BMW E39 530/540 Sport
Discussion
They're heavy, so suspension components wear, but can all be replaced.
Getting the tracking done made a noticeable difference to mine, and the tyre wear is a lot more even, but this is true of all cars.
They can rust around the fuel filler and boot lids.
As with all cars, buy on condition and service history, not just mileage.
They can throw some nasty bills, but could give you years of trouble free motoring. Buy well, be prepared for the worst, hope for the best.
Getting the tracking done made a noticeable difference to mine, and the tyre wear is a lot more even, but this is true of all cars.
They can rust around the fuel filler and boot lids.
As with all cars, buy on condition and service history, not just mileage.
They can throw some nasty bills, but could give you years of trouble free motoring. Buy well, be prepared for the worst, hope for the best.
The 540i could cripple you with how bad it is on fuel. - think I used to get average of around 18mpg
The 530i has a proper Rack & P setup, whereas the 540i has a Steering Box and arguably less feel - The magazines said at the time that with the 17" wheel option the 540i did give better feedback over the std 16's, from my recollection it was all pretty remote
F355GTS said:
The 540i could cripple you with how bad it is on fuel. - think I used to get average of around 18mpg.
I've had an average of 24.3mpg over 16,000 miles, some central London commuting, some motorway. (I use VPower since it seems to give me a couple of mpg.)You can get low 30's on a 70mph motorway cruise, air con off. I think a saloon would be a fraction better than my touring too.
I've had my Alpina B10 for over a year now.
On a motorway run, its gets just under 30mpg which is decent I think.
Averaged 20mpg over the past year and a bit.
I will say that the 6 cyl models have much better steering feel so if you go for a V8 then budget on refreshing the steering linkages and steering box (just done mine and its so much better) but rack and pinion is just much better.
Also, don't rule out a 530d as with a remap, they have a ton of midrange shove...
Suspension bushes will be worn but easily replaceable. They're not especially prone to rust and generally feel like they are hewn from granite.
Definite thumbs up in my book.
On a motorway run, its gets just under 30mpg which is decent I think.
Averaged 20mpg over the past year and a bit.
I will say that the 6 cyl models have much better steering feel so if you go for a V8 then budget on refreshing the steering linkages and steering box (just done mine and its so much better) but rack and pinion is just much better.
Also, don't rule out a 530d as with a remap, they have a ton of midrange shove...
Suspension bushes will be worn but easily replaceable. They're not especially prone to rust and generally feel like they are hewn from granite.
Definite thumbs up in my book.
For me, the E39 Sports marked a bit of an end of an era for BMW. Design inside and out, and driving dynamics changed dramatically thereafter. The E60 5 that followed is a mighty fine car, but feels pretty remote and detached, a little like driving a Lexus in comparison, which is no bad thing, but detracts a little bit from the whole 'ultimate driving machine' aura.
My 02 530d Sport is fast approaching 160k, and I keep threatening to change it. It desperately wants front tyres and a set of pads, I'm trying to convince myself that this is reason enough to swap, and despite me getting a little bored with diesels now, it doesn't put a foot wrong and never fails to impress when I get the chance to go for a long run out - roll on Le Mans! They also still look good, in an old-school, muscular kind of way. Then there's sitting inside. They got it just right with the E39; it must have raised the bar back in 1996, I think they put the pressure on Mercedes with this who only caught up with the S-Class two years later. There are not many cars ten years its junior I prefer the look and feel of inside. And today, they wear far better than a 100k mile E60 5 series does; the seats bolsters tend not to collapse, door cards are stronger, and the soft trim on the steering wheel spokes and interior door handles do not rub off. I had a go in a CLK last week, and although I preferred the V8 grunt it offered, driving home in the 5 I couldn't help but think changing would be a retrograde step. So I'm looking at Alpina B3s instead.
Anyway, I digress! They are a bit of a barge though; around town you do feel the sheer weight. You need an open road to make the car feel anything like lithe. Decent tyres will help. Best of luck finding one, you may have to travel a long way for a minter, if that’s what you want. People like using these cars so you'll only upset yourself if you go along counting stone chips!
My 02 530d Sport is fast approaching 160k, and I keep threatening to change it. It desperately wants front tyres and a set of pads, I'm trying to convince myself that this is reason enough to swap, and despite me getting a little bored with diesels now, it doesn't put a foot wrong and never fails to impress when I get the chance to go for a long run out - roll on Le Mans! They also still look good, in an old-school, muscular kind of way. Then there's sitting inside. They got it just right with the E39; it must have raised the bar back in 1996, I think they put the pressure on Mercedes with this who only caught up with the S-Class two years later. There are not many cars ten years its junior I prefer the look and feel of inside. And today, they wear far better than a 100k mile E60 5 series does; the seats bolsters tend not to collapse, door cards are stronger, and the soft trim on the steering wheel spokes and interior door handles do not rub off. I had a go in a CLK last week, and although I preferred the V8 grunt it offered, driving home in the 5 I couldn't help but think changing would be a retrograde step. So I'm looking at Alpina B3s instead.
Anyway, I digress! They are a bit of a barge though; around town you do feel the sheer weight. You need an open road to make the car feel anything like lithe. Decent tyres will help. Best of luck finding one, you may have to travel a long way for a minter, if that’s what you want. People like using these cars so you'll only upset yourself if you go along counting stone chips!
Loved my 540i, I think you'll find it easier to get a higher spec with a 540i over a 530i..
Reckon the 530i is also too slow.. the 4.4 in the 540i is a lovely engine and makes a great sound. I personally averaged approximately 22ish mpg over 15000 miles I owned it.
Excellent long distance cruiser and effortless for the V8. Make sure it has a good history and paperwork and that all of the interior gadgets work.
An e39 thing, check for rust on the jacking points..
Go for it!
Reckon the 530i is also too slow.. the 4.4 in the 540i is a lovely engine and makes a great sound. I personally averaged approximately 22ish mpg over 15000 miles I owned it.
Excellent long distance cruiser and effortless for the V8. Make sure it has a good history and paperwork and that all of the interior gadgets work.
An e39 thing, check for rust on the jacking points..
Go for it!
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