Would you hang on to an e39?
Discussion
I've been an e39 owner ever since they came out in 1996. One of the first 528i's, then on to one of the last (2003) 530d sports.
This car has done 135k now and apart from the turbo blowing up at 100k (fixed by BMW under goodwill!) and some battery issues, that I think were caused by a dodgy phone fitting, it has never needed any work done to it at all. It's used for the motorway slog. Weekends are Boxster time.
Anyway, this isn't an advert, it's a question (well a number of questions).
Am I now riding my luck with this car? Should I move it on while it still has some value in it? Or should I keep it, on the basis that it's pretty hard to replace, and pay to keep it in good nick? Are there any likely problems looming on the horizon?
This car has done 135k now and apart from the turbo blowing up at 100k (fixed by BMW under goodwill!) and some battery issues, that I think were caused by a dodgy phone fitting, it has never needed any work done to it at all. It's used for the motorway slog. Weekends are Boxster time.
Anyway, this isn't an advert, it's a question (well a number of questions).
Am I now riding my luck with this car? Should I move it on while it still has some value in it? Or should I keep it, on the basis that it's pretty hard to replace, and pay to keep it in good nick? Are there any likely problems looming on the horizon?
The real question you should be asking is what on earth would you replace it with..?
I have had a 530i touring for just under a year, I get bored with cars easily (well apart from the Cerb which still scares the bejesus out of me) so have considered changing it, but I came to the conclusion that I can't think of anything that does what the 5 does as well as the 5...
I read of plenty of 5s that go on and on and on... I don't think 135k is that big a mileage if you looked after it as well as it sounds you have.
I have had a 530i touring for just under a year, I get bored with cars easily (well apart from the Cerb which still scares the bejesus out of me) so have considered changing it, but I came to the conclusion that I can't think of anything that does what the 5 does as well as the 5...
I read of plenty of 5s that go on and on and on... I don't think 135k is that big a mileage if you looked after it as well as it sounds you have.
I'd say keep it - they are generally very reliable and the cost of keeping it in tip top shape is likely to be significantly lower than the real cost (inc depreciation etc) of replacing it with a car which is potentially not as nice.
I plan to keep my E60 long term, simply because its actual value doesn't reflect its value to me and the cost of replacing it for something with such a broad range of capabilities is likely to be relatively high and not get me a better car at the end of it.
If I start seeing the odd big bill in the future I won't much like it but will be comforted knowing a replacement would lose hundreds per month in depreciation - I guess mine has probably lost something in the order of £700 per month so far in the 3 years I have had it - that rate of depreciation will slow down and is unlikely to be topped up with massively increased running costs.
Long winded way of saying keep the E39 if you like it!!
All IMHO of course!!
I plan to keep my E60 long term, simply because its actual value doesn't reflect its value to me and the cost of replacing it for something with such a broad range of capabilities is likely to be relatively high and not get me a better car at the end of it.
If I start seeing the odd big bill in the future I won't much like it but will be comforted knowing a replacement would lose hundreds per month in depreciation - I guess mine has probably lost something in the order of £700 per month so far in the 3 years I have had it - that rate of depreciation will slow down and is unlikely to be topped up with massively increased running costs.
Long winded way of saying keep the E39 if you like it!!
All IMHO of course!!
I've got a yr 2000 108000 mile 530d, paid £6.5K for it 3 years ago at 63000 miles. Current value is say £3.5K min. That's £1K per year depreciation. Hard to better that with a luxury car. Even if it goes expensively pop tomorrow, it will still have a £1.5K value on ebay for breaking. Therefore max exposure is £5K. If it goes on for another couple of years then it makes the argument for keeping it even stronger. Also add to it that the car is simply brilliant, always the right car for the occaision but as comfortable as a favourite pair of slippers.
MarkwG said:
I agree with the sentiments above; except that, if you're of a mind to ask the question, that might be an indicator tht you're ready to move on?
Yes, I agree with them as well, but it's a long time in one model of car. So I suppose I am getting itchy feet.I could potentially opt-in to my company car scheme, but the best I could do is probably a Golf Gti, which is fairly tempting. However it's a decision that I might regret the first time I take a 4/500 mile day-long trip (which the 530 treats with contempt, silence at 90mph+, comfort and 40mpg).
Hi there,
Pretty much as above - but i'd like to add in some other perspectives to bolster this
Quite a few E39 owners I've spoken to directly, also to others via forums etc, seem to want to keep their E39s long term and then keep them going as 'classics' when they reach that sort of status. The E39 and E46 were the last of the 'pre bangle' designs and still look sharp well over a decade on in E46 shape and almost 15 years on for the E39. Yes, the dog E39's are breakers now, but the good ones and nice ones will definitley stay with want to have and collectable status in a few years to come. The M5 owners will see the 'best' of any values of course. However the 'lesser' models when looked after well will really command good levels even in say 5+ years time.
To give you an idea of longestivity - I have a 2003 530d Touring,and I'm over the 200,000 mile mark. It's ex police and I've dressed it up, and personalised it. I've done 50K in it, and only had to replace the gearbox when it gave up at 172K miles. I'm going to keep this car long term, not so much for the fact it's worth a lesser amount, but becuase of the sheer quality and enjoyment I get from it. At the Pistonheads meet a couple of weeks ago, a PHer remarked how clean it was, I asked him to guess the miles (sorry PHer, I forgot your name! but I rememeber that Ferrari and your better halfs Z4!) and he thought it'd done like 50-60K and his other half thought 25K - slight jaw drop at when I said it's done about 201,000 miles! - just goes to show what original paint can be like!
