Man buys a $100,000 BMW for just $725 and learns the reality of snapping up a cheap-as-chips used vehicle
- This man bought a used BMW for just $725
- The car would originally have cost $100,000
- But he decided to share the reality of snapping up the car
Published on Feb 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Feb 18, 2025 at 12:28 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A car enthusiast in Australia who bought a 2003 BMW E39 5 Series for just AUD$725 ($460) has revealed the reality of snapping up a cheap-as-chips used vehicle.
When new, this particular 5 Series model would have sold for almost AUD$100,000 ($63,510) – two decades on, and this used model was listed online for just AUD$1,150 ($730) .
As you may suspect, the massive drop in price was due to the condition of the car.
The BMW was in need of some major work and the buyer decided to show the reality of exactly what that entailed.
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The BMW E39 5 Series had been parked for three years
When it comes to buying used vehicles there really are hidden gem bargains to be found – like this $6,000 Bentley Continental GT that still ran perfectly well, or this $30,000 Honda NSX that is now worth $100,000 thanks to some repairs by its new owner.
So when the man behind Junky DIY Guy YouTube channel snagged his own super low-cost BMW he decided it was time to share ‘the reality’ of his bargain buy.
The listing for the used car said it had been parked for three years and had a flat battery, as well as a broken head gasket.
Its time off the road meant the vehicle was covered in a thick layer of dust and dirt, but overall the exterior wasn’t in too bad of a state.
After negotiating the seller down from $1,150 to $725, the buyer arranged to get the BMW transported to his house where he could take a closer look.
So how much did it all cost?
The BMW E39 5 Series was in need of several repairs – fortunately, the buyer said none of them were particularly difficult or expensive to carry out.
In fact, he even managed to get back up and running for the first time in three years after fitting a new battery.
“Not bad at all for $725,” he said.
But how much did it really cost him?
Well, to get the car going again he had to buy several new parts, including a new coolant tank and thermostat.
He also carried out preventative maintenance, as well as sorting some cosmetic problems.
In total, he spent A$1,949 ($1,237) – added to the cost of the car and the price of having it towed AUD$150 the complete cost of buying and restoring the BWM was AUD $2,824 ($1,793).
The buyer said the market value for the BMW E39 5 Series is AUD$5,000 ($3,175) meaning he’s set to make a tidy profit – and with the mechanics all sorted, he’s now planning on giving the BMW a full restoration.
All in all, it was a real labor of love for the car enthusiast, but one that was definitely worth it.
Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
