E39 touring buying advice please
Discussion
Hi.
I'm going to need an estate car for lugging stuff around for the next year or so. I will sell my Panda to fund the purchase. While I can afford more, I'd like to get something around £3k-£5k. The E39 Touring is appealing. Ideally in 6 cylinder guise. I know the score with regards to the 3.0L engine being no more to run than the smaller engines, but will choose a car on spec, condition rather than the engine size as it's not intended to be a sports car (I have one of those). There seem to be some nice 525s out there. Any colour is good apart from black.
Any hints on what to look for on this model? Were there any major mechanical changes I should be aware of? Suspension problems? Gearbox problems? Most of the cars I'm looking at will be around 100k miles. I'm not worried about that, but if something regularly needs attending to I'd like to know about it!
Also, how firm is the M Sport suspension on these, I assume it is pre-runflat tyres (they ruined my old Z4's ride).
Any advice appreciated.
I'm going to need an estate car for lugging stuff around for the next year or so. I will sell my Panda to fund the purchase. While I can afford more, I'd like to get something around £3k-£5k. The E39 Touring is appealing. Ideally in 6 cylinder guise. I know the score with regards to the 3.0L engine being no more to run than the smaller engines, but will choose a car on spec, condition rather than the engine size as it's not intended to be a sports car (I have one of those). There seem to be some nice 525s out there. Any colour is good apart from black.
Any hints on what to look for on this model? Were there any major mechanical changes I should be aware of? Suspension problems? Gearbox problems? Most of the cars I'm looking at will be around 100k miles. I'm not worried about that, but if something regularly needs attending to I'd like to know about it!
Also, how firm is the M Sport suspension on these, I assume it is pre-runflat tyres (they ruined my old Z4's ride).
Any advice appreciated.
Don't accept a car that doesn't have everything electrical working, especially the displays. There's loads of cars out there; no need to not have everything working.
The rear cup-holders are pre-broken in the factory for your convenience.
If the car is over 100K, look for a water-pump replacement. There's not much that goes massively wrong under the bonnet, but the cooling system needs care.
I'd be looking for a car that has adhered to the BMW service schedule (at an indy if not a dealer - wouldn't care too much either way, tbh).
16-inch wheels are all you need, IMHO; keeps tyre costs down and smooths the ride a bit. If you're a clean-freak, though, avoid the "turbine" wheels, because they're an absolute b
d to clean. I speak from experience!
Other than that, fill yer boots. Get a facelift 530i, I like the glacier green (hides the muck, looks timeless, not sure if it's available on facelift cars), if cared for they're a massive amount of car for your money.
The rear cup-holders are pre-broken in the factory for your convenience.
If the car is over 100K, look for a water-pump replacement. There's not much that goes massively wrong under the bonnet, but the cooling system needs care.
I'd be looking for a car that has adhered to the BMW service schedule (at an indy if not a dealer - wouldn't care too much either way, tbh).
16-inch wheels are all you need, IMHO; keeps tyre costs down and smooths the ride a bit. If you're a clean-freak, though, avoid the "turbine" wheels, because they're an absolute b
d to clean. I speak from experience!Other than that, fill yer boots. Get a facelift 530i, I like the glacier green (hides the muck, looks timeless, not sure if it's available on facelift cars), if cared for they're a massive amount of car for your money.
Targarama said:
Thanks. What did the facelift bring? I seem to recall a slightly different fron light design?
Revised interior (not by much, mind), different front splitter, clear indicators, tail-lights and side-repeaters; 528i and 523i were dropped in favour of the 525i and 530i.And probably a load of other stuff I haven't thought of.
There is a very good E39 Buyer's Guide compiled and downloadable here
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...
I just bought a 2002 530i Sport Touring with 78,000 miles on it, FFSH and the full M-Tech package and it is wonderful.
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...
I just bought a 2002 530i Sport Touring with 78,000 miles on it, FFSH and the full M-Tech package and it is wonderful.
The M-Tech suspension is really wonderful, not too firm, good flat cornering stance. The key is to stick with the 17-inch alloys running 235/40 tyres: they do not run run-flats on E39s as factory fitment or recommendation, so the ride is much better than the later models, or so I am told.
CommanderJameson said:
Don't accept a car that doesn't have everything electrical working, especially the displays. There's loads of cars out there; no need to not have everything working.
The rear cup-holders are pre-broken in the factory for your convenience.
If the car is over 100K, look for a water-pump replacement. There's not much that goes massively wrong under the bonnet, but the cooling system needs care.
I'd be looking for a car that has adhered to the BMW service schedule (at an indy if not a dealer - wouldn't care too much either way, tbh).
16-inch wheels are all you need, IMHO; keeps tyre costs down and smooths the ride a bit. If you're a clean-freak, though, avoid the "turbine" wheels, because they're an absolute bd to clean. I speak from experience!
