Costs of a E39 5 Series? Tyres/service/niggles etc...
Discussion
I'm getting a 528i, and just wondered the cost of tyres and servicing and any other niggles that may need attention? I have a £1500 per year budget for tyres and things to go wrong, and I only do 7000 miles a year so expect the tyres to last longer than that (I'm not going to thrash it)... any info would be appreciated. I know these cars are said to be pretty much bulletproof but I want to be prepared for any "surprises" along the way. I'm spending £3000/£3500 buying from 1998 "S" plate onwards with around 100,000 miles on the clock. Any info would be appreciated, thanks.
Tyres: I'm about 18K into a set of Marangoni Vantos which have about 3mm tread left on the rears. They were £70 a corner (225/55 R16).
Servicing: I drive mine from service to service and get the recommended scheduled services at a local BMW specialist. Last was an oil service, about £120. Inspection 1 is about £200, and Inspection 3 about £300. Other than consumables, nothing has gone wrong in 22K miles.
The routine goes OS, I1, OS, I2, OS, I1, OS, etc.
I get about 30MPG over the combined cycle.
Things to check:
They're great cars. Nothing rides or drives better for the same money (both up front and in running costs), in my opinion.
ETA: Get a black one. All the cool kids have black ones.
Servicing: I drive mine from service to service and get the recommended scheduled services at a local BMW specialist. Last was an oil service, about £120. Inspection 1 is about £200, and Inspection 3 about £300. Other than consumables, nothing has gone wrong in 22K miles.
The routine goes OS, I1, OS, I2, OS, I1, OS, etc.
I get about 30MPG over the combined cycle.
Things to check:
- Full-sized spare is present and tyre fitted
- Toolkit is present (inside bootlid on saloons)
- Torch is working (in the glovebox)
- All electronics working with no dead pixels in the dash or console
- For a high-miler, FBMWSH or BMW then specialist history
- Rear suspension is expensive if bits need replacing
- Headlamp clusters are £300 each for OEM parts, so make sure they work and have no condensation in them
- Rear cup holders always break because they're rubbish
They're great cars. Nothing rides or drives better for the same money (both up front and in running costs), in my opinion.
ETA: Get a black one. All the cool kids have black ones.
Edited by CommanderJameson on Monday 4th August 13:37
I don't think your going to have any major issues. Your budget seems more than capable of dealing with any service items you may need.
I found that these cars are quite wallet friendly if you stay away from the Mother ship BMW Stealership.
Good Luck.
I found that these cars are quite wallet friendly if you stay away from the Mother ship BMW Stealership.
Good Luck.
Edited by NineOneSeven on Monday 4th August 13:36
sparks87 said:
Cheers to both of you. I like the look of them in black but then they look great in silver as well.... not fussed about leather interior really, but if I find a great condition leather spec car for the money, I'll be happy.
Silver's fine, as long as you get the very, very dark silver. Very dark indeed.Oh wait.
That's black, isn't it?
I think that the black cars look best with the black trim - there's a sister car to mine (i.e. same year, same colour) in the town where I live that has the chrome around the windows, and to be honest it looks a bit grandad.
And as for the spec - there is no reason at all for you to settle for anything other than top whack. No cloth, full climate, all that stuff. You won't save much by not having it, so you might as well waft in comfort!
My knowledge of this is fading but 2.8 engines had Nikasil issues that were cured at a certain point. I know 97 cars can be affected (my 328 and my father's 528 both had to have replacment short engines), not sure about 98, there is a cut off somewhere so worth finding out. Suspension components start to wear about this age/mileage and can be pricey so worth checking for knocks, particularly from the rear and any vibrations feeding back through the steering wheel. The pixel on the dash problem as mentioned is worth checking for as its a little irritating to say the least. Check for rust around the bootlid and rear arches.
Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Gad-Westy said:
My knowledge of this is fading but 2.8 engines had Nikasil issues that were cured at a certain point. I know 97 cars can be affected (my 328 and my father's 528 both had to have replacment short engines), not sure about 98, there is a cut off somewhere so worth finding out. Suspension components start to wear about this age/mileage and can be pricey so worth checking for knocks, particularly from the rear and any vibrations feeding back through the steering wheel. The pixel on the dash problem as mentioned is worth checking for as its a little irritating to say the least. Check for rust around the bootlid and rear arches.
Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Nikasil ceased to be an issue in cars built from September 98 onward. There's some water-holding in the theory that any car still running is unlikely to be a sufferer, but it'd be prudent to check the history of pre-Sep-98 cars carefully.Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Have been running a 98S 523iSE Touring with 110k on the clock for about 6 months now. Pair of Firestone tyres was about £120 from memory, needed a thermostat when I bought it which was about £20 all in plus an hour to fit. Nothing else has needed doing. I've got the INPA software so I can plug it in to diagnose any faults but so far all I've needed to do is reset an airbag fault. Perfect for motorway cruising, a little on the thirsty side round town. At your budget you should get a decent one with leather and toys IMHO.
