E39 525/530i Touring - Where to look or alternatives?

[jkb89]

Hi all,

I posted a dreaded 'what car' thread a while back and had some very good responses, however circumstances have now changed and we have a new (ever growing lab-x) pup to carry around in the car.

My previous choice was the E46 330i, and as we now need the larger boot space I've been looking for touring versions. However they seem as rare as hens teeth in the right spec (manual is a must), or way above the (£3-4k) budget.

So, what would you choose?

I think E39 52* or 530 touring are top of the list for the price, but not sure where to look for good examples (eBay and PH classifieds have a very limited choice).

Reqs:
-£3-4k budget
-Manual
-Petrol preferred
-Big enough for a fully grown large dog in the boot and associated paraphernalia (large booted hatches considered)
-Fun(??)

Budget could be stretched but I don't really want to, shed suggestions also considered.

Cheers
Joe

[Andy665]

Look at Saab 9-5 Aero's - every bit as solid as an E39 and you'll get a newer / lower mileage car for your money

[phil_cardiff]

Andy665 said:

Look at Saab 9-5 Aero's - every bit as solid as an E39 and you'll get a newer / lower mileage car for your money

I would not describe my Aero as fun. However, my judgement is probably clouded as I previously ran a MX-5.

The aero handles tidily enough, best on sweeping roads, and the performance is good. But the steering is too light with not enough feel, the brake and gearchange feel isn't to my taste either.

I'd wager that they are at least as reliable as the e39, less prone to rust too. The seats are brilliant and the Harman Kardon stereo is great. Makes for a good GT.

All in all, my aero is a car that I deeply respect but can't fall in love with. It's made me realise I need 2 cars!

[boz1]

jkb89 said:

Hi all,

I posted a dreaded 'what car' thread a while back and had some very good responses, however circumstances have now changed and we have a new (ever growing lab-x) pup to carry around in the car.

My previous choice was the E46 330i, and as we now need the larger boot space I've been looking for touring versions. However they seem as rare as hens teeth in the right spec (manual is a must), or way above the (£3-4k) budget.

So, what would you choose?

I think E39 52* or 530 touring are top of the list for the price, but not sure where to look for good examples (eBay and PH classifieds have a very limited choice).

Reqs:
-£3-4k budget
-Manual
-Petrol preferred
-Big enough for a fully grown large dog in the boot and associated paraphernalia (large booted hatches considered)
-Fun(??)

Budget could be stretched but I don't really want to, shed suggestions also considered.

Cheers
Joe

Queries on E39s seem to be flavour of the week. As often suggested, look at specialist forums such as forum.bmw5.co.uk and the US forums. If you register at BMW5, you'll be able to view the classifieds there too and there may be some good cars. £3-4k should definitely get you a good one.

Be aware that tourings have rear air suspension as standard, which is another thing that can go wrong although isn't necessarily too expensive to fix. Manual is a good choice as the autos can go expensively wrong.

[Agent Orange]

They aren't easy to find now and I suspect it's probably because either they effortlessly eat up the miles and are dying out in numbers. Or if they are low milers they are keepers. Good luck finding a manual 5 Series Touring. They exist but autos are far, far more plentiful.

I've run the same E39 530i Touring for the last 7-8 years sticking 160K miles on it in that time. Currently showing 191K miles. There are a few scare stories around air suspension, cooling system, gearboxes and the like but the only big expense I've had which I wouldn't attribute to general consumables is a rebuild of the auto box at around 130K. £1800 over 8 years isn't such a big expense.

530i seem harder to come by than 520d 530d 525d, 520i and even 540i Tourings - especially in Sport trim. Autotrader has hundreds for sale right now.

You might struggle to find a decent 530i left but the diesels are still quite plentiful. I'd also consider a 540i - they can actually be more fuel efficient than a 530i if you believe the comments of others. I can get 25-30mpg out of the 530i. 540i owners say they get the same or better.

Edited by Agent Orange on Tuesday 7th January 11:08

[jkb89]

Thanks for the input guys, I've signed up to the 5 forum so will wait and see, the classifieds doesnt seem to have much traffic though.

I've seen there's a lot of 540's around - they all tend to be autos too, and I'm not sure I can afford to insure/tax a V8.

Will seriously consider looking at T5 volvos.

[Agent Orange]

jkb89 said:

I've seen there's a lot of 540's around - they all tend to be autos too, and I'm not sure I can afford to insure/tax a V8.

Tax for a 540i is £280 per year. Same as a 530i.

Any car built after 2001 but before 2006 with CO2 output greater than 225kg are subject to £280 per year tax. That the 540i has a higher CO2 output is therefore irrelevant.

In my eyes 540i is the smart choice because no one will want them because of the perceived low MPG of a V8 and assumed high tax. Makes for a useful negotiating tool when buying.

[Motorrad]

E39 touring is a great car but I would say that because I'm biased. I went looking for a 530D manual and ended up going for a lower specification but low mileage, full history 525D that someone else had replaced all the common failure points on.

