Just fallen out of love with my E46 coupe...time for an E39?
Discussion
I've had my 318Ci Sport for 18 months and to be honest, it's been a money pit. Despite it having wanted for nothing before I had it, having full main dealer history up to my ownership and me ensuring everything is right on it, this morning the rear diff played up causing the rear N/S wheel to lock up - it had a new diff a year ago and I'm waiting to hear what it is this time.
The toys have come out of the pram and I think I'm better getting rid - I'm thinking of getting an E39 Sport saloon. The GF thinks I'll settle down and keep the 318 but I'm not so sure any more and recent reduncancy is also making me look at things differently. So, the E39 Sports - I'm aware of the swirl flap issue on the 530d's but what else should I be looking for / at and what are the most desirable engines to have? - A V8 would ruin me I think. I'm also aware of going from a 2004 car to something older but they seem excellent value and a lot of car with the right spec.
Any thoughts / opinions would be great, thanks.
The toys have come out of the pram and I think I'm better getting rid - I'm thinking of getting an E39 Sport saloon. The GF thinks I'll settle down and keep the 318 but I'm not so sure any more and recent reduncancy is also making me look at things differently. So, the E39 Sports - I'm aware of the swirl flap issue on the 530d's but what else should I be looking for / at and what are the most desirable engines to have? - A V8 would ruin me I think. I'm also aware of going from a 2004 car to something older but they seem excellent value and a lot of car with the right spec.
Any thoughts / opinions would be great, thanks.
RedWhiteMonkey said:
Doubt you'll find a 2004 E39 as the production run ended in 2003.
Tourings continued into 2004 until the E61 was ready to take over. I love my E39, as said, it's a great all rounder.There's a good UK 5 series forum at forum.bmw5.co.uk.
Fun Bus said:
this morning the rear diff played up causing the rear N/S wheel to lock up - it had a new diff a year ago and I'm waiting to hear what it is this time.
Was the diff replaced by a main dealer? Parts should be warranted for 2 years so if there's something wrong with it, this shouldn't cost you anything.Fun Bus said:
I don't expect an E39 to cost me peanuts but having just thrown £1500 at my car in a year - excluding insurance, routine maintenance and consumables I can't help but think I could do better.
However, if someone can convince me otherwise I will listen!
It's a difficult one. However, if someone can convince me otherwise I will listen!
A good e46 or e39 will cost buttons to maintain (I ran an e39 530i with no costs outside of the usual)
But buy a bad one and they will both ream you.
Now these cars are getting older, I think it's about buying the right individual car, as opposed to looking for the right model of car.
Just IMO.
Jobbo said:
Fun Bus said:
this morning the rear diff played up causing the rear N/S wheel to lock up - it had a new diff a year ago and I'm waiting to hear what it is this time.
Was the diff replaced by a main dealer? Parts should be warranted for 2 years so if there's something wrong with it, this shouldn't cost you anything.
I must stress, before reading my post please do not take it the wrong way, but...
And I'm not sure if I'm the only one thinking this, but looking at your situation (redundancy), is a BMW really the kind of car you should be running right now? It's not really the type of car to run on a budget is it?
Unless you buy brand new, any BMW you buy will need maintenance at some point soon, be it drivetrain, engine, suspension and it's not going to be cheap. To assume that you are going to buy a second hand BMW and not need to fork out to maintain it is living in cloud cuckoo land if you ask me.
To answer the original question though, if you must stay in a BMW keep yours. Don't forget, an E39 is the heavier car so will go through tyres, brakes and suspension a lot quicker, not to mention it'll be thirstier. But if you've got your heart set on one the 530i is the one to go for from what I gather.
Bryan.
And I'm not sure if I'm the only one thinking this, but looking at your situation (redundancy), is a BMW really the kind of car you should be running right now? It's not really the type of car to run on a budget is it?
Unless you buy brand new, any BMW you buy will need maintenance at some point soon, be it drivetrain, engine, suspension and it's not going to be cheap. To assume that you are going to buy a second hand BMW and not need to fork out to maintain it is living in cloud cuckoo land if you ask me.
To answer the original question though, if you must stay in a BMW keep yours. Don't forget, an E39 is the heavier car so will go through tyres, brakes and suspension a lot quicker, not to mention it'll be thirstier. But if you've got your heart set on one the 530i is the one to go for from what I gather.
Bryan.
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