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

[northernladuk]

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

[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.

[Paddy]

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

[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.....

[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]

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]

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]

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.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Not sure how a beemer diesel costs less to maintain? All those Euro emission filters that cost £400 a go plus fitting....

My point is I'd be able to save on fuel so it can kind of justify the costs but the extra cost of fuel and maintenance is like being buggered both ways.

Also I am considering the Lexus Diesel engines as well.

[DimPrawn]

Cost of maintenance - If I am going to get a BMW then I'm gonna get a diesel.....

Not sure how a beemer diesel costs less to maintain? All those Euro emission filters that cost £400 a go plus fitting....

[sasguru]

Yep. But then you was looking at diesel BMW's now you are looking at petrol cars?

Why not look at a 530i or 330i Beemer? Cheaper dan der diesel to buy....

Boooyakasha! Nuff respec. Gotta have that Beemer to get down'n'dirty wiv the hos.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Yep. But then you was looking at diesel BMW's now you are looking at petrol cars?

Why not look at a 530i or 330i Beemer? Cheaper dan der diesel to buy....

Cost of maintenance - If I am going to get a BMW then I'm gonna get a diesel.....

[doodab]

I'd save some cash and go for something like this.

Jaguar X-Type 3.0 V6 SE 4DR AUTO 2003

or if you'd rather spend more what about

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1306077170344/

or a Merc C class

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1306307565804/

[DimPrawn]

Is that not a lot of car for your money:

Lexus IS 250 SE 4dr 2.4 Full Mag Leather - History 2006

and this:

Lexus IS 250 SE 4dr Auto 2.4 TAX AND TESTED READY TO GO 2006

Yep. But then you was looking at diesel BMW's now you are looking at petrol cars?

Why not look at a 530i or 330i Beemer? Cheaper dan der diesel to buy....

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Slap on some 20's wiv chrome spinners mate.

Is that not a lot of car for your money:

Lexus IS 250 SE 4dr 2.4 Full Mag Leather - History 2006

and this:

Lexus IS 250 SE 4dr Auto 2.4 TAX AND TESTED READY TO GO 2006