1998 BMW 523

Fabulous opportunity to acquire a uniquely pristine BMW E39 523i SE MANUAL with just 35,000 miles, finished in highly desirable Biarritz Blue.

Car is as close to CONCOURSE as can be found in any in-use car (albeit very sparing use!). At its heart is the legendary M52 straight six, delivering turbine like smoothness, unrivalled in ICE engines to this day, and is returning over 30mpg in mixed driving conditions. As a 1998 car, it avoids the punitive post 2001 VED regime that penalises larger engines and especially automatic examples of E39s that can cost 500 to 700 a year to tax, this is just 360.

The 2.5 six is arguably the sweet spot for a truly usable modern classic, being far cheaper and less stressful to maintain than the V8s, and being much kinder on fuel than the 2.8 and 3.0.

Note this car is completely STOCK! No one has been near this with silly body kits, or "upgrades" - the car is 100% original. Even the tape deck sounds brilliant and there's a cd changer in the boot! It has full electrics, cruise control and superb climate control that has not skipped a beat in the heatwave, keeping the cabin absolutely cool and comfortable. Everything works perfectly, no foibles, no faults and she has just been serviced by a BMW specialist in Cambridge, (inc oil and brake service and full checkover) and MOT'd with not a single advisory. It has full BMW history from new. As of right now, this car needs nothing whatsoever doing, it is ready to be enjoyed today, and wants for nothing other than the care and appreciation of a new owner who understands what they have on their hands.

I strongly recommend a viewing and a test drive to truly appreciate this opportunity. In terms of modern classics the market is recognising the value of many 90s models that were far superior to their 80's cousins. An E39 like this one now is a rock solid investment. They are up in value from 5-10 years ago as good ones become rarer, but they remain inexpensive compared to previous generation cars. There are clear signs that the wider market is starting to appreciate just how good and just how desirable these are. Motoring media and car content creators like Number 27, JayEmm and many more have euologised about the brilliance of the E39. Look after one as good as this and it is only going up in value from here.

An important aspect of BMW owning is knowing any car's provenance. You have NO such concerns here. R612 LUF has only had two owners prior to me (not counting trade owners) - the original purchaser and one other careful owner in the automotive trade. The first owner, a lady who owned the car for 14 years, sadly passed in 2012. However, the car remained in the family estate and in storage for nearly a decade, being barely used. This is the reason for the very low mileage. It covered around 1000 miles in that decade. When it was finally sold by the estate, the next owner picked it up in 2022 and carefully and meticulously set about bringing it back on the road, replacing and updating perished parts including brakes and hoses, and giving it the care and attention it deserved. Having enjoyed it for three years and adding around 4,000 miles he sold it on, and I was the lucky one to pick it up and continue the story. It's hard to overstate what a joy it is to drive this car. It's a driving experience we won't be getting back, and that is why it's special to have one like this today, like it has just rolled out of the showroom in 1998. Every person who has travelled in it comments on how wonderful it is just to sit in and experience. We are regrettably selling because family priorities have changed, I have been persuaded to get a camper (nooooo!) and we simply do not have room for 3 cars and a camper. So it's this that has to make way.