[Serjames]

Am looking to buy a 2nd hand Motorway BMW for around 5000-6500 GBP

What do you guys suggest I look at.

I was thinking 3 series Touring, (need the space what with the convertible n all)

Is there any recommended engine spec, or definate No-No's ?

What mileage should I be looking for ?

Are there major service items ? i.e.cams at 50k or something ?

Completely ignorant about 2nd hand BM's sp any pointers would be fab !

SJ

[dxb335d]

do you do the mileage to warranty a 2nd bmw?

a 3 series touring at that price? your talking either a very high mileage 3 or 5 series i mean seriously high

do you really neeed it ?

Crlosh

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Serjames

Am looking to buy a 2nd hand Motorway BMW for around 5000-6500 GBP

What do you guys suggest I look at.

I was thinking 3 series Touring, (need the space what with the convertible n all)

Is there any recommended engine spec, or definate No-No's ?

What mileage should I be looking for ?

Are there major service items ? i.e.cams at 50k or something ?

Completely ignorant about 2nd hand BM's sp any pointers would be fab !

SJ

Lots of info on running older BMW's at www.bmwland.co.uk.

I've run 3 several e46 3 series up to 90K plus on motorways and had no probs at all.

[E92Fan]

How about a 2000MY 728i? Or a 2000MY 523/528i?

[Serjames]

Yeah tony, that's the sort I was looking at - but I think the 7 might be too much i.e. on insurance etc. I reackon the 5's look promising.

A 60 to 70k high miler doesn't bother me.

Better than the piece of SHIIITE Nissan Primera I'm destroying right now.

It's SOO ugly it even makes me drive like a twat !

Gotta shift it on.



SJ

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Serjames

Yeah tony, that's the sort I was looking at - but I think the 7 might be too much i.e. on insurance etc. I reackon the 5's look promising.

A 60 to 70k high miler doesn't bother me.

Better than the piece of SHIIITE Nissan Primera I'm destroying right now.

It's SOO ugly it even makes me drive like a twat !

Gotta shift it on.



SJ

I guess it depends how many miles you're going to do and how many years no claims you have on the insurance. I live in Central London, drive a 335i, 28 years old, with 2 years no claims, clean licence (remarkably), and fully comp insurance costs me £900 a year. I got a quote for me on a 2000 facelift 728i Sport, doing 10,000miles per year, £700 per year. From Direct Line.

You live out of London, so your premiums are going to be lower anyway. You should seriously think about a 7 series. I have found maybe eight or nine 728i, with between 60-80,000 miles, fully loaded, late 2000 on a W (facelift versions) for between £6-6500.

Servicing is not as bad as you would think either. They're pretty much the same as a 5 series, use the same components etc. A BMW dealer will run the 4+ service programme, where servicing is cheaper for cars over 4 years old. Plus there's fixed pricing on parts from BMW. Of course for a car that age you can go to the independents. I drove a 2001MY 728i Sport for 6 months a couple of years ago - in town I averaged about 23mpg, out on the motorway an easy 33mpg. And that's me driving with a slightly leaden foot!! Comfort wise they're unsurpassed, handle very well, and look the bollocks.

If you're looking at either a 5 or 7, don't be worried if they don't have satnav built in - I can retrofit the full DVD-based OEM widescreen satnav for you, for not a lot of money. Well, relatively speaking!!


In any case, it'll be heaps better than that, uh.. Pri-whatever (can't say it out loud - makes me )

[Serjames]

lol I feel the same...

Yeah ok, sounds like we need to have a chat next weekend.

SJ

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Serjames

lol I feel the same...

Yeah ok, sounds like we need to have a chat next weekend.

SJ

think so! i can come meet you at coopers cobham, in case you need

[Steve A]

forget the touring. buy an ALPINA e36 B3 3.2 coupe or saloon. Switchtronic gearbox amazing ride fast and exclusive. also i think they look pretty good.

my 2penuth.