Lots of tips and advice here: http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewforum.php?f=5
Lots of tips and advice here: http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewforum.php?f=5
CommanderJameson said:
sparks87 said:
Cheers to both of you. I like the look of them in black but then they look great in silver as well.... not fussed about leather interior really, but if I find a great condition leather spec car for the money, I'll be happy.
Silver's fine, as long as you get the very, very dark silver. Very dark indeed.Oh wait.
That's black, isn't it?
I think that the black cars look best with the black trim - there's a sister car to mine (i.e. same year, same colour) in the town where I live that has the chrome around the windows, and to be honest it looks a bit grandad.
And as for the spec - there is no reason at all for you to settle for anything other than top whack. No cloth, full climate, all that stuff. You won't save much by not having it, so you might as well waft in comfort!
I'm just thinking where I should put the PH stickers now!!!
CommanderJameson said:
Gad-Westy said:
My knowledge of this is fading but 2.8 engines had Nikasil issues that were cured at a certain point. I know 97 cars can be affected (my 328 and my father's 528 both had to have replacment short engines), not sure about 98, there is a cut off somewhere so worth finding out. Suspension components start to wear about this age/mileage and can be pricey so worth checking for knocks, particularly from the rear and any vibrations feeding back through the steering wheel. The pixel on the dash problem as mentioned is worth checking for as its a little irritating to say the least. Check for rust around the bootlid and rear arches.
Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Nikasil ceased to be an issue in cars built from September 98 onward. There's some water-holding in the theory that any car still running is unlikely to be a sufferer, but it'd be prudent to check the history of pre-Sep-98 cars carefully.Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Gad-Westy said:
CommanderJameson said:
Gad-Westy said:
My knowledge of this is fading but 2.8 engines had Nikasil issues that were cured at a certain point. I know 97 cars can be affected (my 328 and my father's 528 both had to have replacment short engines), not sure about 98, there is a cut off somewhere so worth finding out. Suspension components start to wear about this age/mileage and can be pricey so worth checking for knocks, particularly from the rear and any vibrations feeding back through the steering wheel. The pixel on the dash problem as mentioned is worth checking for as its a little irritating to say the least. Check for rust around the bootlid and rear arches.
Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Nikasil ceased to be an issue in cars built from September 98 onward. There's some water-holding in the theory that any car still running is unlikely to be a sufferer, but it'd be prudent to check the history of pre-Sep-98 cars carefully.Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
sparks87 said:
Gad-Westy said:
CommanderJameson said:
Gad-Westy said:
My knowledge of this is fading but 2.8 engines had Nikasil issues that were cured at a certain point. I know 97 cars can be affected (my 328 and my father's 528 both had to have replacment short engines), not sure about 98, there is a cut off somewhere so worth finding out. Suspension components start to wear about this age/mileage and can be pricey so worth checking for knocks, particularly from the rear and any vibrations feeding back through the steering wheel. The pixel on the dash problem as mentioned is worth checking for as its a little irritating to say the least. Check for rust around the bootlid and rear arches.
Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Nikasil ceased to be an issue in cars built from September 98 onward. There's some water-holding in the theory that any car still running is unlikely to be a sufferer, but it'd be prudent to check the history of pre-Sep-98 cars carefully.Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Gad-Westy said:
sparks87 said:
Gad-Westy said:
CommanderJameson said:
Gad-Westy said:
My knowledge of this is fading but 2.8 engines had Nikasil issues that were cured at a certain point. I know 97 cars can be affected (my 328 and my father's 528 both had to have replacment short engines), not sure about 98, there is a cut off somewhere so worth finding out. Suspension components start to wear about this age/mileage and can be pricey so worth checking for knocks, particularly from the rear and any vibrations feeding back through the steering wheel. The pixel on the dash problem as mentioned is worth checking for as its a little irritating to say the least. Check for rust around the bootlid and rear arches.
Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Nikasil ceased to be an issue in cars built from September 98 onward. There's some water-holding in the theory that any car still running is unlikely to be a sufferer, but it'd be prudent to check the history of pre-Sep-98 cars carefully.Overall, they're superb cars and wear extremely well. Your budget sounds entirely reasonable.
Thanks again to everyone for the input, any help is good help!
Edited by sparks87 on Monday 4th August 14:53
I still love driving my dad's even after stepping out of the Elise. Its just such a good all round car. I remember when it was new some of the reviews struggled to find anything at all wrong with them and that still holds true today. If I were after a large mile muncher, I'd buy one in a flash.
Gad-Westy said:
I still love driving my dad's even after stepping out of the Elise. Its just such a good all round car. I remember when it was new some of the reviews struggled to find anything at all wrong with them and that still holds true today. If I were after a large mile muncher, I'd buy one in a flash.
Great cars as were the e34 series before them.
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