E39 - but which one?
Discussion
Evening all, first time in here so, hello 
Required for commuter car: Comfort, prestige, feel-good factor, absolute reliability for 25,000 mile pa, reasonable running costs.
The E39 saloon fits the bill I reckon. I've currently got an A6 tdi - nice car but I've had enough of dervs, I want an auto and I want a 6 cyl petrol
I want to spend about £10k for a car with less than 60k on the clock and less than 5 yrs old. Looks possible.
But the question is: what engine and what spec?
2.5 seems ideal to me. 2.2i a touch slow or are th later 170 bhp units OK? 3.0i would be lovely but examples start to get a bit leggy in my price range.
SE looks comfy - Sport looks great but increased noise / reduced comfort?
Also, what about reliablilty? Which engine is know for being bullet proof?
Any other things to look out for on 5-ers of this era?
By the way, if this has been done before, pls feel free to linky me to the relevant thread.
Cheers
Required for commuter car: Comfort, prestige, feel-good factor, absolute reliability for 25,000 mile pa, reasonable running costs.
The E39 saloon fits the bill I reckon. I've currently got an A6 tdi - nice car but I've had enough of dervs, I want an auto and I want a 6 cyl petrol
I want to spend about £10k for a car with less than 60k on the clock and less than 5 yrs old. Looks possible.
But the question is: what engine and what spec?
2.5 seems ideal to me. 2.2i a touch slow or are th later 170 bhp units OK? 3.0i would be lovely but examples start to get a bit leggy in my price range.
SE looks comfy - Sport looks great but increased noise / reduced comfort?
Also, what about reliablilty? Which engine is know for being bullet proof?
Any other things to look out for on 5-ers of this era?
By the way, if this has been done before, pls feel free to linky me to the relevant thread.
Cheers
Go for the 3 litre. The running costs are as near as makes no difference the same as both the 2.2 and the 2.5. There is just 1mpg combined difference between a 520i and a 530i, the servicing costs the same, the road tax costs the same, and insurance is very similar. Parts costs are the same also.
I have had a few E39s but by far my favorite is my current 530i Sports Auto. Drives like a dream will return 30+ mpg on the motorway but drops down to around 22 around town. I have had a couple of manual 523iSEs before and the fuel consumption was not drastically better but still a good car.
Get the 530i
Get the 530i
My vote goes for the 530 sport as well.
once I did a 1200 miles jurney in 16 hours and hand no aches after it.
The 3 litre is the best engine of the lot. The 4.4 would be nice too but makes the car a bid nose heavy. As for high miles, I had a 528 before which I sold with 200'000 miles and it did another 100'000 before the new owner sold it on.
once I did a 1200 miles jurney in 16 hours and hand no aches after it.
The 3 litre is the best engine of the lot. The 4.4 would be nice too but makes the car a bid nose heavy. As for high miles, I had a 528 before which I sold with 200'000 miles and it did another 100'000 before the new owner sold it on.
problemchild said:
Evening all, first time in here so, hello
Required for commuter car: Comfort, prestige, feel-good factor, absolute reliability for 25,000 mile pa, reasonable running costs.
That's the M5 out then ;-> Required for commuter car: Comfort, prestige, feel-good factor, absolute reliability for 25,000 mile pa, reasonable running costs.
Probably the 540 as well, for very similar reasons.
There's at least 7 mpg premium for the V8 over the
sixes and M5 insurance is range-topping.
There's not much variation from the 520 to the 530
in terms of running costs - about 1 mpg and a small
number of insurance groups.
I tried out a 530 Sport and found it too firm
- I ended up with a 530 SE.
Very nice. I suggest you try both. Faling that,
give a 528 or a 525 a test run.
problemchild said:
The E39 saloon fits the bill I reckon. I've currently got an A6 tdi - nice car but I've had enough of dervs, I want an auto and I want a 6 cyl petrol
I want to spend about £10k for a car with less than 60k on the clock and less than 5 yrs old. Looks possible
I started out with the same sensible idea. Then I bought a 2001 E39 540iA Sport Touring with 70k milesI want to spend about £10k for a car with less than 60k on the clock and less than 5 yrs old. Looks possible
Use the search function here, and also on BM5W
Each to their own 
[TW]Fox said:
VX Foxy said:
Gotta be a 530d every time. 30+mpg on short commute and upto 50 on m/way cruise.
And several thousand more expensive and a turbo that can go wrong and diesel clatter..Plus I'm in a TDI now and fancy spending a few extra pennies per mile in order to enjoy the satisfaction of a 6 cyl petrol engine again.
Cheers.
530i everytime.
