Is an e39 523i a modern classic?
Discussion
That generation M5 is sought after as is a 528 or 530. My parents specced a 523 which they bought new in 1999. It's a base car, automatic, with options of an SE. However, as my mum hates the smell of leather they specced cloth interior. Car also has a sunroof.
They've done 55k in 18 years and I've persuaded them to sell this and there 330D touring to have another new BMW
I checked wbac for a baseline, the car is apparently worth little more than buttons. Given its age, condition and mileage and the surge in interest re cars from this era, I'd hoped the car would gnerate a reasonable amount towards their new car.
It's not the big engine and it's on 15" wheels. Not a performance car at all. What's realistic?
They've done 55k in 18 years and I've persuaded them to sell this and there 330D touring to have another new BMW
I checked wbac for a baseline, the car is apparently worth little more than buttons. Given its age, condition and mileage and the surge in interest re cars from this era, I'd hoped the car would gnerate a reasonable amount towards their new car.
It's not the big engine and it's on 15" wheels. Not a performance car at all. What's realistic?
highway said:
They've done 55k in 18 years and I've persuaded them to sell this and their 330D touring to have another new BMW
Why? Given that it probably cost 25-30 grand new and is capable of another 10-20 years of service. I expect it's still a lovely thing to smoke around in - and it's worth about £1000. Seems a waste of money.iSore said:
highway said:
They've done 55k in 18 years and I've persuaded them to sell this and their 330D touring to have another new BMW
Why? Given that it probably cost 25-30 grand new and is capable of another 10-20 years of service. I expect it's still a lovely thing to smoke around in - and it's worth about £1000. Seems a waste of money.
If they're happy with the car, it's in good condition, it's reliable, and it doesn't require any serious repairs, why convince them to go out and buy a new BMW that's going to lose a shed load in depreciation?
I think it was about £27k when new. They bought it in Belgium at the same time I bought a new Z3. They don't need a new car but they- dad in particular, would like one. Given it's their money I'm all for it. Dad drove a 340 touring which he really liked. Given the acievable discount on new buying used perhaps not so attractive.
Anyway I've checked the PH classifieds for an idea. No way they will sell it for buttons its been garaged from new and belies its age. Given it's one owner from new and low miles I'd hope it's worth over £4K to the right buyer.
Anyway I've checked the PH classifieds for an idea. No way they will sell it for buttons its been garaged from new and belies its age. Given it's one owner from new and low miles I'd hope it's worth over £4K to the right buyer.
Hi,
Unfortunately, an asking price of £4K for a 99 523i means your phone will not ring at all as the model is not sought after at all. If you take a lot of clear, high quality photo's, accurately describe the car's condition, show the evidence of 55K miles only with a full meticulous BMW service history, you could advertise it around £1695 and you'll likely get some phone calls. Detractors are that it's not got leather which on an executive type car is expected.
You could find a full leather (seats & doorcards) interior from an early E39 and swap that in to make it more appealing but you'll not really be able to ask the cost of it as an increased asking price.
If you give the car a fantastic deep clean, polish it up, change/treat any worn areas etc and do decide to put it up for a higher price along with a fantastic high quality advert, you 'might' have the phone ring a couple times although it might be a while.
We have friends of our family who purchased a 6 month old 1996 528i and it's done around 55-60K as well. They paid around £33K for it and I helped the father take the test drive of it all the way back then. Another older owner who lives on my road has a lovely condition facelift (2001) 525i SE with around 100K on it and is thinking to sell (I've semi convinced him to keep it!) Given modern cars are much more computer/electronic and the costs for when something does go wrong is 'relatively' high, they along with myself and many other BMW owners are sticking with the older cars for simplicity and 'relatively' lower running costs.
A quick scan shows me a nice condition (in the pics) 66K, with leather, black 523i for £1495 at a car dealership - they probably picked the car up for around £750-900 or so.
Keep the car longer term
Cheers, Dennis!
Unfortunately, an asking price of £4K for a 99 523i means your phone will not ring at all as the model is not sought after at all. If you take a lot of clear, high quality photo's, accurately describe the car's condition, show the evidence of 55K miles only with a full meticulous BMW service history, you could advertise it around £1695 and you'll likely get some phone calls. Detractors are that it's not got leather which on an executive type car is expected.
