Discussion
Hi All,
I am looking to upgrade my Honda Civic for something a little more german and powerful! I have a budget of around £9k and I have been looking at either a E39 540i/540i Manual or a E90 330i (N52) Manual.
I absolutely love the E39 design and think it's one of the best looking BMW's out there. However with it being over 17+ years old I'm sure there's a lot to do in terms of maintenance. Where a E90 would be more expensive to buy but less to maintain.
I will only be doing around 6000 miles a year and live in london so lots of traffic and start/stop.
Any recommendations?
Thanks!
I am looking to upgrade my Honda Civic for something a little more german and powerful! I have a budget of around £9k and I have been looking at either a E39 540i/540i Manual or a E90 330i (N52) Manual.
I absolutely love the E39 design and think it's one of the best looking BMW's out there. However with it being over 17+ years old I'm sure there's a lot to do in terms of maintenance. Where a E90 would be more expensive to buy but less to maintain.
I will only be doing around 6000 miles a year and live in london so lots of traffic and start/stop.
Any recommendations?
Thanks!
Edited by GBS123 on Tuesday 28th February 16:09
I never realised the E39 540i had started to rise in value, with 3 on Autotrader at £5k, £7k and £9k.
I have a 2002 540i Sport Touring Auto. The cooling system is made out of cheese, especially the some of the non-OEM ones, but at my local Independent Specialist it only cost about £300 inc VAT to have it changed.
They're a bit heavy on suspension components, being a heavy car, and having it all refreshed can make a huge difference to how it drives. I spent £2k on it in one go once, but had a full refresh, service, MOT, tailgate struts and a couple of wheels straightened I think at the time.
I love it. I've had it for 5 years, and no intention of changing it. I brought my kids home from hospital in it, it's supported a charity Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride, and it's drank a lot of fuel. On a motorway run you should be able to get 30mpg, but I'm currently averaging 22mpg on more shorter runs. The saloon may be a little better.
Of the three on AT, with £9k in cash, I'd probably go for the £5k one, and keep a warchest for bits that go wrong:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
However, the £7k is red, and I love that colour. I'm not sure £2k would cover the new light/s, a wheel re-furb, getting it detailed and switching the interior trim to walnut. If it did, you'd not have much left in your warchest, and you need a warchest.
I've never driven a manual, or an M5, only my Auto. It suits it well, with progress able to be relatively brisk. It's a cruiser, not an Elise. I've never wanted for a manual box.
I have a 2002 540i Sport Touring Auto. The cooling system is made out of cheese, especially the some of the non-OEM ones, but at my local Independent Specialist it only cost about £300 inc VAT to have it changed.
They're a bit heavy on suspension components, being a heavy car, and having it all refreshed can make a huge difference to how it drives. I spent £2k on it in one go once, but had a full refresh, service, MOT, tailgate struts and a couple of wheels straightened I think at the time.
I love it. I've had it for 5 years, and no intention of changing it. I brought my kids home from hospital in it, it's supported a charity Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride, and it's drank a lot of fuel. On a motorway run you should be able to get 30mpg, but I'm currently averaging 22mpg on more shorter runs. The saloon may be a little better.
Of the three on AT, with £9k in cash, I'd probably go for the £5k one, and keep a warchest for bits that go wrong:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
However, the £7k is red, and I love that colour. I'm not sure £2k would cover the new light/s, a wheel re-furb, getting it detailed and switching the interior trim to walnut. If it did, you'd not have much left in your warchest, and you need a warchest.
I've never driven a manual, or an M5, only my Auto. It suits it well, with progress able to be relatively brisk. It's a cruiser, not an Elise. I've never wanted for a manual box.
louiebaby said:
I never realised the E39 540i had started to rise in value, with 3 on Autotrader at £5k, £7k and £9k.
I have a 2002 540i Sport Touring Auto. The cooling system is made out of cheese, especially the some of the non-OEM ones, but at my local Independent Specialist it only cost about £300 inc VAT to have it changed.
They're a bit heavy on suspension components, being a heavy car, and having it all refreshed can make a huge difference to how it drives. I spent £2k on it in one go once, but had a full refresh, service, MOT, tailgate struts and a couple of wheels straightened I think at the time.
