I don't want a new bloody car. I want my old one back....
Discussion
twoblacklines said:
Pommygranite said:
Photo update - this is actually mine.
Fixed to the top of the dash above the vents (it is a removable head unit for safety) and looks pretty integral - you can see the dial control to the right just behind the wheel.
And no apologies for the proud owner shot.
They still look so damn right with the right kit wheels and colour when clean and standard.
The E39 is so beguiling
That display is NOT integral looking. It isn't even lined up properly!
Fixed to the top of the dash above the vents (it is a removable head unit for safety) and looks pretty integral - you can see the dial control to the right just behind the wheel.
And no apologies for the proud owner shot.
They still look so damn right with the right kit wheels and colour when clean and standard.
The E39 is so beguiling
When I say integral I mean that it's not part of the dash but it's a fixed fixture, hard wired and when using it I doesn't feel aftermarket and more in line with the newer Audi and Merca where's it just part of the dash.
TheAngryDog said:
Ive owned two e39's (both m5's), both suffered and suffer rust issues. Give me an f10 m5 any day.
But no-one has any idea at all what an F10 will be like at 17 years old. New car = less rusty than old car proves nothing about the design or build, only about the number of years it's been out in the salt.If you just mean you'd rather have new cars than old cars, then of course that's a perfectly reasonable point of view.
rayyan171 said:
Fixed that for you.
Also, modern day BMW's don't always bong at you all the time. I like the bong - there is the normal calm one that keeps you updated e.g you need to fill up. Then there's the oh crap one which bongs when the car has gone wrong.
I believe my old 750 e38's has similar sounding bongs for pretty much everything, so when you heard it you knew it could be just to fill up the windscreen washer or in my case the slightly more sweat and tremble inducing "motornotprogramm". It was eventually fixed by a 30 second procedure to sync the throttlebodies, but I didn't know that so I bought a parts car in a hurry which obviously was the sensible thing to do instead of a bit off googling...Also, modern day BMW's don't always bong at you all the time. I like the bong - there is the normal calm one that keeps you updated e.g you need to fill up. Then there's the oh crap one which bongs when the car has gone wrong.
Pommygranite said:
Photo update - this is actually mine.
Fixed to the top of the dash above the vents (it is a removable head unit for safety) and looks pretty integral - you can see the dial control to the right just behind the wheel.
And no apologies for the proud owner shot.
They still look so damn right with the right kit wheels and colour when clean and standard.
The E39 is so beguiling
Not a fan of the look of the kit, but I could live with it if I'm honest. Fan of the car though. Looks great in titansilber mit style 66's. Mine is oxford green full M-sport with beige leather, the latter is growing on me actually. Hasn't been clean since I bought if, I hate winter, and now it's stranded in the garage due to the famous chocholate radiator...Fixed to the top of the dash above the vents (it is a removable head unit for safety) and looks pretty integral - you can see the dial control to the right just behind the wheel.
And no apologies for the proud owner shot.
They still look so damn right with the right kit wheels and colour when clean and standard.
The E39 is so beguiling
TheAngryDog said:
Ive owned two e39's (both m5's), both suffered and suffer rust issues. Give me an f10 m5 any day.
As much as they can (and do!) rust and whilst I can appreciate that the f10 m5 is a very good car I honestly think I would rather an e39 m5, simply down to the fact that I think a proper drivers car should have a manual gearbox, it's more 'analogue'. And before I get shot down my 535i and 540i were both autos and had excellent gearboxes that suited the cars very well, however, with the autobox the e39 is much more of a 'wafter', they are a different animal with a manual. Also, an e39 could be bought and have a few grands worth of bodywork done if need be for considerably less than what an f10 what cost.
Lowtimer said:
TheAngryDog said:
Ive owned two e39's (both m5's), both suffered and suffer rust issues. Give me an f10 m5 any day.
But no-one has any idea at all what an F10 will be like at 17 years old. New car = less rusty than old car proves nothing about the design or build, only about the number of years it's been out in the salt.If you just mean you'd rather have new cars than old cars, then of course that's a perfectly reasonable point of view.
But yes, I'd like something newer regardless. I don't get to do much fun driving these days. Something with a warranty and 560bhp will be ample
I drove a newish VW today.
I want an engine that starts when I turn the key & at no other time. I want an engine that stops when I turn the key the other way & at no other time.
I don't want a little sign flashing up telling me that the engine won't start unless (for reasons unknown) the clutch is depressed.
I want an indicator that flashes when the lever is moved & doesn't flash when it's centred.
I don't need or want a little arrow on the dash telling me to change gear; I'll decide for myself.
None of this should be difficult for the manufacturers as they've been doing it for years. I'll stick with my older car that does things the way I think they should be done.
I want an engine that starts when I turn the key & at no other time. I want an engine that stops when I turn the key the other way & at no other time.
I don't want a little sign flashing up telling me that the engine won't start unless (for reasons unknown) the clutch is depressed.
I want an indicator that flashes when the lever is moved & doesn't flash when it's centred.
