Thoughts on this 5 series.

[Fox-]

The differences were not purely cosmetic - the facelift also replaced the entire M52TU series engine range with the newer M54 engine and also introduced DSC across the range instead of the older less competent ASC system. Facelift models also gained front and rear PDC as standard as well.

[Cyclone1]

Cyclone1 said:

How about this one, it's a little bit older but has great history.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/867104.htm

Jules.

Now sold for full asking price..

[SJobson]

Fox- said:

The differences were not purely cosmetic - the facelift also replaced the entire M52TU series engine range with the newer M54 engine and also introduced DSC across the range instead of the older less competent ASC system. Facelift models also gained front and rear PDC as standard as well.

My pre-facelift has DSC, and the same engine as a post-facelift 540i. They may have changed the 6-cyl petrols but since they also changed the names of those models, it's quite apparent that they're different engines.

Mechanically, they didn't change anything at all otherwise. Which makes the slightly older, much cheaper car a very sensible buy.

[Fox-]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[mike325112]

Cyclone1 said:

Cyclone1 said:

How about this one, it's a little bit older but has great history.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/867104.htm

Jules.

Now sold for full asking price..

Have you bought it?

[Fox-]

The facelift models are not decade old cars - they are 5-9 year old cars?

The lights are so cool

Edited by Fox- on Thursday 29th January 14:36

[Bill Carr]

Fox- said:

Am I really the only person on the planet to whom a 1997 520i simply looks old whereas a 2002 520i looks.. well... newer*?

If neither have the sport bodykit, I suspect the answer is yes! (outside of PH anyway) One might be able to discern the clear indicators, but I really doubt most people would notice. Or care, for that matter.

Now, if you were comparing a 1997 520i to a 2002 5xx Sport I think you might be on to something, but in a way that's comparing apples to oranges. And even then the un-informed might just assume it was a chav who'd installed a bodykit

[SJobson]

Fox- said:

Am I really the only person on the planet to whom a 1997 520i simply looks old whereas a 2002 520i looks.. well... newer*? Heck even my girlfriend notices the difference and she hates cars.

No, you're right - however, a 1997 520i with angel eyes and fake alloys looks old and silly. An unmessed-with older car in good condition sends a different message about the driver.

[matt uk]

SJobson said:

Fox- said:

Am I really the only person on the planet to whom a 1997 520i simply looks old whereas a 2002 520i looks.. well... newer*? Heck even my girlfriend notices the difference and she hates cars.

No, you're right - however, a 1997 520i with angel eyes and fake alloys looks old and silly. An unmessed-with older car in good condition sends a different message about the driver.

I would agree - I'd rather an older original car. Especially as by the time the cars are this cheap, the mods are always done on the cheap as well with non-OEM parts and look naff.

Also, I know this is an unpopular view with the masses, but I kinda like the e39 with orange lenses. There's an old boy near me who runs a mint e39 528i SE in dark met blue with 16" wheels and the orange lenses. I always second-look it as I think it looks really nice.

[Battenburg Bob]

Cyclone1 said:

Cyclone1 said:

How about this one, it's a little bit older but has great history.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/867104.htm

Jules.

Now sold for full asking price..

I'd have been tempted by that if I decide to keep my current car. Looks in fine fettle.

(If I as paying £20'000 for the car I'd be worried about what the indicators look like. £2-3'000, I just want it to start when I turn the key)

[sparks_E39]

If you were so inclined to update a pre facelift E39 with the new lights you could do so and just sell them on separately when you sell the car, as second hand genuine Hella or OEM Angels sell quite well. I think a pre facelift E39 with the new lights looks great. I'm doing it to my 99' car, but I'm not so bothered about the wheels or bumpers unless I can get them cheapish. I don't think any E39 in existence looks like it didn't come out of the 90's if you ask me, not compared to whats on the road today. I would say though that it has aged well and if an owner thinks that spending £500 on lights will make it look that little bit better then there is nothing wrong with that. I would never spend £2k on my £3k car to make it look newer though.

Edited to say I maybe wrong on this, but didn't angel eyes and clear indicators all round become standard in 2000/2001 before any new bumpers were introduced, i.e the 1995 design was still being sold, just with new lights?

Edited by sparks_E39 on Thursday 29th January 18:49

Edited by sparks_E39 on Thursday 29th January 18:59

[Fox-]

sparks_E39 said:

Edited to say I maybe wrong on this, but didn't angel eyes and clear indicators all round become standard in 2000/2001 before any new bumpers were introduced, i.e the 1995 design was still being sold, just with new lights?

There were technically three different types of lighting.

1) Amber everything. This was the original spec of the E39, introduced in 1996 and it ran through until the facelift in October 2000.
2) Clear lights, clear rear lenses, clear side repeaters. This appeared in late 1999 and was an optional extra for prefacelift cars. It ran until October 2000
3) Facelift lights - Angel Eyes, LED CELIS rear lights, clear side repeaters. This was the facelift in October 2000 and happened at the same time as revised SE bumpers, colour coding, introduction of DSC, front+rear PDC, new M54 engines, etc.

[HarryW]

Fox- said:

sparks_E39 said:

Edited to say I maybe wrong on this, but didn't angel eyes and clear indicators all round become standard in 2000/2001 before any new bumpers were introduced, i.e the 1995 design was still being sold, just with new lights?

There were technically three different types of lighting.

1) Amber everything. This was the original spec of the E39, introduced in 1996 and it ran through until the facelift in October 2000.
2) Clear lights, clear rear lenses, clear side repeaters. This appeared in late 1999 and was an optional extra for prefacelift cars. It ran until October 2000
3) Facelift lights - Angel Eyes, LED CELIS rear lights, clear side repeaters. This was the facelift in October 2000 and happened at the same time as revised SE bumpers, colour coding, introduction of DSC, front+rear PDC, new M54 engines, etc.

.. ..

[SJobson]

Fox- said:

3) Facelift lights - Angel Eyes, LED CELIS rear lights, clear side repeaters. This was the facelift in October 2000 and happened at the same time as revised SE bumpers, colour coding, introduction of DSC, front+rear PDC, new M54 engines, etc.

What's the etc? Steering wheels didn't change until 2002. And as I mentioned, DSC was introduced before the facelift - it was standard on my car.

[Fox-]

Prior to the facelift though you could only get DSC on V8's?

The etc is... wider grille

Edited by Fox- on Thursday 29th January 23:13

[dannylayne]

I had an e39 530i Sport, it was great. But, the sport bodykit was a massive pain, specifically the front valance. If I got another it'd be an SE with sports suspension and seats. They are wicked though.

[SJobson]

What's wrong with the front valance? People removing it during the night?

[Fox-]

SJobson said:

What's wrong with the front valance? People removing it during the night?

Some of the guys on the bmw5 forums manage to smash them to bits about 3 times a month. I've no idea how they manage it, mines been fine since I got the car*

• And will, obviously, die now i've said that.

[Cyclone1]

mike325112 said:

Cyclone1 said:

Cyclone1 said:

How about this one, it's a little bit older but has great history.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/867104.htm

Jules.

Now sold for full asking price..

Have you bought it?

No I just missed out on this one unfortunately. I am looking for a car for a friend who needs a decent runabout and the E39 fits the bill perfectly.....will keep looking.

Jules.