I love it. I've had it for 5 years, and no intention of changing it. I brought my kids home from hospital in it, it's supported a charity Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride, and it's drank a lot of fuel. On a motorway run you should be able to get 30mpg, but I'm currently averaging 22mpg on more shorter runs. The saloon may be a little better.
Of the three on AT, with £9k in cash, I'd probably go for the £5k one, and keep a warchest for bits that go wrong:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
However, the £7k is red, and I love that colour. I'm not sure £2k would cover the new light/s, a wheel re-furb, getting it detailed and switching the interior trim to walnut. If it did, you'd not have much left in your warchest, and you need a warchest.
I've never driven a manual, or an M5, only my Auto. It suits it well, with progress able to be relatively brisk. It's a cruiser, not an Elise. I've never wanted for a manual box.
Thanks for the links! If I was to go for a E39 it would have to be manual, love the driving experience. I am in no rush to buy so I will try and look for a nice well maintained one, preferably M-Sport Black I have a 2002 540i Sport Touring Auto. The cooling system is made out of cheese, especially the some of the non-OEM ones, but at my local Independent Specialist it only cost about £300 inc VAT to have it changed.
They're a bit heavy on suspension components, being a heavy car, and having it all refreshed can make a huge difference to how it drives. I spent £2k on it in one go once, but had a full refresh, service, MOT, tailgate struts and a couple of wheels straightened I think at the time.
I love it. I've had it for 5 years, and no intention of changing it. I brought my kids home from hospital in it, it's supported a charity Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride, and it's drank a lot of fuel. On a motorway run you should be able to get 30mpg, but I'm currently averaging 22mpg on more shorter runs. The saloon may be a little better.
Of the three on AT, with £9k in cash, I'd probably go for the £5k one, and keep a warchest for bits that go wrong:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
However, the £7k is red, and I love that colour. I'm not sure £2k would cover the new light/s, a wheel re-furb, getting it detailed and switching the interior trim to walnut. If it did, you'd not have much left in your warchest, and you need a warchest.
I've never driven a manual, or an M5, only my Auto. It suits it well, with progress able to be relatively brisk. It's a cruiser, not an Elise. I've never wanted for a manual box.
I used to own an E90 325 saloon and have a manual E39 540 as my daily at the moment.
You don't give the context of what you want from the car, so as a general view:
E90:
Fun to drive, grippy chassis, OK ride on 17" wheels, great headlights (xenons), seats fine after 800 miles in a day, 32-39 MPG. The gearbox was lovely to use
E39:
Much bigger inside- I have two growing sprogs and the rear room is great- and boot plenty big enough for all our stuff. Proper quick and with M-sport suspension corners nicely but likes petrol. The 32 way adjustable electric seats are lovely and are a nice contrast to the performance and after 19 years and 140,000 miles it doesnt rattle. When things break then spares are easy to come by and mechanics like working on them as the cars are relatively simple. The chaps that sold me a pair of headlights and door mirrors last weekend had a good look over it before I was allowed to leave.
Your problem will be finding one; they are relatively cheap cars and have attracted the drift guys or been used as donors for E30 conversions. As an earlier post said, prices are on the up. There was a manual 540 touring for over £20k recently.
I prefer the E39; it's rarer, faster, more practical and more comfortable whilst still being fun to punt around
You don't give the context of what you want from the car, so as a general view:
E90:
Fun to drive, grippy chassis, OK ride on 17" wheels, great headlights (xenons), seats fine after 800 miles in a day, 32-39 MPG. The gearbox was lovely to use
E39:
Much bigger inside- I have two growing sprogs and the rear room is great- and boot plenty big enough for all our stuff. Proper quick and with M-sport suspension corners nicely but likes petrol. The 32 way adjustable electric seats are lovely and are a nice contrast to the performance and after 19 years and 140,000 miles it doesnt rattle. When things break then spares are easy to come by and mechanics like working on them as the cars are relatively simple. The chaps that sold me a pair of headlights and door mirrors last weekend had a good look over it before I was allowed to leave.
Your problem will be finding one; they are relatively cheap cars and have attracted the drift guys or been used as donors for E30 conversions. As an earlier post said, prices are on the up. There was a manual 540 touring for over £20k recently.
I prefer the E39; it's rarer, faster, more practical and more comfortable whilst still being fun to punt around
jamesb2001 said:
I used to own an E90 325 saloon and have a manual E39 540 as my daily at the moment.
