Where are all the manual E39's?

[anonymous-user]

Afternoon all,

I have a decently specced E39 525i (leather,heated,xenons (with washers),sunroof,m sport steering wheel with buttons,m parallel wheels,individual colour leather, factory tints,pdc front and back,auto headlights and wipers, individual colour exterior and interior)

It is a wonderful spec, but it is auto and I have a real hankering for a manual e39.

The usual sources turn up nothing but poverty spec 520i's with cloth seats or M5's and nothing in between.

Note hexagon selling a e39 manual touring at 23K that doesn't even have heated seats???!!!

Where is the best place to find a well specced MANUAL e39? Do they even exist..

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies

[helix402]

If you like your existing one enough you could convert it to manual.

[E-bmw]

They are out there, just rare.

A few years ago I had a manual e39 530i sport & it took me well over 6 months to find one in the spec/colour/condition I wanted, you just need to keep looking, as they will only get rarer.

[anonymous-user]

helix402 said:

If you like your existing one enough you could convert it to manual.

My first thought before looking at manual e39's!

Misus said surely it would be cheaper to sell up and buy a e39 manual.. And she's sort of right really.

I wouldn't be able to do the conversion myself so would need to pick up a battered 520i manual and get it shipped off to a garage with my car and have it all swapped over

[anonymous-user]

E-bmw said:

They are out there, just rare.

A few years ago I had a manual e39 530i sport & it took me well over 6 months to find one in the spec/colour/condition I wanted, you just need to keep looking, as they will only get rarer.

Thanks will keep on the look out for one

[Triumph Man]

I’m sure there’s a few out there somewhere - I was very lucky with my 530i - comfort seats with memory, xenon lights, auto lights and wipers, sunroof, and folding rear seats. Unfortunately it doesn’t have heated seats or nav

[bmwmike]

What's a manual 530i like to drive, is it a bit lethargic or are they good?

[Triumph Man]

Generally quite good, keep it wound up and it’s quite entertaining. Gearbox does not like to be rushed though. At the same time it’s very happy to lollop along when taking it steady

Edited by Triumph Man on Sunday 23 September 17:06

[anonymous-user]

Triumph Man said:

I’m sure there’s a few out there somewhere - I was very lucky with my 530i - comfort seats with memory, xenon lights, auto lights and wipers, sunroof, and folding rear seats. Unfortunately it doesn’t have heated seats or nav

Would settle for that, not bothered about outdated nav but could live without heated seats.

You don't fancy a 525i auto with all the kit do you?

[Triumph Man]

Haha, I’d never get another E39 like this, I’m not letting it go

[E-bmw]

bmwmike said:

What's a manual 530i like to drive, is it a bit lethargic or are they good?

Not at all, a proper high performance saloon if a bit heavy.

Provided the suspension is in good order handles VERY well for its size, and will eat miles across country & down the motorway with ease.

[anonymous-user]

Triumph Man said:

Haha, I’d never get another E39 like this, I’m not letting it go

And thats the one I want!!



Life

[Triumph Man]

CP12 said:

And thats the one I want!!



Life

if it makes you feel any better it’s in grandad SE spec, which I admittedly quite like.

[rayyan171]

We have a manual E39 528i SE. I am sad to say that it is rotting away on the driveway, but I have plans to restore it as soon as possible. However, that 'soon' may mean about 5 years from now. As soon as I have the money it will be treated to a full respray with rust repair, as well as repairing the ABS system. There is also a reasonable oil leak from the engine so that will have to be sorted.

It has an Oxford Green Metallic exterior, the Style 42 18" wheels (very hard to find), wood interior with the beige Nevada leather and that is about it with the spec - basic car it is. I would like to retrofit some more things, money permitting!

[anonymous-user]

Triumph Man said:

if it makes you feel any better it’s in grandad SE spec, which I admittedly quite like.

Not really, would settle for grandad se or sport.


Seems I am looking at e90 330i msports now

[Triumph Man]

CP12 said:

Not really, would settle for grandad se or sport.


Seems I am looking at e90 330i msports now

I’d be interested to know what you find, especially compared to an E39, an e90 was a consideration when’s I retired my E34 from daily duties

[anonymous-user]

Triumph Man said:

I’d be interested to know what you find, especially compared to an E39, an e90 was a consideration when’s I retired my E34 from daily duties

If it happens (which is won't as I'm in the process of going to iceland.. The country not crappy supermarket) then I will update this thread with a link to a seperate thread!