SOTW: BMW 528i (E39)
Shed returns to its heartland with a near-perfect 90s exec
"From the way it looks to the way it drives to the way it is priced, this new Five, codename E39, has an air of genius behind it that seems so obvious in the flesh ... This is a car that remains in a league above its competitors for pure response and driver involvement: it possesses the most complete saloon chassis we've ever tested ... BMW has been doing things so right for so long it was almost inevitable that one day it would come up with a near-perfect car."
A fine car, then, and one whose descent into Shed's sub-£1K depths we've been waiting a long time for. Because, although you may not believe it given the frequency with which BMWs appear on the hallowed pixels of SOTW, we've never actually featured an E39 5 Series - they've either been too ratty, or they've been snapped up before we've had a chance to write about them.
It's perfect SOTW fodder, too, with a creamy 193hp 2,793cc straight six, and an ability to take an astonishing amount of mileage and daily use, provided it's looked after properly. Actually scratch that - they can do it even if thoroughly unloved. I had a friend whose father only ever washed his in Fairy liquid, treated the service schedule as a vague guideline and generally abused the hell out of it during five years and 250,000 miles - and it never missed a single beat.
Of course there is one major issue with pre-1998 528i's - those infamous Nikasil liners - so do check that this one's been fixed or you could face a rather expensive melt-down. Other than that, and the absence of leather, there's not a lot to fault with this 5er: reasonable miles, a full year's MOT, a wee bit of tax - it ticks all the boxes.
It's also a car that the motoring press wet its collective pants over 15 years ago - and that's not something you can say about every SOTW we feature...
Advert is reproduced below
1996 (P reg)Saloon118,000 milesAutomatic2.8LPetrol
1 year mot 2 months road tax. Excellent condition in and out. Drive like new. Service history. Remote Central Locking Alarm Immobliser Aircon Climate control Electric Windows Electric Heated Door Mirrors,Fog lights.,Alloys,Radio Cd +6Disk Cd Changer, Heaed Front And Rear Screens Adjustable Seats 4 Door Saloon, Silver, Petrol, Automatic. PX CONSIDERED. £875
My brother needed an Estate at the time so I ended up selling it to him for what I paid for it. Not all bad though as now running around in a 08/02 E46 325i M Sport that I paid only £2200 for
I have a 2003 530 sport (Champagne Individual II) i cant bring myself to buy anything newer as its superb. Still hanker for a V8 with a bit more poke every now and then but i just cant think to get rid of such a great car.
I've driven an E92 330i extensively and the E39 rides better, is quieter, has a higher quality interior and generally feels better engineered -they are brilliant, brilliant cars.
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