2001 BMW 525iA Sport Touring (E39)

[HM-2]

I think that photo near Antequera with the sheep is a few hundred yards away from the villa I stayed in a couple of years back. I do recall the drive was very steep!

[tobinen]

Right, the car is going up for sale after this weekend. One more tip run to go. I still can't source a headlamp from the E39 FB page. Either I keep missing them, they sell them to someone else, or they can't guarantee the adjusters aren't shot. PITA.

I'm popping up a local bodyshop tomorrow to see if the bonnet dent is fixable within a reasonable price. Then I'll let the Romanians loose on it for a 'valet'.

I know it'll fetch bugger all with a short MoT and a broken headlamp, but I may try it and see if there are any bites.

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

Right, the car is going up for sale after this weekend. One more tip run to go. I still can't source a headlamp from the E39 FB page. Either I keep missing them, they sell them to someone else, or they can't guarantee the adjusters aren't shot. PITA.

I'm popping up a local bodyshop tomorrow to see if the bonnet dent is fixable within a reasonable price. Then I'll let the Romanians loose on it for a 'valet'.

I know it'll fetch bugger all with a short MoT and a broken headlamp, but I may try it and see if there are any bites.

My advice; contact Simon Garland on the BMW E39 pages and ask him to source you one; he's a good guy and breaks a lot of E39s

Get it MOT'd too; if you know it should pass fine, then putting an MOT on it will help it sell hell of a lot easier

[tobinen]

Thanks Dan.

Yes, if i can find a headlamp I will put a fresh MoT on it.

I think I have been in contact with him before but he had nothing at the time. I'm still annoyed at someone on there saying I could have a pair and then he sold them to someone else. The joy of the internet.

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

Thanks Dan.

Yes, if i can find a headlamp I will put a fresh MoT on it.

I think I have been in contact with him before but he had nothing at the time. I'm still annoyed at someone on there saying I could have a pair and then he sold them to someone else. The joy of the internet.

Yeah; plenty of aholes around like that unfortunately

Simon's a good guy, so I'm sure he'll be able to sort you out

Why are you selling?

[tobinen]

I am not trying to count my chickens, but I have agreed to buy something else. I cannot keep three cars, well I can, but the other residents may not appreciate me taking up another parking space. If the potential purchase comes to nothing then I will keep this, until somthing else comes along that takes my fancy.

I never actually wanted an E39 but that's what can happen after a bottle of red on eBay

That said, a 540i SE Touring could be interesting but I think they fetch big bucks and are very rare.

[bolidemichael]

Here's a reasonable looking example of a very desirable E39 540i. It's a total sleeper and I somehow like the simplicity of the pre facelift E39s. Nice alloys too.

[DevonLad]

Ebay seems to have plenty of E39 headlamps, can you not get one from there?

[tobinen]

I could and have tried but after messaging several sellers, they either don't know if the adjusters are shot or then they say they might be. Some ask silly money as well. I'd rather buy from known breaker on the E39 FB page.

Nice 540 above there BM. Keenly priced too.

[tobinen]

I have finally bought some headlamps and they are on the way. I hope they're as described with new adjusters but I will see.

The bodyshop has send me an estimate of £310 for the bonnet dent. I wasn't sure what to expect but it's not a dent repair job. Hmm - unsure on this. The chances of a decent used bonnet in the right colour seem remote but it could be worth a go.

As soon as I have the headlamps I'll book in for an MoT.

[tobinen]

At last, a very good pair of headlamps for £134. I'll change both as they're much better than I have now, and see if I can sell the NS.

[bolidemichael]

tobinen said:

At last, a very good pair of headlamps for £134. I'll change both as they're much better than I have now, and see if I can sell the NS.

Good result!

[tobinen]

Sorted.

[bolidemichael]

I think that this may fetch either a faster sell or a few more £££s. Headlights and a new number plate - changes the fortunes of an old barge.

[tobinen]

I finally gave it a wash as it was looking terrible. I forgot to take a before picture but it came up ok with just a wash and leather and some alloy wheel spray. It needs another go really and some polish

[helix402]

Looks great, a lovely colour.

[Max M4X WW]

Looking good. What about some autosol on that exhaust?

[tobinen]

MoT day: A fail and a pass. The OSR seatbelt buckle had seized and is now un-seized. Current mileage 138,911.

Couple of advisories: brake pipe corroded/covered in grease and NSF spring corroded.

That will be £62 please today.

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

MoT day: A fail and a pass. The OSR seatbelt buckle had seized and is now un-seized. Current mileage 138,911.

Couple of advisories: brake pipe corroded/covered in grease and NSF spring corroded.

That will be £62 please today.

Not a bad all in then

Another year of enjoyable driving

[tobinen]

We shall see.....

I think I will have the dent in the bonnet sorted but if something else estate-shaped comes up that takes my fancy I will sell.