What are E39 523i's like?
Discussion
Hi,
Seen this http://www.hammertoncars.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-5-series-523i-se-4dr-green-hammerton-201310179334408
and wondering what the 523's are like... Just like the look of it's condition and service history.
Any advice would be great!
Seen this http://www.hammertoncars.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-5-series-523i-se-4dr-green-hammerton-201310179334408
and wondering what the 523's are like... Just like the look of it's condition and service history.
Any advice would be great!
I would have thought that's a highish price for that.
eg-
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
eg-
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
My wife had one years ago. Not particularly fast, but satisfying enough and the engine (2.5) was amongst the smoothest I have ever experienced. Beautifully balanced for its size too, with a real feel of quality in the cabin. If you want to go faster, buy a 540i. 
Edited by slippery on Saturday 18th January 17:18
A nice e39 is a wonderful thing.
Personally I would go for the bigger sixes - more performance but similar running costs (V8s move it up a notch)
I'd look for a 528i / 530i depending on budget. Some love a manual and hunt them out, I personally thought my e39 suitably barge-like to need an auto.
Also, watch the cooling system - check condition and look for signs of recent work. It's when, not if with these.
eta - your ad links to a 528i, not a 523i?
Personally I would go for the bigger sixes - more performance but similar running costs (V8s move it up a notch)
I'd look for a 528i / 530i depending on budget. Some love a manual and hunt them out, I personally thought my e39 suitably barge-like to need an auto.
Also, watch the cooling system - check condition and look for signs of recent work. It's when, not if with these.
eta - your ad links to a 528i, not a 523i?
In a nutshell: underpowered. The E39 isn't exactly light, and the M52s with the standard inlet manifold on are a tad choked higher up the rev range. Good low-end torque though.
As others have mentioned- get a 528i or a 530i. 528s can be had for peanuts these days, and are quite quick. Don't believe the headline figures of 193bhp- they're usually over 200 on a dyno, if that's your thing, and show very little difference in fuel economy to a 523i.
They're the hooligan's car for the family man.
As others have mentioned- get a 528i or a 530i. 528s can be had for peanuts these days, and are quite quick. Don't believe the headline figures of 193bhp- they're usually over 200 on a dyno, if that's your thing, and show very little difference in fuel economy to a 523i.
They're the hooligan's car for the family man.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Love the look of this one but It's out of budget!
Did they do any individuals in tourings?
Love the look of this one but It's out of budget!
Did they do any individuals in tourings?
Agree that if you're going to get a petrol six one, the 523i is kind of irrelevant, being almost no different in fuel consumption but considerably worse off for pace than a 528i or 530i. If you're looking at a couple of grand, I think the 528i is the answer. My 3-series is quick enough with that engine, add 200-250kg and you still don't have a slow car.
On all of these sixes the cooling systems are hopelessly prone to failure, so if there's no record of recent replacements for radiator, expansion tank, thermostat or water pump then you should be prepared for a sudden need to do one/all of them. Other than that, no major issues really.
On all of these sixes the cooling systems are hopelessly prone to failure, so if there's no record of recent replacements for radiator, expansion tank, thermostat or water pump then you should be prepared for a sudden need to do one/all of them. Other than that, no major issues really.
Buy this instead.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
and keep some cash for your bork fund/fuel.
(ignore horrible wheels)
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
and keep some cash for your bork fund/fuel.
(ignore horrible wheels)
edition said:
Did they do any individuals in tourings?
Yes!! You can get some awesome colours/interior combos... keep your eyes peeled for Atlantis Blue, Velvet Blue and Fern Green... three lovely individual colours... don't get too hung up on it though.You can get a myriad of options, usually found on the bigger-engined ones. I found a 540i Touring, Boston Green, with factory-fit double glazing the other week... lovely.
edition said:
So how bad are the 540's to run? I've read that the 535's are trouble?
A 535i has all the performance of the 530i with all the running costs of the 540i.540s are around 20-30mpg, circumstances depending (manual/auto, where you drive, how you drive). Around town anywhere from 16mpg to 22mpg is the norm, and cruising you can see over 30mpg. Loads of torque- ignore the headline 286bhp output. They also map well, I know someone running a dyno-proven 330bhp 540i with a different exhaust manifold (standard is pretty restrictive), better intake and a good map.
The steering isn't as sharp as the six-cyl models, due to it using the steering box predominantly encountered on the E34, but it's still not a 'bad' steer. Have you considered an Alpina B10 3.2/3.3? They feel really special, have decent power and are also good at holding their value. Not sure what you'd find in budget though!
There's a couple of Alpina B10 4.6s on eBay for £4,250-£4,500 currently... look rather tidy... have a poke around!
540s aren't really that bad on servicing, they're strong engines and run well. Ignore Nikasil comments, they are likely to have been either replaced or run for so long they won't be an issue now. Spark plugs can be tricky, and both the eights & sixes take simply massive amounts of oil & coolant. My 328i takes 6.5 litres of oil and 10.5 litres of coolant..!
Chain-driven engines, so no belts to worry about. Drive belts are easy to access thanks to the engine's layout. Oil filters are easy to do. Fuel filters are easy. Spark plugs get a bit tricky on the eights, but still not a complete joke compared to others. Depends what you're after- if you want a lovely cruiser and you're not too worried about fuel mileage, go for a 540i auto. If you want something a little more driver-focussed, get a 530i manual.
540s aren't really that bad on servicing, they're strong engines and run well. Ignore Nikasil comments, they are likely to have been either replaced or run for so long they won't be an issue now. Spark plugs can be tricky, and both the eights & sixes take simply massive amounts of oil & coolant. My 328i takes 6.5 litres of oil and 10.5 litres of coolant..!
Chain-driven engines, so no belts to worry about. Drive belts are easy to access thanks to the engine's layout. Oil filters are easy to do. Fuel filters are easy. Spark plugs get a bit tricky on the eights, but still not a complete joke compared to others. Depends what you're after- if you want a lovely cruiser and you're not too worried about fuel mileage, go for a 540i auto. If you want something a little more driver-focussed, get a 530i manual.
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