BMW 530d advice
Discussion
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2735085.htm
Have just been and bought this car and its a lovely piece of kit. I've never owned a Beemer before and I've seen a couple of stories that have left me wondering if I've bought into a large headache
Swirl flap issues, what is this?
Cooling problems with 5 series E39 engines. Any specifics?
Autobox failures, what causes this and how can I prevent this.
The car is going to be doing around 30,000 miles a year so I need to be reliable.
Anyone recommend a BMW specialist in the Nroth East?
Thanks
Matt
Have just been and bought this car and its a lovely piece of kit. I've never owned a Beemer before and I've seen a couple of stories that have left me wondering if I've bought into a large headache
Swirl flap issues, what is this?
Cooling problems with 5 series E39 engines. Any specifics?
Autobox failures, what causes this and how can I prevent this.
The car is going to be doing around 30,000 miles a year so I need to be reliable.
Anyone recommend a BMW specialist in the Nroth East?
Thanks
Matt
Cooling system problems are mostly a petrol issue - so probably nothing to worry there. Being a 530d auto it should have swirl flaps which break down over time, are ingested into the manifold and write the engine off.
If you need a reliable car to do 30,000 miles in then a 10 year old automatic commonrail diesel E39 is not the answer. I love my E39, its great, but now its almost 10 its time to think of moving it on rather than buying another, if that makes sense!
That car has several big issues you are likely to encounter with your mileage - the autoboxes don't tend to last the life of the car without some sort of issue requiring a refurbished gearbox replacement, plus it has 6 commonrail injectors and a turbocharger, none of which last for ever either.
There is no way to prevent autobox failure. Half the internet is convinced the boxes fail because of the 'sealed for life' oil in them and recommend changing that to avoid problems. The other half of the internet is convinced that changing the oil is more likely to cause problems, its a bit of a nightmare.
You could spend your entire life replacing niggly bits here and there, then add the invoices up and have a heart attack.
I just can't really see the point in buying these cars at this age, you buy a diesel for economy, you don't run a 10 year old E39 for economy.
It is an absolutely epic car though and you'll thoroughly enjoy covering the miles with it.
You just won't be doing it particularly cheaply, thats all.
If you need a reliable car to do 30,000 miles in then a 10 year old automatic commonrail diesel E39 is not the answer. I love my E39, its great, but now its almost 10 its time to think of moving it on rather than buying another, if that makes sense!
That car has several big issues you are likely to encounter with your mileage - the autoboxes don't tend to last the life of the car without some sort of issue requiring a refurbished gearbox replacement, plus it has 6 commonrail injectors and a turbocharger, none of which last for ever either.
There is no way to prevent autobox failure. Half the internet is convinced the boxes fail because of the 'sealed for life' oil in them and recommend changing that to avoid problems. The other half of the internet is convinced that changing the oil is more likely to cause problems, its a bit of a nightmare.
You could spend your entire life replacing niggly bits here and there, then add the invoices up and have a heart attack.
I just can't really see the point in buying these cars at this age, you buy a diesel for economy, you don't run a 10 year old E39 for economy.
It is an absolutely epic car though and you'll thoroughly enjoy covering the miles with it.
You just won't be doing it particularly cheaply, thats all.
Edited by Fox- on Sunday 29th May 14:31
roofer said:
Just get the swirl flaps sorted (if it hasn't got the bigger pin ones) and change the engine oil every 10k. If you're doing 30k a year, its going to live on the motorway, just enjoy it. Nice spec as well.
+1As above but sort the swirl flaps ASAP. Change the gearbox oil as well if it's not already been done.
Thanks Fox, I'll sort the swirl flaps out straight away. The rest of the car seems to have been well looked after so the only thing I can do I guess is drive it and maintain it and deal with whatever comes along.
I've wanted one of these for a while now as my wife and I do a lot of miles to Dorset from the North East and back and wanted something comfier than the bloody Evo 35mpg to me is heaven compared to the 15 or so I was getting out of the rice rocket.
I've wanted one of these for a while now as my wife and I do a lot of miles to Dorset from the North East and back and wanted something comfier than the bloody Evo
35mpg to me is heaven compared to the 15 or so I was getting out of the rice rocket.Just to echo the above, have the swirl flaps out Asap - an hours labour or do it yourself.
Also have the crank breather replaced at the same time. This is nicknamed the 'loo roll' filter and when blocked up increase crankcase pressure causing stress on the turbo. Replacing these every 3rd oil change is the recommended although even BMW seem to neglect it.
Also have the crank breather replaced at the same time. This is nicknamed the 'loo roll' filter and when blocked up increase crankcase pressure causing stress on the turbo. Replacing these every 3rd oil change is the recommended although even BMW seem to neglect it.
Just to provide a little more feedback and some inspiration and to add to the dose of 'reality' !
I have a 210,000 mile 2003 E39 530d Touring which was ex police. These cars can and often do just go on and on. Mine needs a few of the normal smaller niggles sorted - ABS sensor or pump, AC pump and a bit of the front suspension shimmy. Else, when driving or a passenger in it, you'd never guess it had this sort of mileage on it and still return 32-39 MPG consistently.
The swirl flaps on my car are still there - so they can last. However, like many other's I'm going to have them removed.
I bought the car at 150K miles a short while after it was retired from Police duty at it's 3rd birthday in 2006. The gearbox gave up at 172K miles, I now have around 40K miles on a reconditioned gearbox with no issues.
All the 'usual' stuff with 2nd hand cars applies, however,
The times have changed, economically is where it's hitting hardest. Many people are simply not just buying cars on credit/finance anymore. This means people are needing to 'actually' buy things with the money they 'actually' have. Whilst you could opt for something newer depending on your circumstances, many people are buying cheaper cars and using the money they 'actually' have to keep them running. Sure there'll be skimping and cheaping out, but considering it's not just 'financed' money on a 15K car and chucking the service bill on a credit card like in the 'good ole days' ! - some people are running these older cars very well indeed! that £400/month payment just for the car had it been financed is nowbeing used to keep a 2,3,4,5 grand E39 going.
My car is worth next to nothing if I sold it - the modifications etc are worth more probably! - so the money is spent on it to keep it running
have a look over on http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php for more specific information too!
cheers, Dennis!
I have a 210,000 mile 2003 E39 530d Touring which was ex police. These cars can and often do just go on and on. Mine needs a few of the normal smaller niggles sorted - ABS sensor or pump, AC pump and a bit of the front suspension shimmy. Else, when driving or a passenger in it, you'd never guess it had this sort of mileage on it and still return 32-39 MPG consistently.
The swirl flaps on my car are still there - so they can last. However, like many other's I'm going to have them removed.
I bought the car at 150K miles a short while after it was retired from Police duty at it's 3rd birthday in 2006. The gearbox gave up at 172K miles, I now have around 40K miles on a reconditioned gearbox with no issues.
All the 'usual' stuff with 2nd hand cars applies, however,
The times have changed, economically is where it's hitting hardest. Many people are simply not just buying cars on credit/finance anymore. This means people are needing to 'actually' buy things with the money they 'actually' have. Whilst you could opt for something newer depending on your circumstances, many people are buying cheaper cars and using the money they 'actually' have to keep them running. Sure there'll be skimping and cheaping out, but considering it's not just 'financed' money on a 15K car and chucking the service bill on a credit card like in the 'good ole days' ! - some people are running these older cars very well indeed! that £400/month payment just for the car had it been financed is nowbeing used to keep a 2,3,4,5 grand E39 going.
My car is worth next to nothing if I sold it - the modifications etc are worth more probably! - so the money is spent on it to keep it running
have a look over on http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/index.php for more specific information too!
cheers, Dennis!
Dennis, thats good to hear. No finance on this one, its all my own hard earned.
I guess you read the stories and assume the worst, but its nice to hear a reasoned view of someone who is running a high miler one.
Just out of curiosity, what sort of money did the recon box cost you? PM if preferred.
Thanks
Matt
I guess you read the stories and assume the worst, but its nice to hear a reasoned view of someone who is running a high miler one.
Just out of curiosity, what sort of money did the recon box cost you? PM if preferred.
Thanks
Matt
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