You don't give the context of what you want from the car, so as a general view:
E90:
Fun to drive, grippy chassis, OK ride on 17" wheels, great headlights (xenons), seats fine after 800 miles in a day, 32-39 MPG. The gearbox was lovely to use
E39:
Much bigger inside- I have two growing sprogs and the rear room is great- and boot plenty big enough for all our stuff. Proper quick and with M-sport suspension corners nicely but likes petrol. The 32 way adjustable electric seats are lovely and are a nice contrast to the performance and after 19 years and 140,000 miles it doesnt rattle. When things break then spares are easy to come by and mechanics like working on them as the cars are relatively simple. The chaps that sold me a pair of headlights and door mirrors last weekend had a good look over it before I was allowed to leave.
Your problem will be finding one; they are relatively cheap cars and have attracted the drift guys or been used as donors for E30 conversions. As an earlier post said, prices are on the up. There was a manual 540 touring for over £20k recently.
I prefer the E39; it's rarer, faster, more practical and more comfortable whilst still being fun to punt around
Thanks for the overview - gives me a lot of think about. I will be based in London so most of my driving will be start/stop and only 6000 miles a year. Manuals are hard to find in either series, is it worth waiting for the manual?You don't give the context of what you want from the car, so as a general view:
E90:
Fun to drive, grippy chassis, OK ride on 17" wheels, great headlights (xenons), seats fine after 800 miles in a day, 32-39 MPG. The gearbox was lovely to use
E39:
Much bigger inside- I have two growing sprogs and the rear room is great- and boot plenty big enough for all our stuff. Proper quick and with M-sport suspension corners nicely but likes petrol. The 32 way adjustable electric seats are lovely and are a nice contrast to the performance and after 19 years and 140,000 miles it doesnt rattle. When things break then spares are easy to come by and mechanics like working on them as the cars are relatively simple. The chaps that sold me a pair of headlights and door mirrors last weekend had a good look over it before I was allowed to leave.
Your problem will be finding one; they are relatively cheap cars and have attracted the drift guys or been used as donors for E30 conversions. As an earlier post said, prices are on the up. There was a manual 540 touring for over £20k recently.
I prefer the E39; it's rarer, faster, more practical and more comfortable whilst still being fun to punt around
GBS123 said:
Thanks for the overview - gives me a lot of think about. I will be based in London so most of my driving will be start/stop and only 6000 miles a year. Manuals are hard to find in either series, is it worth waiting for the manual?
I think you would be better off with the auto in London, a serviced zf auto gearbox is pleasant to use.louiebaby said:
I never realised the E39 540i had started to rise in value, with 3 on Autotrader at £5k, £7k and £9k.
I have a 2002 540i Sport Touring Auto. The cooling system is made out of cheese, especially the some of the non-OEM ones, but at my local Independent Specialist it only cost about £300 inc VAT to have it changed.
They're a bit heavy on suspension components, being a heavy car, and having it all refreshed can make a huge difference to how it drives. I spent £2k on it in one go once, but had a full refresh, service, MOT, tailgate struts and a couple of wheels straightened I think at the time.
I love it. I've had it for 5 years, and no intention of changing it. I brought my kids home from hospital in it, it's supported a charity Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride, and it's drank a lot of fuel. On a motorway run you should be able to get 30mpg, but I'm currently averaging 22mpg on more shorter runs. The saloon may be a little better.
Of the three on AT, with £9k in cash, I'd probably go for the £5k one, and keep a warchest for bits that go wrong:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
However, the £7k is red, and I love that colour. I'm not sure £2k would cover the new light/s, a wheel re-furb, getting it detailed and switching the interior trim to walnut. If it did, you'd not have much left in your warchest, and you need a warchest.
I've never driven a manual, or an M5, only my Auto. It suits it well, with progress able to be relatively brisk. It's a cruiser, not an Elise. I've never wanted for a manual box.
WowI have a 2002 540i Sport Touring Auto. The cooling system is made out of cheese, especially the some of the non-OEM ones, but at my local Independent Specialist it only cost about £300 inc VAT to have it changed.
They're a bit heavy on suspension components, being a heavy car, and having it all refreshed can make a huge difference to how it drives. I spent £2k on it in one go once, but had a full refresh, service, MOT, tailgate struts and a couple of wheels straightened I think at the time.
