High miler E39 5 Series
Discussion
Currently have an Audi TT which I'm looking to change for an E39 5 series sport. Been looking around and high miler's seem to be going for next to nothing. That works quite nicely as the TT is also worth next to nothing!
Had a look at Honest Johns review which is very thorough, seems a very reliable car with pretty standard common faults, with the exception of the auto boxes. Seems that as they are seal for life boxes, the transmission fluid is never changed – I suspect this is pretty common now as my manual Audi has a seal for life box also. Reports that these boxes are failing around the 120K – 150K mark, which is the mileage I’m looking at.
So, does anybody have a high miler 5 series sport? Apart from the common faults like rear bushes, anything you can suggest I look for?
Seems like a lot of car for the money and with a growing family of 4, will suit us down to the ground.
Once other thing, what is the recommended engine? In the sport trim, a lot seem to be 3.0L, which I *think* I would prefer something a little smaller due to fuel economy and insurance/tax costs? Am I right in my thinking?
Any help much appreciated.
Had a look at Honest Johns review which is very thorough, seems a very reliable car with pretty standard common faults, with the exception of the auto boxes. Seems that as they are seal for life boxes, the transmission fluid is never changed – I suspect this is pretty common now as my manual Audi has a seal for life box also. Reports that these boxes are failing around the 120K – 150K mark, which is the mileage I’m looking at.
So, does anybody have a high miler 5 series sport? Apart from the common faults like rear bushes, anything you can suggest I look for?
Seems like a lot of car for the money and with a growing family of 4, will suit us down to the ground.
Once other thing, what is the recommended engine? In the sport trim, a lot seem to be 3.0L, which I *think* I would prefer something a little smaller due to fuel economy and insurance/tax costs? Am I right in my thinking?
Any help much appreciated.
Not a sport, but I had a 130k 523 Touring until recently. As you say, rear bushes go, as do front bushes resulting in "the shimmy" particularly when braking from speed (you get a vibration through the steering). Also there can be some electrical gremlins but they are easily fixed - ignition switch (which causes various random faults), clock spring in steering wheel, final stage resistor for HVAC (the "hedgehog") which drains the battery.
A worthwhile investment is an old laptop and a diagnostic cable (£40-ish)
A worthwhile investment is an old laptop and a diagnostic cable (£40-ish)
Thanks for the tips miniman.
I had an E36 M3 a few years back so bushes are well known to me
Apart from that, what you describe all sound like minor faults with relatively cheap and easy fixes. During your ownership, would you now turn round and say it was a reliable car?
Also, how did you find the 523 lump? Enough for the size and weight of the car or am I better looking at 525/528?
Thanks...
ETA: I do all my own work on the TT - the VAG COM has been worth its weight in gold in helping diagnose faults @ £0 p/h instead of £100! Good to hear that for a few quid I can do the same on the 5
I had an E36 M3 a few years back so bushes are well known to me
Apart from that, what you describe all sound like minor faults with relatively cheap and easy fixes. During your ownership, would you now turn round and say it was a reliable car?Also, how did you find the 523 lump? Enough for the size and weight of the car or am I better looking at 525/528?
Thanks...
ETA: I do all my own work on the TT - the VAG COM has been worth its weight in gold in helping diagnose faults @ £0 p/h instead of £100! Good to hear that for a few quid I can do the same on the 5
Edited by stellacheersmate on Friday 23 July 10:29
It was very reliable, I'd certainly have another high-miler. I only chopped it in because it was about to need some slightly more expensive work and I did a very attractive p/ex deal with a mate.
I would say the 523 is a bit underpowered for the size of car. I was only getting 23mpg, a symptom I believe of having to drive it quite hard to keep up the momentum. I suspect the cream of the bunch is the 530d but of course there's a premium on the purchase price.
I would say the 523 is a bit underpowered for the size of car. I was only getting 23mpg, a symptom I believe of having to drive it quite hard to keep up the momentum. I suspect the cream of the bunch is the 530d but of course there's a premium on the purchase price.
