SINGH Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 I was bored one evening and was just online looking through the autotrader because I had nothing better to do. Both cars that I currently own I am very overprotective about, for example I'm one of them inconsiderate people that park across two bays in a supermarket. Both have hard suspension and are filled with V Power. So I decided to buy something that I didn't need to worry about, a simple run around. I wanted it to have a smooth ride and something that wasn't worth a lot, something I could park in one bay at Tescos and something reliable. I was thinking along the lines of a Mondeo/Passat, but then... I came across a very nice looking S Reg BMW 535 petrol V8. It had all sorts of toys, heated leather seats, sat nav, telephone and TV, Multifunction Steering wheel, auto dip mirrors, dual climate. No sports suspension and with it riding on 15'' alloys I assumed it would ride pretty well too. The BMW also came with a full service history and the guy only wanted £1400, perfect. I had exactly £1400 in cash at home so I decided to go and see it. I rang the owner at around 6 PM and by 10:30 pm on a very wet Friday night I had my new motor! Impulse buy or what? The car drives so well, I brought it with 198K miles on it and it just this evening hit 200,000. So I had it washed it for the first time! No fancy duragloss and grit guards though, just at the local hand car wash. The gearbox is super smooth, I think its a similar version fitted to my S8 (ZF). But in the BMW its very good, you don't even notice the changes and there are no clunks or anything else you would expect on a 200K mile car, it really does feel like its brand new. It comes with a sport mode and you can shift it into tiptronic and change gears yourself if you like. The engine is very smooth and makes a lovely V8 growl when you put your foot down, however it doesn't feel particularly powerful when coming from the 335/S8, but that doesn't matter. Because this car doesn't make you want to put your foot down. Its a very relaxing drive and its got a smoothness to it that the 335 couldn't dream of with its diesel. The ride quality is better then any other car I have ever been in, it feels as though you are floating on clouds, I need to put the music on full blast when driving at night/tired as it really would otherwise put me to sleep! The headrests are like really soft pillows. You really have to try them to believe them. The handling is surprisingly good for a car with this suspension setup, the steering is a lot more direct then the S8's and although the car feels quite heavy it goes around corners with ease surprisingly well. No problems so far which I think goes to prove that mileage isn't always that important. The car was owned by a airline pilot he brought it from his dad who has had it since new. MPG is around 24 mixed town and motorway, but I didn't buy it for fuel economy and anyway, thats better than the S8! Might keep it / Put it for sale / LPG it soon. I really do recommend one. Heres the only bad pic I have saved from the original advert, if anyone wants anymore. Let me know and I will take some exterior pics. Its a lovely grey colour. Hope you enjoyed reading my review! Any questions? Please do ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 I like this sort of thing, ideal for leaving in town when getting drunk and not worrying about, thats why I love my old Subaru Legacy, don't care where I leave it or what I put in it (ideal for tip runs), everyone needs an old car to bash around in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppetboy Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 ...for example I'm one of them inconsiderate people that park across two bays in a supermarket. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 No problems so far which I think goes to prove that mileage isn't always that important. High mileage is never important to me when buying. I'd worry more about buying low mileage cars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted September 17, 2009 Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 I'm one of them inconsiderate people that park across two bays in a supermarket. . Great review Clarkson.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SINGH Posted September 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2009 . Great review Clarkson.... Well, I'm sorry if you didn't like the review! I only park in two bays when its not overly busy if that makes you feel better. Its just that having people bash doors into my car on so many occasions and me having to fork out for repairs does get a little frustrating for me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SINGH Posted January 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 (edited) Today I treated it to a new set of BMW M5 alloy wheels to replace the 15'' steels it had on, not bad for £20 eh? Then got it washed by the local valet place (first time in 6k miles). They done a good job, washed with sheepskin washmit, no blade etc... It has 202k miles now, serviced it myself last week (£33 for oil and filter from GSF!) and its unreal smooth the engine/box and ride are. Over the moon with it. Edited January 28, 2010 by SINGH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Love those BM's, was toying with the idea of getting one for the mrs, so I can play in it too sometimes, but she's totally refusing a BMW after seeing them all stuck in the snow while she tootled past in her Polo! The alloys make the car, how'd you find them for £20? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SINGH Posted January 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Yeah it was awful in the snow, couldn't get it out the street and my sister needed to use it, an hour later with all the neighbours help and some carpet we got it out. The S8 of course drove straight out! The wheels were from an old mate, he refused to take anything for them but I posted £20 threw his letterbox anyway. I'm getting a little carried away now bidding on an M Tech kit and facelift Headlights. Should only cost £250 ish after I've flogged the old bits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightningandthunder Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 I should think a V8 engine would consume a lot of fuel, I don't know the gas price in UK but that's something to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tradester Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 Must say I've bought a lot of 535's and never seen a 535i with 15 inch steel's or come to think of it 15 inch wheels esp one with the nav pack and heated seats you sure it's a 535i or a 520i with a 535i badge?. As standard they came with 16 inch alloys with a continental 225/55/16 tyre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SINGH Posted June 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 What an insult to my intelligence!! I have changed the rocker gaskets on that car, spark plugs, serviced it and its defiantly a V8 under the bonnet, it sounds and drinks like a V8 too and the service history/logbook/HPI confirm that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tradester Posted June 21, 2010 Report Share Posted June 21, 2010 Hi there, Not trying to insult you but just shows people do not research before they buy cars these days. I have never seen or heard of a 535i having steel wheels, it must have been a complete idiot who owned that car previously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SINGH Posted June 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2010 Thanks for your input, I didn't care if it had 15'' wheels or no wheels at the price I got it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted June 21, 2010 Report Share Posted June 21, 2010 Yeah it was awful in the snow, couldn't get it out the street and my sister needed to use it, an hour later with all the neighbours help and some carpet we got it out. I'm surprised at that. In almost 5 years and some very testing snow and ice I have never once got stuck in the snow, including this winter when the car easily had its most testing time. There was spin, and plenty of it, but keeping the revs at a reasonable level it pulled off on sheet ice gradually when my neighbour was stuck in his Corsa. It also endured what some on here would testify to as treacherous conditions on the Isle of Skye, but never stopped or showed signs of getting stuck in utterly blizzard conditions. Switching DSC+T completely off gets most BMW's out of the majority of slippery positions. I'd certainly not expect it to be able to compete with the S8 in bad weather, but nor should it be overly problematic either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted June 22, 2010 Report Share Posted June 22, 2010 I put Dunlop winter sports on my 1 series and it ripped through the snow which surprised a few. :D That E39 looks great, what a bargain motor, there is a nice 540i touring for sale at the moment, £1800 with 150k miles on it. It is in High Wycombe, PM me if anyone wants the guys number, I was going to have it, but got another 3 points last week so bought a Toyota Aygo instead!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted June 23, 2010 Report Share Posted June 23, 2010 £1800 for all that metal! Bargain! You can still get points in an Aygo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted June 23, 2010 Report Share Posted June 23, 2010 30mph in the Aygo feels like 60mph in anything else, and if you turn the aircon on it seems to limit the car to 40mph as well!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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