OT: Help with decision on new Purchase

[Johntee540]

Guys - I need some advice from the people I trust - here - on the bimmer board. (Also posted on Roadfly)

I need to purchase a wagon as a second car. The nanny has been driving the Landcruiser (at a cost of about $120/week) and I want some thing safe and more economical than 13/mpg to replace it.

I have found a 2000 528iT Sport Package with 92000 supposed highway miles. The asking is $17k or Best Offer. It does have the Xenon lights and Nav. Does anybody have any experience with the 528 engine and its longevity? What should I offer - the car is clean and looks like its pretty well taken care of. It is scheduled for mechanics review on Monday. I was thinking $15,500 as it is high mileage. Thoughts/Advice/ and comments are as always appreciated - JT
Johntee540

[Kalevera]

I think 15.5 is a steal for the car if it's in good shape. But...demand for the wagons has gone down considerably since the introduction of the X.

Heck, can I be your nanny? I'd love to get paid to drive around in a 528, even if it entails carting children around

best, whit

[Johntee540]

The car will eventually go the 16 year old. The gas on my Landcrusier (which I love) is killing me at $2.67 a gallon for premium. Whit - if you want to be my nanny that is totally cool with me. Come on out. She doesnt make much comparitive to the level of effort she has wiht the Boys! - JT

[Rory535i]

sounds like a good deal to me! love the E39 tourings. can't believe you're complaining about paying $2.67 for a GALLON of premium. they pay that for a litre in the UK!

[Kalevera]

sounds like a good deal to me! love the E39 tourings. can't believe you're complaining about paying $2.67 for a GALLON of premium. they pay that for a litre in the UK!

I'll suggest that it's much easier to get around in the UK. Shorter distances, better public transportation systems, less expensive options. In the land of suburbia, aka the US, you either need to be working and living in a very "convenient" place (in which case you pay $$$ for that convenience, ie a Manhattan grocery store) or you drive. I drive, and it costs me a fair bit of money to get back and forth to work every week, but the distance of my daily commute is, I think, fairly average.

So, to recap: I think UK drivers both use cars less and get penalized by the government, in the form of taxes, for owning and operating large cars. Oil companies like to make money and the government needs revenue, so that's how gas, which is in the below $1 area in other parts of the world, costs so much in GB and generally, in the rest of western Europe.

best, whit

[Karl]

I drive a '91 525i, and haven't heard of any major issues with the M50 engines. Just replace the plastic impeller water pump and plastic thermostat housing. It has a timing chain instead of a belt like the M20, so there's one less maintenance issue.

[bimmerd00d]

mom has a 2000 528i with 186k miles on it. Runs like it is brand new.

[Zeuk in Oz]

my Landcrusier (which I love)

You need help my friend ! Have you ever driven your Landcruiser ???? My F250 is twice the car my Landcruiser ever was - overrated Japanese junk. (IMHO).
As a car for a young driver the 528iT might be a little powerful, but at least it has all the safety gear. Much better choice than the Landcruiser for a novice !

[Zeuk in Oz]

my Landcrusier (which I love)

You need help my friend ! Have you ever driven your Landcruiser ???? My F250 is twice the car my Landcruiser ever was - overrated Japanese junk. (IMHO).
As a car for a young driver the 528iT might be a little powerful, but at least it has all the safety gear. Much better choice than the Landcruiser for a novice !
Only problem though is that he/she will be spoilt for life - will never want to drive a lesser vehicle. This is the problem I have had with my sons driving the E 34 - they think everything else they have driven is "crap" .
(Sorry, thought I was editing and ended up posting twice - just living up to the signature)

[Johntee540]

It has to go through mechanics inspection but it looks and feels perfect. The guy I am buying it from just bought his wife a Cayenne. He has a Porsche 930 Turbo in the driveway and a 1974 2002 Tii in the garage he is just finishing up a rotisserie restoration on. I believe he is only slightly more anal about his cars than I am.

It is the 528iT with Steptronic; Xenon; CD; Phone; homelink; Nav; and the window shades. No kids in the car ever = no juicebox spills on the leather.

He was asking $17k - I was prepared to offer him $15.5 but after seeing it I offered $16k. We split the difference at $16.5 - Mechanics see it tomorrow but I think I got a good deal.

Can't wait to get it home.