I don't need or want a little arrow on the dash telling me to change gear; I'll decide for myself.
None of this should be difficult for the manufacturers as they've been doing it for years. I'll stick with my older car that does things the way I think they should be done.
I remember when my parents had cars that started by pressing a button on the dash or the floor, when key start came in it was vaunted as a great improvement.
Decades later start buttons were reintroduced as somehow being a big improvement, by then I was old enough to realise it was just a change for changes sake, like many features.
I often have a chuckle when a model is updated and a feature that was promoted as a must have is quietly dropped, either for cost cutting or because it was no use in the first place.
Whilst I am ranting, lets consider oil dipsticks, they used to be made from one piece of shiny metal, flat at the business end, then some smartarse designer inexplicably thought they would be better with a bit of plastic moulded to each end.
This "improvement" undoubtably cost more to make which seems to go against the flow but what idiot thought that putting a bit of round, oil coloured brown plastic on the end of a dipstick was a smart move? Probably to make it harder to check the oil so it had to be done at the dealers.
I thought good engineering was to simplify and add lightness, not to overcomplicate and use two materials where a piece of bent strip had done a good job for nearly a century.
Decades later start buttons were reintroduced as somehow being a big improvement, by then I was old enough to realise it was just a change for changes sake, like many features.
I often have a chuckle when a model is updated and a feature that was promoted as a must have is quietly dropped, either for cost cutting or because it was no use in the first place.
Whilst I am ranting, lets consider oil dipsticks, they used to be made from one piece of shiny metal, flat at the business end, then some smartarse designer inexplicably thought they would be better with a bit of plastic moulded to each end.
This "improvement" undoubtably cost more to make which seems to go against the flow but what idiot thought that putting a bit of round, oil coloured brown plastic on the end of a dipstick was a smart move? Probably to make it harder to check the oil so it had to be done at the dealers.
I thought good engineering was to simplify and add lightness, not to overcomplicate and use two materials where a piece of bent strip had done a good job for nearly a century.
kev b said:
I remember when my parents had cars that started by pressing a button on the dash or the floor, when key start came in it was vaunted as a great improvement.
Decades later start buttons were reintroduced as somehow being a big improvement, by then I was old enough to realise it was just a change for changes sake, like many features.
I often have a chuckle when a model is updated and a feature that was promoted as a must have is quietly dropped, either for cost cutting or because it was no use in the first place.
Whilst I am ranting, lets consider oil dipsticks, they used to be made from one piece of shiny metal, flat at the business end, then some smartarse designer inexplicably thought they would be better with a bit of plastic moulded to each end.
This "improvement" undoubtably cost more to make which seems to go against the flow but what idiot thought that putting a bit of round, oil coloured brown plastic on the end of a dipstick was a smart move? Probably to make it harder to check the oil so it had to be done at the dealers.
I thought good engineering was to simplify and add lightness, not to overcomplicate and use two materials where a piece of bent strip had done a good job for nearly a century.
You realise these are all laws that the EU has set for manufacturers don't you?Decades later start buttons were reintroduced as somehow being a big improvement, by then I was old enough to realise it was just a change for changes sake, like many features.
I often have a chuckle when a model is updated and a feature that was promoted as a must have is quietly dropped, either for cost cutting or because it was no use in the first place.
Whilst I am ranting, lets consider oil dipsticks, they used to be made from one piece of shiny metal, flat at the business end, then some smartarse designer inexplicably thought they would be better with a bit of plastic moulded to each end.
This "improvement" undoubtably cost more to make which seems to go against the flow but what idiot thought that putting a bit of round, oil coloured brown plastic on the end of a dipstick was a smart move? Probably to make it harder to check the oil so it had to be done at the dealers.
I thought good engineering was to simplify and add lightness, not to overcomplicate and use two materials where a piece of bent strip had done a good job for nearly a century.
PowerslideSWE said:
Pommygranite said:
Photo update - this is actually mine.
Fixed to the top of the dash above the vents (it is a removable head unit for safety) and looks pretty integral - you can see the dial control to the right just behind the wheel.
And no apologies for the proud owner shot.
They still look so damn right with the right kit wheels and colour when clean and standard.
The E39 is so beguiling
Not a fan of the look of the kit, but I could live with it if I'm honest. Fan of the car though. Looks great in titansilber mit style 66's. Mine is oxford green full M-sport with beige leather, the latter is growing on me actually. Hasn't been clean since I bought if, I hate winter, and now it's stranded in the garage due to the famous chocholate radiator...Fixed to the top of the dash above the vents (it is a removable head unit for safety) and looks pretty integral - you can see the dial control to the right just behind the wheel.
And no apologies for the proud owner shot.
They still look so damn right with the right kit wheels and colour when clean and standard.
The E39 is so beguiling
I have done probably 2000 miles since fitting without a hint of trouble.
Love the rant - I had something similar in my head too!
However the E60/61 LCI did NOT have electric steering. Had proper hydraulic steering like my British car (well Austrian - built, but I digress) - you just cant beat it. I proper look forward to driving the hydraulic PAS car..