Other than that, fill yer boots. Get a facelift 530i, I like the glacier green (hides the muck, looks timeless, not sure if it's available on facelift cars), if cared for they're a massive amount of car for your money.
Yep facelift is available in Glacier, I like it for all your reasons stated BUT only on facelift cars for some reason!The rear cup-holders are pre-broken in the factory for your convenience.
If the car is over 100K, look for a water-pump replacement. There's not much that goes massively wrong under the bonnet, but the cooling system needs care.
I'd be looking for a car that has adhered to the BMW service schedule (at an indy if not a dealer - wouldn't care too much either way, tbh).
16-inch wheels are all you need, IMHO; keeps tyre costs down and smooths the ride a bit. If you're a clean-freak, though, avoid the "turbine" wheels, because they're an absolute b
d to clean. I speak from experience!Other than that, fill yer boots. Get a facelift 530i, I like the glacier green (hides the muck, looks timeless, not sure if it's available on facelift cars), if cared for they're a massive amount of car for your money.
http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...
There is no need to seek out 16's on a Touring for cheap tyres - even the 17's are inexpensive. I sourced 2 Eagle F1 Assymetric 2 for the Sport Touring on 17's - they were just £110 each. Bargaintastic. I'm sure the 16's are no cheaper.
It's the staggered 18's which give bonkers tyre costs on E39's - mine are £200 each at the back - but the Touring never came with these so no problems.
It's the staggered 18's which give bonkers tyre costs on E39's - mine are £200 each at the back - but the Touring never came with these so no problems.
CommanderJameson said:
Targarama said:
Thanks. What did the facelift bring? I seem to recall a slightly different fron light design?
Revised interior (not by much, mind), different front splitter, clear indicators, tail-lights and side-repeaters; 528i and 523i were dropped in favour of the 525i and 530i.And probably a load of other stuff I haven't thought of.
'Angel-eye' headlights (far superior - previous halogens were dim & subject to condensation).
Clear indicator lenses appeared in '00 (my '00/W 528 has them).
The rear suspension airbags on Tourings tend to last for about 100k on average. They're not all that expensive or difficult to change, but always better to see that it has been done.
Tourings are heavy, and eat through rear subframe bushes. Specialist tools required to change them, all-in cost is around £400 IIRC.
General E39 things apply - dead pixels, front TCA bushes giving steering shakes, plus Touring rear wipers like to seize.
M54 engines eat through cam cover gaskets, which then leaks oil onto the exhaust manifold. You'll smell it pretty quickly.
The Sports tend to look better, but the SE is the nicer steer IMO. The Sport suspension is too firm without actually being all that sporty, so you end up with a crashy ride.
Tourings are heavy, and eat through rear subframe bushes. Specialist tools required to change them, all-in cost is around £400 IIRC.
General E39 things apply - dead pixels, front TCA bushes giving steering shakes, plus Touring rear wipers like to seize.
M54 engines eat through cam cover gaskets, which then leaks oil onto the exhaust manifold. You'll smell it pretty quickly.
The Sports tend to look better, but the SE is the nicer steer IMO. The Sport suspension is too firm without actually being all that sporty, so you end up with a crashy ride.
We chose a 2001 facelift 525 SE touring, with the turbine wheels, as the best balance between power and economy (claimed 37mpg on motorways). Footman James even covered it with restricted miles "classic car insurance".
Apart from the £450 Avon tyre set just after purchase, no problems. I'd advise checking all the electronics work, a lot of cars we looked at were littered with faulty reversing/front sensors, pixel display faults and the tailgate window opening not locking properly. I avoided the sport suspension as too uncomfortable, same reason I went for the 16 inch wheels.
Depreciation should minimal. We paid £2000 a year ago and it's on Fleabay at the moment for the same price. I'll miss the Angel eyes most!
Apart from the £450 Avon tyre set just after purchase, no problems. I'd advise checking all the electronics work, a lot of cars we looked at were littered with faulty reversing/front sensors, pixel display faults and the tailgate window opening not locking properly. I avoided the sport suspension as too uncomfortable, same reason I went for the 16 inch wheels.
Depreciation should minimal. We paid £2000 a year ago and it's on Fleabay at the moment for the same price. I'll miss the Angel eyes most!
Edited by HON2A on Friday 9th March 06:49
Well I just picked the car up and put 98 of petrol in it. Bought new pollen and air filters on the way home, easy to fit! New mats as a treat too.
It drives and rides very well and just like my old Z4 3.0L is more economical than you'd expect on a run. I'm glad I went for the MSport version, I don't think the suspension is hard at all (but then I have a TVR and p/exed a Panda 100HP!).
It drives and rides very well and just like my old Z4 3.0L is more economical than you'd expect on a run. I'm glad I went for the MSport version, I don't think the suspension is hard at all (but then I have a TVR and p/exed a Panda 100HP!).
Edited by Targarama on Thursday 15th March 13:07
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