This was originally posted in alt.autos.bmw & alt.autos.lexus, but I guess it pissed them off, so there was no response.
I "was" thinking of acquring a used BMW 523/528 SE of around 7 years old, approx 100K miles.
This was becasue I have seen many of these in UK for around £5,000. But may now be looking at a similiar priced Lexus GS300, Saab 9-5 2.3T or Audi A6
2.6.In 1996 I had a 7 yeard old 535SEi (100k miles, Full Serivce History)/ and in 2000 I had a 8 year old 730 SEi (100k miles, 85% service history). Overall reliability was very dissapointing Engine's were very strong, high performing, but many other "expensive" parts required replacing., e.g Switchable gbox on 7'series (Ouch), front psngr window coming off rails, headlight circuit blew, central locking malfunction, over heating, petrol guage faulty. Basically the only enjoyment I got out of these two cars was the road presence (when they were'nt in the garage).
Many people recommended to me to only buy BMW new/upto 4 years old, or get a used japanese car, (Lexus, Toyota et al). But £5000 would only get me a Lex GS300 upto approx 1997, with the very noticably dated shape.
I am a "BMW guy" at heart, but my mechanic says a £5000, 7 year old, 100k miles
BMW 523, 528, SAAB 9-5 2.3t, AUDI A6,
Would ALL be a downgrade in reliability compared to my current 11 year old Rover 620SLI(with Honda engine) worth about £500, which I havent spent ANYTHING on except oil, water and petrol for a year and also done about 9k miles Feb 2004/feb 2005.
I find this very worrying....
Comments anyone...?