I have an itch for an E39
Discussion
Since I got the ZMC a year ago I've been quite enjoying this BMW lark. It's nice to have a relatively quick car that I can just get in and drive with no fuss or drama.
That got me thinking.. I've been pondering changing the other halfs Focus for something a bit bigger that would have a bit more comfort on the longer journeys and have a bit more go for overtaking and obviously a bit more space. I did think about the new Mondeo, get something under warranty, no hassles etc but, I've always fancied an E39 M5 and was stuck between that and the Cerbera but the Cerbera was a bigger itch at the time.
My main problem really is should I be completely irresponsible and get an M5 or should I be sensible and look at a 530i Sport. It has to be manual and although I thought about a diesel I just can't bring myself to do it so petrol it is. Not particularly fussed about fuel economy and we both have max NCB so I don't think insurance would be too bad.
Could probably run to about 15k if I go down this route. Is that asking for financial suicide on the M or would I be better off getting a newer 530. The missus would be driving it plenty but she drove the Cerb and drives the ZMC so I don't think it would be any drama with the E39 except maybe the size as she does prefer a smaller car.
What do I have to look out for on either car. Apart from the Vanos (which hangs over me with the ZMC) and the dash pixels are there any other frighteners to watch out for.
Cheers
That got me thinking.. I've been pondering changing the other halfs Focus for something a bit bigger that would have a bit more comfort on the longer journeys and have a bit more go for overtaking and obviously a bit more space. I did think about the new Mondeo, get something under warranty, no hassles etc but, I've always fancied an E39 M5 and was stuck between that and the Cerbera but the Cerbera was a bigger itch at the time.
My main problem really is should I be completely irresponsible and get an M5 or should I be sensible and look at a 530i Sport. It has to be manual and although I thought about a diesel I just can't bring myself to do it so petrol it is. Not particularly fussed about fuel economy and we both have max NCB so I don't think insurance would be too bad.
Could probably run to about 15k if I go down this route. Is that asking for financial suicide on the M or would I be better off getting a newer 530. The missus would be driving it plenty but she drove the Cerb and drives the ZMC so I don't think it would be any drama with the E39 except maybe the size as she does prefer a smaller car.
What do I have to look out for on either car. Apart from the Vanos (which hangs over me with the ZMC) and the dash pixels are there any other frighteners to watch out for.
Cheers
speed8 said:
Is that asking for financial suicide on the M or would I be better off getting a newer 530.
Certainly a newer 530 will be less risky than an olderM5, cheaper to own, less to insure, better mpg, softer suspension
and quite possibly hold its value better at resale time.
The M5 has the advantages of firmer suspension and
a bit more power. It is not entirely clear to me
how much use the extra power will be on the UK's
hopelessly congested and speed camered roads.
It is possibly the case that the M5 has up double the
costs of the 530, for maybe ten or twenty per cent
more fun.
You money your choice. Do some research into costs
first.
dcb said:
speed8 said:
Is that asking for financial suicide on the M or would I be better off getting a newer 530.
Certainly a newer 530 will be less risky than an olderM5, cheaper to own, less to insure, better mpg, softer suspension
and quite possibly hold its value better at resale time.
The M5 has the advantages of firmer suspension and
a bit more power. It is not entirely clear to me
how much use the extra power will be on the UK's
hopelessly congested and speed camered roads.
It is possibly the case that the M5 has up double the
costs of the 530, for maybe ten or twenty per cent
more fun.
You money your choice. Do some research into costs
first.
...as does the servicing costs
..... as does the propensity for them to break
They are fragile cars that can do high mileages (mine almost 200k) BUT both the trim bits are fragile and the mechanics cost lots to repair. Mine had in excess of £17k of warranty work - a not insiginifcant sum methinks)
drivin_me_nuts said:
dcb said:
speed8 said:
Is that asking for financial suicide on the M or would I be better off getting a newer 530.
Certainly a newer 530 will be less risky than an olderM5, cheaper to own, less to insure, better mpg, softer suspension
and quite possibly hold its value better at resale time.
The M5 has the advantages of firmer suspension and
a bit more power. It is not entirely clear to me
how much use the extra power will be on the UK's
hopelessly congested and speed camered roads.
It is possibly the case that the M5 has up double the
costs of the 530, for maybe ten or twenty per cent
more fun.
You money your choice. Do some research into costs
first.
...as does the servicing costs
..... as does the propensity for them to break
They are fragile cars that can do high mileages (mine almost 200k) BUT both the trim bits are fragile and the mechanics cost lots to repair. Mine had in excess of £17k of warranty work - a not insiginifcant sum methinks)
One thing in favour of the 530 is the fact that for my money I could get quite a low mileage, latest year, dealer car, no doubt with a years warranty and all the toys. For the M however it would be a 2000/maybe 2001 private sale and the risks involved in that. That swings the favour towards the 530 as my other half will be using it quite a lot.
Can you get a 530i chipped or (although I said no previously), a 530d for reasonable gains?
You could get a nice 530i M-Sport with all the toys and lowish mileage, for around £12k.
Remember these things are bullet proof, may need to upgrade suspension and bushes at 100k miles but that is all really, only other things that go on the 530i is oxygen sensor and the hedgehog, which is a sensor behind the climate, both peanuts to replace.
You could then add a supercharger for £3000 fitted, very reliable, gives you superb performance and will keep the low running costs and quite frankly excellent mpg of around 24-34 depending on the driving.
Also when you come to sell the car, take the supercharger off and get £1500 odd back for it.
Just a thought.
Remember these things are bullet proof, may need to upgrade suspension and bushes at 100k miles but that is all really, only other things that go on the 530i is oxygen sensor and the hedgehog, which is a sensor behind the climate, both peanuts to replace.
You could then add a supercharger for £3000 fitted, very reliable, gives you superb performance and will keep the low running costs and quite frankly excellent mpg of around 24-34 depending on the driving.
Also when you come to sell the car, take the supercharger off and get £1500 odd back for it.
Just a thought.
speed8 said:
drivin_me_nuts said:
dcb said:
speed8 said:
Is that asking for financial suicide on the M or would I be better off getting a newer 530.
Certainly a newer 530 will be less risky than an olderM5, cheaper to own, less to insure, better mpg, softer suspension
and quite possibly hold its value better at resale time.
The M5 has the advantages of firmer suspension and
a bit more power. It is not entirely clear to me
how much use the extra power will be on the UK's
hopelessly congested and speed camered roads.
It is possibly the case that the M5 has up double the
costs of the 530, for maybe ten or twenty per cent
more fun.
You money your choice. Do some research into costs
first.
...as does the servicing costs
..... as does the propensity for them to break
They are fragile cars that can do high mileages (mine almost 200k) BUT both the trim bits are fragile and the mechanics cost lots to repair. Mine had in excess of £17k of warranty work - a not insiginifcant sum methinks)
One thing in favour of the 530 is the fact that for my money I could get quite a low mileage, latest year, dealer car, no doubt with a years warranty and all the toys. For the M however it would be a 2000/maybe 2001 private sale and the risks involved in that. That swings the favour towards the 530 as my other half will be using it quite a lot.
Can you get a 530i chipped or (although I said no previously), a 530d for reasonable gains?
Vanos x2 + Accumulator units, complete steering rack, countless folding mirrors, and interior mirror, radio controller, dash unbelievable pixelation, CD unit, MAFFs (too many to count though I have always had mine replaced under warranty - I have no ideas how), more than a few relays, VC coupling, secondary fan, primary fan, rear arb brackets (I know little thing only).. there's more but I hope this gives you some balance to the "they're great and mine's never let me down in a squillion miles) Mine has, more than a few times it's been on the back of a flatbed - often for stupid stupid things.
Good luck in finding one - look long and hard and make sure it's got a full history.... OH yes, and the paint on them is rubbish - especially the darker colour top coats are way way too soft.
The 530i Sport is an M5 for people who can't afford an M5.
If you can afford an M5, and can afford the high running costs, there is no question, get one.
Not that I mean any disrespect to the 530i by those comments. I have one myself and love it, but I have it becuase I've always loved the M5 but can't afford one
It looks like an M5 inside and out, but has far more reasonable running costs. Lots of nice ones out there for your sort of budget as well, but beware the multi owner 70-100k mile cars that have spent lots of time in town, easily identifiable by horrible baggy leather seats. These are the ones that need replacement suspension at 100k miles.
Go for either a low mileage one or a one owner from new mostly motorway miler with over 100k and you'll love it.
...until you can replace it with an M5
If you can afford an M5, and can afford the high running costs, there is no question, get one.
Not that I mean any disrespect to the 530i by those comments. I have one myself and love it, but I have it becuase I've always loved the M5 but can't afford one
It looks like an M5 inside and out, but has far more reasonable running costs. Lots of nice ones out there for your sort of budget as well, but beware the multi owner 70-100k mile cars that have spent lots of time in town, easily identifiable by horrible baggy leather seats. These are the ones that need replacement suspension at 100k miles.
Go for either a low mileage one or a one owner from new mostly motorway miler with over 100k and you'll love it.
...until you can replace it with an M5
I know this feeling rather well, I have a serious soft spot for both the 530i sport and the M5 and was just looking on the BMW used cars bit and found this: http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260... - 530iA sport saloon under 31k miles for only 9995, oh how tempting!
muppets_mate said:
speed8 said:
Is that asking for financial suicide on the M or would I be better off getting a newer 530.
How would the 540i rate compared to 530i as a sub-M5 alternative?callahan said:
I know this feeling rather well, I have a serious soft spot for both the 530i sport and the M5 and was just looking on the BMW used cars bit and found this: http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260... - 530iA sport saloon under 31k miles for only 9995, oh how tempting!
Exactly, it's cars like that that make it so tempting. Her Focus is a 2003 but I would have no worries running an older BMW as they do seem to be fairly bulletproof. My current BM is nigh 10 years old and drives beautifully with minimal work needed outside normal servicing although like any car the potential for disaster is always somewhere.I guess I might need to cool the M5 idea as the idea of having two M cars in the driveway and the potential for horrific costs that that brings will probably mean I should take the sensible option unless something really fruity pops up in between.
A 540i hadn't really entered into my thoughts as it seems to be near M running costs for not much more benefit than the 530i. Same goes for the 535i
Andy, quite frankly I've been dismayed at all these negative replies. More like WalletHeads not PistonHeads. At 54,older than most of you, I only look back at the things I haven't done and yes I have made mistakes but I certainly don't regret doing them. You're one hell of a time in your box and if you can reasonably afford an M5,a true BMW icon,then buy one. The other cars suggested are good but they're not an M5!
honestbob said:
Andy, quite frankly I've been dismayed at all these negative replies. More like WalletHeads not PistonHeads. At 54,older than most of you, I only look back at the things I haven't done and yes I have made mistakes but I certainly don't regret doing them. You're one hell of a time in your box and if you can reasonably afford an M5,a true BMW icon,then buy one. The other cars suggested are good but they're not an M5!
honestbob indeed!!! To be fair, if a good example popped up at the right price then the heart over head thing would probably take over but I'll have to set myself limits on the price and find the best example of either or I'll get carried away.
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