E39 530i auto vs manual

[lufbramatt]

Just started looking for an E39 530i, mind made up after having a ride in my mates 530D this weekend. But it seems that manual ones of these are very hard to find without moon miles.

What's the deal with the auto boxes on these? Have always avoided auto boxes as most seem to be a disaster waiting to happen. Do they have this reputation on later E39's? My experience of autos is limited to smaller cars which always seem to be fussing about trying to find the right gear, but with a big lazy engine it seemed to make more sense so not as averse to getting an auto as I first thought.

What is the shift like on the manual? Have driven an E90 an the clutch took a bit of getting used to. Does the E39 530i have a DMF and what's the lifespan on the clutch?

what is the MPG difference when driven normally?

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 27th August 11:09

[RoverP6B]

The autobox has a bit of a reputation as they tend not to have received the requisite oil changes - BMW insists they're "sealed for life", which I understand has led to a slew of autobox failures. I'd stick with the manual every time. Mechanically, these cars are so robust that the mileage should not be an issue. Also, if my 520i is anything to go by, there's not so much torque that you can get about without rowing the gears. I wouldn't have thought (without having driven one) that the auto would be a good match for the 'six.

[junglie]

I had a Mercdes Benz with the 7G-tronic box mated to a V6 diesel which suited the car but left me slightly detached from the action and wanting a manual again. Was great in traffic but never seemed to know exactly which gear it wanted.

Bought a very nice E39 530i SE, won't bore you with the details here but an excellent (touch wood) car, and specifically looked for a manual for the reason above and for the various documented issues with a 12 year old auto box (although you must take everyting mentioned on the internet with a pinch of salt!).

I love it, suits the 3.0l mill well, lets you decide which gear you wish to be in and there is slightly more involvement. The throw is not too bad and the clutch action better than my Z4.

E39 with a manual box is hard to bear IMHO.

[Targarama]

I have a 2003 530i Auto. I think the auto box suits the car perfectly. It isn't a sporty car really, it a big saloon. I previously owned a Z4 with the same 3.0L engine - I test drove a manual and an auto - the manual was much better for that car (once the CDV was removed). However IMHO the auto suits the 5 series. The box adapts to your driving style and hustles along nicely when you need it to.

As for gearbox reliability, I hear lots of horror stories but mine is fine at 116k. There are reports of people's boxes failing not long after an oil change which put me off so I decided not to spend an additional £300 (oil change is not cheap as it is quite involved).

Auto = around 10% less economical though. I get 29-30mpg average in mixed driving (from the computer, not measured manually).

Comment: These cars are not new now and they are not Ford-cheap to keep tip-top. Cooling system, suspension bits, headlight adjusters, oil leaks, coil packs - lots of things to check when buying.

[lufbramatt]

Thanks for your comments. I'm used to looking after older German cars so keeping on top of maintenance isn't an issue, it's just nice to start with something decent in the first place. However, I already have one car with 247000 miles on it (and still going strong) so don't really want another high mileage shed on the drive. My mates 530D has done <60k miles and the interior is immaculate, literally looks like a <2 year old car not a 10 year old car which is one of the things that attracted me to them.

Have seen some with a "steptronic" box, is that just a slushbox with up/down buttons, not a SMG-type box?

[sparks_E39]

It's a big car and definitely not sporty. It's better with an auto in my opinion. Gearbox rebuild is £1500. Annoying but not the end of the world. All the auto boxes are steptronic, all five gears manually available.

Edited by sparks_E39 on Tuesday 27th August 12:41

[lufbramatt]

Ahh right ok must just be how different people have worded the adverts.

[RoverP6B]

Well, I do a lot of driving of windy Surrey B- and unclassified roads in my 520i and find it to be quite sporty for such a big car. The saloon is 100kg lighter than my Touring too. The autobox is somewhat heavier. No SMG was ever offered on the 5er - it's either a manual or a torque converter auto. I would urge you to stick with the manual - I'm sure you'd find it more enjoyable.

[eastsider]

RoverP6B said:

The autobox has a bit of a reputation as they tend not to have received the requisite oil changes - BMW insists they're "sealed for life", which I understand has led to a slew of autobox failures. I'd stick with the manual every time. Mechanically, these cars are so robust that the mileage should not be an issue. Also, if my 520i is anything to go by, there's not so much torque that you can get about without rowing the gears. I wouldn't have thought (without having driven one) that the auto would be a good match for the 'six.

Strongly disagree with the last statement - I have a 530i and the auto suits it perfectly. Large capacity torquey engines almost always go well with autos.

As for changing gearbox oil, its not nearly so clear cut as RoverP6B suggests. Some failures reported with no change, yet some reported shortly after change which seems to trigger failure sometime. In both instances I'm sure the people who report failures are far more vocal than the majority who experience no problems.

I had a 330ci auto which the fluid was changed on at 110k miles and it was fine for another 15k after that and going great when I sold it. My current 530i has only done 84k so I'll decide in due course whether to change that. FWIW my indy won't really give an opinion either way.

[lufbramatt]

Would appear that:

520i= 210Nm at 3500rpm
530i- 300Nm at 3500rpm

So, 43% more torque from the 3 litre lump, that's quite a jump.

