Which 530d is better option 1999 68kmls or ´01 116kmiles

[quattrostore]

I found a few 530d touring around the same price 5500-6000grand .The 1999 68k miles or a 2001 116kmiles .Both have service history ,leather,auto,the same spec really . Which is the better option, miles versus year is really the question here. The 2001 is silver black leather and the 1999 is dark blue with creme leather.

I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ,BUT I DONT LIKE SILVER THOUGH PERHAPS IS THE SENSIBLE CHOICE.

Tony

[Fox-]

I'd have the 2001 because it's a facelift model with the improvements that brings, its 2 years newer and its got 193bhp not 184bhp.

[quattrostore]

The facelift isn´t that much difference though, painted strips,round fogs,clear lenses,and the bhp ,really dont know how much difference that makes on on performance as I haven´t tried them yet .
Sense says take silver but I want a blue one with creme leather ...hahah and off course neither have the 17´s I wanted only the bog standard 16, thats life.

[quattrostore]

The facelift isn´t that much difference though, painted strips,round fogs,clear lenses,and the bhp ,really dont know how much difference that makes on on performance as I haven´t tried them yet .
Sense says take silver but I want a blue one with creme leather ...hahah and off course neither have the 17´s I wanted only the bog standard 16, thats life.

[Fox-]

The facelift changes, subtle as they are, make a huge difference to the look of the car. Prefacelift E39's are starting to look shabby, the facelift models with their far more modern LED/Angel Eye lighting are resisting the shabbyness look a touch better.

[gizlaroc]

Got to be facelift, and for £6k you could be in an 80k miles 2003 530i, which is about the same to run as the 530d and a lot less to go wrong with it.

Plus it drives nicer and sounds nicer. I think anyone paying a £2k premium for the diesel is nuts.

[quattrostore]

for curiosity , anyone selling a lhd 530 petrol or diesl touring as I would be interested .

[anonymous-user]

err, which ever car has just had a new inlet manifold fitted!!!!!!!!

(if you don't know what that means, STOP, DO NOT BUY ANY DIESEL BMW WITHOUT READING UP ON THIS)
(type "BMW inlet manifold failure" into Google and sit back and be shocked!!)

ta,

MT.

[quattrostore]

Is there anything that can be done to avoid this type of failure especially in older cars now we know about the cause and suspect parts .

Tony

[quattrostore]

Can you actually remove the inlet manifold part to clean it or make sure the flaps condition is ok or is this not possible. (assuming its like the air mass meter which Audi & VW suffer with).

[sparks87]

Fox- said:

The facelift changes, subtle as they are, make a huge difference to the look of the car. Prefacelift E39's are starting to look shabby, the facelift models with their far more modern LED/Angel Eye lighting are resisting the shabbyness look a touch better.

Agreed. I have seen a 1998 520 for sale at £1400, it only has had angel eyes put in and the clear casing and it looks miles better than the standard one. It was a nice car although it had done 180,000 miles and the interior showed it. But if there is one thing any pre facelift E39 owner should do, its get some angel eyes!