your view on a 2001 525i I may be getting soon

[femme325is]

so a good friend of mine is getting his new 7 series at the beginning of the year and wants to practically give me his 2001 525i with 170k on it. Everything is mechanically sound on it, it's black on black leather, auto, roof, all the bells and whistles, lowered a bit with some deep-dish rims, brand name I cant remember. I told him I wanted to pay something for it and he said around 3k then. Deal or No Deal? I like it quite a bit but I know nothing of this style of bimmer. It has a LOT more buttons though! Makes the inside of the E30 look a bit primitive ;)

thoughts?

not the car but a pic for reference

[jflip2002]

That doesnt really look lowered, the style 5s usually have that much gap on E39s. Those are stock wheels.

For $3k you cant complain.. but free is better.

[femme325is]

Thats not the pic of it, just a reference photo in general. His is pretty low and the rims are quite a bit bigger with like a 2" dish. It's tinted too and has some kind of shitty aftermarket headlights installed.

[Eric Giles]

The wheels and headlight assemblies are worth around $1500 by themselves...so yes, $3k is a steal as long as it is as mechanically sound as you have been told.

Nevermind-just saw your response re: headlights and wheels. Still, $3k is a very good deal.

[femme325is]

but yeah, for 3k I'm thinking Yes. I'd sell my Montero for that but then I wouldn't have a 4x4... hmm. KBB puts it at 10k retail which is obviously a bit overpriced, but still..

[femme325is]

The wheels and headlight assemblies are worth around $1500 by themselves...so yes, $3k is a steal as long as it is as mechanically sound as you have been told.

Nevermind-just saw your response re: headlights and wheels. Still, $3k is a very good deal.

I've been all over the place in it with him and it drives and runs perfectly. He's very anal about his cars too, always makes us sit in it till if warms up and such. Drives it nicely, only seen him get on it on the freeway one or two times.

[moatilliatta]

needs more touring!

[hugh jass]

original tranny? if so, it is likely a ticking timebomb

[e34john]

I would go for it. Really nice price and the facelift E39s are not that bad looking of a car.

Why warm it up though, that is not needed. I don't let it idle for more than 30 seconds before driving the car.

[femme325is]

original tranny? if so, it is likely a ticking timebomb

I'm sure it is original. Even if it had to be replaced, wouldn't it still be a decent deal? My dad owns a shop so I wouldn't be paying for labor, but I don't know what those trannys run.

[e34john]

True about the tranny. They don't last that long. Sounds like he keeps up with all the maintainence but still worrysome. Not that big of a deal though if the car is 3 grand. A rebuilt tranny plus the 3K for the car and not having to drive a Montero seems worth it for me.

[femme325is]

Why warm it up though, that is not needed. I don't let it idle for more than 30 seconds before driving the car.

He's weird about it. It wont even be all that cold out btu he still does it, just turns the leather seats on to keep me from complaining. lol. Come to think of it, I've know quite a few car warmer-upper people. I used to do it in my old GTI only cause the lifters were loud as hell when cold.

[eurohick.]

for three gees you really cant go wrong. e39s in that price range are usually early shitheaps.

[der affe]

DO IT!

road trip ;)

[Axxe]

3 grand for a 2001 525i? Grab it.