Specifically- rear air suspension compressor,uprated control arms, breather. I test drove quite a few cars that had the dreaded 'shimmy' under braking and when cruising at certain speeds. Factor in replacing the control arms or look for a car that's had them done. Shouldn't be more than 150 quid parts+labour.

Only reason I've been thinking of getting rid of mine is because I fancy a 996 Turbo.

A V70 T5 manual is also a good shout- some of the comfiest seats known to man, great stereos and a nice 5 pot turbo engine with plenty of poke. I've seen a lot of people on here bemoan the reliability of certain years of auto box so manual is the way to go IMO.

Edited by Motorrad on Tuesday 7th January 14:46

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Agent Orange said:

...I'd also consider a 540i - they can actually be more fuel efficient than a 530i if you believe the comments of others. I can get 25-30mpg out of the 530i. 540i owners say they get the same or better.

Hmmm... that really depends on the kind of driving you do. My best was 36 on a M'way journey at a steady 56, but for my normal mix of in-town commute and B-road blast, it's 18-22. 540i/6 Tourings are rare, but there are a few around if you're able to wait for one.

Having also had an S60 T5 (presumably similar to a V70 to drive), that was slightly better on fuel, seats and Hi-Fi, and massively better on maintenance costs and repairs. It was a lot newer than the BMW though, so perhaps not a fair comparison.

What I can say is that the 540i is much nicer to drive if you're pressing on, and sounds good too. Just don't bet on it being cheap to run.

[jkb89]

Agent Orange said:

Tax for a 540i is £280 per year. Same as a 530i.

Any car built after 2001 but before 2006 with CO2 output greater than 225kg are subject to £280 per year tax. That the 540i has a higher CO2 output is therefore irrelevant.

In my eyes 540i is the smart choice because no one will want them because of the perceived low MPG of a V8 and assumed high tax. Makes for a useful negotiating tool when buying.

Thanks for the reply AO. A quick scout of the 'bay only reveals 1 540 touring, which is an auto: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-540I-TOURING-AU... - Don't think i'd cope without the manual box.


There are a few 52*s and 530s in budget, of which the following looks about the best:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-528-2-8i-2000MY-i-SE...

A couple of 3 series tourings too;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-3-SERIES-330i-S...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-BMW-328-2-8i-SE-Tou...


I assume the mileage on these cars isn't that much of an issue (from what I've read it isn't aslong as waterpump impeller has been refreshed?); they all seem to have 100k+.

Cheers again.

ETA: This also looks appealing: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-VOLVO-V70-2-3-SE-T5...

Edited by jkb89 on Tuesday 7th January 15:11

[hornetrider]

You need to test drive a 525 v 530 - I found the 525i noticeably lacking in grunt.

[Motorrad]

As far as the E39 goes I'd be looking for a facelift- 2001 and on.

[waynedear]

Do the Saab 9-3 V6 turbos fall into your price range ??

[Agent Orange]

hornetrider said:

You need to test drive a 525 v 530 - I found the 525i noticeably lacking in grunt.

As far as the petrol engines go I'd agree. The 525i is quite ponderous on the Touring and really you only want the 530i or 540i.

[Hairbrakes]

Nissan Stagea (if you can find one)
Subaru Impreza Wagon
MG ZT/Rover 75 estate with either the V6 or the V8

[Motorrad]

Agent Orange said:

As far as the petrol engines go I'd agree. The 525i is quite ponderous on the Touring and really you only want the 530i or 540i.

525D (with sympathetic remap of course) is well upto the job of hauling the touring's bulk. Even before it was mapped it pulled well enough.

[hornetrider]

Yeah I was referring to the petrols. As specified in the OP

[phil_cardiff]

hornetrider said:

Yeah I was referring to the petrols. As specified in the OP

Mr Hornet, would you describe your e39 and e60whatever tourings as 'fun'? Thinking of moving on from the Saab but concerned that no barge will be fun and that 2 cars is the answer.

[hornetrider]

E39 no - a nice wafty barge but getting a bit long in the tooth imo, and knowing you had an MX5 not enough as a one car solution. Nice as half a two car collection mind. As you know I had my E39 alongside a 5, but chopped them both for the E61.

E61 V8 - SO MUCH POKE! It feels tighter than the E39, obviously far quicker than the 30i, more modern as well, looks great... as a one car solution I honestly can't think of better. RS6 too scary a proposition, M5 too thirsty, likewise an E55/63 AMG (both those autos as well, mine's a manual hence more involvement).

Everyone loves their own car though right?

[phil_cardiff]

hornetrider said:

E39 no - a nice wafty barge but getting a bit long in the tooth imo, and knowing you had an MX5 not enough as a one car solution. Nice as half a two car collection mind. As you know I had my E39 alongside a 5, but chopped them both for the E61.

E61 V8 - SO MUCH POKE! It feels tighter than the E39, obviously far quicker than the 30i, more modern as well, looks great... as a one car solution I honestly can't think of better. RS6 too scary a proposition, M5 too thirsty, likewise an E55/63 AMG (both those autos as well, mine's a manual hence more involvement).

Everyone loves their own car though right?

Cheers for the info. I was impressed by my parent's E90 so would hope that a E61 would feel like a upsized version.

Off to the classifieds we go!