BMW 523 E39 - the saga of the tired BMW
Discussion
TonyRPH said:
Patience...? Hmmm.. there have been times when I've been ready to throw in the towel.
I probably would have done, but quite early on I put money into fixing it and I reached the point of no return quite rapidly.
They are great cars when they're working properly, and with all the work that's been done on mine, I'm hoping it should be good for another 200k without spending too much more... (famous last words)
I suspect a gearbox issue may put a stop to things, but there seems to be plenty of lower mileage scrappers out there to get spares from.
Fuel consumption is consistently around 26.9mpg according to the OBC which isn't too bad I thought.
It doesn't seem to change much even on a 100 mile run which is odd, but something I have seen before with my other BMWs.
ETA: I also have past form for buying cars, spending money fixing things, new tyres etc. and then running them for around 6 months or so and then selling at a huge loss.
Over the past 16 years or so, I think I've only bought maybe 2 or 3 cars (out of 30 odd) that haven't needed tyres and wiper blades.
Oh dear, this sounds just like me. I've just had tyres fitted today, but for once, I used window cleaner to give some life back to the original wiper blades! No more streaks. I probably would have done, but quite early on I put money into fixing it and I reached the point of no return quite rapidly.
They are great cars when they're working properly, and with all the work that's been done on mine, I'm hoping it should be good for another 200k without spending too much more... (famous last words)
I suspect a gearbox issue may put a stop to things, but there seems to be plenty of lower mileage scrappers out there to get spares from.
Fuel consumption is consistently around 26.9mpg according to the OBC which isn't too bad I thought.
It doesn't seem to change much even on a 100 mile run which is odd, but something I have seen before with my other BMWs.
ETA: I also have past form for buying cars, spending money fixing things, new tyres etc. and then running them for around 6 months or so and then selling at a huge loss.
Over the past 16 years or so, I think I've only bought maybe 2 or 3 cars (out of 30 odd) that haven't needed tyres and wiper blades.
Edited by TonyRPH on Friday 18th November 09:46
Back in March I replaced the FSU (hedgehog) as it was randomly draining the battery.
It's the first time since owning the car that I had a fully functional blower (all speeds) so it must have been on the blink for a while.
I had to buy a new battery too, as the combination of constant drain and jump starts seemed to destroy the old one.
MOT came and went this month, and she failed on a tyre (split on inner wall) and wiper blades.
So 4x new tyres as the fronts were just about due anyway.
Also had new front disks and pads, along with thrust bushes which has cured the wobble under braking.
We went to Scotland last week for a few days, and racked up ~800 fault free miles.
Car is now on 199000 or so - waiting for that 200k moment now.
So the tyres are worth more than the car
It's the first time since owning the car that I had a fully functional blower (all speeds) so it must have been on the blink for a while.
I had to buy a new battery too, as the combination of constant drain and jump starts seemed to destroy the old one.
MOT came and went this month, and she failed on a tyre (split on inner wall) and wiper blades.
So 4x new tyres as the fronts were just about due anyway.
Also had new front disks and pads, along with thrust bushes which has cured the wobble under braking.
We went to Scotland last week for a few days, and racked up ~800 fault free miles.
Car is now on 199000 or so - waiting for that 200k moment now.
So the tyres are worth more than the car
On the subject of the burning oil smell, the M54 engines are notorious for cracking and warping their (cheap, plastic) cam covers. I just replaced mine with a second-hand one for £80, as BMW wanted almost £300 for a badly-designed lump of plastic. I too had the oil smell when the car got hot, evidence of a leak onto the exhaust manifold, and a very light vapour of fumes coming through once. Looks to have done the job...
mholt1995 said:
Congrats on having a slightly more bearable MOT this time round! Guessing that the preventative maintenance would hint at you possibly wanting to keep it for a while longer now?
Thanks and yes, the plan is too keep her a longer now, what with having spent so much money!!!@C70R
Yes, I had to have a new cover fitted some time back as mine had disintegrated to the point where it couldn't even be tightened down any more.
Mine was from BMW as I couldn't find any used ones at the time. I don't remember how much but I have the invoice along with the rest in a folder.
Enjoying your thread, OP, definitely not because of schadenfreude though! I've been through most of the pain you've experienced with one of my E39s and after a while started doing planned maintenance where the 'usual suspects' are replaced before total failure, or sometimes 'soft failure'.
I'm at 165k miles in my 530d (manual) and it runs really well now but my God it's required the patience of Job and gold of Midas to keep the thing running sweetly. I'm in a good place with it now and wouldn't think twice about a long, fast run to Plymouth and back from here in the Scottish Highlands. Spending all this money and effort on it is crazy in some ways but it's such an enjoyable and able car for long distance work.
Don't think I read any gearbox woes in the thread, OP. All OK? An E39 autobox problem might mean scrapping the car.
How are the suspension arms and cooling system? The I6 petrols seem to have pretty fragile cooling systems; less of an issue with the V8s and diesels it seems. My diesel is on its 3rd set of suspension arms! They seem to get funky at around 60k miles and can be difficult to diagnose failure with a pry bar though the infamous BMW shimmy/judder is often an indicator that they're past their best.
