5 series is significantly larger than 3 series inside the cabin.
that goes for the front and rear, however the transmission tunnel means that if you have 3 in the back the middle person will have to sit with 1 leg on each side.

if mpg is important to you then you may find a 535d a bit of a challenge, some folk on here report 28mpg as their regular consumption.

the price sounds a little on the low side, maybe it has no loather, blurtooth, satnav which would lower the price significantly, or it is an odd colour combo if interior and paint.

2007 could be an LCI which would make it a better car then pre LCI, easiesy way to tell is if the gearstick looks like a joystick, its LCI if it looks more like a normal auto gearstick then it is an older preLCI

just a few thoughts,

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201130407087463/sort/locasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/engine-size-cars/3l_to_3-9l/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/model/5_series/make/bmw/postcode/g776gn/radius/100/page/2?logcode=p

Above is the link to the car I'm looking at. Looks like its the newer one.

just really need to know what to look out for when i go and take a look.

Was expecting MPG to be around 10MPG less than my D3 which mostly averages 42 MPG so 28-32MPG is not really that bad.

Thanks ahyhoo for your comments:thumbsup

 

have a look here. http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/5-series-e60-2003/

 

I had probs with the following when I first but my E60

Warped brake discs at front
inside rear alloy was buckled
wheels out of alignment
Faulty locks (check every door from the inside)

I#d recommend you budget for deflapping it and changing the gearbox oil, and change the crank case oil breather on next service regardless
If it's on Runflats budget for expensive replacements or go to normal tyres
Red

 

535d

These are my thoughts I’ve had a 535d M sport it’s a 07 reg with 70k miles full history.
For two weeks now after having had a 330d M sport E46 for 12 months and 30k miles
I know I bought it and no one twisted my arm into buying it but here goes
The 535d drinks fuel i.e. 25 mpg average the 330d was averaging 39/42 all the time.
The steering and handling are nowhere as precise as the 330d I know it’s bigger heavier car etc but it feels like a right barge even though it’s the m sport
It doesn’t feel as quick though I must admit the speed creeps up on you due to it being much quieter.
I’m stuck with this for a few months now but I have already started looking to replace it with a later 330d msport
Paul

 

The 535d drinks fuel i.e. 25 mpg average the 330d was averaging 39/42 all the time.Paul

That sounds very low, I average 32 - 34 in mine and yours should be even better if it's the LCI. Is your mileage almost all around town and have you checked your engine operating temperature via the hidden menu?

 

535d

I drive a 30 mile trip each way to work per day mixed A roads and dual carriage way.
Not sure what the LCI is or how to find out if mine has it.
Any help would be good checked mpg tonight its 25.5 that after a trip to Skegness and back over the week end which was 97 miles each way and I drove as steady as passable.
Cheers

 

I drive a 30 mile trip each way to work per day mixed A roads and dual carriage way.
Not sure what the LCI is or how to find out if mine has it.
Any help would be good checked mpg tonight its 25.5 that after a trip to Skegness and back over the week end which was 97 miles each way and I drove as steady as passable.
Cheers

does yours have the silver joystick type style gear lever or conventional auto type, if the joystick style it is LCI.

I've got the heavier touring version. on each motorway run even with family on board i get 40mpg+

on my 4/5 hour trip back with heavy traffic after picking it up i averaged 46mpg!

the one you posted hasn't got pro sat nav. ok the sat nav's aren't great, but could be a pointer for resale.

those alloys apparently buckle or crack easily.

otherwise check the usual service history etc etc

 

Google E60 secret menu and you will find out how to check the engine temp. It should get up to and sit around 88 degrees.

Lci is a midlife upgrade many small changes in the whole car. If you have led rear lights you should be lci

 

BMW diesel engines have two thermostats (main and EGR cooler) and both are prone to failing. Thus allowing your engine to run too cool resulting in over fueling by the ECU.

As I'm sure you've noticed the E60 doesn't have a temperature gauge (thanks BMW) so the only way to check your coolant temp is via a hidden menu in the OBC (see link)

http://www.scoopz.com/m5board/E60_Hidden_OBC_Instructions.pdf

Your operating temp (when driving) should be relatively stable between 89 - 93 C. (stationary temp is irrelevant as that's regulated by the fan cut in switch). Many however are down in the 60's / 70's and some even lower than that.

Also worth checking your air filter is clean as even BMW have been know to skip replacing them come service time.

Get your fault codes checked for any glow plug errors

Check your brakes aren't binding at all.

Check your tyre pressures regularly

 

Google E60 secret menu and you will find out how to check the engine temp. It should get up to and sit around 88 degrees.

Lci is a midlife upgrade many small changes in the whole car. If you have led rear lights you should be lci

 

better spec one
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...o_4_years_old/keywords/535d sport/radius/1500/page/2/postcode/bs324ql?logcode=p

 

535d

Hi
Seem to have hijacked this thread will have a look at the hidden menu in morning.
It doesnt have the joystick type gear stick just the standard auto type !
checked mpg again 26.5.
A work mate has a 04 530d sport 110k miles remapped I can just keep up with him from standing start to about 70 mph though wouldnt be able to pass him.
Have checked tyre presures ( two new rear tyres last week )
Always keep an eye on oil and water levels etc etc
Any way will try and find hidden temp gauge and get mate to down load any fault code at week end.
Paul

 

Hi
Seem to have hijacked this thread will have a look at the hidden menu in morning.
It doesnt have the joystick type gear stick just the standard auto type !
checked mpg again 26.5.
A work mate has a 04 530d sport 110k miles remapped I can just keep up with him from standing start to about 70 mph though wouldnt be able to pass him.
Have checked tyre presures ( two new rear tyres last week )
Always keep an eye on oil and water levels etc etc
Any way will try and find hidden temp gauge and get mate to down load any fault code at week end.
Paul

yeah check on your hidden menu and coolant temp option
my diesel is running 85, those with new above 90, and those at 75 and below are risking poor mpg and DPF issues as it won't regen below this.

you have a pre LCI.

I have a LCI and 535d and motorway trip easily see 40mpg+

 

I've 08 LCI 535d and it did 44.5mpg genuine on a run back from London with 2 adults and a weekends worth of luggage. Two weeks ago I was up to Wick with it so mostly A roads and some pretty grim but give major grins in the 535 using it as it was intended it still averaged 41.8mpg. :shifty: That included running with an Astra turbo for about the last 10 miles of it. Mine only drops to low 30s if I'm running round town provided I'm not driving it like I stole it!! :cool

The one the OP provided the link from is the LCI model with the sport auto which mine has. I think it is brilliant. Use it all the time running to Wick for passing slower stuff. :thumbsup

As for the handling like a barge compared to a 3 series. :sarcastic Ask the guy with the E46 M3 that couldn't keep up on my previous run to Wick!! :jaw-dropping

Only complaint I have about it is the lack of an LSD in the rear diff!! :mad WAY too easy to light up the rear tyre especially in the wet! Other than that it's the perfect mix for me. It takes all my work gear for a week long course, is an effortless motorway mile muncher, gives me M3 comparable performance yet still only costs 200 quid road tax and does 40 mpg.

Perfect, although not faultless, for me!!:thumbsup:thumbsup