Bought a E39 - found some problems after I got it home
Discussion
I bought a E39 530d at the weekend.
On the way home I found that the left hand speakers don't work, and yesterday the car wouldn't start because of a flat battery.
Now, I didn't check that the radio worked on the test drive, and the bits that were wrong (fog light, driver's door seal, external temp guage) he sorted for me before I picked it up.
I've just spoken to him, and he claims that the speakers are nothing to do with him, and that I probably left the boot open and flattened the battery.
I understand that I've bought an old car, and that it's not going to be perfect, but having spent nearly £7k on a car, I don't think I'm unreasonable to expect the radio to work properly, and that the battery would start the car the next day.
Any opinions?
On the way home I found that the left hand speakers don't work, and yesterday the car wouldn't start because of a flat battery.
Now, I didn't check that the radio worked on the test drive, and the bits that were wrong (fog light, driver's door seal, external temp guage) he sorted for me before I picked it up.
I've just spoken to him, and he claims that the speakers are nothing to do with him, and that I probably left the boot open and flattened the battery.
I understand that I've bought an old car, and that it's not going to be perfect, but having spent nearly £7k on a car, I don't think I'm unreasonable to expect the radio to work properly, and that the battery would start the car the next day.
Any opinions?
Duped buyer said:
I didn't check that the radio worked on the test drive
Check everything works before handing over the readies, I'm afraid. Seven GRAND and you didn't bother!!!Battery is probably knackered. I bet the car had been jump started before you went to pick it up.
Private sale? No comeback, sorry.
If it's a dealer then he should put it right.
Edited by Soovy on Monday 22 February 11:59
Yeah, I've checked the balance control.
Having read around the net it seems that it's a common(ish) problem with the radio module.
I'm pretty sure it didn't have any different ICE in it before.
I've e-mailed him (it was useless trying to talk to him on the phone - at one point he told me 'I pay taxes, I know the law and I have a lawyer'. I only asked him if he knew any reason why the speakers might not be working), so I'll see what he says.
Oh, and no naming & shaming, but I won't be buying a car from a place in Bournemouth that sells 'premium' cars, especially if it's located next to a cafe...
Having read around the net it seems that it's a common(ish) problem with the radio module.
I'm pretty sure it didn't have any different ICE in it before.
I've e-mailed him (it was useless trying to talk to him on the phone - at one point he told me 'I pay taxes, I know the law and I have a lawyer'. I only asked him if he knew any reason why the speakers might not be working), so I'll see what he says.
Oh, and no naming & shaming, but I won't be buying a car from a place in Bournemouth that sells 'premium' cars, especially if it's located next to a cafe...
Soovy said:
bengie said:
.......he told me 'I pay taxes, I know the law and I have a lawyer.......
The fact that he mentions paying his taxes suggests to me that he probably doesn't, and therefore is an ideal candidate for a call to the HMRC grassline.What a c t.
Especially since I paid in folding stuff.
I couldn't comment on the grassline...
Hi there,
Do you have the 16:9 widescreen audio/GPS system in this E39 you bought? For 7K, that would put it into 2002 model year and preferably a 530i/d Sport type variant of which many did have that setup. If so, you'll probably find it's the common issue of the BM54 amplifier giving up - some speakers working on one side only or intermittently are tell tale signs. I think actually in this case, you can't really expect a dealer to know about this - he wants to shift cars, not know about the common and uncommon faults or issues that can arise with a car he sells. However, if you'd tested before the transaction, he might've said, well I'll knock off £75-100 if you were lucky.
Remember, these electronics are now at best, approaching 7 years old, and some of the 'much sought after' 16:9 E39 systems like this are approaching 10 years old - basically, they're starting to fail. You can look on ebay where they (crazily) command around £250-300, but they also 'could be' between 7-10 years old. I 'think' the same unit was used in X5's up to about when the new current shape came out (2007??) so if that's true, maybe you could find one as 'young' as that. You of course, run the risk that in a week, a month, 3 or 6 months or a year it could fail again.
Overall though, if as I suspect you've bought one of the Sport models and the rest of it is in good shape, then you've probably got yourself a very nice car indeed. There's plenty of other 'common issues' so have a good read up on some of the dedicated sites such as forum5.co.uk to learn about them and any workarounds/cheap and effective ways to remedy them.
