Dear BMW experts, Please i need advise on BMW 530i 2008/09. is it a good car to own in Nigeria roads? my location is Lagos, I'm planning to make this addition.

Thanks for your help.

Ofem60:
Dear BMW experts, Please i need advise on BMW 530i 2008/09. is it a good car to own in Nigeria roads? my location is Lagos, I'm planning to make this addition.

Thanks for your help.

Good car, but be maintenance conscious.

sexyto:

Good car, but be maintenance conscious.

What are the issues to be worried about?
are the part pricy?

Ofem60:

What are the issues to be worried about?
are the part pricy?

water pump, but check the ladipo market for prices of parts, our economy is unpredictable and so are prices.
Use recommend oils and fluid, you are good to go.

Thank you!

Oga don't buy it o. I have one to sell. Abeg don't waste your money .

Cc Kingreign
Uboma

If one isn't a die hard, hard core fan of BMW, and he's easily throwing in the towel when faced with challenges, he shouldn't go near one.


QED.

kingreign:
If one isn't a die hard, hard core fan of BMW, and he's easily throwing in the towel when faced with challenges, he shouldn't go near one.


QED.

Do we have gurus in this mechanic field that organise seminars, teaching beginners or other car gurus that want to increase their knowledge on car repairs especially on new technologies?

The world is evolving so is technology, i believe you made this post because we don't have more enough mechanics that specials in German cars and can handle all the issues that comes with it.

With all the car gurus in this section, I've only come across something like this once here, that was some years ago by someone in Abuja.

udemzyudex:


Do we have gurus in this mechanic field that organise seminars, teaching beginners or other car gurus that want to increase their knowledge on car repairs especially on new technologies?

The world is evolving so is technology, i believe you made this post because we don't have more enough mechanics that specials in German cars and can handle all the issues that comes with it.

With all the car gurus in this section, I've only come across something like this once here, that was some years ago by someone in Abuja.

Seminars and stuffs don't work in most case.
A mechanic or technician is a highly technical and skilled professional. It requires hours of both theoretical and practical exposures repeatedly on varying challenges of machines (automobiles in this case) to improve upon his skills. It also doesn't come cheap.

Ofem60:
Dear BMW experts, Please i need advise on BMW 530i 2008/09. is it a good car to own in Nigeria roads? my location is Lagos, I'm planning to make this addition.

Thanks for your help.

Beautiful mid size (executive kind of) sedan to own, handles fairly decently and comes with the N-engines. Maintenance can be here and there depending on your financial strength and annual dedicated “war chest” (maintenance budget).

Note : N-engines and above model bmws are a thorn in a lot of our mechanic’s life. They cannot just fit to get it right most of the time lol.

We all know old bmws (might still apply to new ones though, never used one so I wouldn’t know) make shitty cooling systems - radiator, thermostat and water pump will often fail after 60k mikes or there about (I stand corrected). Lots of plastics! Major culprit will be its electric water pump (circa 150-200k) and if replacing wouldn’t make you flinch, then half your worries is already taken care of. Don’t be scared regardless as your first (overheating) “baptism” will surely occur. Can be frustrating but you’ll probably end up laughing about it or not, and throw in the towel but I doubt you will since you intend “adding” the 5series to your current collection.

I’d say the other half of your worries will be engine related as our mechanics aren’t up to date (as earlier stated). Truth of the matter: there aren’t enough knowledgeable specialists that can handle modern bmws. Majority can fairly troubleshoot the 2003-2005 models (and other M-engines of the brand)… anything higher, will be them using your car to dance tongolo but this time… on a long thing! It will end in tears. It always does 85% most of the time.

I’ll let you in on a “hack” while I had one. The >08 model are quite the charmers (and comes with much bells and whistles) but they share same body frame with the 03-05 models. I got me a preloved and well maintained 05 model, Nigerian used precisely because, of course… DEPRECIATION is a thing! We all know bmws aren’t that easily traded off. So back then, I buy as low as possible (at all times) to compensate for when selling off. But my candid advice, get a decent tokunbo if you can as it saves you unnecessary headache majority of its lifespan in your possession.

I bought necessary kits/fittings (bumper, rear lights, bonnet, gear selector, door interior) to replicate both exterior and interior of the 08> models.

Pro : In almost 4yrs usage, I enjoyed Corolla reliability in a German beauty.

Con : till date, none. Honestly.

Hope it helps, chief.

Ofem60:
Dear BMW experts, Please i need advise on BMW 530i 2008/09. is it a good car to own in Nigeria roads? my location is Lagos, I'm planning to make this addition.

Thanks for your help.

Personally I would rather buy the 2004/2005 (e60) year. the one with the old double vanos engine so as to avoid the water pump issue. They call that engine m54 or so. Then avoid the "x".

[quote author=eluyerab post=103075072]

Beautiful mid size (executive kind of) sedan to own, handles fairly decently and comes with the N-engines. Maintenance can be here and there depending on your financial strength and annual dedicated “war chest” (maintenance budget).

Note : N-engines and above model bmws are a thorn in a lot of our mechanic’s life. They cannot just fit to get it right most of the time lol.

We all know old bmws (might still apply to new ones though, never used one so I wouldn’t know) make shitty cooling systems - radiator, thermostat and water pump will often fail after 60k mikes or there about (I stand corrected). Lots of plastics! Major culprit will be its electric water pump (circa 150-200k) and if replacing wouldn’t make you flinch, then half your worries is already taken care of. Don’t be scared regardless as your first (overheating) “baptism” will surely occur. Can be frustrating but you’ll probably end up laughing about it or not, and throw in the towel but I doubt you will since you intend “adding” the 5series to your current collection.

I’d say the other half of your worries will be engine related as our mechanics aren’t up to date (as earlier stated). Truth of the matter: there aren’t enough knowledgeable specialists that can handle modern bmws. Majority can fairly troubleshoot the 2003-2005 models (and other M-engines of the brand)… anything higher, will be them using your car to dance tongolo but this time… on a long thing! It will end in tears. It always does 85% most of the time.

I’ll let you in on a “hack” while I had one. The >08 model are quite the charmers (and comes with much bells and whistles) but they share same body frame with the 03-05 models. I got me a preloved and well maintained 05 model, Nigerian used precisely because, of course… DEPRECIATION is a thing! We all know bmws aren’t that easily traded off. So back then, I buy as low as possible (at all times) to compensate for when selling off. But my candid advice, get a decent tokunbo if you can as it saves you unnecessary headache majority of its lifespan in your possession.

I bought necessary kits/fittings (bumper, rear lights, bonnet, gear selector, door interior) to replicate both exterior and interior of the 08> models.

Pro : In almost 4yrs usage, I enjoyed Corolla reliability in a German beauty.

Con : till date, none. Honestly.

Hope it helps, chief. [thank you very much chief.]