I hope many of you CL members don't sanction my heresy for this thread.

I have been offered a deal I cannot refuse - an offer to buy BOTH of my Lexus(es)... the 1999 LS400 and the 2003 LX470. Getting rid of these two gives me room to change to something new and different.... A BMW!!

Since my wife drives the LS400 as her DD, any replacement will be hers, and her needs are rather modest... MY2005 or newer, 5-series, tan (beige) interior, Automatic, Nav w/Bluetooth, and a sticker no more than $25K, still under warranty (or spend additional $1500 for extended AM warranty). That is it. So here is my dilemna - I found 3 cars that fit these requirements and having difficulty choosing:

2005 BMW 530i, Mystic blue/tan, 52K miles, no Nav, Premium pkg and the rest toys... $22K (will buy extended warranty) list (dealer firm price)

2006 BMW 525i, Mystic Blue/tan, 36K miles (under factory warranty), Bluetooth, Nav, Premium pkg and the rest toys, $26,5K (dealer firm).

2006 BMW 530i, white/tan, 33K miles (under factory warranty), Bluetooth, but no Nav, Premium pkg and the rest toys, $26,5K (dealer firm).

My personal preference order of color combo is White/tan followed by Blue/tan. Nav is no problem (Garmin, Nuvi, etc will take care of that), Bluetooth is a must-have (live in CA), warranty or no warranty??? I suppose I can stretch to $26,5K, but is that a good deal for any of the MY2006's??? I am not sure.

How much does that increased HP and 6-speed auto in the MY2006 worth over their MY2005 models? Should I go for 530i over 525i regardless, especially if the price is within a penny of each other?

Are MY2006s more reliable or better than MY2005s?

I've read up so much about these cars, but now I am getting myself tied into a knot.... what to do... what to do??? Hence asking you good folks of CL... Please note, it has to be a BMW 5-series, MY2005 or newer...

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

 

well, all of them fulfill your wifes demands...
unless she wants that extra power after driving them both, I wouldn't worry about the 05 vs 06 power difference. with that said, the only factor that seems different among your three choices is the warranty...how much more is the warranty? like 3k more? and what does it cover and what advantage does it have over the MY06?

 

Get the 2006 BMW 530i, white/tan, 33K miles (under factory warranty), Bluetooth, but no Nav, Premium pkg and the rest toys, $26,5K (dealer firm) one

Is it me or does it seem that the 3 series seem to keep its value much better than the 5 series?

or go all out for a M5... you can get a used one for only high below $50k

 

I'd go with the 05' w/ the bells and whistles!

I will sacrifice mileage and years for "Premium Appointments". I MUST have all the toys! Preferably manufacturer installed.

 

Does the 06 read "No nav, premium package and the rest of the toys" or does it read "No nav. Has premium package and the rest of the toys"? Anyway if it is just missing the nav I'd go for the 06. Otherwise go for the one with the premium package and rest of the toys. None of them have the Sports Package?

 

Suggestions
1) Try to buy direct from a previous owner
2) Get a 5 series with a new engine design (2006 MY?)

 

Ahhh!!!

Just found a 2005 BMW 545i loaded with everything
51K miles
6-speed Auto
Sport pkg
Premium pkg
Nav
Bluetooth-ready (whatever that is?)
Active steering, etc...
all the toys
$23,900
AM warranty (Mercury Insurance) = $2245 ($100 deductible)

Interior not quite what she want, but that price for that car seems unbelievable. It is very tempting.... hmmmmm!!!

 

I would pick the 06 530

 

What kind of mileage does the v8 get? I suppose she'd be used to it due to driving the LS400 though.

 

oh snap Blue.. Had no idea you were looking for a Bimmer! Look for a CPO 5 series for sure.. This one above sounds like a good deal if it is indeed cpo. You can't go wrong with the 530 or 545 with sport pack. The 530 is no slouch so don't sleep on those.. Suprisingly, non-sport pack Bimmers ride firm and handle very well in the twisties. M Sport pack bimmers take it up a notch & are equipped with a stiffer suspension (which is not jarring imo), bigger wheel & tire package, & M sport steering wheel. Drive them and you will not hesitate to take one home

Good luck!

 

I would choose the white 06 530i with 33k miles. For a used BMW, I would choose the lowest mileage car. Yes the BMW's stock navi sucks. Any aftermarket portable navigation system works better than it, oh yeah I know because I am the only one in my family uses the stock navi in my father's 07 530i sedan. With today's fuel price, I wouldn't go for a V8 545i, considering it has "only" 325hp.

 

If you don't get the NAV, you get a much smaller screen and no (or very limited) voice commands.

Get the NAV.

In fact, for blackbook value on the 550, there are only three options that matter (don't ask me how I know)
1. Auto
2. Sports package
3. Nav

none of the other options help the value.

That 545 seems suspiciously low in terms of price. There was a guy who picked one of those babies up (under market at a dealer out in Texas). Got 10 miles away from the dealer and the windshield decided to crack. Frame damage anyone?

 

Of the cars you listed (and your specific requirements), I think the 2006 530i with 33K miles makes the most sense and is the least riskiest buy. BMW's, in general, don't have Lexus reliability, and in general, the lower the mileage, the less likely you will have problems, although BMW are known for electrical problems and, of course, they can pop up at any time, regardless of mileage. This car has the white/tan coloring you want. It also has the Bluetooth you want, and, while it doesn't have NAV, my experience with test-driving and reviewing BMW NAV systems is that they are very complex to operate with the I-Drive....you idea to get an aftermarket NAV sounds like a good idea. If possible, however, get a Carfax report on it.

I'd be very cautious about the dirt-cheap 545 you mentioned. I agree with doug999. It looks and sounds suspicious.

 

I lost the bid for the white/tan 2006 530i. I think the asking price was a tad too high for what it offers. I'll see if I can negotiate directly with the dealer.

The 545i was originally listed at $25,900 on the dealer lot. Looking at the Carfax, its been idle since March '08 at same miles. While Carfax gives it a thumbs up, this lack of history gives me pause. I'll circle back with the dealer again to find out more about it. Else I'd just pay $100 for an on-site independent inspection. Yeah, that price is too good to be true. Been there done that already

Thanks for all the good tips and comments.... If it goes the way of my last purchase, I may just go out and buy something crazy... again...

Tomorrow is another day... and the search continues...

 

I have to agree with MM on this I leased a brand new 04 545 loved the car a first after about 6 months car cut off on me in the middle of a busy intersection. 2 months later my driver window had a mind of it's own. Stay away from the 545.