I have had a new E61 535d and the new 335i sport touring and I am back in an E39 530i.
You will pay £2-3k more for the diesel and even at 25k miles a year it will take you around 3 years to get that back in fuel savings and 6 years to see the same saving again, and that is if you don't have problems with the turbos etc. There is around 4 mpg difference between the diesel and the petrol if buying an auto, and if buying a manual around 6 mpg difference.
The petrol handles so, so much nicer than the derv too, and has a nice sound to it, all the diesel lads will bang on about how you can't hear the engine when doing 80 mph with the windows up and the radio on.
I loved my re-mapped 535d, but it is so bloody boring, press the throttle and go, that's it, and that for me is the main problem with these dervs, there is no holding it at 5000 rpm on the back roads etc., you get that whoosh of torque which is great but there is something missing.
Also the diesel only feels quicker, it is not really, my mate has a 530d and he can't pull away from me, all this 'quicker in the real world' is just cobblers, we all say that after we have bought a diesel engine, myself included, and then we pull out 50-80mph figures in 4th gear, but what petrol driver would overtake in 4th?? You would drop it to 3rd and do it just as quick if not quicker. A diesel auto is nice for long motorway journeys, and I do 25-40k miles a year, I did 9000 miles in the first 6 weeks of owning the 535d, but after that they just bore me and I can't tell why?
I can see the benefit buying new as they cost the same and the diesel holds its money better, but buying one at say 5 years old is not that sensible, this is when they have the big premium for being a diesel and in another 3 years that premium is gone, so you can't even convince yourself that you will see that extra £3k back when you come to sell, cause you don't.
I was looking for a 540i, but after testing a couple I decided against it, no way near as fun as the 530i, the steering etc. just feels wooden compared with the straight six, so decided on a 530i, probably the best all round car I have owned and for the money it is a no brainer. I have a 120d M-Sport as well at the moment but the 530i is the one I grab the keys to every time, for what it cost me I can do 100k miles and then scrap it, however I bet I still get £4k back on it, so very cheap motoring.
I get 26 mpg when nipping round town and can easily see mid thirties when on a run, went to the coast last weekend and after 100 odd miles it was showing 38 mpg which is amazing I think. I only managed 40 mpg in the 120d once going round Scotland for a week. And the 535d returned 25.9 mpg after 12 months and 42k miles, best I ever saw from that was 34 mpg going down to St. Tropez.
With the new 330i etc. returning 40mpg (comapred with 30mpg before facelift) and it being in the lower tax band compared with the 330d I can see diesel dyeing off over the next few years, last night in the pub out of 8 of us we all had a diesel as a daily driver or company car, and we all agreed they are great cause they have the torque etc. but every single one admitted that given the choice they would rather have a nice petrol, we seem to have convinced ourselves that diesel is great, but if we are honest would we really choose diesel over petrol if someone else is paying or the petrol becomes the cheaper option?
I have had a new E61 535d and the new 335i sport touring and I am back in an E39 530i.
You will pay £2-3k more for the diesel and even at 25k miles a year it will take you around 3 years to get that back in fuel savings and 6 years to see the same saving again, and that is if you don't have problems with the turbos etc. There is around 4 mpg difference between the diesel and the petrol if buying an auto, and if buying a manual around 6 mpg difference.
The petrol handles so, so much nicer than the derv too, and has a nice sound to it, all the diesel lads will bang on about how you can't hear the engine when doing 80 mph with the windows up and the radio on.
I loved my re-mapped 535d, but it is so bloody boring, press the throttle and go, that's it, and that for me is the main problem with these dervs, there is no holding it at 5000 rpm on the back roads etc., you get that whoosh of torque which is great but there is something missing.
Also the diesel only feels quicker, it is not really, my mate has a 530d and he can't pull away from me, all this 'quicker in the real world' is just cobblers, we all say that after we have bought a diesel engine, myself included, and then we pull out 50-80mph figures in 4th gear, but what petrol driver would overtake in 4th?? You would drop it to 3rd and do it just as quick if not quicker. A diesel auto is nice for long motorway journeys, and I do 25-40k miles a year, I did 9000 miles in the first 6 weeks of owning the 535d, but after that they just bore me and I can't tell why?
I can see the benefit buying new as they cost the same and the diesel holds its money better, but buying one at say 5 years old is not that sensible, this is when they have the big premium for being a diesel and in another 3 years that premium is gone, so you can't even convince yourself that you will see that extra £3k back when you come to sell, cause you don't.
I was looking for a 540i, but after testing a couple I decided against it, no way near as fun as the 530i, the steering etc. just feels wooden compared with the straight six, so decided on a 530i, probably the best all round car I have owned and for the money it is a no brainer. I have a 120d M-Sport as well at the moment but the 530i is the one I grab the keys to every time, for what it cost me I can do 100k miles and then scrap it, however I bet I still get £4k back on it, so very cheap motoring.
I get 26 mpg when nipping round town and can easily see mid thirties when on a run, went to the coast last weekend and after 100 odd miles it was showing 38 mpg which is amazing I think. I only managed 40 mpg in the 120d once going round Scotland for a week. And the 535d returned 25.9 mpg after 12 months and 42k miles, best I ever saw from that was 34 mpg going down to St. Tropez.
With the new 330i etc. returning 40mpg (comapred with 30mpg before facelift) and it being in the lower tax band compared with the 330d I can see diesel dyeing off over the next few years, last night in the pub out of 8 of us we all had a diesel as a daily driver or company car, and we all agreed they are great cause they have the torque etc. but every single one admitted that given the choice they would rather have a nice petrol, we seem to have convinced ourselves that diesel is great, but if we are honest would we really choose diesel over petrol if someone else is paying or the petrol becomes the cheaper option?
gizlaroc said:
530i everytime.
...
I get 26 mpg when nipping round town and can easily see mid thirties when on a run, went to the coast last weekend and after 100 odd miles it was showing 38 mpg which is amazing I think.
So do I. To help the original poster get an idea of mpg,...
I get 26 mpg when nipping round town and can easily see mid thirties when on a run, went to the coast last weekend and after 100 odd miles it was showing 38 mpg which is amazing I think.
I get an average of 27 mpg from my 530 auto averaged
over four years of ownership and some fifty thousand miles.
I see 30 mpg maybe once a year and I think the best
I've ever done is 32 mpg, but that was in convoy
with a pensioner for 300 miles down the motorway ;->
I think the worst I've ever done is about 25 mpg
- but then that was a foot on the floor for 450 miles
job.
I've never seen better than 32 mpg - but then mine's
an auto. I'm guessing 35 mpg is possible from a manual.
I guess it depends a lot on your mix of town/country
driving and whether you drive it like a pensioner
or like you stole it.
Just a thought on your comment on £10k only buying a leggy 530 sport. I've been looking and I reckon you should have your choice for this price - be careful you aren't looking at over priced examples !
Also on the mileage front, I bought a 70k miles 523 three years ago, only intending to keep it for six months. It's now on 140k with no problems and it still feels nice and tight. I wouldn't worry about buying something with a few miles on, especially as most people shun them and hence they are cheaper.
Just a thought !
Also on the mileage front, I bought a 70k miles 523 three years ago, only intending to keep it for six months. It's now on 140k with no problems and it still feels nice and tight. I wouldn't worry about buying something with a few miles on, especially as most people shun them and hence they are cheaper.
Just a thought !
Some great advise coming through here - thanks, it really is appreciated!
I agree about the whole diesel thing. For the last five years a lot of us have convinced ourselves it was the route to follow. Company car regs got me into it, but in the last few years all manufactures have started to charge a premium for the derv burners - public (mis)conception allows eveyone to put the prices up - simple demand/supply.
Also agree that modern diesels are getting quite complex and big bills look likely if something goes wrong at 100k+ miles.
Recently been using an Audi A5 3.0tdi quattro and posted my thoughts on the "performance diesels" thread in GG. Yes it was quite quick and it even sounded OK-ish. But something was just missing. Hard to really put my finger on it - but it just bored me. And its reurning about 26 mpg around town.
So, back to petrol it is then
I agree about the whole diesel thing. For the last five years a lot of us have convinced ourselves it was the route to follow. Company car regs got me into it, but in the last few years all manufactures have started to charge a premium for the derv burners - public (mis)conception allows eveyone to put the prices up - simple demand/supply.
Also agree that modern diesels are getting quite complex and big bills look likely if something goes wrong at 100k+ miles.
Recently been using an Audi A5 3.0tdi quattro and posted my thoughts on the "performance diesels" thread in GG. Yes it was quite quick and it even sounded OK-ish. But something was just missing. Hard to really put my finger on it - but it just bored me. And its reurning about 26 mpg around town.
So, back to petrol it is then
WindsorRob said:
Just a thought on your comment on £10k only buying a leggy 530 sport. I've been looking and I reckon you should have your choice for this price - be careful you aren't looking at over priced examples !
Also on the mileage front, I bought a 70k miles 523 three years ago, only intending to keep it for six months. It's now on 140k with no problems and it still feels nice and tight. I wouldn't worry about buying something with a few miles on, especially as most people shun them and hence they are cheaper.
Just a thought !
