E39.... worth it?
Discussion
andyiley said:
I recently sold on my e39 530 I 2001 sport with under 120k miles and it was showing its age very well, still drove superbly and with reasonable economy also, I had it lpg converted to help this, but it was probably the best all round car I have ever driven. Averaging around 30mpg over the time I had it carrying around my heavy right foot.
You can pick up ones like mine for under £3k with ease, things to check for good history, no rust on door bottoms, boot lids and rear wheel arches.
I spent a long time looking for one before buying mine & it was time/money well spent.
Budget for a FULL set of suspension & sub-frame bushes all round and you won't regret it £400 with a good brand on the bay that is e for a do-it-yourself weekend job spent with a bearing puller & socket set.
Wahey thread resurrection!You can pick up ones like mine for under £3k with ease, things to check for good history, no rust on door bottoms, boot lids and rear wheel arches.
I spent a long time looking for one before buying mine & it was time/money well spent.
Budget for a FULL set of suspension & sub-frame bushes all round and you won't regret it £400 with a good brand on the bay that is e for a do-it-yourself weekend job spent with a bearing puller & socket set.
It would appear that I may have bought your old 530i a few weeks back Andy, topaz blue with black leather and last letters of plate "HPG"? If so what a coincidence, it seems like it has picked up some age in the last couple of years as now has the typical rust on bottoms of doors, boot lid and rear arch.. It'll be getting an extensive going over and will then be my daily driver. I will try to do a full thread at some point with all the progress
Ife has been reasonably well looked after since leaving my charge you have a good un'.
As I implied in y thread I did a FULL suspension bush/joint change & went to poly where possible, I also did the full cooling system update, so you should be good for several years yet with the tin worm kept at bay.
I also had the usual ABS ECU/pump failure, so that was changed for new.
Loved that car, got us to a lot of nice places & served us very well, I only got rid when Mrs E got a co. car.
As I implied in y thread I did a FULL suspension bush/joint change & went to poly where possible, I also did the full cooling system update, so you should be good for several years yet with the tin worm kept at bay.
I also had the usual ABS ECU/pump failure, so that was changed for new.
Loved that car, got us to a lot of nice places & served us very well, I only got rid when Mrs E got a co. car.
The e39 is a fantastic car, one of the best BMWs of all time IMHO.
I've owned a 540 sport and a 330i e46 and the 540 is definately a significantly quicker car even compared to the smaller e46 with the 3.0 motor.
At motorway speeds the 540 really makes a difference.
The steering is not as good though, it weights up weirdly when pressing on.
I think the main issue for these is rust. you really need to look very carefully especially jacking points which aren't as obvious as the arches etc which you will spot straight away.
I've owned a 540 sport and a 330i e46 and the 540 is definately a significantly quicker car even compared to the smaller e46 with the 3.0 motor.
At motorway speeds the 540 really makes a difference.
The steering is not as good though, it weights up weirdly when pressing on.
I think the main issue for these is rust. you really need to look very carefully especially jacking points which aren't as obvious as the arches etc which you will spot straight away.
I've been running my Jag XFR for a few years now, but i still miss the E39 530 that i used to own, even if they are in different territories of power.
They were such accomplished cars.
If i needed another run around, i wouldn't turn my nose up to a good one.
Great running cars and they are so easy to work on too.
They were such accomplished cars.
If i needed another run around, i wouldn't turn my nose up to a good one.
Great running cars and they are so easy to work on too.
E-bmw said:
Ife has been reasonably well looked after since leaving my charge you have a good un'.
As I implied in y thread I did a FULL suspension bush/joint change & went to poly where possible, I also did the full cooling system update, so you should be good for several years yet with the tin worm kept at bay.
I also had the usual ABS ECU/pump failure, so that was changed for new.
Loved that car, got us to a lot of nice places & served us very well, I only got rid when Mrs E got a co. car.
Good to know, the more I found out about this cars history the better it gets. I bought it off the lad you sold it to and given his profession as a mech the car got a lot of loving with him too.As I implied in y thread I did a FULL suspension bush/joint change & went to poly where possible, I also did the full cooling system update, so you should be good for several years yet with the tin worm kept at bay.
I also had the usual ABS ECU/pump failure, so that was changed for new.
Loved that car, got us to a lot of nice places & served us very well, I only got rid when Mrs E got a co. car.
Did you do a thread on here during your ownership? Would love a read
turboflutter said:
Good to know, the more I found out about this cars history the better it gets. I bought it off the lad you sold it to and given his profession as a mech the car got a lot of loving with him too.
Did you do a thread on here during your ownership? Would love a read
TBH I didn't, it was just my daily driver & I wanted it perfect to drive as it was a little wayward when I first got it due to subframe bushes, which is why I then did the lot.Did you do a thread on here during your ownership? Would love a read
Then a year after getting it I was doing a service & noticed the radiator was starting to bulge on the bottom few pipes, so I did the old metal impellor upgrade, new rad, new viscous drive and new pukka bm anti freeze, it served me fantastically with a spare set of wheels & winters on. Did you get the spare wheels too?
Shortly afterwards I had the LPG fitted & this gave it £ for £ around 54mpg.
E-bmw said:
TBH I didn't, it was just my daily driver & I wanted it perfect to drive as it was a little wayward when I first got it due to subframe bushes, which is why I then did the lot.
Then a year after getting it I was doing a service & noticed the radiator was starting to bulge on the bottom few pipes, so I did the old metal impellor upgrade, new rad, new viscous drive and new pukka bm anti freeze, it served me fantastically with a spare set of wheels & winters on. Did you get the spare wheels too?
Shortly afterwards I had the LPG fitted & this gave it £ for £ around 54mpg.
Unfortunately I didn't receive any other wheels, only the standard style 66 it came on - which I think look pretty fantastic regardless. I recognised your username from the massive whack of history/invoices during your ownership that came with the car and for that I thank you. The economy on LPG is hilarious, one of the main reasons I bought it as my mileage is likely to increase by quite a bit and I'm no diesel fan.Then a year after getting it I was doing a service & noticed the radiator was starting to bulge on the bottom few pipes, so I did the old metal impellor upgrade, new rad, new viscous drive and new pukka bm anti freeze, it served me fantastically with a spare set of wheels & winters on. Did you get the spare wheels too?
Shortly afterwards I had the LPG fitted & this gave it £ for £ around 54mpg.
I'll definitely do a thread once I've started some work on it, glad to hear from you anyway!
Happy to help, I always like to see it so always keep receipts for things to pass on myself.
Keep us/me informed.
One thing to bear in mind with the LPG.
Always change the plugs every year & only use the equivalent NGK copper core plugs only, NOT Iridium/Not Platinum or any special type, which is handy because you can get the standard NGK plugs for about £5 each. If you need me to I can probably find the invoice for the ones I bought, so you get the correct ones.
Keep us/me informed.
One thing to bear in mind with the LPG.
Always change the plugs every year & only use the equivalent NGK copper core plugs only, NOT Iridium/Not Platinum or any special type, which is handy because you can get the standard NGK plugs for about £5 each. If you need me to I can probably find the invoice for the ones I bought, so you get the correct ones.
Edited by E-bmw on Friday 30th June 08:09
Great cars, I might be a bit biased as this has just become the parents new car. It also proves you can get a lot for your money, we managed to pick this one up for £1,000!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I've had my E39 525i for 11 years and covered just over 100k miles in it without any problems at all.
I'm no good with spanners so I have the car professionally maintained and even though I occasionally contemplate an upgrade I can't bring myself to part with this car - fab build quality and looks good from every angle.
Only the 6 series looks as good to me but I guess that's down to personal taste.
Not sure that BMW have built a better car since the E39....
I'm no good with spanners so I have the car professionally maintained and even though I occasionally contemplate an upgrade I can't bring myself to part with this car - fab build quality and looks good from every angle.
Only the 6 series looks as good to me but I guess that's down to personal taste.
Not sure that BMW have built a better car since the E39....
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