I am also an obedient servant to my E39 M5 but it has led a very different and pampered life, having had expensive parts and fluids lavished upon it at (rather too) frequent intervals. Driving it to Norway and north of the Arctic Circle next week. Can't think of a better car for the job!
I'm at 165k miles in my 530d (manual) and it runs really well now but my God it's required the patience of Job and gold of Midas to keep the thing running sweetly. I'm in a good place with it now and wouldn't think twice about a long, fast run to Plymouth and back from here in the Scottish Highlands. Spending all this money and effort on it is crazy in some ways but it's such an enjoyable and able car for long distance work.
Don't think I read any gearbox woes in the thread, OP. All OK? An E39 autobox problem might mean scrapping the car.
How are the suspension arms and cooling system? The I6 petrols seem to have pretty fragile cooling systems; less of an issue with the V8s and diesels it seems. My diesel is on its 3rd set of suspension arms! They seem to get funky at around 60k miles and can be difficult to diagnose failure with a pry bar though the infamous BMW shimmy/judder is often an indicator that they're past their best.
I am also an obedient servant to my E39 M5 but it has led a very different and pampered life, having had expensive parts and fluids lavished upon it at (rather too) frequent intervals. Driving it to Norway and north of the Arctic Circle next week. Can't think of a better car for the job!
Edited by Depthhoar on Saturday 9th September 14:02
80quattro said:
Watching with interest, as I too have an E39.
I like the alloys and shadowline trim yours has -looks so much better than chrome !
Orange pre-facelift indicators do age it though.
What future plans do you have for it?
It was the alloys and the shadowline trim that sold it for me when I bought it - I specifically wanted both, which is probably why I bought the first heap I saw.... I like the alloys and shadowline trim yours has -looks so much better than chrome !
Orange pre-facelift indicators do age it though.
What future plans do you have for it?
I do actually like the orange indicators. I briefly owned a 535i Sport a while back and that had the white indicators with the 'angel eyes' headlights (my current one has neither) and I've grown to prefer the pre-facelift shape without the angel eyes too.
I have no future plans other than to keep her standard and hopefully have a bit of cosmetic work done at some future point in time (rear arch and fuel filler, stone chips on bonnet) but I like the car as she stands.
Depthhoar said:
stuff
Thanks - I wish I enjoyed spending the money on it lol!I would take mine anywhere now too, although when I bought it, I had to drive it back some 80 miles or so, and the handling was horrendous.
The gearbox is a worry, however it if failed, I would likely just get it repaired!
I did have a strange issue in that it would sometimes hold on to third when entering a dual carriageway briskly, however this has been cured with the fitment of 4x new tyres, so I suspect this was something to do with wheel rotational speeds confusing the 'box (despite all tyres being the same size - but the rears were part worns..).
I recently had the thrust arms / bushes replaced to cure a wobble under breaking.
As for the cooling system, I've had issues with previous cars (an E34 520, E46 323 and another E39 523) so I watchful on the temperature gauge!
I did have a hose replaced when I first bought it, but not done any checks on anything else recently.
A former colleague has an M5, and the maintenance on that was crippling for him (daily driver) despite it being a (very) well maintained example.
He eventually traded it in for an estate (2005 320D IIRC).
GrantD5 said:
I'm looking at E39's for a reliable work horse.
Some eye openers in here, but luckily I can do some bits myself and have a bunch of friends who do work for me for very good mates rates ha.
How do you feel the 523 hold ups compared to the 528 option..
So long as you go in with your eyes open and know what to look for, there shouldn't be too many issues if you find the 'right' car (unlike me lol).Some eye openers in here, but luckily I can do some bits myself and have a bunch of friends who do work for me for very good mates rates ha.
How do you feel the 523 hold ups compared to the 528 option..
The big money items for me were the ABS controller, rocker cover and getting the oil seals replaced on the side of the block (oil filter housing), followed by replacement of the propshaft and latterly the rubber coupling & centre bearing.
There are younger cars around, but even those are at least 13 years old now...
The E39 is a heavy car so budgeting for suspension work is essential if you want to avoid the dreaded wheel wobble (amongst other things).
I would be wary of pre 2000 models boasting a very low mileage, as it seems inconceivable (to me at least) that a 1997 car could have only done 80k miles in 20 years... At least later models will be in the new MOT system and assuming they've not been clocked in between MOTs / services, the mileage is likely to be pretty genuine.
I previously ran an E34 520i with 165k on the clock, and that completely overheated on me (although it seemed fine afterwards!) but I sold it on anyway.
But I didn't have as many issues with the E34, I presume because it had been better maintained previously.
As for the 523 vs the 528 - I've not driven a 528, but having owned a 535 (E39) - apart from outright acceleration and top speed, I'm happy with the 523 in day to day driving, it's more than brisk enough unless you like the traffic light grand prix.
These cars are more cruisers than racers anyway, especially the auto versions (the only ones to have IMHO!).
I'm looking at them purely for boot size. I will be using it for trading at car shows and need to get a gazebo in and some stock, I know the e39 will swallow it and will still look presentable.
