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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Possible 535i purchase
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      08-28-2015, 03:30 AM   #1
Kwikee
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Possible 535i purchase

Hi all, new to the forum, and looking for advice on a potential purchase.

The car in question is a MY12 535i, non-m sport, one owner with 62,000kms (around 38,000 miles). Very clean and tidy car, immaculate interior and loaded with factory options, such as sunroof, HUD, pro navigation, comfort access, heated comfort seats, HiFi stereo, active steering, adaptive Xenon lights, active cruise, EDC/Dynamic drive/Adaptive Drive and surround view. The price is very attractive too.
There is an extended warranty on offer, but investigation shows it to be worthless, so consider it as no warranty other than the dealers statutory 30 days.
It is for sale at a Prestige car dealership, not BMW. If we proceed any further, I would be getting it checked out by BMW for any apparent problems, and maybe via their database any history? I would probably also pursue an extended warranty via the only reputable provider in Australia.

On the up side:
*We've been looking at 520's, so a 535 that falls within our budget is appealing. *The car has heaps of options and I'm a gadget lover.
*It appears to be in excellent condition inside and out
The downside:
*It's nearly 4 years old
*It has done a substantial distance (15,000km's (9,300miles)/ year).
*All those options are also more things to go wrong, especially in the active steering, EDC, Adaptive drive components.
*Questions on the lifespan of the turbo engine?
*I prefer the look of the M Sport

Any opinions or suggestions? Should I continue or turn and walk briskly away?
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      08-28-2015, 06:53 AM   #2
HighlandPete
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Being a 535i owner (wagon) I may be a bit biased, but no regrets on engine choice. To me the N55 is a superb engine, typical of what has made BMW a bit special over the years, a decent I6 engine.

As to a loaded car, I've bought into that as well, I've got most of what your example has. It is a greater risk, but the option is a stripped out example, where is the driving pleasure in that? I run with an extended warranty, see that as part of the running costs and for peace of mind.

Have you test driven the car, (you say it is a clean example), try it and then make a decision.

BTW, mine is now into its fifth year, no intentions of selling it on, as I'm enjoying all the options, puts a big smile on the face every time I drive it.

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      08-28-2015, 07:04 AM   #3
Ben2k9
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if you;re a driving enthusiast, I would hold out for a 535i msport. the handling is much better.
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      08-28-2015, 08:19 AM   #4
HighlandPete
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben2k9 View Post
if you;re a driving enthusiast, I would hold out for a 535i msport. the handling is much better.
Depends how we view "better". It is a personal preference as to whether the passive sport suspension (704) is better/worse, or just "different" than the Sport mode within Adaptive Drive.

I run an M-sport with Adaptive Drive, suspension will be virtually the same setup (sedan vs. wagon) as the OP's example. I rate AD as superior to the passive 704 suspension option, simply for the 3 base settings, plus the ARS part which keeps the car very flat, even in the softer settings.

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      08-28-2015, 08:24 AM   #5
Gpfarrell
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I much prefer a "better" car to a "newer" car.

In a few years the "better" car will still be better (engine, options, etc) while the "newer" car won't be so new any more... but it will still have fewer features.
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      08-28-2015, 12:39 PM   #6
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I would think if the price for the 535 is attractive than by all means go for it since u were originally looking at the 520's.
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      08-28-2015, 03:17 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg View Post
I would think if the price for the 535 is attractive than by all means go for it since u were originally looking at the 520's.
Thanks for all the replies.
The 520's we've looked at are newer, lower mileage examples though,
2013 with half the kilometres.

We plan to keep it for 3 years, average around 10-12,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) per year.
My biggest fear is that the 535 is nearing a stage where it will start to need major maintenance. is that actually the case? Is a 7 year old 535 with 100,000 kilometres (62,000 miles) going to be a rolling disaster?
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      08-28-2015, 09:41 PM   #8
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The current 5 series other than the 8 cylinder has proven to be pretty reliable, but not so much for the previous generation. I'd go with a newer F10 520 vs. an older previous generation E60.
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      08-28-2015, 10:14 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonicEndeavor View Post
The current 5 series other than the 8 cylinder has proven to be pretty reliable, but not so much for the previous generation. I'd go with a newer F10 520 vs. an older previous generation E60.
It's an F10, MY12, the 520d and 520i's we've looked at were MY12 or 13 as well.
My main concern is the longevity of the options such as Adaptive cruise and active suspension given the car is already 60,000l 's old.
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      08-28-2015, 10:34 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kwikee View Post
It's an F10, MY12, the 520d and 520i's we've looked at were MY12 or 13 as well.
My main concern is the longevity of the options such as Adaptive cruise and active suspension given the car is already 60,000l 's old.
Your post mentioned a 7 year old car. Are you talking about the age of the car three years from now? A 535i F10 won't be a rolling disaster, in fact they've proven to be average in terms of reliability. One owner recently posted hitting 177,000 miles without any issues. That said, BMW's are not cheap to maintain. If you're worried about reliability, buy a Lexus. .
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      08-28-2015, 11:42 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonicEndeavor View Post
Your post mentioned a 7 year old car. Are you talking about the age of the car three years from now? A 535i F10 won't be a rolling disaster, in fact they've proven to be average in terms of reliability. One owner recently posted hitting 177,000 miles without any issues. That said, BMW's are not cheap to maintain. If you're worried about reliability, buy a Lexus. .
Yes, another 3 years and it'll be 7 with probably 60,000 miles.
My wife is primarily concerned with the age and no warranty.
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      08-29-2015, 12:20 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kwikee View Post
Yes, another 3 years and it'll be 7 with probably 60,000 miles.
My wife is primarily concerned with the age and no warranty.
Many owners in your situation buy an extended warranty. Route 66 gets very good reviews for their coverage.
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      08-29-2015, 03:16 AM   #13
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The mileage is what we would deem to be average for it's age in the UK. I have run many BMW's over the last 15 years and only ever had one major issue. People are more likely to raise issues on forums so it can appear certain cars/models are unreliable, however this is not a representative sample of owners...

Test drive it check out it's history and if you like it but it!
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      08-29-2015, 09:01 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben2k9 View Post
if you;re a driving enthusiast, I would hold out for a 535i msport. the handling is much better.
Depends how we view "better". It is a personal preference as to whether the passive sport suspension (704) is better/worse, or just "different" than the Sport mode within Adaptive Drive.

I run an M-sport with Adaptive Drive, suspension will be virtually the same setup (sedan vs. wagon) as the OP's example. I rate AD as superior to the passive 704 suspension option, simply for the 3 base settings, plus the ARS part which keeps the car very flat, even in the softer settings.

HighlandPete
Adaptive drive tends to be better for both worlds though, whether you like smooth or better handling. Or, of course, if you want to be able to switch between both .
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      08-29-2015, 10:05 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisny View Post
Adaptive drive tends to be better for both worlds though, whether you like smooth or better handling. Or, of course, if you want to be able to switch between both .
That is also how I see AD, on both points. Makes for a more refined drive as well, even in sport mode.

Some drivers just want the more traditional and constant 'harder ride' feeling, 704 suits their driving model. Hence why I refer to the suspensions as "different", although I personally believe AD to be the better suspension.

HighlandPete
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      08-29-2015, 11:05 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonicEndeavor View Post
The current 5 series other than the 8 cylinder has proven to be pretty reliable, but not so much for the previous generation. I'd go with a newer F10 520 vs. an older previous generation E60.
Unreliable V8? HAHA. I don't know where you got this information! 3 years of owning a v8 in F10 and ZERO problems. I'm guessing the next thing you're going to say is that 535 is less heavier in the front than 550 v8 and feels faster for that reason Stop justifying your purchase
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      08-29-2015, 11:25 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisny View Post
Adaptive drive tends to be better for both worlds though, whether you like smooth or better handling. Or, of course, if you want to be able to switch between both .
That is also how I see AD, on both points. Makes for a more refined drive as well, even in sport mode.

Some drivers just want the more traditional and constant 'harder ride' feeling, 704 suits their driving model. Hence why I refer to the suspensions as "different", although I personally believe AD to be the better suspension.

HighlandPete
Oops, I think I read too quickly and confused the 704 with standard (always soft...). Good point.
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