WSC230

What's up, so i posted a thread about a month back about my car being a total lost and the insurance company is paying me for it. I know a lot of members on here owns other cars besides benz. Im thinking about getting a 04 bmw 545i or 530i but im a lil hesistant at the moment because i've been lurking on a few bmw forums and there seem to be so many threads about problems with their 04+ 5 series, either mechanical or electrical compare to the problems threads we have on here. Do any of you guys own a 04 545i or 530i? How do you guys like it? My second choice would be a 07 c230 sport but i like the body design of the 04 5 series and the inside is way much better compare to the 07 c230. Just wanted to see if i can get any feedback on this site. Thanks.

OneOfaKindTrini

I have driven the 530i and been driven in the 550i and the 545i. I would suggest that if you live anywhere that it snows stay far from it.

WSC230

Im from southern california, so chances of the car seeing snow is very slim. I like the 04 545i or 530i but im just worried since theres so many problems threads over at the other forum. Im aware that the 545i is a v8 so it will eat up more gas but my 05 c230 kompressor i was spending $40 almost every week starting monday then on friday i would have to fill up again so it wont be that much of a problem to me as long as theres no major engine or mechanical problems. My c230 i was very fortunate to get a low mileage one and while i had it, i never really have anything go wrong with it besides the usual oil change a brake job right before the accident.

draz.amg

Be careful of the 04s.. the engine is very unreliable. The valve cover gaskets have been known to leak oil, among other things. You're probably aware of this already, though. If anything, look into the 05s and compare those to the 07 C230. I've had my C230 for three years and haven't had a single problem with it, very reliable.

OneOfaKindTrini

The main question here is how much are you looking to spend? There are other comparable cars.

WSC230

My budget is around $18.5k. I went to go look at a 04 545i with 65k mi. on it, everything is clean, clean car fax with 1 previous owner. But surfing around on a few bmw forums, theres always so many more problems thread compare to good thread on the 5 series. Then you have some owner's that never have a problem with their car . So im just being patient, asking around and doing more research online about the 04 5 series. My second choice would have been a 07 c230 but after test driving the 04 545i, i like the 545i better, all around, the inside is so much more roomy better design and functions, power on top of that and i like the body design the most. I just dont want to buy into a money pit for car repairs.

WSC230

04 is the year bmw redesign everything on the 5 series and i know a lot of people say that the first year run of a new production always have the most problems but then asking around on a few sites, some say that the 04 5 series have minor electrical issues that should have been worked out by now anyways.

samaritrey

My advice on first years is to stay away. I have an 01 c320 and have had no issues with it at all really and love the car but if i was to do it over again i would have gotten an 03-05 c320 just for peace of mind. I don't think my car will leave me stranded but just the updated PN's thought would be nice. My 01 is a late 01 built in April and delivered to first owner on may 26 2001 (my b day) so that could be why i don't have the normal 01 experience. My aunt has an 04 5 series and is having transmission issues and a radiator issue at only 50k.

LILBENZ230

I'd stay away, as well. 18.5K will get you a really good used vehicle so you have lots of options.