e39 523i driving impressions?

[wolfy1988]

Hi Guys

I test drove a 523i with 120k miles and a LPG conversion the other day and cosmetically and mechanically apparently perfect BUT:

It felt painfully slow and the steering seemed heavy. It revved to the redline perfectly, the autobox boxed also seemed perfect.

The engine was warm and the car was 3 up, are they quite slow? It felt quite a bit slower than my old Puma 1.7 and dangerously slow compared to my 95 Aero

Is this right? what are your opinions?

J

[Codswallop]

It was 3 up, it's a weighty car, automatic, and not that powerful... It's also probably more refined than your old Puma, so will probbaly hide speed better.

As for your Saab, turbo engines feel deceptively quick in my experience, so it's possible all is well with the e39, but it's just not that fast.

Edited by Codswallop on Thursday 27th December 20:04

[GreatGranny]

wolfy1988 said:

Hi Guys

I test drove a 523i with 120k miles and a LPG conversion the other day and cosmetically and mechanically apparently perfect BUT:

It felt painfully slow and the steering seemed heavy. It revved to the redline perfectly, the autobox boxed also seemed perfect.

The engine was warm and the car was 3 up, are they quite slow? It felt quite a bit slower than my old Puma 1.7 and dangerously slow compared to my 95 Aero

Is this right? what are your opinions?

J

First 2 may have something to do with it and the 3rd? Dangerously slow?

Have you ever driven an original Mini 850 4 up + camping gear up any type of incline?

[TonyRPH]

I had one for a while.

1) It was lazy when pulling away, and leaving junctions after a turn etc.

2) The rear suspension was noisy.

3) There was a lot of raod noise from the tyres (obviously this varies with tyre brand) but it was noisier than an E34 I had at the time, with the same tyres.

Try and get a 525 or even better, a 528 / 530.

IMHO, the 523 and the E46 323 are both underpowered cars. (yes, I've owned a 323 too).

The E39 523 felt no more lively than the E34 520 I once owned.

[Matt UK]

Whilst it shouldn't be dangerously slow, you are asking a 170bhp motor to haul nearly 2 tonnes via a slushbox. It was never going to tear your face off.

As for the steering, my e39 steering felt 'heavier' than a lot of others - but then again, I always thought it felt right and others felt too light / over assisted.

[wolfy1988]

GreatGranny said:

First 2 may have something to do with it and the 3rd? Dangerously slow?

Have you ever driven an original Mini 850 4 up + camping gear up any type of incline?

No I haven't

Ok maybe 'Dangerously slow' was a little dramatic.

I have to admit though, It did sound much nicer than the saab and was extremaly refined.

What about the steering? should it be fairly heavy?

I am 90% I will buy it

[wolfy1988]

TonyRPH said:

I had one for a while.

1) It was lazy when pulling away, and leaving junctions after a turn etc.

2) The rear suspension was noisy.

3) There was a lot of raod noise from the tyres (obviously this varies with tyre brand) but it was noisier than an E34 I had at the time, with the same tyres.

Try and get a 525 or even better, a 528 / 530.

IMHO, the 523 and the E46 323 are both underpowered cars. (yes, I've owned a 323 too).

The E39 523 felt no more lively than the E34 520 I once owned.

Thanks Tony, I would prefer a 525i but I want a LPG car the selection is minuscule compared to the UK

Having had one, would you recommend one?

[TonyRPH]

wolfy1988 said:

Having had one, would you recommend one?

No.

Do you need the 5 Series? A 330i, when driven sensibly can easily deliver 30 mpg+ on a run.

Even so, the 528 / 530 does pretty well on fuel when driven carefully (and I don't mean like a pensioner).

It's the V8s that return sub 22mpg no matter how you drive them! (I couldn't get my 535 above 22mpg...)

Also beware of overheating issues, particularly on the 6 cylinder engines.