Both our current over complicated Beemers have have electric steering- its far better in the F11 than our rather mad M235i (which is pretty awful steering wise - but fun otherwise). Also how is a nipper to learn the handbrake skills if its a bloody switch?
So yes I too miss my E39 530D that saved me a fortune in cash, was fab and had 4 headlamps as all proper cars should have.
Very tidy car indeed as you suggest.
However the E60/61 LCI did NOT have electric steering. Had proper hydraulic steering like my British car (well Austrian - built, but I digress) - you just cant beat it. I proper look forward to driving the hydraulic PAS car..
Both our current over complicated Beemers have have electric steering- its far better in the F11 than our rather mad M235i (which is pretty awful steering wise - but fun otherwise). Also how is a nipper to learn the handbrake skills if its a bloody switch?
So yes I too miss my E39 530D that saved me a fortune in cash, was fab and had 4 headlamps as all proper cars should have.
Very tidy car indeed as you suggest.
Just thought you might like the final result on this.
I was seriously thinking of repairing the E39, but in the end I stuck it on Ebay, where it sold for £500 as spares or repairs. I was ad ish to see it go, but as I was in Austria skiing at the time, I didn't see it go on the lorry, it was just gone.
Here was the ad (sold now so OK to link I guess?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252778146251?ssPageName=...
And so started the story of the replacement. I considered an Alfa 156 or 159 for a long while, but it was quite hard to find a decent 2.4 diesel manual estate (ideally with the facelift), those that were there were silly money.
Eventually, I stumbled across a Volvo V50 D5 manual, with most of the toys. Today, I've driven from home to near Sheffield to collect. There's a couple of PH boxes ticked here.
Cheapish car Tick.
Long drive to view Tick.
Decent engine Tick.
Manual Tick.
So it's now sat on my drive at £2200.
It needs new tires (cheap worn out ditchfinders on the front), a wheel bearing is on the way out (may be tires though), it needs brakes in due course, and maybe a few suspension joints, but overall it's very nice indeed, doesn't bong at me, and is simply laid out with some nice controls. Really pleased with it after a 3.5 hour motorway bash.
Here it is in all it's glory
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V50-2-4-D5-2008MY-...
I was seriously thinking of repairing the E39, but in the end I stuck it on Ebay, where it sold for £500 as spares or repairs. I was ad ish to see it go, but as I was in Austria skiing at the time, I didn't see it go on the lorry, it was just gone.
Here was the ad (sold now so OK to link I guess?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252778146251?ssPageName=...
And so started the story of the replacement. I considered an Alfa 156 or 159 for a long while, but it was quite hard to find a decent 2.4 diesel manual estate (ideally with the facelift), those that were there were silly money.
Eventually, I stumbled across a Volvo V50 D5 manual, with most of the toys. Today, I've driven from home to near Sheffield to collect. There's a couple of PH boxes ticked here.
Cheapish car Tick.
Long drive to view Tick.
Decent engine Tick.
Manual Tick.
So it's now sat on my drive at £2200.
It needs new tires (cheap worn out ditchfinders on the front), a wheel bearing is on the way out (may be tires though), it needs brakes in due course, and maybe a few suspension joints, but overall it's very nice indeed, doesn't bong at me, and is simply laid out with some nice controls. Really pleased with it after a 3.5 hour motorway bash.
Here it is in all it's glory
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V50-2-4-D5-2008MY-...
Nice. I used to have a 2.4 petrol v50. Liked it a lot. Comfy seats, great stereo.
I don't think it will bong at you much, and that you will appreciate some of its good design. I remember changing a headlight bulb and finding it refreshingly easy.
I seem to recall that wheel bearings are a weakness on these, I certainly remember having to have one done.
I don't think it will bong at you much, and that you will appreciate some of its good design. I remember changing a headlight bulb and finding it refreshingly easy.
I seem to recall that wheel bearings are a weakness on these, I certainly remember having to have one done.
bearman68 said:
Just thought you might like the final result on this.
I was seriously thinking of repairing the E39, but in the end I stuck it on Ebay, where it sold for £500 as spares or repairs. I was ad ish to see it go, but as I was in Austria skiing at the time, I didn't see it go on the lorry, it was just gone.
Here was the ad (sold now so OK to link I guess?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252778146251
"Small scratch on NSF"I was seriously thinking of repairing the E39, but in the end I stuck it on Ebay, where it sold for £500 as spares or repairs. I was ad ish to see it go, but as I was in Austria skiing at the time, I didn't see it go on the lorry, it was just gone.
Here was the ad (sold now so OK to link I guess?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252778146251
"'tis but a fleshwound..."
It's a chunk more than just exterior panels - the inner wing/headlight/slam is all going to need straightening or replacing, plus whatever's hidden down there mechanically/electrically. No surprise it's been written off - but I suspect you could have done it for not much more than the £1700 (+ expenses) that the change has cost you, especially with a cheap-but-generally-shagged-or-rear-bent donor.
Thought you might like that description...... Though I did say later that I didn't think it would polish out with T Cut.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff