BMW 5 Series vs. Statesman WM

[anonymousmoose]

I know this will be somewhat bias as its a Holden forum yet I thought I'd still ask... got nothing to loose.

I've sort of narrowed down my next (pre-owned) car to a Statesman WM or a 5 Series BMW. Now price range wise its either a 1-2 year old Statesman as opposed to a 5-6 year old BMW. I usually keep my cars 3 - 4 years.

I'm thinking maybe the BMW will have better resale value? My friend bought a $58,000 BMW convertible (2005 330ci Series) and after driving it for a year, he can get about $60,000 for it still.

[sweefu]

Without a doubt the BMW.. the 5 series are amazing cars, you will get so much better fuel economy and a much better ride. Thats my pick. Also.. i think i'm buying an E46 530i next year..

Good luck with it mate.

[MikesCalais]

I'd go for the BMW personally. If it was a caprice then I'd give it a little more thought, but even then I think the BMW has more to offer, but either way I'll be equally jealous

[TVR-190]

i prefer the look of the holden, but id have the BMW

[minux]

style, looks, quality, resale...all point to the bmw.

[anonymousmoose]

I guess one of the things to think about is that the BMW is about 4 years older also.

[TVR-190]

test both, i have a feeling the bmw will be better built and feel nicer though

[stroked]

BMW all the way.

[TMM]

Statesmans (and Caprice, HSV's for that matter) don't really appeal to me. If i wanted a luxury car, i'd buy a luxury car, not an obnoxiously large/pricy commodore.

[axemurderer101]

good luck if anything in the bmw breaks down though, im guessing if anything goes wrong its gonna cost ya

[Reaper]

How bigger car do you need/want? 5 series = Commodore/Calais size.
For the same size as the Stato you need to go to 7 series.

What model 5 series are you looking at??? M5 or a shitter?

Reaper

[nemesis_adrasteia]

after working on both BMWS and statesmans, from a mechanical point of view id say the statesman cheaper to fix local parts, the BMW is a little old already theyre really only good for about 10 years before they turn to shit(in my experience)

[Jesterarts]

I think if he's weighing up a WM Stato against a 05 Series 5, it's not going to be a M5.

05 M5 is 130k+ territory.

The Series 5 is an amazing car for a luxury barge. But if you want maximum space, then the Statesman will be the clear winner. The 5 Series feels more 'snug' in my opinion.

Personal choice, Bimmer.

[anonymousmoose]

How bigger car do you need/want? 5 series = Commodore/Calais size.
For the same size as the Stato you need to go to 7 series.

What model 5 series are you looking at??? M5 or a shitter?

Reaper

Not really the size that is of concern. I just like the statesman styling over the calais.

Just a 530i or 540i.

[Birdman426]

I own a 07 WM statesman and have just clock 100,000 on it in April. Performance wise the car goes very well for its weight but after 3 years it is starting to show its build quality. Both cars have positives and negatives. The statesman will be much cheaper to work on and has enough room for pharlap inside but i have been told BMW are one of if not the best quality build you will find. I also find the holden leather 2nd rate and i condition it twice a month.

[illusionalvr]

bmw. easy. get out of a commo when you can. 5 years isnt that old. hell, thats almost as old as the earlyist VE. if you keep it for 4 or 5 years, its not gonna have any major problems. and its still gonna be worth more than the stateo. sell a 10 year old bimmer or sell a 6 or 7 year old statesman? bimmer bimmer bimmer.

[mike_is_bored316]

Go the 5 series BMW mate the WM cant stack up in looks value for money or resale value if u want luxury go for bmw

[mking]

bmw for sure my mates got a wm and i dont think they are worth the extra money you pay over an omega to be honest interior is pathetic even compared to my caprice

[Bravotwozero]

I voted for BMW. But only if you're considering the 540i Vs. the Statesman. Only because I wouldn't drive a large car with a smallish engine.

[smitheyes]

Aussie Aussie Aussie oy oy oy
or overpriced euro trash
Hmmm

[davey g-force]

OP, your pic of the BMW in the first post is a little misleading. That's a newer shape 5 series.

A 2004 5 series looks more like this:





Bit of an ugly duckling IMO. They look heaps nicer nowadays.

[Calaber]

Probably the worst thing about an '05 BMW is the Chris Bangle styling - as far as qualtiy, engineering excellence, engine performance (for the capacity), etc, Beemers have been one of the world trend and standard setters for years. A WM Capric/Statesman is a well designed and engineered Australian car, but is still well short of the standards that BMW set even five years ago. In other words, no matter how much effort (and money) was spent developing the VE/WM, it is still nowhere near as well designed or made as a BMW.

However, and it's a big however, maintenance costs and replacement parts prices for many Euro's are horrific. Whereas you can get by simply replacing brake pads every 50k or so on a Holden, and replacement discs cost under $100 each, you will find that the Euro's need pads AND discs every 50-70k and the total cost is many times that of a Holden. The soft pad and disc material provides brilliant braking, but the wear rate of both is amazing. That's why Euro's always have their alloys covered in brake dust after only a few days - they are designed to grip like buggery, but wear out rapidly.

If you buy a used Beemer, you need it to be as low-mileage as possible to get a good run out of it before you need to start replacing basic items, but it will be a far more rewarding drive than any Commodore or Statesman.

[Trayner]

be warned thou the bmw 5 series has the most annoyingiest computer in it lol " i drive " fail. and the parts for them are so dear too. i used to work at a bmw mechanics and was amazed by the price of parts and that .

Also they feel a little bit sluggish and wide to be honest id prefer like a vs commodore to them any day

[smitheyes]

BMW 5 series 2004-present NCAP rating 4 stars ****
Holden Statesman/Caprice WM 2006-Present NCAP rating 5 stars *****
worldwide safety standard argue with that!!!
go to europe there just another car built in a big factory with lots of robots...(FANUC's as a matter of fact the sameones that spotweld the holdens together)
we just think their special because over here there a little bit exotic in europe they use them as taxis

[Bravotwozero]

be warned thou the bmw 5 series has the most annoyingiest computer in it lol " i drive " fail. and the parts for them are so dear too. i used to work at a bmw mechanics and was amazed by the price of parts and that .

Also they feel a little bit sluggish and wide to be honest id prefer like a vs commodore to them any day

idrive is actually pretty awesome once you get the hang of it.

BMW 5 series 2004-present NCAP rating 4 stars ****
Holden Statesman/Caprice WM 2006-Present NCAP rating 5 stars *****
worldwide safety standard argue with that!!!
go to europe there just another car built in a big factory with lots of robots...(FANUC's as a matter of fact the sameones that spotweld the holdens together)
we just think their special because over here there a little bit exotic in europe they use them as taxis

Never driven a late model BMW have you.