I once had an E39 523i SE with 120k miles on it. Nothing special in the spec but still the best car I've owned. Performance isn't going to excite anyone but the solidity and quality was superb. I kept it for three years-ish and apart from servicing had nothing done to it. I p/x'd it in the end because it started using a lot of water and no obvious signs of where it was going. May've been nothing but I moved it on anyway. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
Without trying to sound condesending, but sub 150k is not high on a car like this. These were designed to pound motorways and there are loads out there with 200k plus.
Mine is on 167k and racking up 25k pa. There are issues but it still feels remarkably tight.
Gearbox is a constant worry of mine....
Mine is on 167k and racking up 25k pa. There are issues but it still feels remarkably tight.
Gearbox is a constant worry of mine....
Thanks everyone who replied 
I know its subjective, but opinions on this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Although sat-nav is not a pre-req for me, its certainly a nice to have. And for that money, thats a lot of motor. Obviously, little lacquer work required on the roof....
I know its subjective, but opinions on this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Although sat-nav is not a pre-req for me, its certainly a nice to have. And for that money, thats a lot of motor. Obviously, little lacquer work required on the roof....
king f
- Have you looked at the prices of E39 M5's? 
Hi StellaCheersMate
I have one of the last E39 Tourings, 2003 registered and it's done around 204,000!
Granted, 150K miles of those were in the first 3 years when the Police had it, and I've done around 54K over the last 4 years I've had it.
The gearbox gave up at 172K miles, and as you already know, it's a major potential failure point and expensive at £1500-2000 to get reconditioned. However some owners are running 250K miles plus, on their original boxes and others had failures as low as 70K miles. There's no 'set' definite that it will fail, however 150K is a mileage that's often 'mentioned'. Some other common issues have been pointed out too, but overall, an absolutley fantastic car!
I've modified mine, now 'looks' like a Sport with a few other additions as well!
When it comes to the Widescreen, this option is a nice to have, but getting longer in the tooth and when the amplifier fails it's ludicrously expensive to replace with 2nd hand potentially 5-10 year old units, which might last another 2 weeks for all you know. If the TV function is something you'll use, then be aware after the Digital Switchover completes, the Analgue tuner it most likely has will be useless. There is a OEM Hybrid Analogue/digital unit, but very expensive at £500-600 second hand, usually on German on ebay. If a car comes along which is well specced but doesn't have the SatNav, don't dismiss it!
Have a look at some of the more focussed BMW 5 series forums and sites to get more information - I'm just in Slough and if you'd like a closer look at an E39 - Mine's Diesel, you are more than welcome!
Cheers, Dennis!
I have one of the last E39 Tourings, 2003 registered and it's done around 204,000!
Granted, 150K miles of those were in the first 3 years when the Police had it, and I've done around 54K over the last 4 years I've had it.
The gearbox gave up at 172K miles, and as you already know, it's a major potential failure point and expensive at £1500-2000 to get reconditioned. However some owners are running 250K miles plus, on their original boxes and others had failures as low as 70K miles. There's no 'set' definite that it will fail, however 150K is a mileage that's often 'mentioned'. Some other common issues have been pointed out too, but overall, an absolutley fantastic car!
I've modified mine, now 'looks' like a Sport with a few other additions as well!
When it comes to the Widescreen, this option is a nice to have, but getting longer in the tooth and when the amplifier fails it's ludicrously expensive to replace with 2nd hand potentially 5-10 year old units, which might last another 2 weeks for all you know. If the TV function is something you'll use, then be aware after the Digital Switchover completes, the Analgue tuner it most likely has will be useless. There is a OEM Hybrid Analogue/digital unit, but very expensive at £500-600 second hand, usually on German on ebay. If a car comes along which is well specced but doesn't have the SatNav, don't dismiss it!
Have a look at some of the more focussed BMW 5 series forums and sites to get more information
- I'm just in Slough and if you'd like a closer look at an E39 - Mine's Diesel, you are more than welcome!Cheers, Dennis!
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