Hope this helps - Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
Do you have the 16:9 widescreen audio/GPS system in this E39 you bought? For 7K, that would put it into 2002 model year and preferably a 530i/d Sport type variant of which many did have that setup. If so, you'll probably find it's the common issue of the BM54 amplifier giving up - some speakers working on one side only or intermittently are tell tale signs. I think actually in this case, you can't really expect a dealer to know about this - he wants to shift cars, not know about the common and uncommon faults or issues that can arise with a car he sells. However, if you'd tested before the transaction, he might've said, well I'll knock off £75-100 if you were lucky.
Remember, these electronics are now at best, approaching 7 years old, and some of the 'much sought after' 16:9 E39 systems like this are approaching 10 years old - basically, they're starting to fail. You can look on ebay where they (crazily) command around £250-300, but they also 'could be' between 7-10 years old. I 'think' the same unit was used in X5's up to about when the new current shape came out (2007??) so if that's true, maybe you could find one as 'young' as that. You of course, run the risk that in a week, a month, 3 or 6 months or a year it could fail again.
Overall though, if as I suspect you've bought one of the Sport models and the rest of it is in good shape, then you've probably got yourself a very nice car indeed. There's plenty of other 'common issues' so have a good read up on some of the dedicated sites such as forum5.co.uk to learn about them and any workarounds/cheap and effective ways to remedy them.
Hope this helps - Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
DennisCooper said:
Do you have the 16:9 widescreen audio/GPS system in this E39 you bought? For 7K, that would put it into 2002 model year and preferably a 530i/d Sport type variant of which many did have that setup. If so, you'll probably find it's the common issue of the BM54 amplifier giving up - some speakers working on one side only or intermittently are tell tale signs. I think actually in this case, you can't really expect a dealer to know about this - he wants to shift cars, not know about the common and uncommon faults or issues that can arise with a car he sells. However, if you'd tested before the transaction, he might've said, well I'll knock off £75-100 if you were lucky.
Yeah, it's the 16:9 widescreen, and it is a 2002 model. It's not a Sport, but it has only done 89,000 miles, hence the slightly higher price.I'd seen that the BM54 is a common failing, but I'm going to have a go at re-soldering the amp etc.
DennisCooper said:
Overall though, if as I suspect you've bought one of the Sport models and the rest of it is in good shape, then you've probably got yourself a very nice car indeed. There's plenty of other 'common issues' so have a good read up on some of the dedicated sites such as forum5.co.uk to learn about them and any workarounds/cheap and effective ways to remedy them.
Hope this helps - Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
It's a lovely car - it's fully loaded, and I have the original invoice for £32,500. Hope this helps - Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
Edited by bengie on Monday 22 February 14:12
Hi Bengie
Excellent on finding a 'low miler' - I'd hint that you've paid quite a bit more for a non sport in this case as I do know of some similar and just slightly (98K and 103K milers) higher miled really fantastic Sport versions that will be going, going and have gone for substantially less, and a little less and about the same as you've just paid - and they have all the really tasty extras!
However, if your's is solid, well looked after and good, and you intend to keep it, then as it suits you - great! you've got a very nice BMW!
Have a go at the re-engineering of the amp section to bypass it and solder in some of the RCA jacks - I've never done it, but seen some postings and writeups about it - hopefully that'll resolve your issue for a good while going forwards into the future! are you also considering moving up to the MK4 DVD for the GPS as well ?
congrats on the car and enjoy it! my 03 Touring at 201,000 miles now feels absolutley awesome !
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
Excellent on finding a 'low miler' - I'd hint that you've paid quite a bit more for a non sport in this case as I do know of some similar and just slightly (98K and 103K milers) higher miled really fantastic Sport versions that will be going, going and have gone for substantially less, and a little less and about the same as you've just paid - and they have all the really tasty extras!
However, if your's is solid, well looked after and good, and you intend to keep it, then as it suits you - great! you've got a very nice BMW!
Have a go at the re-engineering of the amp section to bypass it and solder in some of the RCA jacks - I've never done it, but seen some postings and writeups about it - hopefully that'll resolve your issue for a good while going forwards into the future! are you also considering moving up to the MK4 DVD for the GPS as well ?
congrats on the car and enjoy it! my 03 Touring at 201,000 miles now feels absolutley awesome !
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff