E39 as a daily driver
Discussion
With a change of school my daughter will need taking to a near local village (between 3-4 miles) to be dropped off so that she can catch her school bus from September. I'm considering an E39 as the daily car of choice, as my current diesel won't like such a short journey.
However since posting this on the BMW Car Club forum, things have slightly changed I will have to go into the office a little more due to a change in our return to work policy, which is a 120 mile round trip for me, although I could split these trip with my modern current daily an F15 X5.
I've been looking at the used ones on the market and is there anything specific I should be looking out for? Rust in the sills seems to be a common one as well as ensuring the cooling system has been overhauled. Ideally I'd like a manual so that in future my daughter could practice driving (rather than letting her loose in the E30 325i), but they are fairly rare and of the ones I've seen are not in great condition, so I'm not adverse to an auto. The conclusion I've come to is buy on condition and how well it's been maintained rather than engine size, and whether it has leather is a sport model etc.
Any useful advise though would be greatly appreciated.
However since posting this on the BMW Car Club forum, things have slightly changed I will have to go into the office a little more due to a change in our return to work policy, which is a 120 mile round trip for me, although I could split these trip with my modern current daily an F15 X5.
I've been looking at the used ones on the market and is there anything specific I should be looking out for? Rust in the sills seems to be a common one as well as ensuring the cooling system has been overhauled. Ideally I'd like a manual so that in future my daughter could practice driving (rather than letting her loose in the E30 325i), but they are fairly rare and of the ones I've seen are not in great condition, so I'm not adverse to an auto. The conclusion I've come to is buy on condition and how well it's been maintained rather than engine size, and whether it has leather is a sport model etc.
Any useful advise though would be greatly appreciated.
Absolutely yes! Superb cars, more so if well looked after and maintained!
Rust is an issue, more so if the car hasn t been looked after (rear sills, arches, front end of sills, rear valance between boot lid and bumper (if a saloon); the tailgate if a touring, inner rear doors at the bottom corners and inside the fuel filler cap area
Petrols - the cooling system is made of chocolate and very weak with age; but also very easy to replace and not expensive either. Suspension needs to be kept fresh, same with the brakes and if not done and with paperwork to prove, the auto ZF5 box needs to have a fluid and filter service.
My recommendation would be the 530i - M54 30i straight six - superb engine, plenty of power to get it to license losing speeds in no time, yet uber smooth and great for relaxed, long journeys. Steering rack too; so a nicer drive feel than the 540i V8 etc
Key with these is, as said above, maintenance and service history - whichever you look at it must have reams of paperwork and invoices to show it’s been cared for and maintained; otherwise you’ll have a serious project on your hands and you can be deep into it money-wise in no time
What s your budget; that’s key really? I’d always advocate going for a Japanese import if you can, if budget allows. Having had x2 UK E39s and x2 Japanese import E39s, I’d never buy a UK car again, but that’s my personal preference
They re still superb looking cars and they drive brilliantly; a great way to get around - and on OEM 17” Style 66s - very smooth and comfy to boot
This was my last E39; Japanese import 540i Sport saloon
This was my Japanese import 530i Sport touring
Rust is an issue, more so if the car hasn t been looked after (rear sills, arches, front end of sills, rear valance between boot lid and bumper (if a saloon); the tailgate if a touring, inner rear doors at the bottom corners and inside the fuel filler cap area
Petrols - the cooling system is made of chocolate and very weak with age; but also very easy to replace and not expensive either. Suspension needs to be kept fresh, same with the brakes and if not done and with paperwork to prove, the auto ZF5 box needs to have a fluid and filter service.
My recommendation would be the 530i - M54 30i straight six - superb engine, plenty of power to get it to license losing speeds in no time, yet uber smooth and great for relaxed, long journeys. Steering rack too; so a nicer drive feel than the 540i V8 etc
Key with these is, as said above, maintenance and service history - whichever you look at it must have reams of paperwork and invoices to show it’s been cared for and maintained; otherwise you’ll have a serious project on your hands and you can be deep into it money-wise in no time
What s your budget; that’s key really? I’d always advocate going for a Japanese import if you can, if budget allows. Having had x2 UK E39s and x2 Japanese import E39s, I’d never buy a UK car again, but that’s my personal preference
They re still superb looking cars and they drive brilliantly; a great way to get around - and on OEM 17” Style 66s - very smooth and comfy to boot
This was my last E39; Japanese import 540i Sport saloon
This was my Japanese import 530i Sport touring
Edited by danb79 on Wednesday 9th July 17:53
^WOT he said.
Mechanically v solid, but watch the body - rust is the killers on this (and the equivalently aged E46s).
I'd probably go petrol - early M52TU 528i or the later M54 530i. Both solid units. As mentioned above, watch the cooling system (budget for a refresh if it hasn't been done recently).
Mechanically v solid, but watch the body - rust is the killers on this (and the equivalently aged E46s).
I'd probably go petrol - early M52TU 528i or the later M54 530i. Both solid units. As mentioned above, watch the cooling system (budget for a refresh if it hasn't been done recently).
I’ve not got a massive budget (E30 sees to that), but was aiming for £3.5 max. I’ve seen a couple of 528i around that price and I’m not bothered by a salon or touring although the later has air bags and I know about them by having them replaced on the X5. 530i’s at that price look pretty tired.
