What do you think about this BMW 545?

MRM · 11-04-2008, 08:18 AM

My wife has wishing for a BMW for a long time. Some people at work recommended her to this site:

http://www.crosstownluxurymotors.com/vehicles/inventory.php

They certainly aren't shy about asking for money, but supposedly these are all local cars. Their hook is that they only deal in premium cars in excellent shape so you pay a little more but you are supposed to know that the car is as good as it looks.

In their inventory they have a 2005 545i with the premium pack for $21,900. It has 61,000 miles and has the 100,000 warranty. The pictures look nice, but so do the pictures at Victory Motors. Is this a good deal on a four year old BMW? What should we look for if we're interested?

onewhippedpuppy · 11-04-2008, 09:15 AM

iDrive, boo! Otherwise it looks to be a very nice, clean car.

MRM · 11-04-2008, 09:26 AM

I know, I know. But I can paint a mask over the iDrive screen and drive it, can't I? I heard somewhere that by 05 BMW's quality was getting more reliable. Do the later model 5 series have the same water pump/radiator problems as the earlier ones? I think we're going to check it out. Junior and junior are turning 12 and 14, and are growing like weeds, so back seat room may decide the issue.

the · 11-04-2008, 09:31 AM

They are good cars, and that's a price that is getting down there. Can be hard to move an 05 with 60K miles on it. $20K would be a great deal and probably leave them a little (not much) profit. Biggest issues is prior body or paint work. If it's all original paint, with the 100K warranty, it's a good deal even at $21K.

the · 11-04-2008, 09:33 AM

Also, by 05, the iDrive system became abbreviated, it's not like the early version, esp. in the 7 series, where you had to use it for just about everything.

onewhippedpuppy · 11-04-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRM

I know, I know. But I can paint a mask over the iDrive screen and drive it, can't I?

Do you like having an HVAC system and radio?

MRM · 11-04-2008, 05:50 PM

I drive an 84 Carrera cab. Radio and HVAC? What are those?

ChkbookMechanic · ChkbookMechanic's Garage

I haven't heard about the e60 cars having the radiator / water pump problems, of course, those only showed up after 80k miles on the e39.

The water pump issues seemed to be on the E39 inline-6.
The radiator affected all E39 except the M5 which had a larger radiator.

However, the radiator and water pump wern't the worst issues, it was the mechanical fan clutch that would go out and cause the fan blades to go through the hood and into the engine block.

Looking at the new 5-series (e60) they seemed to have addressed all the engine issues such as the water pump, radiator, oil cooling and fan. If the warranty is the CPO warranty I wouldn't really count on it being worth anything given my experience w/ a CPO warranty. If it is the extend warranty the original owner bought when they bought the vehicle it is actually very good.

slow&rusty · 11-05-2008, 02:36 AM

Sorry to be the party pooper...but those E60 cars just do not excite me, even the M5 model does turn your head like the previous generations. They are probably incredible and nice drivers but they do not stir the soul like some of the previous 5 series.

Yasin

89911 · 04:24 AM

The prices of those cars are certainly falling. I was looking a year ago and it seems the price of gas and the economy have taken there toll on V8's. I bought an older 03 540i, but I like the 545 also. The only way I like that car is with sports package and in black. In other colors, it starts looking less sporty and more "boatish" like a Accord sedan. My opinion, of course. A few things I would make sure it. 1. Is this a BMW warranty? If so, you are good. The also offered Bumper to bumper extensions on the full maintenance that went to 100k on this car, so you could drive it with no other expenses other then tires. 2. These cars are not in high demand and can be found anywhere at any BMW dealer for less miles and with full warranty's. Go to BMW website and find the CPO section and punch in your zip code. I would buy a CPO car with a BMW warranty if I had the choice 3. Your wife needs to be tech savvy for the idrive. I know my wife has trouble these things. I would have her test drive one first. 4. You will also need an extra set of tires for the winter if you need to drive then. Having owned BMW's for the past 6 years, I'm not sure what the other poster was meaning about the value of a CPO Warranty over a 3rd party one. This is the "extended warranty" that can also be purchased when you original one expires. I have always felt that you best interest is to use the Bmw warranty at a dealer for your best results. They do have more limitations then the original factory warranty, but I have never heard of a 3rd party warranty being superior.