E39 for less than £4k. Good idea?
Discussion
It's time to send my daily driver to the great stock car race in the sky and I'm looking at E39s at less than £4k to replace it. There seeems to be more than a few with less than 70k miles and I know at this age / price you buy on condition but am I mad? They do seem awfully cheap for what they are but I have had enough of Mondeos for a while.
I bought my 2003 Aegean blue 530i for £3100 a month ago to replace my written off E60 and for the money it's a great car.
I've had to do an alternator already in that time, but a cheap and easy fix.
4k will get an excellent example, but so will 3k, possibly even 2.5k. I can't believe how much car I've got for the money
I've had to do an alternator already in that time, but a cheap and easy fix.
4k will get an excellent example, but so will 3k, possibly even 2.5k. I can't believe how much car I've got for the money
You can get a very good one for £4k.
Mine is one of the last built, an 04 plate 530i Auto and it is probably worth £3k with 132k on the clock. I bought it at 96k and I have spent a lot on the usual 100k 'consumables' - complete radiator/header tank/thermostat, CCV system, air inlet hoses, cam cover gasket, rear handbrake shoes. I have complete faith that the car will keep trotting on for another 50-100k. Only possible issue is the auto box, but mine seems fine so I'm leaving it alone. I use it for 100 mile journeys to the office mostly and average 29-30mpg, sometimes I cruise at 70mph, mostly I'm cruising at a much higher speed. Such a lovely car.
Mine is one of the last built, an 04 plate 530i Auto and it is probably worth £3k with 132k on the clock. I bought it at 96k and I have spent a lot on the usual 100k 'consumables' - complete radiator/header tank/thermostat, CCV system, air inlet hoses, cam cover gasket, rear handbrake shoes. I have complete faith that the car will keep trotting on for another 50-100k. Only possible issue is the auto box, but mine seems fine so I'm leaving it alone. I use it for 100 mile journeys to the office mostly and average 29-30mpg, sometimes I cruise at 70mph, mostly I'm cruising at a much higher speed. Such a lovely car.
Epic cars for the money. Paid a smidge over £4k for mine a month ago, 530i in techno violet, 66k miles, champagne interior, 18" M-parallels, widescreen nav, Bluetooth, xenons, heated seats etc. Drives perfectly. For £4k you can get a very very nice one and can afford to be picky on spec as well as condition.
can't think of anything comparable for the money tbh. Lots of forums and support out there, they've been around long enough for enthusiasts to work out solutions to common issues and there's a huge knowledge base out there due to their popularity in the states too. Service parts reasonably prices too if you want to DIY.
can't think of anything comparable for the money tbh. Lots of forums and support out there, they've been around long enough for enthusiasts to work out solutions to common issues and there's a huge knowledge base out there due to their popularity in the states too. Service parts reasonably prices too if you want to DIY.
e39 525 sport touring here for family duties. paid about 4.4 3 years back and have spent about the same getting it how i want it and on stuff like winter wheels and tyres and bmw roof rack etc and wheel refurb...
its just too good and the only annoyance is rust but easily dealt with...
mines on about 98k miles now and should go on for another 50k easily
each time i look at an e60/1 i somehow feel it will feel like a sideways move
its just too good and the only annoyance is rust but easily dealt with...
mines on about 98k miles now and should go on for another 50k easily
each time i look at an e60/1 i somehow feel it will feel like a sideways move
£4k is top money for one. I paid £3300 for my then 89k late 2002 E39 530iA Sport a year ago, and I am quite confident I'd get £3k for it now at 100k as it's in really good condition. As long as you budget £1000 a year for servicing, tyres and general repairs you won't go far wrong. It would have to be really good for £4k, and I, like a lot of other peoples would much rather a late E39 than an early E60. It's replacement was just not initially a better car.
I've spent a bit on mine, check my blog for typical costs.
I've spent a bit on mine, check my blog for typical costs.
E39 530i touring auto here, great car, much prefer to E60 that I have also owned. I paid £4k two years ago with 85000 on the clock, massive history etc. Great cars generally, £1000 a year running/preventative costs is about right.
Unfortunately my auto box went requiring an £1800 rebuild but that's not an E39 specific risk.
Unlike the poster above I would definitely advocate preventative maintenance of the auto box - fluid and filter change. Get a decent indy specialist to do it. I was going to get mine done at 100k miles, oh well!
Unfortunately my auto box went requiring an £1800 rebuild but that's not an E39 specific risk.
Unlike the poster above I would definitely advocate preventative maintenance of the auto box - fluid and filter change. Get a decent indy specialist to do it. I was going to get mine done at 100k miles, oh well!
eastsider said:
E39 530i touring auto here, great car, much prefer to E60 that I have also owned.
The previous owner of my car had owned an e39 for years, changed it for an E60, didn't like it as much so bought another E39. He only sold it due to having to buy a people carrier as he had another kiddie on the way.I paid 4k for my 530i Sport Touring a couple of years ago on 90something K for family duties. Its on 115k ish now.
I've replaced the whole cooling system although only the viscous coupling was knackered at the time it was getting on a bit, did a gearbox fluid/filter change too. Stat has a slight issue again but still working. Popped all season Vredesteins on and upgraded to Xenons, otherwise everything else is fine (touches wood) apart from the autobox torque converter isn't perfect at the moment.
The one thing I wish is that it had full electric interior. 22mpg average but that's mainly around town, it doesn't hang about on the motorway and sometimes its towing a twin axle caravan so no economy runs here!
Stereo is awful.
I've replaced the whole cooling system although only the viscous coupling was knackered at the time it was getting on a bit, did a gearbox fluid/filter change too. Stat has a slight issue again but still working. Popped all season Vredesteins on and upgraded to Xenons, otherwise everything else is fine (touches wood) apart from the autobox torque converter isn't perfect at the moment.
The one thing I wish is that it had full electric interior. 22mpg average but that's mainly around town, it doesn't hang about on the motorway and sometimes its towing a twin axle caravan so no economy runs here!
Stereo is awful.
Adding to my previous reply, mine was perfect for this past weekend - Sat AM big load of old pallets, turf and a knackered BBQ off to the rubbish dump. Opening tailgate glass is great to help with loading too. Sunday I couldnt be bothered to put the bike rack on so just chucked 2 mountain bikes in and went up to the Peak District. This car is like a much loved pet!
My 2001 E39 still runs like new but - as the main dealer sales guy helpfully pointed out last year - it's only worth scrap as a trade-in!
I suspect £4k will get you a good 'un if it has been properly maintained.
Lovely cars with very few vices as far as I can see.
Good luck with the search.
I suspect £4k will get you a good 'un if it has been properly maintained.
Lovely cars with very few vices as far as I can see.
Good luck with the search.
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