Would you do this?

[DKB]

Basically I've been offered a swap with my 56 registered BMW 525i SE 116k miles (loaded with kit, voice control, sat nav (pro), front & rear PDC, etc etc) for an 03 plate X5 4.6 IS, the X5 has 21" Alpina alloys 90k miles, Sat Nav/TV, Black Nappa memory leather, privacy glass all round, fully loaded X5 IS basically, also comes with a private plate. Now he's said he'll do a swap, if I carry out a 6 hour journey down to cornwall, and he also said he'll throw in some Angel eye headlights worth £300. Tell me people of the X forums would you do this?

[MINIz guy]

If this is a straight swap, and the X5 is worth more money, I would do it in a heartbeat. If you don't like the X5, you can sell it and get another 5 series. Just make sure the X5 is in good mechanical condition and isn't tattered.

[chas3]

So like.. you are swapping an E39 for an E53 without throwing in any money? Either the E53 is not quite a top shape, or we are talking charity. Either way, it's a matter of taste: do you like sedans or SUVs? Actually, comparing the reliability of the two, make it: do you like to drive your car or service it?

[DKB]

No my BMW is an E60, 2006.

[Sundayjumper]

Who suggested the deal ? I'm always very suspicious of anyone wanting to swap their car, IMO it means they've found it impossible to sell. From looking at the adverts the 4.6is seems to have quite a big gap between what owners think they're worth, and what they're actually selling for.

[DKB]

Originally Posted by Sundayjumper

Who suggested the deal ? I'm always very suspicious of anyone wanting to swap their car, IMO it means they've found it impossible to sell. From looking at the adverts the 4.6is seems to have quite a big gap between what owners think they're worth, and what they're actually selling for.

How much would you say the X5 is worth roughly?

21" Genuine Alpina alloys with brand new tyres on, Sat-Nav & TV, upgraded stereo with DSP, black nappa leather, a pair of Angel eye headlights thrown in, private plate (X5 ***), Xenons, all other mod cons.

[Sundayjumper]

Originally Posted by DKB

How much would you say the X5 is worth roughly?

Impossible to say without knowing its condition & history. There's plenty of people asking £12k for these but if you look on ebay for completed sales, the only ones actually selling are around £8k.

You didn't answer my original question - who suggested the swap ? I'm guessing you've advertised your car for sale and he's contacted you ? In which case asking you to make a six hour journey is taking the piss. He's effectively the buyer in the transaction, he should come to you. If he was a cash buyer would you make that journey to have a look at the money he was going to give you ????

Oh, and don't get taken in by the wheels and registration and lights being worth xx hundred pounds. They're not. If you like them then regard it as a bonus. If he reckons the reg is worth (say) £1k, tell him to keep it and give you £500 cash in the deal instead. His answer to that will tell you what it's really worth.

Basically, it all sounds a bit dodgy to me. Tread carefully.

[Nik]

06 E60 5 series is not a joke car. X is still 03, and MPG is alot less, maybe that could be the reason? plus yours is 2.5(economy engine). He is not doing bad deal anyway... Check it, if it's in good shape, and you like the car you can swap it. but be aware that on 100k some service kicks in, and it's going to cost some $$.

[TriX5]

No way!

[DKB]

No way for what? If you're in the US thinking this is a bad deal, 525i's really don't sell well here