2002 E39 530i Sport

[sparks_E39]

The CL is obviously the most sensible choice

[sparks_E39]

Are you really going to be happy in a car like that?

[sparks_E39]

Mr Whippy said:

sparks_E39 said:

Opened the bonnet this evening for my fortnightly checks, although I couldn't check coolant level as the engine was hot. There's white dots all over the front of the engine, looks like coolant has got into the fan which has sprayed it about a bit. Not a massive amount though. I assumed it's coolant anyway.... All the cooling system is original. I reckon next week I'll be ordering a new water pump, viscous coupling radiator and pipes. I'll get some pics in the morning and check the coolant level.

Not sure if you ever worked this out, but my Z4 used coolant verrrryyyy slowly for the last 4 years. Maybe 0.5l per year or so but I could never trace the cause.

Then one day the level warning light came on when going for a curry (very local journey so just drove it a mile back home after checking it still had some in)

Upon close inspection coolant was leaking out around the coolant temp sensor seal (small O-ring), that was then running down the pipe and dripping onto my belts and getting flung around the engine bay in a weird pattern.

Since I replaced the o-ring on the sensor mounting my coolant has stayed rock solid level so it was probably a weak point in the past (when very hot?) and leaked a bit.


Just a point to check for inspection. Not even sure if the E39 has it but worth a check. Mine accelerated from fairly benign to a serious issue in a very short time so well worth checking for signs of leaking there.


If yours is leaking and is the same as mine I'll happily send one over to you. I bought a bunch of the o-rings at the same time since postage was expensive.


Cheers

Dave

Thanks for that kind offer. I haven't noticed further issues in 500+ miles but will keep an eye on it. Any idea on this sensor location on the E39? I'll have a look this evening. I'm sure there will be evidence if that is what happened.

[sparks_E39]

Coolant level has dropped a little and there is that white stuff over the air filter casing and headlight ballast again. Also some green stuff that has trickled down the side of the radiator housing. Whatever it is it's slow, but into the garage tomorrow for investigation!

[sparks_E39]

S3_Graham said:

Green? Washer fluid from the headlight washers? Sprung a leak there?

Well it's the other side of the car from the tank (engine air filter side) but I guess possible. Still coolant level has dropped and according to the opinions of many, the E39 does not loose or use any coolant if everything's okay with the system.

[sparks_E39]

New radiator required as it had split where a pipe joins, and whilst he's in there he's going to put in a new water pump. £270 all in, oem parts happy days

[sparks_E39]

Indeed, the rest of the cooling system is apparently mint. This split is practically miniscule but obviously could get worse very quickly. I asked him to do the water pump too as it's no more labour and I know they can blow up without warning.

[sparks_E39]

Weird problem, indicators have stopped flashing when I lock the car...

[sparks_E39]

Fox- said:

sparks_E39 said:

Weird problem, indicators have stopped flashing when I lock the car...

Boot open?

Ahem. Yes.

Thanks.

[sparks_E39]

Just renewed the insurance. £330, I'm 26 with 8 year's no claims. Pretty good I thought. It's officially more expensive for me to insure a boggo Focus over a 530i. Crazy. Anyway no issues to report recently. Slight use of oil, apparently normal and being monitored. Lot's of about town driving, 21 mpg average, did over 50 miles at 18 mpg! It likes a drink but still worth every penny.

Why BMW thought the sound system in this car was acceptable is baffling. It's really poor. The 528 was the same. I'd try and do something about it but don't want to lose the Nav system. There are replacements that retain an oem look with better navs, but I'll lose the ability to reset consumption figures which would annoy me.

I've had a couple of nice comments from people in car parks and petrol stations recently, it really does look great with a fresh coat of wax. It's coming to that time of year where it will need cleaning weekly, I hate driving a dirty car! Will an E60 or F10 age as well I wonder...

[sparks_E39]

New rear brake discs pads and handbrake shoe's recently. Expensive but obviously essential. That means with the entire front set up replaced in the summer it's got new brakes all round. It's filthy at the moment, so I'll spend a few hours on it tomorrow. The fecking CD player has packed up, bit annoying.

[sparks_E39]

Thanks. I think I'll leave it for now. In other news I've persuaded the CD player to work again.

[sparks_E39]

I've been a bit lazy recently, when I said I would clean it before, I didn't and it's currently absolutely filthy! It makes it look old and knackered!

So I'll do my best to clean it this weekend.

No real problems so far this month. Every now and then there's a shimmy/vibration between 50-70 mph (or I think there is, I think I'm a bit paranoid) I'll get it investigated in the new year if it continues. All the wheels look okay and I've not hit any potholes or anything, although the roads here in Poole are largely terrible.

Seeing that I never switch my aircon off and it's colder now, plus my commute seems more congested recently, the mpg has dropped by two or three. A drive to London and back last weekend (200 miles) and another 150 town miles since then shows an average of 27 mpg and I still have just less than a quarter of the tank left. Tank before that was 19 mpg though!

I'm thinking of having my Type 37 M Paras refurbished. I also want the front bumper resprayed in the new year before I park it up for 10 weeks due to my Royal Navy basic training starting in April. I can't park it there unfortunately, not that I'll have time or a need to drive it.

I still bloody love this car, I have yet to see another similar car on my travels and think to myself "I'd rather be in that".

[sparks_E39]

Bootlid rust!

Repair or replace?

[sparks_E39]

Oh I think that's salvageable but I'm wondering if for what a repair would cost (likely £2-300) I could just get another one. New from BMW? I hate to think of the cost, I doubt they still have them!

[sparks_E39]

Emeye said:

I will ask my bro for you, it was only earlier last year - a new one was more cost effective, and it did come from BMW, I think.

Cool, thanks!

[sparks_E39]

R5PNY said:

Emeye, from memory I think it was in the region of £300. Looking at the pictures it doesn't look as far gone as mine was.

The total bill was around £800 but I also had a sill and wing repaired.

For the life of me I cannot remember why I sold her now.

Thanks. Did it come painted?

[sparks_E39]

R5PNY said:

Emeye, from memory I think it was in the region of £300. Looking at the pictures it doesn't look as far gone as mine was.

The total bill was around £800 but I also had a sill and wing repaired.

For the life of me I cannot remember why I sold her now.

Thanks. Did it come painted?

[sparks_E39]

R5PNY said:

Very nice, like those wheels.

[sparks_E39]

I do like that.

I'm still undecided about putting a "530" badge on. Mine was debadged from the factory.