Where to find an E39 530i/525i Sport?
Discussion
Hi chaps,
I've been idly looking through the classifieds at e39s myself recently, rather fancy a facelift 530 touring.
Other than what's been mentioned here, are there any more gotchas? Are the 535s worth avoiding? I see they have about the same power as the 530, but are they V8s?
Also, the spec levels seem very confusing - how many different levels of computer, etc. are there? Is it like the e36 where they are interchangeable as long as the car as check control? Some toys would be nice but obviously want the right car first!
Realistic MPG on a 530 around town? Currently getting low 20s from my full pressure turbo Saab 2.3T so around that is OK.
Obviously the auto dulls the performance, but how swift does the 530 auto feel? Used to a turbo car which feels quick anyway, but hoping it's quicker than the figures suggest (seems to be 8-9 secs to 60 on a 530 auto)
How difficult is it to get things like heated seats and cruise? Rare option on e36s but is it more common on the "exec" 5er?
Cheers!
PS - what "style" are these wheels?
I've been idly looking through the classifieds at e39s myself recently, rather fancy a facelift 530 touring.
Other than what's been mentioned here, are there any more gotchas? Are the 535s worth avoiding? I see they have about the same power as the 530, but are they V8s?
Also, the spec levels seem very confusing - how many different levels of computer, etc. are there? Is it like the e36 where they are interchangeable as long as the car as check control? Some toys would be nice but obviously want the right car first!
Realistic MPG on a 530 around town? Currently getting low 20s from my full pressure turbo Saab 2.3T so around that is OK.
Obviously the auto dulls the performance, but how swift does the 530 auto feel? Used to a turbo car which feels quick anyway, but hoping it's quicker than the figures suggest (seems to be 8-9 secs to 60 on a 530 auto)
How difficult is it to get things like heated seats and cruise? Rare option on e36s but is it more common on the "exec" 5er?
Cheers!
PS - what "style" are these wheels?
I used to own a 2002 530 Sport manual - until a tree fell on it !
It was a great car - could cruise or hare about as needed, with some refinement. I averaged, just, 30mpg tank to tank (not from the computer reading) over 23000 miles. Must admit I miss it (TT followed and now BMW 130M Sport) and would seriously consider another - but they are getting on a bit. The 130 3 litre is a peach of an engine though, but I really don't like the hatchback style.
A mate has an Alpina B10 V8 which is another step up entirely - and just had it LPG'd to overcome the 22mpg average. Pricy though when they seem to go for double the price !
It was a great car - could cruise or hare about as needed, with some refinement. I averaged, just, 30mpg tank to tank (not from the computer reading) over 23000 miles. Must admit I miss it (TT followed and now BMW 130M Sport) and would seriously consider another - but they are getting on a bit. The 130 3 litre is a peach of an engine though, but I really don't like the hatchback style.
A mate has an Alpina B10 V8 which is another step up entirely - and just had it LPG'd to overcome the 22mpg average. Pricy though when they seem to go for double the price !
NiceCupOfTea said:
PS - what "style" are these wheels?
They are the factory 17" Style 66 Sport wheels, most people prefer the 18" Style 37 M-Para optional wheels. I've no doubt the ride is a lot better on 17's though!In regards to your other questions, some options are fairly easy to fit (electric seats, blinds) but I'm not sure I'd want to start looking at fitting High OBC etc!
Cheers!
I rather like those 17"s, would be happy with a set of them. After some extensive googling (very confusing!) I think I have worked it out.
Looks like it is a pain to fit high OBC, but the MID (box in the dash) depends on what options you have fitted (phone, DSP, etc.). I like gadgets so would be looking for high OBC I guess.
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/43024-im-a-little-co...
I rather like those 17"s, would be happy with a set of them. After some extensive googling (very confusing!) I think I have worked it out.
Looks like it is a pain to fit high OBC, but the MID (box in the dash) depends on what options you have fitted (phone, DSP, etc.). I like gadgets so would be looking for high OBC I guess.
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/43024-im-a-little-co...
If it's of any interest I have a very tidy E39 2003 520i ES SE Touring manual with black leather in silver which will be advertised shortly.
The ES SE was a special edition for last e39 production year with m-sport goodies (body kit, steering wheel, gear knob, black headliner, leather, 17" msport style 66 alloys identical to those a few posts up etc)
Very smart car with FSH & binder full of receipts/paperwork etc - came from an enthusiast who shows a few E30's etc. I have had for a year and have just replaced it with an 550i touring manual.
94k on it and up for MOT next week. Heater started blowing cold a few months back and had the inevitable water pump replacement done which sorted it out.
Hope to get it photographed, MOT'd & advertised next week.
The ES SE was a special edition for last e39 production year with m-sport goodies (body kit, steering wheel, gear knob, black headliner, leather, 17" msport style 66 alloys identical to those a few posts up etc)
Very smart car with FSH & binder full of receipts/paperwork etc - came from an enthusiast who shows a few E30's etc. I have had for a year and have just replaced it with an 550i touring manual.
94k on it and up for MOT next week. Heater started blowing cold a few months back and had the inevitable water pump replacement done which sorted it out.
Hope to get it photographed, MOT'd & advertised next week.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Other than what's been mentioned here, are there any more gotchas? Are the 535s worth avoiding? I see they have about the same power as the 530, but are they V8s?
The 535i is a V8 and therefore worth avoiding. It offers the running costs and handling of a 540i but with the performance of a 530i. Buy a 540i or a 530i.NiceCupOfTea said:
Also, the spec levels seem very confusing - how many different levels of computer, etc. are there? Is it like the e36 where they are interchangeable as long as the car as check control? Some toys would be nice but obviously want the right car first!
Two levels - High and Low OBC. Low has MPG, Range, Average speed and checkcontrol for doors and lights on a pictogram. High has all of that plus a second MPG counter, a stopwatch, more range of check control and an entirely alphanumeric display. Sadly the High OBC is afflicted with a pixel death problem but the low OBC isn't. Retrofitting High OBC into a Low OBC car requires an entire replacement instrument cluster.NiceCupOfTea said:
Realistic MPG on a 530 around town? Currently getting low 20s from my full pressure turbo Saab 2.3T so around that is OK.
About that, yes.My town usage is mostly short trips from cold - in the winter I get 18-21 and at the moment its faring better at 22-23. On a long run its always mid 30's or better - just averaged 35mpg over 3000 miles around Europe. This is a manual 530i. I also regularly drive an auto 530i Touring and which is usually about 10-15% more thirsty.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Obviously the auto dulls the performance, but how swift does the 530 auto feel? Used to a turbo car which feels quick anyway, but hoping it's quicker than the figures suggest (seems to be 8-9 secs to 60 on a 530 auto)
It's quicker than that but it does feel slower than the manual. It's officially 7.5 to 60 I think, certianly not 8-9!NiceCupOfTea said:
How difficult is it to get things like heated seats and cruise? Rare option on e36s but is it more common on the "exec" 5er?
All E39's you will be looking at have cruise as standard - so don't worry about that. Heated seats are more of a pain to fit but again its possible, easiest way is to simply replace the interior with one with heated seats, then you just need to wire it up and get the switches.You don't need any specific options to retrofit a MID, by the way. The MID was fitted to cars with either:
a) High Onboard Computer
b) DSP
c) Telephone Preperation
d) CD Player
As standard, but you can retrofit it to cars without any of these things as I did myself about 5 years ago. You just need a retrofit wiring harness - about £18 from BMW - one end goes into the MID itself and the other end splices into the fuse box under the glovebox. Then bingo, connect a compatible top unit (They do tape, minidisc or CD) into the connector you used for your existing stereo, connect the MID to the connector on the end of your new harness and it works.
Good MID's are hard to find as they are affected by the same dead pixel problem that plagues the high OBC. You don't really gain anything bar a nicer looking stereo with a MID - it doesnt add new features on its own (It can simply display output from existing features, which you won't have if you didnt have a MID to start with) nor does it improve sound quality. I fitted it to give me a 2 line display to use with an iPod control system.
I've since replaced it with a full touchscreen Navigation system.
Edited by Fox- on Sunday 30th September 16:31
MikeIndiaZero said:
The ES SE was a special edition for last e39 production year with m-sport goodies (body kit, steering wheel, gear knob, black headliner, leather, 17" msport style 66 alloys identical to those a few posts up etc)
No, the ES SE was a runout special spec - but it certainly didn't come with a bodykit or leather as standard and neither was it ever offered with 17" Style 66's even as an option. If it has a bodykit and style 66's then somebody has fitted them themselves. Leather was an option, IIRC.The ES SE (Not to be confused with the frankly DIRE ES which had no cruise, no climate, no multifunction wheel) had the M Sport steering wheel and gearknob, black trim instead of chrome around the windows and 17" Style 71 wheels.
Very rare cars as a Touring - only 26 of them.
Gents,
I'm considering selling my e39 530i auto touring on in the near future. Titanium silver with black leather, nav (currently without DVD), Bluetooth, unused detachable tow hook.
Around 107 k miles, first owner for 6 months, second until October ish 2009 and 82k miles who serviced it at Barons Hindhead and me since then, serviced Chris Plummer in Aldershot.
Hedgehog changed, thrust arm bushes changed and gearbox oil changed before it hit 100k.
Will be looking for about £4.5k
It's not advertised yet so if your interested shout.
Cheers.m
I'm considering selling my e39 530i auto touring on in the near future. Titanium silver with black leather, nav (currently without DVD), Bluetooth, unused detachable tow hook.
Around 107 k miles, first owner for 6 months, second until October ish 2009 and 82k miles who serviced it at Barons Hindhead and me since then, serviced Chris Plummer in Aldershot.
Hedgehog changed, thrust arm bushes changed and gearbox oil changed before it hit 100k.
Will be looking for about £4.5k
It's not advertised yet so if your interested shout.
Cheers.m
After my last suggestion got (rightfully) flamed a page or so back, let me try again!
This is the latest to pop up in my inbox from ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290790858964?_trksid=p51...
Right price (subject to further bidding), manual with leather, low owners, decent mileage, BMW history with receipts by the sound of things. Nothing special spec-wise but less to go wrong I suppose at that age.
Shame they didn't think to remove that foliage from the footwell though.
I submit my offering to the ad forensics team...
This is the latest to pop up in my inbox from ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290790858964?_trksid=p51...
Right price (subject to further bidding), manual with leather, low owners, decent mileage, BMW history with receipts by the sound of things. Nothing special spec-wise but less to go wrong I suppose at that age.
Shame they didn't think to remove that foliage from the footwell though.
I submit my offering to the ad forensics team...
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