How many miles will a BMW 5 series 530D do?

[Old Hack]

Test drove a lexus on Saturday and didn't like the drive or interior. Couldn't find a decent beema for the money I was offering. In the end I opted for a nice E Class 320D (CDI). Awesome 3 litre engine with 70k miles, leather interior, nice gadgets, 2005 model. All for a very reasonable 5k. Test drove sold it to me.

Now that will bite you on the ass. The model from 2004 to 2008 was renowned as being the most unreliable E-Class there was. Has an offset driving position too, which I didn't like.

However, the engine is top drawer, with endless torque. £5k is cheap mind. 2009 models still trading for 14k, so you've either got a bargain, or a dawg.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Now that will bite you on the ass. The model from 2004 to 2008 was renowned as being the most unreliable E-Class there was. Has an offset driving position too, which I didn't like.

However, the engine is top drawer, with endless torque. £5k is cheap mind. 2009 models still trading for 14k, so you've either got a bargain, or a dawg.

I am aware it is a bit of a gamble but at 5k I thought it is worthwhile.... Also I know plenty of owners of E Class Mercs in that range. A few have had problems yes but majority are ok so I just hope I fall into the majority!

[Old Hack]

I am aware it is a bit of a gamble but at 5k I thought it is worthwhile.... Also I know plenty of owners of E Class Mercs in that range. A few have had problems yes but majority are ok so I just hope I fall into the majority!

As do I. We had a 2003 E320CDI (W210) estate for 10 years, which was only changed this year for an R320CDI that was faultless, literally. If you have a good one, they're capable of inter-stellar mileage and are quality. However, the 2003-2009 (W211) years were an unbridled failure for the E, especially years 2004-2008. We avoided them years, and bought the 2010 R320 this year, although I loathe the R class (it's the wifes' car). Maybe unbelievably, the E Class isn't big enough for 3 kids in the back, not with the car seats you have ot have!

If you have a good one, which I hope, you'll enjoy a lot of car for the money, and hopefully for a long time. I'd recommend, at that age, and for that model, if you're going to run it for a long long time, use a local garage, and service it twice a year, and you will genuinely enjoy 10 years of comfortable cheap motoring. Use Mercedes main dealers, and you will be raped each time you visit them. I know from painful experience...

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

As do I. We had a 2003 E320CDI (W210) estate for 10 years, which was only changed this year for an R320CDI that was faultless, literally. If you have a good one, they're capable of inter-stellar mileage and are quality. However, the 2003-2009 (W211) years were an unbridled failure for the E, especially years 2004-2008. We avoided them years, and bought the 2010 R320 this year, although I loathe the R class (it's the wifes' car). Maybe unbelievably, the E Class isn't big enough for 3 kids in the back, not with the car seats you have ot have!

If you have a good one, which I hope, you'll enjoy a lot of car for the money, and hopefully for a long time. I'd recommend, at that age, and for that model, if you're going to run it for a long long time, use a local garage, and service it twice a year, and you will genuinely enjoy 10 years of comfortable cheap motoring. Use Mercedes main dealers, and you will be raped each time you visit them. I know from painful experience...

Agreed. There is no way I am going to spend 10k for servicing on a car I spent 5k for.....

[Paddy]

If it’s automatic; you’re in for some big bills like £1200 for a plastic clip when it sticks in ‘Park’

[Old Hack]

If it’s automatic; you’re in for some big bills like £1200 for a plastic clip when it sticks in ‘Park’

Never seen a manual E320CDI.

To be honest, that's what scrap yards are for.

[northernladuk]

Get anything you want to buy AA checked. Not a lot to avoid a ringer so money well spent IMO.