My 38,000 mile 2003 BMW E39 530i Sport
Discussion
Thought I would update this since its been a few months.
Major highlight has been the appearance of a little bit of paint bubbling and rust (it had to happen I guess!) when doing some work on the car in late April. So rather than wait for it to get worse, I have decided to get it sorted now. For now, I have applied loads of wax in the areas to slow the spread (hence white marks in the photos).
I have to say though that it has been a bit of a pain contacting and finding a bodyshop I feel comfortable with.
First bit of paint bubbling and bit of rust is just under the boot grab handle / above the number plate.
Next little bit of paint bubbling is inside the fuel tank area.
So the car is booked in for next week to have the above sorted and should take a few days.
Major highlight has been the appearance of a little bit of paint bubbling and rust (it had to happen I guess!) when doing some work on the car in late April. So rather than wait for it to get worse, I have decided to get it sorted now. For now, I have applied loads of wax in the areas to slow the spread (hence white marks in the photos).
I have to say though that it has been a bit of a pain contacting and finding a bodyshop I feel comfortable with.
First bit of paint bubbling and bit of rust is just under the boot grab handle / above the number plate.
Next little bit of paint bubbling is inside the fuel tank area.
So the car is booked in for next week to have the above sorted and should take a few days.
A small update.
After thinking about whether to reseal the existing rear water vapour barriers, for the relatively low cost of the barriers themselves, I decided to buy new ones and replace the ones in the car. I also bought some of the butyl cord tape too.
Due to lack of time, it was not going to be possible for me to do the work myself so I had it booked in with my local BMW specialist last week and they replaced the seals for me.
Last weekend, I washed the car and very pleased to report that there is no slash of water when the doors open and also no water pooling on the sill.
So glad to say another item ticked off the list!
The water vapour barriers:
The butyl cord:
The car when dropped off at the specialist:
After thinking about whether to reseal the existing rear water vapour barriers, for the relatively low cost of the barriers themselves, I decided to buy new ones and replace the ones in the car. I also bought some of the butyl cord tape too.
Due to lack of time, it was not going to be possible for me to do the work myself so I had it booked in with my local BMW specialist last week and they replaced the seals for me.
Last weekend, I washed the car and very pleased to report that there is no slash of water when the doors open and also no water pooling on the sill.
So glad to say another item ticked off the list!
The water vapour barriers:
The butyl cord:
The car when dropped off at the specialist:
Thanks both! I will need to get round to updating the E46 topic I have on here at some point.
In terms of the vapour barrier seals, I think they cost about £35 each and the butyl cord was about £20 (all from BMW). Then there was the labour on top to get them fitted; about 45 minutes - 1 hour.
It has been expensive to maintain but most of it is actually preventative maintenance. And then once it's done, it's done.
bolidemichael said:
What's the outlay for the bodywork and the vapour seals, etc? It'd be nice to know the costs of keeping the E39 to an enthusiast's level.
To sort out the rust issues properly (including applying some sort of Waxoyl where they did the repairs), it cost around £700.00. I had various quotes (including a BMW dealer who wanted to respray the entre rear half of the car) but the chap I used (mentioned in this thread earlier) did a brilliant job. In terms of the vapour barrier seals, I think they cost about £35 each and the butyl cord was about £20 (all from BMW). Then there was the labour on top to get them fitted; about 45 minutes - 1 hour.
It has been expensive to maintain but most of it is actually preventative maintenance. And then once it's done, it's done.
That is a lovely looking car, Mani, and you must be delighted with the recent paintwork.
If you have not already done so, it would be worth investing time (and I am afraid money) in dropping the subframe and the fuel tank to check for hidden rot underneath those. There are a few images of what I and another user, RichardM5, found lurking underneath there on our E39s and Richard's experience in particular is surprising given how pampered his car is:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Hopefully your car is as good under there as it looks on the top as it really is a beauty and I'm rather jealous!
If you have not already done so, it would be worth investing time (and I am afraid money) in dropping the subframe and the fuel tank to check for hidden rot underneath those. There are a few images of what I and another user, RichardM5, found lurking underneath there on our E39s and Richard's experience in particular is surprising given how pampered his car is:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Hopefully your car is as good under there as it looks on the top as it really is a beauty and I'm rather jealous!
Mani59 said:
It has been expensive to maintain but most of it is actually preventative maintenance. And then once it's done, it's done.
It's a stunning E39 Mani; every credit to you... 
This is exactly what I did with my previous E39 Touring as you well know. I never waited for anything to need doing; I sorted it before it ever got to that stage...
That's why I and others stated that it had to be one of the best, if not the best sorted OEM spec touring in the UK
The E39s aren't expensive to work on; but they can be if its left too late and rots set in etc... So I always advise to sort it sooner than later...
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