If you do decide to keep it, high quality and subtle aftermarket parts will make it look great and be a alternative to normal wear parts (suspensions, exhausts etc) and will allow to you maintain and keep the car at a reasonable budget over time.
The E60 when it first came out was a real stir just like the 7 a few years before - they've both evolved over the years now of course and we're all more familiar with them, however the E39/E46 still in many eyes, represent the last of the really classic lines of the popular BMW's (there were less E38 7's, Z3's etc around)
Good luck with whichever way you choose!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
Pretty much as above - but i'd like to add in some other perspectives to bolster this
Quite a few E39 owners I've spoken to directly, also to others via forums etc, seem to want to keep their E39s long term and then keep them going as 'classics' when they reach that sort of status. The E39 and E46 were the last of the 'pre bangle' designs and still look sharp well over a decade on in E46 shape and almost 15 years on for the E39. Yes, the dog E39's are breakers now, but the good ones and nice ones will definitley stay with want to have and collectable status in a few years to come. The M5 owners will see the 'best' of any values of course. However the 'lesser' models when looked after well will really command good levels even in say 5+ years time.
To give you an idea of longestivity - I have a 2003 530d Touring,and I'm over the 200,000 mile mark. It's ex police and I've dressed it up, and personalised it. I've done 50K in it, and only had to replace the gearbox when it gave up at 172K miles. I'm going to keep this car long term, not so much for the fact it's worth a lesser amount, but becuase of the sheer quality and enjoyment I get from it. At the Pistonheads meet a couple of weeks ago, a PHer remarked how clean it was, I asked him to guess the miles (sorry PHer, I forgot your name! but I rememeber that Ferrari and your better halfs Z4!) and he thought it'd done like 50-60K and his other half thought 25K - slight jaw drop at when I said it's done about 201,000 miles! - just goes to show what original paint can be like!
If you do decide to keep it, high quality and subtle aftermarket parts will make it look great and be a alternative to normal wear parts (suspensions, exhausts etc) and will allow to you maintain and keep the car at a reasonable budget over time.
The E60 when it first came out was a real stir just like the 7 a few years before - they've both evolved over the years now of course and we're all more familiar with them, however the E39/E46 still in many eyes, represent the last of the really classic lines of the popular BMW's (there were less E38 7's, Z3's etc around)
Good luck with whichever way you choose!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
DavidHM said:
Could you afford an F10 when they come out?
The 520d has similar power to the E39 530d and it's got some of the subtlety back that is missing in the E60.
Otherwise I'd probably keep it.
Yes, I probably could, at a stretch, but I have never bought a new car, for religious reasons (Scottish accountant), so I'd want to wait for a while on that one. The E60 does nothing for me at all, so going to miss that generation out.The 520d has similar power to the E39 530d and it's got some of the subtlety back that is missing in the E60.
Otherwise I'd probably keep it.
Even taking away the question of money, though, I can't really think of anything that would replace my e39 without me hesitating. I owned an Alpina V8s for a bit, with the intention of selling the 530. Ended up selling the Alpina within 2 months!
E39 530i sport auto is the best all round car BMW have ever built, and arguably the best all round car ever built.
My brother has my old one and I occasionaly take it for a quick spin and still adaore it.
I have had a 535d sport and although good, it's not as good.
My brother has my old one and I occasionaly take it for a quick spin and still adaore it.
I have had a 535d sport and although good, it's not as good.
Edited by gizlaroc on Thursday 18th February 15:38
DennisCooper said:
Hi there,
Pretty much as above - but i'd like to add in some other perspectives to bolster this
Quite a few E39 owners I've spoken to directly, also to others via forums etc, seem to want to keep their E39s long term and then keep them going as 'classics' when they reach that sort of status. The E39 and E46 were the last of the 'pre bangle' designs and still look sharp well over a decade on in E46 shape and almost 15 years on for the E39. Yes, the dog E39's are breakers now, but the good ones and nice ones will definitley stay with want to have and collectable status in a few years to come. The M5 owners will see the 'best' of any values of course. However the 'lesser' models when looked after well will really command good levels even in say 5+ years time.
110% agree with this.Pretty much as above - but i'd like to add in some other perspectives to bolster this
Quite a few E39 owners I've spoken to directly, also to others via forums etc, seem to want to keep their E39s long term and then keep them going as 'classics' when they reach that sort of status. The E39 and E46 were the last of the 'pre bangle' designs and still look sharp well over a decade on in E46 shape and almost 15 years on for the E39. Yes, the dog E39's are breakers now, but the good ones and nice ones will definitley stay with want to have and collectable status in a few years to come. The M5 owners will see the 'best' of any values of course. However the 'lesser' models when looked after well will really command good levels even in say 5+ years time.
The interior feels more tight than my E60 I think. I'm picking up an E61 today but haven't even advertised my E39 for sale. I think I will sell, because it's done 161k miles now and I suspect that'd be too high for a classic car polisher, and not sure I have the inclination myself.
But I do agree with the sentiment; decent E34s have stopped going down in value and are now seen as more classic than banger; but that does indicate that it could be a good few years before the E39 is seen in the same light.
But I do agree with the sentiment; decent E34s have stopped going down in value and are now seen as more classic than banger; but that does indicate that it could be a good few years before the E39 is seen in the same light.
Dinoboy said:
E39's are a long away off any kind of classic status,even then only cars with few owners/low mileage will be worth much.Look at any E34's or even e28's that are worth any kind of money,they have to be really mint.I know,I've bought and sold a fair few of them.
Yes I agree. It's a bit of a stretch expecting them to be Classics in the next few years.They are just very good cars.
pp
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