Discussion
SE2 said:
The 23i and 25i didn't coexist. The Life Cycle Imorovement - facelift in anyone else's book - saw the change over. So it was 23i and 28i before and 25i and 30i after.
Quite right. Also, I seem to recall BMW wanted to put a bit of 'distance' between the models so instead of having x25i and x28i, they replaced x25i with x23i.Anyway, looks like a lovely old thing. I hope you enjoy your new purchase.
Very nice op, love a good E39, especially having recently bought one myself having had an E34. I would say that they are becoming classy now (especially the old man spec SE) although they are occasionally still favoured by the chav contingent unfortunately
Yours looks particularly nice in that green, although I would personally put ambers on it!
Yours looks particularly nice in that green, although I would personally put ambers on it!
Ambers on that' would make it look perfect. I had a 528i SE then went on to a 530i Sport. When I was younger I thought the Sport model looked the nuts, but now think a dark coloured pre-facelift SE with those lovely turbines is the best of the bunch. Earlier ones have better rust protection too.
Rocketsocks said:
... the fuel filler housing harbours water. The latter problem appears to be a design fault rather than a rectifiable fault on this particular car.
... I think we've become so used to seeing the proliferation of 19" wheels and low-profile tyres seemingly standard on every 2 litre diesel rep-mobile, that to see the old 5-series sat on 16" wheels and high sidewall tyres seems a little odd. A relic of a bygone era? I'm not complaining, I think they look purposeful and certainly add to the comfort of the ride.
Great car. It was the benchmark for so many years.... I think we've become so used to seeing the proliferation of 19" wheels and low-profile tyres seemingly standard on every 2 litre diesel rep-mobile, that to see the old 5-series sat on 16" wheels and high sidewall tyres seems a little odd. A relic of a bygone era? I'm not complaining, I think they look purposeful and certainly add to the comfort of the ride.
Yes, the pool of water behind the fuel flap is an irritating E39 quirk. Very silly for such a well engineered car.
16-inch wheels/tyres are a blessing. Cheap as chips to replace.
Nice old thing! I had a similar car about 10 years ago. 535i (manual!) Oxford green - factory de-chrome - cross spoke wheels and a delightful sand beige leather interior. Lovely inside in SE guise. I'll echo others' opinions about returning the indicators to amber, and if you can find a period 3 spoke sport wheel with usual volume and cruise control buttons on eBay I'd say this would be worth a swap too.
You're right in your observations about the quality of the E39, They are far superior to an E46 and closer in terms of comfort and road composure to a 7 series. With all due respect though, what's an airline pilot doing in s 17 year old 5 series??
You're right in your observations about the quality of the E39, They are far superior to an E46 and closer in terms of comfort and road composure to a 7 series. With all due respect though, what's an airline pilot doing in s 17 year old 5 series??
I have to confess to being somewhat biased but I love a green E39. Yours looks in great nick and and a class act that will stand out in the sea of grey and white TDIs for all the right reasons.
Get plenty of wax on the water trap behind the fuel filler flap and watch the jacking points like a hawk. Other than that, relax and enjoy.
Get plenty of wax on the water trap behind the fuel filler flap and watch the jacking points like a hawk. Other than that, relax and enjoy.
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