Quite a lot of these knocking about at the moment. A local trader has a 2002 530i auto in blue with 88k and FSH for £7995.
I would suggest you are looking at £6.5k. I assume its a 'post facelift' model (angel eye)?
Whereabouts in the country are you?
|
|
I should also ask what sort of condition it is in (body/mechanics). People tend to very picky over these cars and a trader will probably invest a bit in some 'smart' repairs and a thorough valet. A couple of dings on a Mondeo of this age won't matter, but on an E39 will put off a potential buyer.
|
It is the facelift version yes (Angel eye lights, PDC, Colour coded etc) - and the 2.2litre 170bhp version rather than the old 2.0litre.
Excellent overall condition - immaculate really. I'm based between Buckingham and Milton Keynes so think after some very disappointing trade in offers (£4 - £4.5k) I will put on the autotrader web between £6 & £6.5k. Thorough valet not necessary at all as I am a car clean fiend(!) I would hope to generate some interest with private buyers, but I suppose there are a few of these around now. Many however, prefer the E39 to the Dame Edna looks of the current generation 5 series...!
Just puzzled as to why Glass's gave such an inflated offer, but hardly surprised car supermakets with the cheapest vehicles offered such a low p/x figure.
|
|
Cheeky. Just as a matter of interest, how did you find the 5-series (not that I am interested in buying). I was thinking of an old 5-series but got a much newer Accord instead. Has it been reliable.? Did I miss much?
|
I can honestly say that it has been the best car I have ever owned. Reliability and build quality are exemplary and it is also very practical as a family car. Only looking to change as I now need a hatchback/small estate. Other than routine servicing, tyres etc it has never caused a moments bother.
I cannot recommend them more highly. It's hardly surprising many have done inter-galactic mileage -- solid as a rock.
|
|
|
|
Guide prices are just that - a guide! The prices are derived from sales data and by the publishers predictions of trends (which may or may not be correct), so by definition they tend to lag behind what the market is actually doing. Also prices can vary from one part of the country to another. Small autos may fetch good prices in seaside retirement towns and prestige brands might sell for more in Surrey than in North Wales - and so it goes. A good sample of prices from Autotrader in a 60 mile raius is probably as good a guide as any for retail prices - after all, if you are selling in Autotrader then they are your 'competition'.
I don't have a car to sell at the moment, but a couple of mates who are traders reckon its been quite through December.
|
|
PS - why not put it in the 'Classifieds' on HJ?
|
CAP says 5800 assuming its on a Y. 5-Series are weak at the moment, there are a lot around and they're just beginning to sink into the bargain basement category which puts a lot of people off. Only the M-Sport and some diesels seem to be holding up.
|
Thanks. I may well put an ad in the HJ classifieds. Will also use Autotrader Web - can't think many people still use the magazine as the website is so good. Undecided about listing it on ebay. Too many dodgy motors and non paying bidders put me off....
I will be listing for sale shortly - just waiting for the DVLA to put a plate on retention, and re-issue the original registration (a late X plate) back on the car.
|
Blimey when did the E39 market crash so badly! They were never this cheap when I was buying.
Although I guess I've had it well over 3 months now.
|
Blimey when did the E39 market crash so badly! They were never this cheap when I was buying. Although I guess I've had it well over 3 months now.
Well, its not really 'crashed'. Around £6k for a soon-to-be 6 year old car with 80k miles is hardly a give-away. Plus its a quiet time of the year and there's only so many people want an E39.
|
I've been looking at e39s - I test drove what sounds to be an almost iddentical car (520i SE, auto, 2001, lots of toys but no leather) at the BMW dealership in Northampton. It was low mileage, but he wanted over 10k for it! Also took out an 530i Sport manual from a place in Corby - it was an 02, but the car had clearly lived a hard life. Really badly scuffed alloys, tired leather, and from the way it drove, the suspension was on the way out. Trader had it up for 11k, 10k on autotrader
Your car sounds really good, and my guess is that it will sell at 6k 'easily'. They do have a cult following, and when they have been well looked after, they will probably go for ages. However, it is a buyers market, and as Aprilia says, I can afford to be choosey, as the market is slow and there are loads out there.
good luck with the sale
Jono
|
To be honest I think now is a good time to buy an E39. Early examples have dropped into 'banger' territory and that has dragged the later ones down too. If I was in the market for a large saloon right now then I think I would consider one (I can't justify it at the moment though, I'm driving mostly other people's cars!).
BMW dealers always grossly overprice the older cars and would only be for the extremely 'cautious' buyer and some traders will ask high prices of the more desireable 'Sport' and Diesel versions in the hope of suckering someone into the car. I would expect to get 10% or more off the asking price. On the other hand I have seen traders asking sub-£8k for 2002 520iSE with sensible miles (i.e. 10k/year or around 50-60k miles) - which is not bad value if its a good straight car with full history and there are loads of 520iSE's around because it was a big seller 3-7 years ago.
You always have to remember that as cars get older they get cheaper to buy, but more expensive to run. At some point the 'graph crosses' and so values will suddenly drop when buyers realise that they are better off with a more expensive but newer model that doesn't carry the risk of unexpected expensive repairs that come with an older high mileage vehicle.
Another factor is that there are just so many really good used cars around now at good prices. With £8k you can just about get a late-shape Accord (brilliant car), a 2-3 years old Legacy, Avensis or Mazda 6. Or for some real value how about the latest shape Skoda Octavia 1.8T, remapped by JabbaSport (for under £500) to 220bhp!? tremendous car, very nicely made, roomy enough for family with good handling and economy.
|
I have been considering an E39 for some time. But which are the best models to buy? We used to have a 530dSE, but i didn't like the diesel engine. So I would want a petrol one. At a guess i would suspect the best model to buy would be a 530 Sport with some good extras. But what about the 540? I have seen some real cheap, 286bhp etc, but just how bad would the fuel economy be in the real world around town, and at 75 on the clock on the motorway?
I like the look of the 2.4 Executive or Type S manual Accord but what is the handling like? I have never actually driven one? How cheap can one buy these cars and are they a good high milleage buy?
My uncles 100k 54reg Volvo s60 D5 se is being sent off to the auction soon, would this be a sensible buy? I have no idea what its worth as i dont think Glass's have a price for this age and milleage combination? The car visually is in very good condition and drives well.
|
520i SE's sold very strongly when new and so there tend to be a lot of these about and prices are fairly weak (for this car) at present.
Diesels are very sought-after as are Sport models and hold their price much better, although you do see more 'well used' Sports. Yes, a 530i Sport would be good, but expensive relative to the smaller engine models. The 525i is probably a good compromise.
I wouldn't be so keen on the 540i etc, not so much the petrol but the added complexity of the powertrain.
I think the Accords are lovely and for 2003 model you would probably pay the same as equivalent E39 of that year, or a bit less - but the Accord is a more modern design. I feel sure they would be every bit as durable.
Not keen on the Volvo's, heard and seen too many nasty and expensive electrical gremlins with them.....
|
Only the performance of the 540 appealed- I didn't realise the powertrain was different to the other variants. I'll have a look at the 525's. 192 BHP and a claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 30MPG.
Wanted something fun for 5k, but cant deicde what to look for. Cars I have considered are
BMW E39
Honda Prelude 2.2 (197BHP)
Honda Accord type R
Focus ST170 (can one be had for near this price?)
Citroen Xsara VTS
Nissan 200Sx
Mitsu FTO GPX
99-02 Primera sport +
I dont know which would constitute a "sensible" purchase. I dont want something that would loose a lot of money in the year i anticipate owning it. What would you recommend?
|
Wanted something fun for 5k, but cant deicde what to look for. Cars I have considered are BMW E39 Honda Prelude 2.2 (197BHP) Honda Accord type R Focus ST170 (can one be had for near this price?) Citroen Xsara VTS Nissan 200Sx Mitsu FTO GPX 99-02 Primera sport + I dont know which would constitute a "sensible" purchase. I dont want something that would loose a lot of money in the year i anticipate owning it. What would you recommend?
Depends what you are looking for. There is a big difference between something like an E39 and a Mitsi FTO !
For a fun car that is reliable and reasonably cheap to run the FTO and the 200SX would be good.
The FTO's are very tough little cars and easy to work on - parts are not too dear if you know where to go. Try to get a manual gearbox if you can. There is not much difference in performance between GR and GPX, but the GR is simpler (no MIVEC system) and seems to be more reliable; so go for a GR manual if you can. JAPCO are a good specialist (www.japco.co.uk). You'll get a good one for £5k and it shouldn't depreciate much in one year....
Primera is also a good cheap buy, but at the end of the day its a family saloon with a sporting edge to it.
I wouldn't be keen on the Citroen....
|
|
|
|
