Tell me about E39s

Tell me about E39s

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Discussion

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

212 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
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WinstonWolf said:
Strange, my '99 didn't have rust anywhere. Guess I was lucky smile

Rear lights will end up playing up, the loom chafes in the boot. Loom is expensive, I just soldered some jumpers in...
The later cars suffered with rust more. My old 528i seemed better put together than my 530i was.

Sardonicus

18,928 posts

220 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
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If you buy one with the ZF autobox when they fail its usually serious & expensive too unless your very competent with the tools

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

212 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
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Sardonicus said:
If you buy one with the ZF autobox when they fail its usually serious & expensive too unless your very competent with the tools
It really is an "if" rather then when and a full rebuild is around £1300 now, so not terrible. The cooling system is more of a "when" Thats a every 5-7 years minimum.

Sardonicus

18,928 posts

220 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
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sparks_E39 said:
It really is an "if" rather then when and a full rebuild is around £1300 now, so not terrible. The cooling system is more of a "when" Thats a every 5-7 years minimum.
Definitely a when not an if IMO scratchchin the bearing is a split design and once it starts to wear it will pick-up/seize on the T converter sleeve thus spinning the bearing & damaging the oil pump housing the failing reverse clutch hub I have yet to witness but apparently also happens frown its a lovely shifting box however and lets face it there are few bullet-proof transmissions out there

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

212 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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Fox- said:
Mine was fantastic for most of its life but began to get like this. It actually ended up within 10% of the cost per mile of its replacement - an F10 530d!
Did you keep the E39?

Fox-

13,228 posts

245 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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sparks_E39 said:
Did you keep the E39?
Of course. I hope it is with me for ever hehe

That's twice now it's outlived cars purchased to replace it!

PoleDriver

28,614 posts

193 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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Is there much of a market for 'spares or repair' E39s with fatal HGF.

bearman68

4,642 posts

131 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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I Love my E39 - but i has been a bit of a mare to keep running properly. It's an 02 plate and notably has required. I actually prefer it to the more modern cars - steering feels better for a start, (54 plate - about 10 plate), but the > 10 plate ones are a big step up IMO.

List of faults in 7 or maybe 8 years. (All the work done myself, so relatively cheap)
2 new engine ECU's.
Consistent battery drain - first from the hedgehog, and second from a non existent aux heater.
Suspension components for fun. Did the front and back about 3 - 4 years ago, and needs them again.
Tyres even more often. Normally about £500 for 4 corners.
Shuddering brake discs - normally replaced when it starts, under warranty from the brake suppliers smile
Terrible lights. Really shockingly terrible.
Average standard seats. - not as good as my Saab.
Water leaks into the cabin through the back door.
Rear door handle failed. (Not too uncommon it seems).
Fiddly electrical issues - windscreen washer not working, now the horn has failed. General PITA stuff.
Oh and a badger magnet. Hit the front bumper twice now, though it seems hard to blame the car for that.

But it's a decent car, goes well and smoothly (525 diesel with the common rail system), is quiet, and eats motorway. Also decent economy - I've had over 50 mpg at a steady 70 ish on a quiet M5.


Mr_Yogi

3,278 posts

254 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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I replaced my 530i Sport Touring about 18 months ago. I really wanted to keep it but as it wasn't the best example of one when I got it the list of thing to fix was just getting too big. It was a great car but to get the car to where I wanted it would have cost thousands of £, and while I would have been happy to spend that on it, the thought of it being written off and being valued at market rates (£1500-2000?) put me off keeping it.

My gearbox had stopped locking up and gave a fault code, which reduced the MPG. But it was like it from the day I bought it until 18 months later when it was replaced. I had it looked at and the gearbox specialist said the oil was dirty and contaminated, and quoted around £2500 for a reconditioned/ rebuilt box. There was also error codes related to fuel trims on both banks, which the specialist said he wasn't sure what the cause was, but his hunch was an air leak somewhere, but as the trims were only just out he didn't seem too concerned. Again these codes were present throughout my ownership.

These couple of issue together with a hilly commute resulted in IIRC, 19-20MPG or a range of about 300-320 miles which wasn't great, especially as the manual E46 330i Touring I had before could usually hit about 30MPG.

I also had the juddering under braking which was almost entirely cured by new tyres. However it could be felt occasionally, and sometimes triggered the ABS on bumpy roads. This was put down to either the wheel being out of balance( maybe outside to inside as opposed to around it's circumference), and/ or a sticking damper. All these things required me to diagnose, as the garage was very honest and was reluctant to just replace bit's willey nilley.

As has been said the headlights aren't great, I replaced mine with (I think) night breakers, but they didn't make much difference. I think the lenses get scratched up over time and reduce the effectiveness of the headlights. The reversing lights though are very good hehe

The other issue mine had was the condition of the body, cracked front and rear bumpers and quite a few dents and scratches.

All that said, I loved the car, the engine was so smooth, and it pulled well. The gearbox was great, the only time it would get caught out was on the occasional low speed turn into a side road where it would change into first halfway around the corner. The handling was fantastic for a car of it's size, it was comfortable and very well built.

Every now and then I think should I have kept it and just got everything sorted... cloud9driving

Edited by Mr_Yogi on Monday 29th August 21:13