530i is the one to get - mind my mind up on that front.Also on the mileage front, I bought a 70k miles 523 three years ago, only intending to keep it for six months. It's now on 140k with no problems and it still feels nice and tight. I wouldn't worry about buying something with a few miles on, especially as most people shun them and hence they are cheaper.
Just a thought !
But I have been looking at cars no older than a 52 plate and I've not seen to many about. Been looking on PH classifieds and AutoTrader. Where else would you reccommend? Where are the enthusiast-owned BMWs sold?
With regards to miles, I've always been a 3yrs / 60k miles kinda guy and hence this a new territory for me. I've just decided that these £600/mth deals are getting me into pretty dull cars (dare I say it, but yes the Audi A6 tdi is an extremely competent but ultimately dull car) and costing me money that would be better spent elsewhere. Even after you factor in the repairs that older cars no doubt need.
Re the 530i, What can go wrong? What should I be looking for in the history to ensure I buy from someone who kept the car as well as any of us would? What are those little gems of info that would get you lot either handing over the cash with satisfaction or running a mile from a lemon?
Cheers
Mustard said:
E39's Post 2002 are rare because everyone knew the new was just around the corner so sales slowed right down
Cheers I've started to notice how availability starts to tail off. Just so I am clear, when did the facelist cars arrive - was it 2000? Am I right in thinking that all of the 525 and 530 cars will be facelifts? Was the cross-over point 528 to 530?
Cheers
problemchild said:
Mustard said:
E39's Post 2002 are rare because everyone knew the new was just around the corner so sales slowed right down
Cheers I've started to notice how availability starts to tail off. Just so I am clear, when did the facelist cars arrive - was it 2000? Am I right in thinking that all of the 525 and 530 cars will be facelifts? Was the cross-over point 528 to 530?
Cheers
520i 2.0 ---> 520i 2.2
523i 2.5 ---> 525i 2.5
528i 2.8 ---> 530i 3.0
All car recieved angel eye headlights, fully colour coded bumper and rubbing strips, altered rear light lenses, along with different alloys and a few other changes
I run a high mileage 530i Sport. It was looked after very well by its previous owner who simply paid for BMW extended warranty every year until they changed the rules. They are pretty reliable cars and certainly hide the miles - mine is immaculate inside and out and feels as tight as the 50k 530d we also have.
The radiator, however, will fail becuase it fails on virtually every M54 engined E39 in the world ever once it hits about 4-6 years old. They split at the end tanks. £300 to fix it at an indy including precautionary measure of a new thermostat.
It took me 6 months to find car as pristine as the one I eventually bought and many times I almost buckled to pressure and bought a 525i or an older 528i - but I'm glad I didn't.
The radiator, however, will fail becuase it fails on virtually every M54 engined E39 in the world ever once it hits about 4-6 years old. They split at the end tanks. £300 to fix it at an indy including precautionary measure of a new thermostat.
It took me 6 months to find car as pristine as the one I eventually bought and many times I almost buckled to pressure and bought a 525i or an older 528i - but I'm glad I didn't.
[TW]Fox said:
The radiator, however, will fail becuase it fails on virtually every M54 engined E39 in the world ever once it hits about 4-6 years old. They split at the end tanks. £300 to fix it at an indy including precautionary measure of a new thermostat.
I bought my E39 of a member on here, 100k miles and 5 owners, but it feels fantastic, certainly as good as the 535d (2005) that I sold. And yeah, last week my radiator went!!
However, I bought the one from GSF which is better than the BMW one as they have sorted the stress point out on the end capping, it cost me £103+vat and took an hour to fit, and believe me I am useless with anything to do with cars under the bonnet.
I tested some real dogs that had only done 50k miles and were a good £3k more, and these were all one or two owner cars. I think we get hung up on high owner cars, but I don't think we should, if you think about it when someone buys a new car they tend to sort out all the niggles, then they get bored 12 months later and sell it on, then any slight niggle and the next owner sorts it. One owner cars tend to get more neglected by some people, probably not on purpose but if say the bushes or suspension go over time do you actually notice? If a rattle gets worse and worse you sort of get used to it where as a new owner will track down what it is and sort it. Same with a sensor, if it gradually goes do you notice??
You need to get out and test a few, get a feel for them, you will know when you have a good one and you can base your purchase on that. To be fair the 530i is pretty much bullet proof, the main thing to go is the suspension and the bushes, but if you keep say £600 back for new shocks and bushes you will have a car that feels as good as it did when it left the factory, get some upgraded bushes and it will feel better.
I would rather buy an £8k facelift car and do the suspension over a £10k car thinking nothing needs doing.
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