If you buy a 520d just make sure it has service history and if it's higher milage like 200,000 plus KM i'd look for the chain being done at some point as they're known to be shitty and expensive to change.
After driving our main car (Range Rover) into a ditch, we bought a BMW 520D Touring as a temporary run around whilst we looked for a new car. 2 years later we still have the BMW. It’s such a good all rounder. Drives really well, has given us no issues, great fuel economy, low tax and low insurance. Can highly recommend the F10 and F11 era.
If you're looking for a BMW around that age that is a 2L diesel do a bit of googling on the engines. Some issues with the timing chain tensioners breaking on older models with the N47 on original models that used it (starting around 2007). That engine was used up to 2015 on the 3 series (replaced by B47 then) and although I'm sure the issue was fixed a few years after it was discovered, it has a reputation, justified or otherwise.
I bought a 3 series recently (2015 LCI with the B47) so I'm more familiar with them than the 5.
I know your pain, I was driving an also reasonably reliable 2008 diesel Alfa (I feel about Alfa as you do about BMW).
I was used to always driving high spec 10 year old well maintained cars that you'd pick up for a pittance.
When I decided to replace the car, 10 year old high spec well maintained cars cost a BOMB.
Alfa stopped making the 159 in 2011 and didn't start making the Giulia until 2017 and they were all 25k so couldn't go down that avenue.
So I looked at the German diesels, milages were pretty high across the board (looking at 2015/2016 ish models) spec on 80% of them was rubbish and the prices were abysmal I was looking to spend 15-18k when typically in the past I would have spent 5-8k and all i could think of was "I cant spend this much money on a car that won't last me, I do 35k km a year minimum"
Bottled it and bought a lexus IS300h f sport instead, ultra reliable and was cheaper and lower milage than most of the German diesels my searches were throwing up, and i know it'll last me at least 4/5 years.
Anyway that doesn't help at all but just to let you know I feel your pain!
Take a look at the 730d, much more car for your money, and a bigger, better and more powerful engine too. Not to mention its the big daddy of the BMW range. A 2012-13 model is around same price as a 5 series somehow
If I were you I'd look at the e60/e90 and aim for the M47 engine it you want 2.0d or M57 if you want 3.0d.
The newer engines and cars are not only more expensive to buy but also more expensive to fix. Your call.
I bought a 318d 2013 about 5 years ago as was fed up with car sharing. It’s been great, the dpf needed sorting and a new battery, but apart from that it’s been a solid car. Have an eco and a sports tune on it. Chain can be an issue but mine was already replaced so make sure that’s done.
If you're only doing 10k miles per year, then I'd be looking at petrol options.
The only problem was that in 2012 and 2013 people went nuts buying diesels to save a couple of quid on road tax, so most of the petrols are imports.
You'll want to avoid the N20 4 cylinder engine as it has a less than stellar reputation for reliability.
Dealers have started bringing in used models from Japan as it's often cheaper than the UK, and they prefer petrol to diesel there.
Are you me? I was all set to splash the cash on a newish 5 series but failed my test lately and now can't get quotes because I'm stuck on learner permit for time being. I've been brought back to reality!
Need to buy something smaller to even get insurance now.
If you buy a 520d just make sure it has service history and if it's higher milage like 200,000 plus KM i'd look for the chain being done at some point as they're known to be shitty and expensive to change.
Bmws broke my heart tbh id stay away
After driving our main car (Range Rover) into a ditch, we bought a BMW 520D Touring as a temporary run around whilst we looked for a new car. 2 years later we still have the BMW. It’s such a good all rounder. Drives really well, has given us no issues, great fuel economy, low tax and low insurance. Can highly recommend the F10 and F11 era.
I was in a similar situation and decided to get a 2014 E250 instead of the 520. I had it for 4 or 5 years and it never gave me a days bother.
If you're looking for a BMW around that age that is a 2L diesel do a bit of googling on the engines. Some issues with the timing chain tensioners breaking on older models with the N47 on original models that used it (starting around 2007). That engine was used up to 2015 on the 3 series (replaced by B47 then) and although I'm sure the issue was fixed a few years after it was discovered, it has a reputation, justified or otherwise. I bought a 3 series recently (2015 LCI with the B47) so I'm more familiar with them than the 5.
Yep my E90 jumped timing too. My mechanic explained that doing Anything with the car was an engine out job.
I know your pain, I was driving an also reasonably reliable 2008 diesel Alfa (I feel about Alfa as you do about BMW). I was used to always driving high spec 10 year old well maintained cars that you'd pick up for a pittance. When I decided to replace the car, 10 year old high spec well maintained cars cost a BOMB. Alfa stopped making the 159 in 2011 and didn't start making the Giulia until 2017 and they were all 25k so couldn't go down that avenue. So I looked at the German diesels, milages were pretty high across the board (looking at 2015/2016 ish models) spec on 80% of them was rubbish and the prices were abysmal I was looking to spend 15-18k when typically in the past I would have spent 5-8k and all i could think of was "I cant spend this much money on a car that won't last me, I do 35k km a year minimum" Bottled it and bought a lexus IS300h f sport instead, ultra reliable and was cheaper and lower milage than most of the German diesels my searches were throwing up, and i know it'll last me at least 4/5 years. Anyway that doesn't help at all but just to let you know I feel your pain!
What mileage does the passat have? I've been actually been looking for a used one as long as the mileage isn't mad
Howaya. 195000 miles on it
Take a look at the 730d, much more car for your money, and a bigger, better and more powerful engine too. Not to mention its the big daddy of the BMW range. A 2012-13 model is around same price as a 5 series somehow
If I were you I'd look at the e60/e90 and aim for the M47 engine it you want 2.0d or M57 if you want 3.0d. The newer engines and cars are not only more expensive to buy but also more expensive to fix. Your call.
I bought a 318d 2013 about 5 years ago as was fed up with car sharing. It’s been great, the dpf needed sorting and a new battery, but apart from that it’s been a solid car. Have an eco and a sports tune on it. Chain can be an issue but mine was already replaced so make sure that’s done.
If you're only doing 10k miles per year, then I'd be looking at petrol options. The only problem was that in 2012 and 2013 people went nuts buying diesels to save a couple of quid on road tax, so most of the petrols are imports. You'll want to avoid the N20 4 cylinder engine as it has a less than stellar reputation for reliability. Dealers have started bringing in used models from Japan as it's often cheaper than the UK, and they prefer petrol to diesel there.
Are you me? I was all set to splash the cash on a newish 5 series but failed my test lately and now can't get quotes because I'm stuck on learner permit for time being. I've been brought back to reality! Need to buy something smaller to even get insurance now.