You could find a full leather (seats & doorcards) interior from an early E39 and swap that in to make it more appealing but you'll not really be able to ask the cost of it as an increased asking price.
If you give the car a fantastic deep clean, polish it up, change/treat any worn areas etc and do decide to put it up for a higher price along with a fantastic high quality advert, you 'might' have the phone ring a couple times although it might be a while.
We have friends of our family who purchased a 6 month old 1996 528i and it's done around 55-60K as well. They paid around £33K for it and I helped the father take the test drive of it all the way back then. Another older owner who lives on my road has a lovely condition facelift (2001) 525i SE with around 100K on it and is thinking to sell (I've semi convinced him to keep it!) Given modern cars are much more computer/electronic and the costs for when something does go wrong is 'relatively' high, they along with myself and many other BMW owners are sticking with the older cars for simplicity and 'relatively' lower running costs.
A quick scan shows me a nice condition (in the pics) 66K, with leather, black 523i for £1495 at a car dealership - they probably picked the car up for around £750-900 or so.
Keep the car longer term
Cheers, Dennis!
As mentioned £4k, £3k and even £2k is just not going to happen. A 523i is a lovely car but it has a few things against it. The 528i is quicker and no more expensive to run, this one doesn't have leather and it doesn't seem to have much spec. The low mileage doesn't really make any difference either.
Whilst I appreciate it sounds like a lovely car, it is just an old BMW. The base spec E39's just aren't special enough. Keeping it and enjoying it would be a better bet.
Whilst I appreciate it sounds like a lovely car, it is just an old BMW. The base spec E39's just aren't special enough. Keeping it and enjoying it would be a better bet.
Interesting opinions. They also have a 330D touring M sport from I think 02. That's very very tidy as well. They've had that since 04 and it's done 80k ish. They were going to keep this and sell the 5. Maybe worth considering the other way around. The 5 is pretty amazing for its age. Never damaged and not tired like most of them seem to be. They wouldn't part with it for the sums mentioned here.
highway said:
Interesting opinions. They also have a 330D touring M sport from I think 02. That's very very tidy as well. They've had that since 04 and it's done 80k ish.
That's a £3000 car to the right buyer, maybe more. A lot of demand for nice ones, especially in a good colour with leather.Acidrop said:
Short answer, no. Especially not an SE.
It's not quite that straightforward, it's not a traditional classic but a exceptional example of a good car has to be worth more than average. As it happens, I have a 97 523i SE, cloth interior, 99% perfect bodywork, lovely engine & gearbox and only just hit 100k. The trouble is how to convince someone who is looking at E39s that on a day to day basis a 523i with the 2.5 170hp engine is plentiful and a sensible person SHOULD buy a mint low mileage 523i SE over the many many rough overpriced 528/30 models
highway said:
That generation M5 is sought after as is a 528 or 530. My parents specced a 523 which they bought new in 1999. It's a base car, automatic, with options of an SE. However, as my mum hates the smell of leather they specced cloth interior. Car also has a sunroof.
They've done 55k in 18 years and I've persuaded them to sell this and there 330D touring to have another new BMW
I checked wbac for a baseline, the car is apparently worth little more than buttons. Given its age, condition and mileage and the surge in interest re cars from this era, I'd hoped the car would gnerate a reasonable amount towards their new car.
It's not the big engine and it's on 15" wheels. Not a performance car at all. What's realistic?
I hate to say this, but I think you may have just talked your parents into sp*nking a chunk of your inheritance! They've done 55k in 18 years and I've persuaded them to sell this and there 330D touring to have another new BMW
I checked wbac for a baseline, the car is apparently worth little more than buttons. Given its age, condition and mileage and the surge in interest re cars from this era, I'd hoped the car would gnerate a reasonable amount towards their new car.
It's not the big engine and it's on 15" wheels. Not a performance car at all. What's realistic?
Their E39 and E46 may not be worth much to anyone else, but with such good history and low mileage would surely have been well worth keeping!
Who needs the latest plate after all?
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