Benoire 1 Report post Posted December 30, 2014 Afternoon everyone, and merry Christmas! So, I still haven't bought a BMW yet as we're still looking at the different models. My partner doesn't like the E60 5 series very much. The new car will primarily be mine to drive, and she will likely drive a 335i so that was the original thought... We saw a 2007 550i wagon with 42K kms on trade me the other day (sold very quick) and that peaked her interest in the 5 series... So, we've seen another 550i. this time a sedan and 2009, but with higher kms. Its the 4.8l V8 and I'm looking at some idea of maintenance costs as I quite like the idea of it. So, with this in mind... Consider the costs of a 335i as the base; how much extra do you think a 550i will cost to maintain and what sort of issues may be faced with one? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Cheers, Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Breaker 980 Report post Posted December 30, 2014 Hi there, can't comment on costs yet but we've had a 550i touring 2007 for a month now, beautiful car and the drive of the v8 is worth it!!! We live rural so mainly open road stuff, getting exactly 10km/l on the trip computer so really stoked with that Personally prefer the wagon shape to the sedan and needed a wagon, but no doubt the sedan is quieter still. From what I read prior to purchase the motor is pretty robust and I've only got 50k on mine so suspension and alike should be a while away yet. PPI came out no issues even! Check tyres for run flats and especially the spare, the replacements spare is hard to get and expensive for a normal setup. Your looking post LCI and that also seems the best option from all opinions read but again a price difference for it to justify Auto gravity doing an ICE fix next week for us to sort the radio out, keep a couple grand for that Had an E39 540 a while back and while I loved it, but like all nice things it did cost and it had a few Ks on it, but these things are also never going to be cheap to run, just by their nature. Good luck and happy buying, post some pics if you go ahead Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Breaker 980 Report post Posted December 30, 2014 Duh Forgot to add I have an 18 page 'so you just bought a E60' PDF I can flick you, PM me your email, it's loaded with all the info, US but still relevant. Although still opinion but useful, try not to let it scare you off LOL 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1870 Report post Posted December 30, 2014 A valve cover gasket job will run you 4 digits at an independent service shop. If they leak bad enough it can take out the alternator. Body and suspension wise they're pretty good but they're still quite new. Very nice cars though, was considering one as a replacement for the m5. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benoire 1 Report post Posted December 30, 2014 Thanks all. I'm very interested as it is a fully specced 2009 550i sedan but has around 85K kms... Not much for a BMW, especially a v8 as long as it has been maintained. Going to test drive some cars today (335i, 530i and 550i plus A4 3.2 to compare). Hopefully partner will like the 5 series as that puts me at a better place to get the car I really want; although a tourer would have been better. I'm not so concerned by the cost to maintain as such, was more curious. When you look at these sorts of cars, even at the prices that they are now you must always remember they where $120K+ cars when new so will have high costs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benoire 1 Report post Posted December 31, 2014 So after driving the cars yesterday, my partner preferred the 5 series over the 3, so green lit the potential purchase of the 550i (subject to normal checks etc. as it is coming in from Japan). With 85,500 kms on the clock is there any thing I should be concerned about with the 4.8l v8? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benoire 1 Report post Posted January 1, 2015 So I made my offer which has been accepted, will pay holding deposit on Monday. Whole car is dependant on me inspecting the car and ensuring it is to my satisfaction but it is at least grade 4. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted January 1, 2015 take it to a bmw specialist to be checked.Not the AA or similar .The radio and nav wont work here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benoire 1 Report post Posted January 1, 2015 Yup, it will be checked out and the deposit is 100% refundable (being written in to the contract) for any reason. Price includes recoding DVD/Radio to NZ and installation of NZ Navigation (negotiated). Just seen that Autogravity can upgrade CCC to CIC for around $3500.... Might have to see how bad CCC is and look at that :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted January 2, 2015 i havent spent much time in an e60 but the i drive wasnt as much of a hassle as its made out to be.Ok you cant just jump in and adjust things as in most cars but it doesntt ake long to become accustomed to it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benoire 1 Report post Posted January 2, 2015 Nah its not really, the 1st gen original was in a 2006 550i Msport I test drove the other day and it was ok... The CIC is much nicer really but the main thing I need is iPod / USB connectivity; don't know if it has that until the car arrives in NZ. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EuroSurgeon 2 Report post Posted February 28, 2015 If it doesnt have it Benoire, feel free to give us a call, we can sort this for very competitive rate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benoire 1 Report post Posted March 4, 2015 Thanks EuroSurgeon. It is the older CCC, not even sure it is update 1 as I think the manufacturer date was before mid year 08, even though it was registered in Japan in 09. Still, a much nicer car than any others I had driven and the 4.8l v8 is a dream. My main goal right now is to find a decent price to get the 6FL iPod option retrofitted properly so I can keep the 6 CD changer, as I would still need that even with CIC upgrade. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