ETA: I also seem to recall reading about soot issues when running them on LPG (although I'm not certain that's specific to the BM engines).

Perhaps the example you drove needs a decoke.

Edited by TonyRPH on Thursday 27th December 20:23

[V8 Disco]

Owned one for a couple of years - not a quick car by any means but IIRC it could be hustled along entertainingly using the +/- manual option on the autobox. I really liked that car - was capable of transporting 4 adults in comfort over long distances - always felt good to drive. Ever since have had a 530 sport on my list...

[wolfy1988]

TonyRPH said:

No.

Do you need the 5 Series? A 330i, when driven sensibly can easily deliver 30 mpg+ on a run.

Even so, the 528 / 530 does pretty well on fuel when driven carefully (and I don't mean like a pensioner).

It's the V8s that return sub 22mpg no matter how you drive them! (I couldn't get my 535 above 22mpg...)

Also beware of overheating issues, particularly on the 6 cylinder engines.

Right OK, I need to look into this further then, the attraction of this particular 523i is the LPG conversion.

[TonyRPH]

wolfy1988 said:

What about the steering? should it be fairly heavy?

The steering shouldn't be heavy, although I guess that also depends on what you are used to.

[m444ttb]

I can well believe it's slow. My e36 323iA touring with just me in isn't swift!

[4key]

Matt UK said:

As for the steering, my e39 steering felt 'heavier' than a lot of others - but then again, I always thought it felt right and others felt too light / over assisted.

+1 Also agree with the comment about them masking the feeling of speed, even banging along in a 540 the feeling of speed is well masked with the windows up.

[HustleRussell]

LPG typically loses a little power doesn't it? My E34 525i responded very well to a thorough service so perhaps if you do go for it get the car and it's LPG system serviced and bung a tank full of V-power through it, it might perk up a bit.

[CraigyMc]

I had an E39 523i SE for a couple of years.

Observations:

• The auto version is a *lot* slower than the manual - like 8ish to 60 or so for the manual, and nearly 10 for the auto. Consequently, the auto cannot really be described as "fast" (not that the manual is really fast either). I'm not so sure the gear ratios in the auto really suit the engine.

• The 523i has a 2.5 litre engine. The point of noting this is that it's got a bit more torque than the nominal "2.3"-ness might have you believe.

• The car weighs just under 1.5 tonnes - it's not a 2 tonne 3-up weight unless the occupants are all contestants from "fat farm".

• The steering on mine wasn't all that heavy, but the steering wheel was quite large. Has your car got a wheel with the original size? (small wheels make the steering feel heavier, because you have less lever force to turn the column).

• Is the power steering on your car making noises when you're manoevering at low speed?

I loved my old 523i. Best all round car I've had - if it wasn't for me changing jobs and doing a gazillion company miles I'd have kept it.

C

[Caruso]

I found that a 2.5 in a 5 series needed to be revved to get acceptable performance resulting in 20mpg. The 540 doesn't need to be revved and gets 20mpg unless you are being silly.

[Matt UK]

Caruso said:

I found that a 2.5 in a 5 series needed to be revved to get acceptable performance resulting in 20mpg. The 540 doesn't need to be revved and gets 20mpg unless you are being silly.

Your not wrong, which is why I thought the 3.0ltr was the pick of the bunch

[Gribs]

Coming from a 9-5 aero it's not surprising the steering felt heavy as the 9-5's is very light with little feel. A friend has an auto 523i which I've driven occasionally and I'd describe the performance as adequate. It's not quick up to speed but once cruising it's fine. Fuel ecconomy is very poor though, low 20's round town, low 30's cruising at 70. I considered an e39 before getting my 9-5 aero and the only one that really makes sense is the 530i.

[g3org3y]

Tbh, I'd be looking at the 528i over the 523i, especially if going the auto route. Much better performance and similar fuel economy.

[ArmaghMan]

Or you could push the boat right out...

E39 M5 already gas converted?