5 Series

[macp]

Dear all
Ive pretty much decided on an E39 5 series.I was going for an earlier E46 3 series but because of the subframe issue on the 323 & 328 I have decided its too risky.With my budget of 3-4k Im gonna try for a manual 523,525,528 but was wondering if there was much of a difference in mpg between manual and auto.

I also have two small dogs a wife and an 8yr old daughter who wants to try camping.Should I go for a touring or do you find the saloon up to the job ?

Thanks all.

[crankedup]

I used to own an 5 series manual and found it to be an great car giving an average 35 mpg, this was the 2.3 engine. I sold the car a few years back but miss it so much I have decided to buy another. My budget is much the same as yours so the race is on

I found the manual box a little snatchey around busy towns and so this time its an auto for me. Whatever, they are all great cars.

[macp]

crankedup said:

I used to own an 5 series manual and found it to be an great car giving an average 35 mpg, this was the 2.3 engine. I sold the car a few years back but miss it so much I have decided to buy another. My budget is much the same as yours so the race is on

I found the manual box a little snatchey around busy towns and so this time its an auto for me. Whatever, they are all great cars.

Cheers dude

No worries though as you will probably have a better choice than me in your area.

[Harbuzi]

In terms of mpg, I have driven 800 odd miles since buying a 528 (manual) a couple of weeks ago and have averaged 30.3mpg. Much of my driving has been on the motorway.

In terms of your wife, daughter, dogs and camping stuff etc etc I am guessing the saloon boot is big enough, although if it was a regular thing you may want to try the touring just for the extra room.

All in all I am delighted with mine and think you have made a great choice!!

[skoff]

I think the accepted wisdom is that there is about 3-4mpg difference between manual and auto. I am picking my 5 series up on Saturday and drove quite a few looking for mine. I got a 530i well within your budget, so look hard and you will most likely have to travel if you are even slightly off the beaten track! I have always been a manual or nothing sort of guy, but I have gone for the auto this time as it is just sooooo nice in the 5 series, it really suits the car. If you are doing mostly motorway miles I think the difference in mpg will be less.

As regards space, well the 5 does have a big boot in saloon form, but you should note that the bulkhead is solid behind the rear seats, so if you want to carry a long load you can't (unless you have the ski carry option???). The down side of the tourer is that it has air suspension on the back which is a bit more complex than the suspension on the saloon. They both drive well and feel like smaller cars than they are.

[David87M3]

I have a 528 auto. great car. I also have 2 dogs that do not go in the car and for that reason I with sometimes I bought an estate..
The 528 does about 20-23 round the doors mixed is 28ish. on a steady long run i have had 40.1mpg

Make sure you get a good pre march 2001 (i think) becasue you will pay less road tax for the same car regestered after that date.

Also put say £400 to one side to upgrade the headlights. the non angel eye lights are utterly crap. Im on my second e39. be aware of pixel failure if a car has full/high on board computer but its fixed for free if your handy with tools or about £100 if you pay someone.

also dont rule out the 520, not the fastest but there ok. have a drive of one ans suprise yourself

[David87M3]

skoff said:

The down side of the tourer is that it has air suspension on the back which is a bit more complex than the suspension on the saloon. They both drive well and feel like smaller cars than they are.

thats a fair point but its not that complex and fairly easy to fix.

Dave

[dave_s13]

David87M3 said:

skoff said:

The down side of the tourer is that it has air suspension on the back which is a bit more complex than the suspension on the saloon. They both drive well and feel like smaller cars than they are.

thats a fair point but its not that complex and fairly easy to fix.

Dave

Yup, the airbgs are a doddle to replace.

You cannot put a dog in a saloon, unless you don't mind a dog on the upholstery.

[David87M3]

dave_s13 said:

David87M3 said:

skoff said:

The down side of the tourer is that it has air suspension on the back which is a bit more complex than the suspension on the saloon. They both drive well and feel like smaller cars than they are.

thats a fair point but its not that complex and fairly easy to fix.

Dave

Yup, the airbgs are a doddle to replace.

You cannot put a dog in a saloon, unless you don't mind a dog on the upholstery.

iye and mine is a sport with swede (spelling ) seats and one of my dogs thinks its ok to sit on your lap whilst driving (not good). She use to do this as a puppy and always got moved back to passinger foot well but now she's a lot bigger and still thinks she fits between me and the wheel. last time she did this Im sure other people thought a dog was driving the car becasue she likes to look forwards.

The tourer usually has dog guards fitted which is a bonus

Edited by David87M3 on Thursday 30th April 11:47

[V8_chitty]

At this budget 5-series Touring Auto (6-cyl) is the only way to go. The gearbox is good for 200-250k with only oil changes.

As a family vehicle nothing gets close - enough space (for dog as well!). My E39 523 Auto is still the best car I've EVER owned. Creamy smooth gearchanges and effortless progress (528 more so). Unfortunately my brand new 520d (manual) does not deliver the same kind of experience. The gb is clunky and, whilst good for a diesel, each gear runs out of puff way too early. Also, the sides of the car are so high up the kids feel sick on the twisty bits...

For the record my 2000 523 did 27.8 in traffic and easy 32 on the motorway. 34 if I could be bothered to back off a bit.

The suspension did go pop on one side whilst in France - French BMW dealer fixed it for 200 Euro's - not really a problem? Other than that agree with previous comment on the lights although improved cheaply on main bean with halfords 50% brighter bulbs. Low beam still poor.

[macp]

Harbuzi said:

In terms of mpg, I have driven 800 odd miles since buying a 528 (manual) a couple of weeks ago and have averaged 30.3mpg. Much of my driving has been on the motorway.

In terms of your wife, daughter, dogs and camping stuff etc etc I am guessing the saloon boot is big enough, although if it was a regular thing you may want to try the touring just for the extra room.

All in all I am delighted with mine and think you have made a great choice!!

I suspect I will cover 6 or 7000mls per year mostly commuting to work with the occasional weekend away and also a holiday or two in Cornwall.

I dont think its worth buying a touring for this kind of occasional use.

Edited by macp on Thursday 30th April 19:17

[dave_s13]

macp said:

Harbuzi said:

In terms of mpg, I have driven 800 odd miles since buying a 528 (manual) a couple of weeks ago and have averaged 30.3mpg. Much of my driving has been on the motorway.

In terms of your wife, daughter, dogs and camping stuff etc etc I am guessing the saloon boot is big enough, although if it was a regular thing you may want to try the touring just for the extra room.

All in all I am delighted with mine and think you have made a great choice!!

I suspect I will cover 6 or 7000mls per year mostly commuting to work with the occasional weekend away and also a holiday or two in Cornwall.

On that mileage you might as well spend a tad more (if you can) and get a 540 Touring, like what I did.

As long as you don't look at the instant MPG needle (post it note over the top) they are awesome, I can chuck mine about with far more confidence than the 5 year younger Saab 95 it replaced, it doesn't rattle either, the Saab bloody did

Re the lights, pre facelift they are pretty $hite.

You have 5 options;

1. Live with them
2. Keep your standard units and upgrade to HID xenons using these - £50
3. Get yourself a pair of facelift angel eye headlight units - keep your existing bulbs - £2-350
4. Combine 2 & 3
5. Get a pair of facelift xenons - £3-750 (assume this gives you the same effect as option 4 but you get OEM ballasts)
5. Get brighter bulbs from Halfords as stated above

I've gone for option 4. Got all the bits from Ebay just waiting on the OS unit to arrive. Spent circa £225 total. Will post up with before/after and how easy/hard it was if I have time.