RE: Shed of the Week: BMW 528i (E39)
Discussion
Had a manual e39 538i in Glacier. Lots to like about it. Ahead of its time, side airbags, deadlocks etc. Great engine but that cooling system, gawd. Couldn't fix the bloody thing. They are not as quiet as an e34 inside though IMO and I wouldn't really want another with the price of petrol now. Reminded me a lot of a Vauxhall Omega 3.0 to be honest.
Great car for the price of a major service and a couple of new tyres on a middling Audi (or BMW or MB). It looks in great condition and is classy motoring for peanuts, hope the new owner cherished it. It won’t be me as If I bought every car I fancied on here I’d need a garage the size of Heathrow.
Love my manual E39 523i Touring. Wouldn’t mind a little more power though and the front suspension needs some attention.
Anyone know a decent supplier for the air conditioning ‘Up & down’ buttons. Worst piece of design on an E39. Break so easily.
My headlights are cloudy and have been polished with the renovation kits so many times
Would these be a decent replacement. Would like to keep it looking standard, no angel eyes.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Edited by Parabola on Monday 3rd December 08:36
Parabola said:
Love my manual E39 523i Touring. Wouldn’t mind a little more power though and the front suspension needs some attention.
Anyone know a decent supplier for the air conditioning ‘Up & down’ buttons. Worst piece of design on an E39. Break so easily.
tch911 said:
I concur with everything that everyone has said above, this is a quite, quite astounding Shed, and without question the SOTY.
By way of value comparison, I recently sold my 'Station Car', an automatic E39 525i MSport. It had 98,000 miles and a Full Park Lane BMW History, and every invoice from new. It sold for £5,000.....
Admittedly a lot of BMW-nerds put a lot of kudos onto the rarely-seen Individual Techno Violet paint colour, but still there's a total bargain to be had for someone here.
The 2.8 litre engine is a real gem when you run it to the redline, with real top-end zing, but literally nothing in the midrange, it really lacks torque. I always drove mine in Sport mode, and always thought that a manual gearbox would suit the engine better. There were definitely occasions of can I/can't I when overtaking and that's not great in my book.
Otherwise the E39 is a home-mechanic's dream, almost as if it was designed for exactly that. Such solid build quality and when the suspension has been refurbished, they handle so well, a supreme blend of firm, but planted and yet oddly pliant for the big stuff.
I think this car is shouting out for a pair of staggered M Paralell wheels, they really fill the arches and give one of the best stances on any production saloon this side of an M3. A real stealthy purposefulness that you just cant quite put your finger on.
Unsure as to what year they made the change, but the very last cars like mine had modern comforts such as Bluetooth and Isofix as well.
It's that Almandine Black (Purple) CL600 that has taken on the daily commute. Less reliable than the BMW, but what an engine!
I've got one that colour too, although in 530i flavour with champagne nappa leather. Interesting seeing how much yours sold for. Mines got about 86k on the odometer. number plate not far off your one too!By way of value comparison, I recently sold my 'Station Car', an automatic E39 525i MSport. It had 98,000 miles and a Full Park Lane BMW History, and every invoice from new. It sold for £5,000.....
Admittedly a lot of BMW-nerds put a lot of kudos onto the rarely-seen Individual Techno Violet paint colour, but still there's a total bargain to be had for someone here.
The 2.8 litre engine is a real gem when you run it to the redline, with real top-end zing, but literally nothing in the midrange, it really lacks torque. I always drove mine in Sport mode, and always thought that a manual gearbox would suit the engine better. There were definitely occasions of can I/can't I when overtaking and that's not great in my book.
Otherwise the E39 is a home-mechanic's dream, almost as if it was designed for exactly that. Such solid build quality and when the suspension has been refurbished, they handle so well, a supreme blend of firm, but planted and yet oddly pliant for the big stuff.
I think this car is shouting out for a pair of staggered M Paralell wheels, they really fill the arches and give one of the best stances on any production saloon this side of an M3. A real stealthy purposefulness that you just cant quite put your finger on.
Unsure as to what year they made the change, but the very last cars like mine had modern comforts such as Bluetooth and Isofix as well.
It's that Almandine Black (Purple) CL600 that has taken on the daily commute. Less reliable than the BMW, but what an engine!
lufbramatt said:
I've got one that colour too, although in 530i flavour with champagne nappa leather. Interesting seeing how much yours sold for. Mines got about 86k on the odometer. number plate not far off your one too!
What a fabulous colour combination, exactly what I was originally looking for.I was lead to believe that the RA52RXX number plates were BMW UK Head Office cars, hence the high-specs and Reading code.
I think a lot of people (me mostly!!!) put a lot of value on the single dealer service history and every single invoice from new. But I still had some serious weapons mess me around, until it sold. I think if yours is absolutely flawless (for an old car) then you should easily achieve. good luck.
I ran an E39 M5 briefly a few years back and have hankered after a tidy 530i Sport for the past few years, looking at them on and off. Finally bought a Champagne 1 just before Christmas but unfortunately had to return it to the dealer.....so I’m looking again now!
So....if anyone is looking to sell or knows of a tidy one for sale not currently advertised anywhere, please drop me a note.
Cheers
Pork
So....if anyone is looking to sell or knows of a tidy one for sale not currently advertised anywhere, please drop me a note.
Cheers
Pork
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