E39 525d manual.
E39 525d manual.
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Discussion

Silverdaz

Original Poster:

83 posts

208 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
I currently own a mint E39 530i sport auto petrol. Love the car to bits, been 100% reliable, low mileage full service history etc etc. However having gained promotion my new job is a 600 mile a week commute, which equats to about £6000- £7000 a year fuel bill plus other driving, which i cannot really justify paying Dont really want to sell it as I cannot find another car what would come close to replacing it, however ive been having a look at 525d sports (would prefer a manual). Does anyone own one, and what your realtime mpg's? Also any reliability issues with the engine?

Max M4X WW

5,031 posts

213 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
The reliability should be good, but the usual swirl flap issue may apply (I can never remember if its the Auto's or Manaul's that don't have them)

Problem is though, have you fixed a load of the 'E39 stuff' on your car? You could buy another and end up doing it all again.

MPG wise I'd expect high 30's possibly low 40's on the motorway, but depends how much traffic you'll be sitting in.

Silverdaz

Original Poster:

83 posts

208 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
Max M4X WW said:
The reliability should be good, but the usual swirl flap issue may apply (I can never remember if its the Auto's or Manaul's that don't have them)

Problem is though, have you fixed a load of the 'E39 stuff' on your car? You could buy another and end up doing it all again.

MPG wise I'd expect high 30's possibly low 40's on the motorway, but depends how much traffic you'll be sitting in.
These are good points as all the issues have either been dealt with or havent surfaced yet on mine, the manuals dont have the swirl flaps so that something what cannot go wrong. I have seen one 525d sport, alot more miles than mine and to be totally honest it wasn't even half as good. Car was from a dealer for a reasonable price but the part ex he would give me for mine was border line taking the piss. I know the petrols are worth buttons, but this was a joke.

HarryW

16,077 posts

300 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
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Don't know what your budget is or if you intend to keep the 530, I'd be tempted to go for a newer 2.0ltr D based BM if I had to do loads of miles and economy was important, 320d, 118D/120D spring to mind for not a lot of money, a million reps can't be wrong.

Max M4X WW

5,031 posts

213 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
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I think part ex'ing yours for basically the same car but diesel will never go well. You'd have to sell yours privately.

How many miles has yours done? Sounds like a keeper really, how long have you had it?

Silverdaz

Original Poster:

83 posts

208 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the input, no other BMW does it for me im afraid. I hate the look of all the new models except the latest 5 series which it way out of league. The car has been in the family for 5 years and just turned 100k, I only do 4000 miles in it a year so fuel consumption was never a problem until now. Keeping it is not a option, the miles I do would be financial suicidal (im a tight Yorkshireman). Selling privately was always my first option, I just wanted to see what I would get part ex for it.

Edited by Silverdaz on Tuesday 24th January 11:05

jas xjr

11,309 posts

270 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
Why not keep it and get something else for the commute ?

Max M4X WW

5,031 posts

213 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
So from 4000 miles a year to 30k a year? Ok I guess that's quite a hike.

But 30k a year in a 10 year old 100k 5series? I'm not sure.

Silverdaz

Original Poster:

83 posts

208 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
jas xjr said:
Why not keep it and get something else for the commute ?
This has been a thought, but really want one car.

Fox-

13,575 posts

277 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
Why not convert yours to LPG? If you've had it 5 years you've probably kept it in nicer condition than most of the E39's for sale out there.

The 525d is a fundamentally pointless car as it offers the running costs and fuel consumption of a 530d but without the performance. It's only worth it if you've found a particularly nice 525d.

I completely sympathise with your position about none of the newer BMW's doing it for you, mind. The E39 is fantastic. Nothing but an F10 will do for me, either.

Silverdaz

Original Poster:

83 posts

208 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
Max M4X WW said:
So from 4000 miles a year to 30k a year? Ok I guess that's quite a hike.

But 30k a year in a 10 year old 100k 5series? I'm not sure.
This has been another factor, It looks like im gonna end up with a VW Passat Tdi or something morbid like that.

Silverdaz

Original Poster:

83 posts

208 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
Fox- said:
Why not convert yours to LPG? If you've had it 5 years you've probably kept it in nicer condition than most of the E39's for sale out there.

The 525d is a fundamentally pointless car as it offers the running costs and fuel consumption of a 530d but without the performance. It's only worth it if you've found a particularly nice 525d.

I completely sympathise with your position about none of the newer BMW's doing it for you, mind. The E39 is fantastic. Nothing but an F10 will do for me, either.
A 530d would be fine, but I want a manual and they seems to be rarer than hens teeth. Where 525d manual seem to be more readily available and the performance really isnt a issue anymore. Havent really looked into the LPG route, but with the age and value of the car I dont think it would be the right answer.

Fox-

13,575 posts

277 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
Silverdaz said:
A 530d would be fine, but I want a manual and they seems to be rarer than hens teeth. Where 525d manual seem to be more readily available and the performance really isnt a issue anymore. Havent really looked into the LPG route, but with the age and value of the car I dont think it would be the right answer.
An lpg conversion would cost about the same as 6 injectors, a turbo and fitting which is a job you are almost certain to need putting those miles on an older 525d.

Silverdaz

Original Poster:

83 posts

208 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
Fox- said:
An lpg conversion would cost about the same as 6 injectors, a turbo and fitting which is a job you are almost certain to need putting those miles on an older 525d.
Good question! Oh well, I think there goes any hope of me keeping in the E39 family.

Max M4X WW

5,031 posts

213 months

Saturday 24th December 2011
quotequote all
Silverdaz said:
This has been another factor, It looks like im gonna end up with a VW Passat Tdi or something morbid like that.
Yes, I was going to suggest this as I'm also thinking of one for work or something as boring.

Sell the 530i (people want them) and get a 540i cheaper (as people don't want them) and use it at the weekends.

Silverdaz

Original Poster:

83 posts

208 months

Tuesday 24th January 2012
quotequote all
Oh well, tried to palm the 5 on to the wife for her to use for work and me using hers, but its to big for her, and she doesnt like driving automatics. So ive been looking at a few motors and fancy a Volvo V50 D5 R Design, cant believe im saying this but I actually like the look of a Volvo, lol. Been for a test drive and im pretty impressed with everything about it. I have been offerered a reasonably part-ex for mine, but I am going to go the private route first and see if I can get a few quid more for it. So if anyone wants a mint topaz blue 530i sport, black leather, 18 inch parrallels with 107000 miles no faults what so ever and FSH. It will be going on here for sale as soon as the private plate is removed which should be in a few days.