[WinstonWolf]

eastsider said:

RoverP6B said:

The autobox has a bit of a reputation as they tend not to have received the requisite oil changes - BMW insists they're "sealed for life", which I understand has led to a slew of autobox failures. I'd stick with the manual every time. Mechanically, these cars are so robust that the mileage should not be an issue. Also, if my 520i is anything to go by, there's not so much torque that you can get about without rowing the gears. I wouldn't have thought (without having driven one) that the auto would be a good match for the 'six.

Strongly disagree with the last statement - I have a 530i and the auto suits it perfectly. Large capacity torquey engines almost always go well with autos.

As for changing gearbox oil, its not nearly so clear cut as RoverP6B suggests. Some failures reported with no change, yet some reported shortly after change which seems to trigger failure sometime. In both instances I'm sure the people who report failures are far more vocal than the majority who experience no problems.

I had a 330ci auto which the fluid was changed on at 110k miles and it was fine for another 15k after that and going great when I sold it. My current 530i has only done 84k so I'll decide in due course whether to change that. FWIW my indy won't really give an opinion either way.

The slush box suits the six perfectly

[jboy72]

I think it is horses for courses. I disliked the autobox in my e39 530i, loved the manual in my e46 330d and love the auto in my e61 550i. So I think the moral of that must be try before you buy.

[RoverP6B]

lufbramatt said:

Would appear that:

520i= 210Nm at 3500rpm
530i- 300Nm at 3500rpm

So, 43% more torque from the 3 litre lump, that's quite a jump.

You're quite right. I must admit that's now got me thinking about trying to find a 530i I like...

[S3_Graham]

Targarama said:

I have a 2003 530i Auto. I think the auto box suits the car perfectly. It isn't a sporty car really, it a big saloon. I previously owned a Z4 with the same 3.0L engine - I test drove a manual and an auto - the manual was much better for that car (once the CDV was removed). However IMHO the auto suits the 5 series. The box adapts to your driving style and hustles along nicely when you need it to.

As for gearbox reliability, I hear lots of horror stories but mine is fine at 116k. There are reports of people's boxes failing not long after an oil change which put me off so I decided not to spend an additional £300 (oil change is not cheap as it is quite involved).

Auto = around 10% less economical though. I get 29-30mpg average in mixed driving (from the computer, not measured manually).

Comment: These cars are not new now and they are not Ford-cheap to keep tip-top. Cooling system, suspension bits, headlight adjusters, oil leaks, coil packs - lots of things to check when buying.

I took the same view with regard to gearbox oil change. Spoke to my specialist. His view was that it was pointless. The gearbox fails due to a spring wearing through the bore of a cylinder involved with the gear change. It's down to the different metals used.

Said he'd do mine if it made me happy but he wouldn't recommend it. All he did on mine was check and top up the fluid. There are 3 high mileage E39's at work. A 1996 525tds with 150k on original oil/box a 2001 520 on 185k. Gearbox needed rebuilding at 184 but due to a leak and the loss of oil, then my 2003 530 on 145k. Still trucking along. *touches wood*

They are great cars but really suit auto, they aren't for thrashing about!!

[MarkwG]

RoverP6B said:

No SMG was ever offered on the 5er - it's either a manual or a torque converter auto.

Sort of, but not quite: the Alpina B10 is available with steering wheel controls, similar to SMG; it is a reprogramed switchable auto, not a clutchless manual, though, but works well if you want the option to choose.

[Goatex]

I had a manual 2000 530i; sold it 3 years ago with 160k on the clock and was on its original clutch. Still performed well when sold, everything worked as it should and mid 30s indicated mpg easily achievable. Issues I had with the car that warranted unscheduled trips to the garage: thermostat, radiator, camshaft sensors, rain sensitive wiper relay. Lovely car regardless of transmission.

[Fox-]

I have a manual 530i Sport. I also frequently drive an auto 530i Sport.

The manual:

a) Is more economical to the tune of about 20%
b) Is more 'involving' on a twisty road
c) Was an absolute nightmare to actually find and I bought it when it was 4 years old. I wouldnt fancy my chances now they are all 10+!

The auto:

a) Is smooth and wafty
b) Is not really remotely sporting
c) Has a gimmicky Steptronic function which you'll rarely bother to use.

[RoverP6B]

MarkwG said:

Sort of, but not quite: the Alpina B10 is available with steering wheel controls, similar to SMG; it is a reprogramed switchable auto, not a clutchless manual, though, but works well if you want the option to choose.

As may be, but that is not a single-clutch automated manual gearbox like in the E46 M3 (optional) and the V10 M5/6 (sadly not optional except in the USA). It is still a torque-converter autobox, as far as I am aware.

[Esseesse]

You can add paddles to the normal auto box. Probably not worth it though. You don't use the manual function because it's too slow.

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.p...

[eastsider]

Goatex said:

thermostat, radiator, camshaft sensors, rain sensitive wiper relay. Lovely car regardless of transmission.

Thermostat, radiator, the whole cooling system is a well documented weak point on this engine and should be done as preventative maintenance if there is no evidence of the work in the history. Not hugely expensive at a good indy though.