USED BMW 5 Series Saloon (96 - 04)

My car

Bought new September 2002,£35000.Good performance,enjoyable-if a little uninvolving-to drive.Fine long-distance cruiser.Diesel pump went within a few months,dumping us on a motorway.Parking sensors worked spasmodically despite main dealer attention.Auto gearbox failed at 65k miles-£4500 to repair-after having broken down 3 times & supposedly fixed on each occasion by main dealer.Various faults arose &,in the end,we had little confidence in the car's ability to provide relable transport.Glad to see the back of it at almost 5 years old.It broke down more frequently than any of our previous cars.

My car

As I have written on this review page below, you can see how much I love this car.

A few weeks ago, my car was parked on the street and at night someone ran into the side of it, denting and bending the door and driver's side wing.

They then drove off - I heard a noise ran out and no-one was to be seen. I have managed to source a second hand door and new wing, and get it rubbed, sprayed & fitted all for approximately £800 - a bargain, I think.

I didn't use my excess on my insurance, becuase it is very similar to this figure - they joys of being 23 years old!

So the car is not that expensive to fix, even when accident-damaged!

My car

I`ve found this 525tds auto M kit(03)for £6000 at 69k miles , full options and was wondering if i could get some answers in here such as driving, running costs , insurance . Any advices or suggestions ? Thank you

My car

As a kid I always wanted a BMW. It took ages to get the confidence to buy one (high insurance, running costs, and what happens if something goes wrong?) but when I got the courage to buy one I jumped in at the deep end, purchasing a 530d with high mileage on a 2001 plate.

Don't get me wrong: I was a bit unsure about the mileage but was assured by the service history and the fact most of the miles were motorway miles because it was an ex-fleet car. So I bought it with a full service and 12 months T+T, so I was chuffed I had no costs for a year.

I had to pick it up from the valeter, but when I sat in it and looked at what I bought, my heart melted instantly. I couldn't believe I owned a BMW. I started it up, drove around the corner, got into third gear and floored it. I felt like a fighter pilot, with my ribs pressed against the seat. The torque is astronomical - at 1000revs in fifth, it will pull you up any hill out there.

I've owned it for six months now and it still melts my heart, especially at dusk or in overcast light when I can switch the 'angel eyes' on - they set the car off a treat. It has done 131,000 miles and it starts first time, every time, with no smoke from start-up at all.

Everything works fine apart from the volume knob (with the slightest touch, it's at full volume) but there's a volume control on the steering wheel, so no problems there.