BMW 523 E39 - the saga of the tired BMW
Discussion
TonyRPH said:
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.
That's pretty good going, MoT wise. Congrats!
Latest in the saga...
Mrs RPH was reversing out of the driveway to head off to work last week and....
The car moved about a foot and then BANG! the driver's side spring broke.
Now, this model of BMW has a particularly poor front spring design, as the middle part of the spring is wider than the cup on the strut, so yes... the suspension just collapsed completely, shoving the wheel right into the arch and rendering the car undriveable.
I am fortunate enough to have one of the original (narrower) wheels, and fitted that to at least enable me to move the car in the driveway, but had to get it recovered to the garage for repairs.
Anyway, £214 and two new springs later, and she's back on the again.
Next on the list is to get some rust removed....
Mrs RPH was reversing out of the driveway to head off to work last week and....
The car moved about a foot and then BANG! the driver's side spring broke.
Now, this model of BMW has a particularly poor front spring design, as the middle part of the spring is wider than the cup on the strut, so yes... the suspension just collapsed completely, shoving the wheel right into the arch and rendering the car undriveable.
I am fortunate enough to have one of the original (narrower) wheels, and fitted that to at least enable me to move the car in the driveway, but had to get it recovered to the garage for repairs.
Anyway, £214 and two new springs later, and she's back on the again.
Next on the list is to get some rust removed....
The time has come to draw a line under this now.
MOT failed on Monday: (currently sat on 207k miles)
I'm struggling to see how the shock absorber has apparently failed after ~10k miles - I had to replace both front springs recently, and I suspect the oil mist is oil used to lubricate bolts etc. when the springs were removed.
Sadly, the rear wheel arch and sills are showing signs of corrosion (the arch in particular) and I just don't want to plough any more money into it.
So the story ends here (unless someone buys it, finds the thread and continues with it) but I suspect it will be stripped for parts now.
Still drives beautifully, gearbox is smooth and pulls really well - I will be sad to see it go, but it is what it is.
MOT failed on Monday: (currently sat on 207k miles)
MOT said:
Repair immediately (major defects):
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn lower rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chips (3.2 (a) (i))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))
I've had the joint and bush replaced, but I am now drawing a line under it all and selling, as I can't stomach any more expense.Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn lower rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chips (3.2 (a) (i))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))
I'm struggling to see how the shock absorber has apparently failed after ~10k miles - I had to replace both front springs recently, and I suspect the oil mist is oil used to lubricate bolts etc. when the springs were removed.
Sadly, the rear wheel arch and sills are showing signs of corrosion (the arch in particular) and I just don't want to plough any more money into it.
So the story ends here (unless someone buys it, finds the thread and continues with it) but I suspect it will be stripped for parts now.
Still drives beautifully, gearbox is smooth and pulls really well - I will be sad to see it go, but it is what it is.
I had £300 523i 2 years ago - a wonderful car, never had such refinement and excellent driving dynamics. Now I see why people love them.
I didn't actually have any real problems with mine, but perhaps I was fortunate.
I sold it purely because I was afraid it was going to develop some! I've regretted it ever since, yet when I read the horror stories maybe I was wise.
I'd love another one.
I didn't actually have any real problems with mine, but perhaps I was fortunate.
I sold it purely because I was afraid it was going to develop some! I've regretted it ever since, yet when I read the horror stories maybe I was wise.
I'd love another one.
SirGriffin said:
I had £300 523i 2 years ago - a wonderful car, never had such refinement and excellent driving dynamics. Now I see why people love them.
I didn't actually have any real problems with mine, but perhaps I was fortunate.
I sold it purely because I was afraid it was going to develop some! I've regretted it ever since, yet when I read the horror stories maybe I was wise.
I'd love another one.
Buy one then I didn't actually have any real problems with mine, but perhaps I was fortunate.
I sold it purely because I was afraid it was going to develop some! I've regretted it ever since, yet when I read the horror stories maybe I was wise.
I'd love another one.
Make sure it’s been well looked after, serviced/maintained & with paperwork to back this up and you’ll have another great car to enjoy
I’m loving my 530i touring currently; great to be back in a car that makes me smile every time I drive it
d_a_n1979 said:
Buy one then
Make sure it’s been well looked after, serviced/maintained & with paperwork to back this up and you’ll have another great car to enjoy
I’m loving my 530i touring currently; great to be back in a car that makes me smile every time I drive it
The problem really I think is finding a truly rust free example.Make sure it’s been well looked after, serviced/maintained & with paperwork to back this up and you’ll have another great car to enjoy
I’m loving my 530i touring currently; great to be back in a car that makes me smile every time I drive it
Mine has been maintained (mechanically) regardless of cost (within reason), and I'm running well into 4 figures over a 4 year period (and 18k miles) of ownership.
It's worked out at around 30p per mile just for maintenance.
However, I couldn't have leased a car that drives like this for £110 per month, so it's still cheaper than leasing / buying much, much newer.
Or is this man maths lol?
TonyRPH said:
The problem really I think is finding a truly rust free example.
Mine has been maintained (mechanically) regardless of cost (within reason), and I'm running well into 4 figures over a 4 year period (and 18k miles) of ownership.
It's worked out at around 30p per mile just for maintenance.
However, I couldn't have leased a car that drives like this for £110 per month, so it's still cheaper than leasing / buying much, much newer.
Or is this man maths lol?
Very true. Another reason why I went for my current touring & paid what I did; 85k miles, Jap import & literally no rust, anywhere. Amazing condition underneath & I’ve had so much of it apart too, just to check hahaMine has been maintained (mechanically) regardless of cost (within reason), and I'm running well into 4 figures over a 4 year period (and 18k miles) of ownership.
It's worked out at around 30p per mile just for maintenance.
However, I couldn't have leased a car that drives like this for £110 per month, so it's still cheaper than leasing / buying much, much newer.
Or is this man maths lol?
Just need to keep it that way now
TonyRPH said:
So the story ends here (unless someone buys it, finds the thread and continues with it) but I suspect it will be stripped for parts now.
207k miles and 19 years is not a bad innings, even for The Best Saloon Car Ever. Well done for keeping it running as long as you did, and have a look at the "check MOT" website in a years time to see if it is still on the road...,.
Just to update this - BMW now gone to a dealer, and looks as though he's going to sell it on.
I bought an '05 Skoda VRS in lairy yellow haha.
Just in case any Googles the BMW registration so they can see this thread: (although every bit of service info I had went with the car, and the dealer seems to be a decent bloke) - this is just to enable any prospective buyer to see the history more than anything else!
W623SLC
W623 SLC
I bought an '05 Skoda VRS in lairy yellow haha.
Just in case any Googles the BMW registration so they can see this thread: (although every bit of service info I had went with the car, and the dealer seems to be a decent bloke) - this is just to enable any prospective buyer to see the history more than anything else!
W623SLC
W623 SLC
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff