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BMW 3 series vs 5 series running costs 2006 -2008 - DerekTrotter

Hi Guys

I was looking to get either a 3 series or 5 series (preferable) and wanted some advice, what are the average annual running costs for the above cars in terms of servicing and likely faults/breakdowns, I've had a reliable (but slightly boring!) car for 4 years which has never gone wrong and annual servicing is only £150 on it.

My budget is about 9 grand, looking on autotrader it looks like I can get a 3 series with 50k or below miles or if I want a 2008 5 series it would have to be 100k miles which is probably a lot, I want a automatic this time and am a bit worried the transmission will pack up if I get a high miler...

Advice would be much appreciated as at the moment i'm very confused! :)

BMW 3 series vs 5 series running costs 2006 -2008 - CJay{P}

I bought a manual 2007 LCI 520D (163hp engine, not the 177 engine) with 49k for £8800 last June. Now on 66k. My expenses so far has been, two oil changes at Nationaltyres (£65 each), one tyre (due to a nail), and changed both thermostats (£150).

The car has returned 44mpg (calculated brim-to-brim) over the last 17k miles.

BMW 3 series vs 5 series running costs 2006 -2008 - Ed V

If it t'were me, I'd go for a 3-series, and the petrol engine. Pay £8,000, the repairs won't be a worry!

BMW 3 series vs 5 series running costs 2006 -2008 - DerekTrotter

Thanks guys for the reply, CJay sounds like you got a good deal, where did you buy it from?

My current car has built in sat nav, really going to miss that, dont want to pay over the odds on the BMW to have built in nav too

BMW 3 series vs 5 series running costs 2006 -2008 - CJay{P}

eBay classified ad. from a private individual. Very decent seller.

BTW, my car has zero options, just the basic car. but i thought it was a good deal, as most people were asking at least even 7k for basic cars with 100k plus on even 06 plate cars.