Discussion
Hi,
Currently looking for a new estate and the 530i looks a good candidate.
Main thing putting me off if the number of people startin threads saying about auto gearbox issues and fault high rebuild costs. Are these issues pretty common or is it just flagged up a lot due to the nature of the internet.
Any help would be great, I have a budget of upto 4kish.
Currently looking for a new estate and the 530i looks a good candidate.
Main thing putting me off if the number of people startin threads saying about auto gearbox issues and fault high rebuild costs. Are these issues pretty common or is it just flagged up a lot due to the nature of the internet.
Any help would be great, I have a budget of upto 4kish.
You'll only ever hear horror stories on the internet. I'm on my second E39 now and both have been flawless. Thats not to say you don't need to maintain them. My reasoning is, if its OK over 100K miles, leave it alone and every month, put a little money aside as a contingency in case it starts to fail. If its under 100K (as mine is), put money aside and look to have it serviced at 100K miles. I've read a couple of articles from people on the bmw5 forum who have had local specialists service them and they've been brilliant since.
The auto box is definitely preferable IMO in an E39, the manual is an agricultural thing and I wasn't a fan.
Cheers
The auto box is definitely preferable IMO in an E39, the manual is an agricultural thing and I wasn't a fan.
Cheers
They can go tits up at 90k, or will do over 200'000. They rarely wear out - it's normally the brake drumns that split open, luck of the draw. These are old cars now and there's lots to go wrong - rear suspension airbags and the pump itself, radiators, electronic thermostat, water pumps, headlight adjusters breaking and various oil leaks. The manual one is more reliable but not as nice to drive. At this age, the mileage means bugger all. I've seen these with 200'000 miles that still start on the button and drive just fine. I'd rather buy one with 150'000 miles that's had the various bits done.
edition said:
Are they hard to get a decent one now? I'm wanting something that's going to be pretty reliable and not going to cost me thousands and thousands a year....
I brought my 525i sport touring auto 18 months ago and all I have done on it is a thermostat and thats in 15k odd miles.Easternlight said:
You need to ask the guys in the "Best smoker barges 1-5" thread, what they don't know about E39's isn't worth knowing!!
Correct!I bought a really nice 530 Touring which had a duff gearbox, had lost reverse. I got a second hand box for £300 delivered and paid my local gearbox specialist to put it in for £300. It is an issue but if the box does let go its not the end of the world IMO.
edition said:
Are they hard to get a decent one now? I'm wanting something that's going to be pretty reliable and not going to cost me thousands and thousands a year....
Yes. They're at least 10 years old and they're not designed to last 15 or 20. The most common issue is the ABS ECU failing resulting in the speedo and ABS non functioning. Used ones are around £80 plus coding, new ones are around £245 plus VAT. Cars with DSC are even more ££££ and 530i's also have the fly by wire throttle.But they're cheap cars now - 2 grand will get a tidy 530i Touring - perhaps not a Sport but who cares?
Some owners change the gearbox oil but many others think it's a waste of time. If the oil was no good after 100'000 miles, the gearboxes wouldn't do 200'000 on the same oil.
They are nice cars, and you might be lucky. But be aware of repair costs if uou cannot do stuff yourself because like any other ageing big complex car, they can hit you with a few £500 bills.
HustleRussell said:
At higher mileage, the autos are quite a bit more bork prone than the manuals. I think the auto E39s have GM transmissions, If I remember rightly.
GM Box in the diesel, ZF box in the petrol variants.When I owned a 530i, it seemed that it was more common for the GM boxes to go, but that may have just been they were hitting higher mileages earlier.
My E39 Autobox went pop recently - apparently it is when, not if, at higher mileages, even if they've been serviced (mine had). I'd only but another with a manual - the auto is a terrible thing to behold (jn the 530d). I've had manuals before in 330ds - much better, if you can find one. If you're looking for a petrol 530i, definitely get a manual...
billywhizzzzzz said:
My E39 Autobox went pop recently - apparently it is when, not if, at higher mileages, even if they've been serviced (mine had). I'd only but another with a manual - the auto is a terrible thing to behold (jn the 530d). I've had manuals before in 330ds - much better, if you can find one. If you're looking for a petrol 530i, definitely get a manual...
As has been said, the autoboxes in the petrol and diesel cars are different, as are the engine characteristics. I owned a 530i from 72kmiles to 150k miles over 6 years and loved the steptronic autobox.Why anyone would want to bother with the tiresome third pedal in a luxury barge is beyond me
n3il123 said:
edition said:
Are they hard to get a decent one now? I'm wanting something that's going to be pretty reliable and not going to cost me thousands and thousands a year....
I brought my 525i sport touring auto 18 months ago and all I have done on it is a thermostat and thats in 15k odd miles.sparkythecat said:
billywhizzzzzz said:
My E39 Autobox went pop recently - apparently it is when, not if, at higher mileages, even if they've been serviced (mine had). I'd only but another with a manual - the auto is a terrible thing to behold (jn the 530d). I've had manuals before in 330ds - much better, if you can find one. If you're looking for a petrol 530i, definitely get a manual...
As has been said, the autoboxes in the petrol and diesel cars are different, as are the engine characteristics. I owned a 530i from 72kmiles to 150k miles over 6 years and loved the steptronic autobox.Why anyone would want to bother with the tiresome third pedal in a luxury barge is beyond me
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