Orange mk1 in germany ...

[mirko131]

Very nice car, very nice colour , good price , get ready ....

http://achat-occasion.automobile.fr/annonces/showDetails.html?id=132746525&pageNumber=1

[simon131]

I've got one like that, but mine has the steering wheel on the other side

[Rob 131]

Simon

I don't think it is like yours. If you look at the pictures carefully there is sins of ripples along the bottom of the doors and differences in colour between the front wing and the doors. From what I've seen on the pictures your Mk 1 looks a real minter. Do you actually use it much.

Just a note on the 525i; it is currently in with BMW having the PAS system replaced (it is not even 2 years old). Next company car will not be a BMW. They have advised me that they want the car for 5 days!

[simon131]

Hi Rob,

I'm sorry that you've had such experiences with your 5 as my E60s have been (with the exception of one glich on my latest 525d Sport) extremely reliable. It sounds as though you definitely have a Friday Afternoon/Monday Morning car there

I've had lots of 5 series BMers, and loved them all. From the 1994 E34 520i SE Saloon (owned for 6 months - was too slow) through three E39 Sports (2000 528i - owned four years, 2002 525i Touring - owned 3 years and still do; and 2003 530i Aegean Blue Ltd - owned for a year) and two E60s (a 530i SE - owned four and a half years and my current 525d Sport) they have, in the main been very reliable and totally brilliant to drive. Yes, rear wheel drive and slightly better built than a 131 - although I chucked the 530i Aegean Blue Ltd back at the dealer as the electrics and electronics were awful. I think a lot depends on the dealer and their ability to find and fix the fault first time - which the Main Dealers seem almost never to be able to do I use a very good Independent guy who really knows what he's doing and has to date always done the jobs (servicing and fault finding/repairs) very professionally.

Don't blame the cars as a whole Rob - the 5-Series is a really good car! All those awards in international press can't be wrong It's like anything, even the 131, you have to have more than one to fully appreciate them.

My orange Special needs to be recommissioned to be honest as it's sat in the garage without moving for years now and it deserves better.  

[Thotos]

Talking of BMW, have you seen this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11452486

[simon131]

Yes, seen it, but only affects the bigger engined cars - V8 and V12 - of which there are about 12,000 in the UK I believe, from 2002 to 2009 I think, but I can't afford to run a car of such size - although I am now looking for a V8 'fun day' BMW - either an E39 540i or older E39 M5 - I'm not sure I can resist much longer as they are such a bargain these days for so much rear wheel drive power! (cheaper than buying most 131s too ).

[Rob 131]

Simon

Everyone I know that drives a BMW seems to have excellent reliabilty. Dealer advised me that the steering parts arrived from Germany this morning and I should get the car back tomorrow. The new 5 series looks nice for when mine comes up for replacement ; however I might go for an XF Jaguar that seems to have had excellent reviews. I am just not sure about the whole Jag thing

I have been using the wife's Audi for the last week and is quite a neat handling, quality car although the ride is a bit fidgety in comparison with the 5 Series and being 2 Litre Non Turbo and Auto is no ball of fire. I suspect that a used 2 Litre Turbo A4 Manual Sport Line could be a good value performance saloon. Similar to the 131 Sport in its day.

At least you still have the MK 1 Mirafiori and I'd be interested to know what measures you take in order to preserve the condition.

Robert