Frightened

[Insight G40]

I bought a September 2006 E53 3.0D last May. First BMW after many years of VW's, mostly tuned supercharged Polos that are easy to repair with every part readily available for next to nothing.

Wasn't intending to buy that day, had a week without the kids when they went to grandma's and went to look at a few, just to see what was about.

First couple were awful, first one was really tatty, and didn't pull at all. Walked away quickly. Second was nothing special, the dealer wasn't even there, so once we'd seen it we had no further interest.

Third one, two minutes after I'd arrived I knew I was going to buy it. Everything worked, car was immaculate, tested everything I could and it all worked. You could tell it was a decent car that had been well looked after and maintained.

I think there are plenty of decent cars out there, but probably more that are potential money pits. If it doesn't feel 100% right walk away.

I spoke to a friend, who's a master tech at a BMW main dealer, and he refuted my suggestion that the gearboxes were weak.

Best car I ever bought 

[X5Sport]

[quote="Insight G40"]
I spoke to a friend, who's a master tech at a BMW main dealer, and he refuted my suggestion that the gearboxes were weak.
[/quote]

Probably because no one takes to BMW for repair as the cost is astronomical out of warranty. 

Talk to any ZF specialist and you'll hear different. 

BMW don't even accept the oil needs changing....

[the shreksta]

[quote="Beamer"]
I wonder how much someone's way of driving contributes to the failures ? Me I am a slow old farting not wanting to go from 0 - 60 at warp speed. Would racing a 2 ton car place a lot of pressure on the gear box firing it up through the gears. That's only my thought. Being a newbie I will take any advice as I have not got a clue.
[/quote]

I would imagine shock loading the transmission or diffs with a car of this size will at some point result in a wallet lightening experience

[Davrosbimmer]

I got a warranty through the BMW website...if the mileage isn't too high it should be okay...keeps me confident anyway!

[Beamer]

Looked at Warranty Direct £415

[X5Sport]

Wait a few days or play coy and they'll call you with a better deal.