Thinking about making an offer 99 528i

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/3660750034.html

Owner did not replace fan clutch with new radiator. 155K . With the maintenance he has done, I'm thinking about offering $2800. Going to be a DD until my step son starts driving later this year. I currently have a 100 mile round trip to work and the 540 is just not cutting it on the MPGs.

Just hate that it has the steptronic....

Why force yourself to buy something you'll regret every time you drive it?

BTW, a BMW is the very last car that I would turn loose on a beginning driver!

Originally Posted by edjack

Why force yourself to buy something you'll regret every time you drive it?

BTW, a BMW is the very last car that I would turn loose on a beginning driver!

We both know that there is no regret when driving these vehicles. I'd just prefer the 5 speed.

I totally understand the concern of turning a new driver loose with one of these vehicles .
However, if you knew my stepson, you might change your view on it. Assuming you are thinking he will be out there racing stop light to stop light.
He nearly has a panic attack if he forgets to put his seat belt on and sees a cop.
Now I'm not ignorant enough to think he is a total saint. I am sure he will make his mistakes and possibly end up in an accident. Besides a Volvo or Saab, I don't think there would be another car on the road I would want him in if he were to get into an accident.

I do appreciate your feedback. What are your thoughts on the price?

Hard to tell from the crappy dark photos but price appears fair. Hard to give a more solid opinion with out more information.
I'd buy it ....in fact I kinda did..... I picked up a '97 528 a few months back with a few thousand less miles for just that - $2800. What sold me was the body condition. It was 9/10 for its age. The car needs some suspension work (shudder under braking) and some TLC. I am, or wife is, otherwise happy as it is her daily.

Do it.

Maybe start at $2200 and work your way up.

Now if you want a good car for high-school kids, then 1997 Volvo 850 or 1998 Volvo S70/V70 is very very good.
Do not touch 1999-2001 Volvos!
I bought a 1998 Volvo S70 with 150K for $2300 for my kids to use in HS.
There is a wealth of info on Matthew Volvo forum.

I would buy it for $2800 in a heart beat, the 5 spd tranny costs that much alone LOL.

But, start with $2500 and you shall get it for $2800.

My 97 with 191K drives like a dream so 155K miles is nothing really. These I6 will keep going forever with little upkeep.

As much as I hated to give up my '98 528i as my daily driver, it is the easiest car for my newly licensed 16yo son to drive. Much more confident of accident avoidance than if he was driving the big Expedition. These cars are worth much more than we have to spend on them.

Regarding not wanting a new driver in one of these, are you crazy? The 528i is under-powered and heavy so stop light racing isn't going to happen more than a few times. Now will he take corners too fast, probably as he's been a passenger with me driving for a long time. If he's going to, I want him in a machine that doesn't put him in the culvert and will protect him if he ends up there anyway. How can you beat an early I6 E39 for a 1st car. BTW -- he cannot call it his car. He is allowed to call it, "the awesome car my father so graciously allows me to drive." His friends think it is hilarious, so the name has stuck.

Originally Posted by 540indiana

Besides a Volvo or Saab, I don't think there would be another car on the road I would want him in if he were to get into an accident.

+1, the car is a tank. The kid is going to have an amazing first car experience and he'll be safe while doing it. Also, he won't get into too much trouble with the 2.8.

Looks like the listing has been taken down. Did you buy it?

Originally Posted by edjack

........BTW, a BMW is the very last car that I would turn loose on a beginning driver!

Different strokes for different folks.........My daughter has been around road courses since she was 7.

At 17, I gave her the keys to the E34 535.........after she took two teen driving clinics. I knew she was safe, and responsible.

Originally Posted by 540indiana

..........I do appreciate your feedback. What are your thoughts on the price?

I'd offer $2K to start and work up if necessary. A teen drivers clinic would be a good investment.

Originally Posted by UmpaHimself

+1, the car is a tank. The kid is going to have an amazing first car experience and he'll be safe while doing it. Also, he won't get into too much trouble with the 2.8.

Looks like the listing has been taken down. Did you buy it?

Sorry it has taken so long to respond. I did not buy the car. I just went with my gut feeling and decided that it needed too much work on the body. The car ran great but I was looking at a minimum of $2000 in body and paint work.
I ended up getting him an 02 Ford Focus ZX3 which he liked better. One owner, several receipts and damn near immaculate.
My stepson has also taken interest in doing his own work on the car. His first job he tackled was the tune up. It took him a little over an hour to do the plugs,wires , coil , pcv and MAF cleaning. He had asked me if he should do one plug and wire at a time which impressed the hell out of me. Two skinned knuckles later, he was finished.
Next job for him is the timing belt which looks like a one hour job (for us DIY'ers) . Now he just has to learn how to take off from a stop on a hill. Yep, it's a five speed!

I learned how to drive in a dakargelb 95 m3. sooooo... <_>