't like the zero psi compression on three cylinders and thought through how that could happen. HG seemed less likely so I decided to check the 60k mile timing belt.
Broken. Also broken were the balance shaft belt and crank position sensor. $200 later and my Honda Lazarus LX is back on the road. No BMW today, but I did make an offer with cooling maintenance expense factored in. We'll see.
The T and BS belts were all cracked. Surprised me, as did no bent valves.
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