I love it. I've had it for 5 years, and no intention of changing it. I brought my kids home from hospital in it, it's supported a charity Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride, and it's drank a lot of fuel. On a motorway run you should be able to get 30mpg, but I'm currently averaging 22mpg on more shorter runs. The saloon may be a little better.
Of the three on AT, with £9k in cash, I'd probably go for the £5k one, and keep a warchest for bits that go wrong:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
However, the £7k is red, and I love that colour. I'm not sure £2k would cover the new light/s, a wheel re-furb, getting it detailed and switching the interior trim to walnut. If it did, you'd not have much left in your warchest, and you need a warchest.
I've never driven a manual, or an M5, only my Auto. It suits it well, with progress able to be relatively brisk. It's a cruiser, not an Elise. I've never wanted for a manual box.
Optimistic traders! Wonder if any sell for more than 5k privately...
Have a sit in both. The interior in the e39 is so much nicer than the e90, both in terms of quality and space. The boot is also much bigger on the e39 and there is space for a full size spare wheel which you don't get in the e90. Quieter and feel more solid.
Rust can be an issue on the e39 but it tend to be in specific places so is easy to spot- jacking points, rear quarters above bumper, boot slam panel, filler bowl. They are easy cars to work on- relatively complex but everything is logical.
They really do suit the auto so I wouldn't discount that- I used to be a manual fanatic until I drove one. With the sport suspension they drive like a smaller car and not the barge they are. You can hustle them along at quite a pace.
My pick would be a late 530i or 540i sport with widescreen nav.
Rust can be an issue on the e39 but it tend to be in specific places so is easy to spot- jacking points, rear quarters above bumper, boot slam panel, filler bowl. They are easy cars to work on- relatively complex but everything is logical.
They really do suit the auto so I wouldn't discount that- I used to be a manual fanatic until I drove one. With the sport suspension they drive like a smaller car and not the barge they are. You can hustle them along at quite a pace.
My pick would be a late 530i or 540i sport with widescreen nav.
lufbramatt said:
Have a sit in both. The interior in the e39 is so much nicer than the e90, both in terms of quality and space. The boot is also much bigger on the e39 and there is space for a full size spare wheel which you don't get in the e90. Quieter and feel more solid.
Rust can be an issue on the e39 but it tend to be in specific places so is easy to spot- jacking points, rear quarters above bumper, boot slam panel, filler bowl. They are easy cars to work on- relatively complex but everything is logical.
They really do suit the auto so I wouldn't discount that- I used to be a manual fanatic until I drove one. With the sport suspension they drive like a smaller car and not the barge they are. You can hustle them along at quite a pace.
My pick would be a late 530i or 540i sport with widescreen nav.
Great stuff! I'd want to eventually do the audio/headunit and get a great sound system in it so not too worried about the widescreen. Based on everyone advice I might just go for a auto facelift model. Is there any year in particular that is the best?Rust can be an issue on the e39 but it tend to be in specific places so is easy to spot- jacking points, rear quarters above bumper, boot slam panel, filler bowl. They are easy cars to work on- relatively complex but everything is logical.
They really do suit the auto so I wouldn't discount that- I used to be a manual fanatic until I drove one. With the sport suspension they drive like a smaller car and not the barge they are. You can hustle them along at quite a pace.
My pick would be a late 530i or 540i sport with widescreen nav.
I'd be looking at one with a build date after September 2002 as they had a mild update to various things at that time- nicer steering wheel, updates to electrical systems etc.
There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest early cars are less prone to rust however.
Be aware that the entertainment system is quite tied into the car so if you remove the stock setup you lose some functionality such as the trip computer display, onboard computer, steering wheel controls etc.
There is a company called Carphonics that does some nice upgrades to the stock system whilst keeping it all OEM, or you can add a little box called an Intravee which allows the car to talk to Alpine AInet equipment.
There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest early cars are less prone to rust however.
Be aware that the entertainment system is quite tied into the car so if you remove the stock setup you lose some functionality such as the trip computer display, onboard computer, steering wheel controls etc.
There is a company called Carphonics that does some nice upgrades to the stock system whilst keeping it all OEM, or you can add a little box called an Intravee which allows the car to talk to Alpine AInet equipment.
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