New owner, I think :s

[Horizon]

Sorry Durham, you said in your post it was a 53 plate facelift, and I went on about a pre facelift 5 speed.
Goes to show, my teachers at school were right when they used to put " Doesn't listen in Class "on all my school reports !
Good Luck, hope you end up with a good one.

[JamieX5]

I personally would walk away mate. The software update / gearbox reset may well have cured the problem temporarily but I would suspect the fault will return in a few months and cost you a fortune. As mentioned there is plenty around, a few small faults maybe expected but not a gearbox issue. I would run a mile.

[gmc15]

I think I would walk away from that one as well. If you are having doubts now then that is as good a reason not to buy. As others have said, there are a few out there and you might find another which is as good, but without any known problems.
There are often people on this forum selling their cars, and at least you can check there posts to sdee what problems they may have had

Good Luck, whatever you decide to do.

[AW8]

Prefacelift 6 speed auto supposedly a little more durable though known for having moments as others who talk of the lurch will testify.

Very difficult to correctly advise whether to buy or not without seeing the car. I'd be tempted to take a punt on it for the right price & only after..........

1) An extended test drive on condition engine & box cold when you turn up to start it up.
2) You allowed to take it to a reputable BMW indy of your choice & get them to check it over including  for codes etc.
3) The promise of full refund re box/engine failure is clearly written/signed/3rd party witnessed/dated etc.

All this assuming everything else car, provenance, history , hpi etc all ok. Remeber there are plenty of others out there with  faults the sellers know of yet choose to not disclose. 

Can't recall seeing much re exact spec/trim etc ..(don't post a link as someone may beat you to the car).

Prices vary depending on colour/trim/spec.............an example absent of nav will be considerably less in demand than say black with black leather and comms pack.

A big service, pads/discs, set of tyres and some niggles sorting could cause a main dealer to relieve you of circa £2.5k so be careful buying these used.

Oh and just for info ......if it's a late 2003 facelift chances are it was 1st registered to dealership/bmw uk.

[jaynana]

welcome aboard!

personally - enough cars out there mate and gear box scares me like hell, so i'd walk away... i wouldn't want to start my x-relationship suspecting my gearbox!

j

[AW8]

Hmm. Despite my cautious optimism above............If in genuine significant & unresolveable doubt, then walk away.

I usually prefer not to sit on the fence but any used buy,(on non appreciating stuff), is a risk to some extent.

[4687ah]

Hi, I was just thinking, would it be possible to ask for a look at the paperwork for the car, take a sneaky peak at the V5 and contact the previous owner, who knows they may have already been down the road of some of the suggestions been offered to you and be able to shed some more light on things.

[shadrack]

what about you would take the chance at £5500 if not id walk away plenty with new gearbox fitted and plenty that are fine!