But thank you both for such positive recommendations.
But thank you both for such positive recommendations.
Huff said:
the 2.8 is a really nice engine - if the rest of the car is solid per dan's excellent summary, crack-on.
(On my second, 6yrs into a tidy 535 I'll be keeping; before that 6yrs in an Alpina B10 3.3 manual, the one you really want...)
Agree, the M52s a great lump; really enjoyed it in my 728i - loves to run through the revs (On my second, 6yrs into a tidy 535 I'll be keeping; before that 6yrs in an Alpina B10 3.3 manual, the one you really want...)
Manual 530i here; great colour and looks well looked after: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/127178142630
Ummm ... I have a 2001 530d manual touring that's been sat in a garage for a few years. It's got a full tank of diesel in it and was last driven back from the garage where it passed it's MOT with a couple of advisories. There it has sat ever since. The garage is dry with plenty of draft so not humid or holding moisture.
It's had the handbrake off, wheels chocked to stop it rolling, left in first gear with the battery disconnected.
I often think it's worth getting it back on the road.
What is the best way to go about this? No garage really wanted to know when it was a daily runner so I fear it's not something that main garages want to work on these days.
What would folk suggest?
Thanks in advance.
It's had the handbrake off, wheels chocked to stop it rolling, left in first gear with the battery disconnected.
I often think it's worth getting it back on the road.
What is the best way to go about this? No garage really wanted to know when it was a daily runner so I fear it's not something that main garages want to work on these days.
What would folk suggest?
Thanks in advance.
pistonheadforum said:
Ummm ... I have a 2001 530d manual touring that's been sat in a garage for a few years. It's got a full tank of diesel in it and was last driven back from the garage where it passed it's MOT with a couple of advisories. There it has sat ever since. The garage is dry with plenty of draft so not humid or holding moisture.
It's had the handbrake off, wheels chocked to stop it rolling, left in first gear with the battery disconnected.
I often think it's worth getting it back on the road.
What is the best way to go about this? No garage really wanted to know when it was a daily runner so I fear it's not something that main garages want to work on these days.
What would folk suggest?
Thanks in advance.
Battery in and then on trickle; pump the tyres up, get in it and turn it over. See how you get on (and stick some fresh diesel in it ASAP, as well as giving it and oil & filter change) - maybe do that first It's had the handbrake off, wheels chocked to stop it rolling, left in first gear with the battery disconnected.
I often think it's worth getting it back on the road.
What is the best way to go about this? No garage really wanted to know when it was a daily runner so I fear it's not something that main garages want to work on these days.
What would folk suggest?
Thanks in advance.
If it goes with no issues; drive it and enjoy it. Just be prepared for some suspension parts that may need to be replaced with it sitting, won’t be expensive; stick with Moog etc
Got one in 2020 (525i) as I needed something cheap and cheerful as a daily. I mean very cheap. I still got it and still use it as my daily (a lot of long trips on the continent). not the most exciting car but super comfortable. As long as you maintain it well, those car will provide many happy miles.
danb79 said:
pistonheadforum said:
Ummm ... I have a 2001 530d manual touring that's been sat in a garage for a few years. It's got a full tank of diesel in it and was last driven back from the garage where it passed it's MOT with a couple of advisories. There it has sat ever since. The garage is dry with plenty of draft so not humid or holding moisture.
It's had the handbrake off, wheels chocked to stop it rolling, left in first gear with the battery disconnected.
I often think it's worth getting it back on the road.
What is the best way to go about this? No garage really wanted to know when it was a daily runner so I fear it's not something that main garages want to work on these days.
What would folk suggest?
Thanks in advance.
Battery in and then on trickle; pump the tyres up, get in it and turn it over. See how you get on (and stick some fresh diesel in it ASAP, as well as giving it and oil & filter change) - maybe do that first It's had the handbrake off, wheels chocked to stop it rolling, left in first gear with the battery disconnected.
I often think it's worth getting it back on the road.
What is the best way to go about this? No garage really wanted to know when it was a daily runner so I fear it's not something that main garages want to work on these days.
What would folk suggest?
Thanks in advance.
If it goes with no issues; drive it and enjoy it. Just be prepared for some suspension parts that may need to be replaced with it sitting, won t be expensive; stick with Moog etc
You might be surprised at how easy it is.
I miss my old E39 530i...
Very easy to work on too, so that can save you a lot in garage bills - I rebuilt the cooling system on mine myself, as well as the front suspension, a couple of wheel bearings, and carried all my own servicing. The lower powered engines might seem gutless (and maybe they are) but they are still good options. I think if I did it again, I'd rather have an up together 520i than a shagged 528/530i.
The E39 also has the nice distinction of being the only 5 series in the UK that were equipped, as a minimum, with 6 cylinder engines - no 4 cylinder donkey engines here! (although the continentals got a 520d)
Very easy to work on too, so that can save you a lot in garage bills - I rebuilt the cooling system on mine myself, as well as the front suspension, a couple of wheel bearings, and carried all my own servicing. The lower powered engines might seem gutless (and maybe they are) but they are still good options. I think if I did it again, I'd rather have an up together 520i than a shagged 528/530i.
The E39 also has the nice distinction of being the only 5 series in the UK that were equipped, as a minimum, with 6 cylinder engines - no 4 cylinder donkey engines here! (although the continentals got a 520d)
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