Suspension work will be on the cars, as to be expected of any ten year old plus car.
I am considering manual though! Although it's not going to be a daily so the whole Auto thing is of no matter to me.
Suspension work will be on the cars, as to be expected of any ten year old plus car.
I am considering manual though! Although it's not going to be a daily so the whole Auto thing is of no matter to me.
Latest update..
Two weeks ago we did a 150 mile round trip and the car was faultless, until...
Last Thursday I was queueing in a petrol station and noticed the temp gauge rising above it's normal 1 'o' clock position, so I promptly set off to cool her down.
Only had to go about 100m or so and the gauge returned to normal and was fine for the rest of the day after that.
So she's gone in today for a water pump and viscous fan coupling, along with an oil change.
And then she's going up for sale, as I now have other fish to fry and need some funds (today's repairs will further eat into my savings when I collect her tomorrow).
Quite sad really, given how much money I've spent to date, but I guess selling was inevitable at some point.
Two weeks ago we did a 150 mile round trip and the car was faultless, until...
Last Thursday I was queueing in a petrol station and noticed the temp gauge rising above it's normal 1 'o' clock position, so I promptly set off to cool her down.
Only had to go about 100m or so and the gauge returned to normal and was fine for the rest of the day after that.
So she's gone in today for a water pump and viscous fan coupling, along with an oil change.
And then she's going up for sale, as I now have other fish to fry and need some funds (today's repairs will further eat into my savings when I collect her tomorrow).
Quite sad really, given how much money I've spent to date, but I guess selling was inevitable at some point.
Ohhh no what a turn! Some lucky sod will get a cheap E39 that's had all the work done - that's what I did anyway! Paid shed money for a sorted 530i, done 4k in the last 4 months and not a single problem.
End line is they're 20 years old now and do need some work, but once you've got on top of it they're good for another however long. Make the decision that works best for you, just don't regret it!
End line is they're 20 years old now and do need some work, but once you've got on top of it they're good for another however long. Make the decision that works best for you, just don't regret it!
Water pump and coupling replaced today.
Oh, and some fresh oil and a filter.
The water pump (although working fine) had quite rough bearings (apparently it has been in there since July 2008 and just short of 100k miles ago)
Driving her home filled me with second thoughts about selling now.
What's a man to do lol?
Oh, and some fresh oil and a filter.
The water pump (although working fine) had quite rough bearings (apparently it has been in there since July 2008 and just short of 100k miles ago)
Driving her home filled me with second thoughts about selling now.
What's a man to do lol?
Edited by TonyRPH on Friday 6th October 16:25
Great job here OP.
I had an E39 530d for about a year. Luckily I didn’t have to do a single thing to it. I subsequently owned a number of E46’s that required a fair bit of cash to keep them uptogther.
Its easy to get passed the point of return on costs going forward. In hindsight would you have done it again.
If it was a nice 540i M Sport perhaps, not sure I’d have stuck with it for a 523i SE though. But hey ho, it’s sorted now and should see a fair few more miles.
I had an E39 530d for about a year. Luckily I didn’t have to do a single thing to it. I subsequently owned a number of E46’s that required a fair bit of cash to keep them uptogther.
Its easy to get passed the point of return on costs going forward. In hindsight would you have done it again.
If it was a nice 540i M Sport perhaps, not sure I’d have stuck with it for a 523i SE though. But hey ho, it’s sorted now and should see a fair few more miles.
T16OLE said:
Great job here OP.
<snip>
Thanks, it nearly broke me (literally) on more than one occasion.<snip>
Latest update
So there goes another ~ £390...
The EML began going on and off last year in November time, however the car still seemed to be running smoothly enough.
It would go off for 2 - 3 weeks and then randomly come back on for a day or so.
Until... it just stayed on regardless, so into the garage it went.
Fault codes revealed lean running on cylinders 2,3,4 and 5 and further diagnosis revealed that several hoses were perished and split underneath the inlet manifold, and additionally the PCV valve was shot (however no oil was being consumed).
So the repair entailed removal of the inlet manifold, new gaskets, hoses and PCV valve - all genuine BMW parts and hence not cheap!
But she is now running smoother than she's ever been, and a mysterious flat spot at gentle throttle when cold (which has been there since I got the car) has been cured.
Also, she had developed a tendency to clatter (sounded like valve train) on a cold start, but that too seems to have been cured by this - I'm guessing it's now more oil tight and oil is not draining away from the hydraulic lifters?
Anyway, MOT time is just around the corner (20th May) so watch this space!!!
Well, another year, another MOT.
She failed!
Anyway, she has an MOT for another year now, with no advisories.
I'm hoping that's the end of the spend for this year (haha).
203445 miles.
She failed!
MOT said:
Fuel pipe leaking in front of tank (7.2.3)
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt stabiliser arm (2.4.G.2)
The fuel line was leaking between the pump and the filter (yet never once did I smell fuel).Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt stabiliser arm (2.4.G.2)
Anyway, she has an MOT for another year now, with no advisories.
I'm hoping that's the end of the spend for this year (haha).
203445 miles.
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