Tell me what you guys think

[BigFas]

Took my car in for a service today and was told that it wasn't needed for another 2000 miles. On my way out, I bumped into my salesman buddy. BIG disaster for me. He's whetted my appetite for a 5 series. I looked at the X5 but it's just way too expensive and I can't justify mentally spending more on a car per month than my mortgage.

SO, here's what's on offer to me:

E60 530d SE
Silver Grey (Metallic)
Black leather
Maintenance Pack (free servicing)
Auto
Space saver wheel
De chromed
Glass Sunroof
Dark poplar wood trim
Bi Xenons
Adaptive Xenons
Advanced auto air con
18" rims (Style 124)
Business Navigation system
Bluetooth
6 Disc CD changer

All for £5 more per month than what I'm paying now.

It's an 04 plate with 6000 miles on the clock

With all the news about the new 3 series coming out, my car is officially in freefall! It owes me £1.5k more than the dealer will give but they're happy to wipe that off if I take this car.

So, what you guys reckon?

[Afif]

what would happen to your 3 series and all the mods :eek:?

[peppernick]

GO FOR IT!!! and sell me your Hamann splitter ;) ;)

Honestly, get rid of your 3 before next year, I heard what BMW offered Alisayyah for his E46 and tell you bro, get rid of it ASAP especially with the deal you're getting. I'm stuck with mine for a while yet as I think my mods will soon be worth more than my car....LOL :mad:

[BigFas]

Car is currently at one of their other dealers. Will have it hopefully for this weekend, if not, early next week. If all works out well, I reckon I'll go for it as insurance is actually slightly less too which is a bonus.

Afif, car will be parted out in its entirety!! Rims, steering wheel yada yada

Nick, if everything goes to plan, Hamann lip is yours buddy ;)

Give me a few days to see the car, if everything goes to plan I'm going to have to dick around like mad returning the car to stock! So bargains to be had I'm sure :)

Nick, I still have my stock sideskirts so you can have the M3 ones if you want

[Mits]

That doesnt seem like a bad deal...as long as you can live with the shape and the fact thats its a diesel.

The 3's price will start to drop now, but I look at keeping mine over a few years to spread the depreciation. I won't be changing until the new M3 is well into its second year of production.

So either change up now or keep the conv for longer.

[peppernick]

Sounds good bro! Lip and skirts reserved :D

[BigFas]

The shape has grown on me and I had a drive in a 3.0d today and it was absolutely awesome!! It's got so much poke it's unbelievable and with a van aaken tuning box, it would be awesome!

Nick, do you have your stock steering wheel? I would need a split spoke one so I can keep and sell the m3 one separately

I'll start another thread :)

[westside]

isn't it best to buy the car outright rather then paying for cars monthly? i mean don't u end up paying loads more for the car or am i missing something here? correct me if i'm wrong :confused:

[BigFas]

I get a monthly car allowance which I need to use on a car. I either take a company car or run my own. If I run my own, it gives me considerable tax savings as I do less than 10k miles / year Leasing is the only way for me.

[330ciSport]

Depends if you want to tie up your cash. I personally dont want £30k tied up in a car as it can work better elesewhere. If you were buying cars 12-24 months ago you could nail the dealers finance rate as well.

Suits me to finance.

[peppernick]

The shape has grown on me and I had a drive in a 3.0d today and it was absolutely awesome!! It's got so much poke it's unbelievable and with a van aaken tuning box, it would be awesome!

Nick, do you have your stock steering wheel? I would need a split spoke one so I can keep and sell the m3 one separately

I'll start another thread :)

I have but mine is an SSG model and with the paddles removed, the factory wheel backing has 2 massive dips for the paddles to sit in, it'll looked like it's been butchered.

[BigFas]

Right guys, just had some insurance quotes for a 530dSE and they are just STUPID!! I thought it would be less as I remember running some quotes back in the summer but I obviously made a mistake or things have changed in the insurance world since the summer :(

What do you guys think to a 525?

There is one at the dealer. Black on black, 18's, sat nav, folding mirrors, heated seats, heated / electric steering wheel, auto and a few other bits I'm sure.

What do you guys think? 525 a good option or shall I sit tight with the vert?

[Har5ha]

have u test driven the 525??

[churchwa]

Fas, i think you should call about a bit more. My dad had the same problem with a BMW 530d (new shape) and it took a bit of calling, but in the end he really got it down, there was a massive difference between them all.

[peppernick]

If you like the shape dude, then it's kinda OK. But if you're into the drive as well, 525 sucks especially with a slushbox. I had a 325i step loaner when I got my Clubsport and could not believe how sluggish it was, and the E60 is so much more heavy. I wouldn't. Either 530D/535D(that's a car!) or 545i for me, even with the 530i you'll feel you're hauling a fat ass around.

[Ali_]

A true family wagon.... BF the 5 has the hell potential for mods mmmm how much fun would that be :D Sounds like a really nice car and i dont see any reason why you shouldnt go for the change. ;)

[BigFas]

530d is just stupid on insurance.

However, I've been playing around this evening. Audi A6 2.4, Merc E240 will be test driven over the coming days

[nass]

nice car fas def go for it bro :)

[BigFas]

Fas, i think you should call about a bit more. My dad had the same problem with a BMW 530d (new shape) and it took a bit of calling, but in the end he really got it down, there was a massive difference between them all.

Any info you have on insurance co's to try would be awesome.

If I can get the quote down to £1000 - £1200 territory then I sign the deal ASAP :)

[mysticm3]

bro it seems like you are on fire I say chill out a bit, sit down, have a cuppa and talk with us on a weekend :) We'll even go test drive with you hehehe I know the feeling when you have the uuuuuurge to change a car...but it's an important decision and take your time and shop around bro. Don't let the sales trick you into buying one of their stock items, at this time of year they need the number and I think definitely could bargain for more. :)

I agree with Nick and that's why I never wanted to buy a 325.

[peppernick]

I know the feeling when you have the uuuuuurge to change a car

Tell me about it when he had the urge to change rims :D :D ...there's really no stopping the big guy ;) I agree with Teddy, wait for the week between X'mas and New Year, walk in there with a cheque book and you'll see the salemen on their knees....strip them clean and whip them hard :D ....they'll beg for more :p

[BigFas]

LMAO

It's not the car which is out of my price range, it's the bloody insurance!! If insurance wasn't an issue, I'd be in a CL65 AMG right now! (well, you know what I mean)

I'm not going to take the first price a dealer throws at me, I'll definitely be bargaining, I just first of all need to find a car that I can insure!

[Tin]

Fas,

have you tried running through the system at www.confused.com ? they search all the big name companies and come back with a list etc..

Also, you might wanna try Liverpool Victoria, gernerally very good on m3/m5's grp 20 cars if ya over 30.. (can't remember if ya! :p ) what ins grp is the 530?

Out of the two 525 or 530d (i'd go for the 530d). one chip (from AmD/VanAakan/Kelleners) and it'll be transformed... but alas its getting past the bangle butt and "droopy eyes".. Ted any morette Quad conversions on the horizon? :D

[westside]

fas i have just renewed my insurance with liverpool and victoria and got the mrs on there too for 517 squid cheapest i could fine def worth a try simple web site and really quick to fill in

[BigFas]

Just tried them. 530d £1600!!!

Anyway, just been to "a" local dealer. I may have something COMPLETELY different lined up, test drive pending :p

[ANT MAN]

Fas, do you really need a diesel? Unless you drive 20,000 miles pa, the extra running costs compared to petrol isn't worth it; unless you get travel allowance on top of your car allowance.

Speaking to a big car dealer today, dealers are holding until the New Year.

Sent you a PM too. :)

[Faisal]

Any info you have on insurance co's to try would be awesome.

If I can get the quote down to £1000 - £1200 territory then I sign the deal ASAP :)


Tesco, Direct Line, Privilege, Elephant -- one of them is always the cheapest for me. I think L&V are really good for some people (and really crap for others).

Mate - *dont* go for th 2.5L unless you've test driven it properly, and side by side with a 3.0L or a diesel. Honestly, I know people say there can't be that much difference etc etc, but after driving the 2.5 I just knew I'd never be happy with the way it seemed so underpowered (and that was a 3 series. It must be worse on a 5).