E39 530i Sport - time to change?
Discussion
Hello all, looking for some advice please.
I have owned my E39 BMW 530i for about 4-5 years now. Its done 68,000 miles
I have some fairly long trips planned over the next few weeks months and years and I am thinking about wheather to invest in the car to really make it as reliable as possible.
I see other posters on here have the same car and done quite a bit to theirs. I have done quite a bit of work on it already during my ownership but there are still things that need doing
Or my other option is to sell it and buy something else (love the look of the lexus's).
But I like the rare factor of the E39...
What are your thoughts please? What would you do? Invest in something old by maintaining it or replace the car with something newer? Cheers.
I have owned my E39 BMW 530i for about 4-5 years now. Its done 68,000 miles
I have some fairly long trips planned over the next few weeks months and years and I am thinking about wheather to invest in the car to really make it as reliable as possible.
I see other posters on here have the same car and done quite a bit to theirs. I have done quite a bit of work on it already during my ownership but there are still things that need doing
Or my other option is to sell it and buy something else (love the look of the lexus's).
But I like the rare factor of the E39...
What are your thoughts please? What would you do? Invest in something old by maintaining it or replace the car with something newer? Cheers.
What would you replace it with though? And why...?
I sold my Jap import E39 Touring because it was the right time to sell, at the peak of the market, which ensured I'd get as high a price for it as I could...
It was a superb motor, as all 3 of my E39 530i's had been...
I really like my current F01, but I don't love it...
I loved my E39 Touring!
But 2.5 years and a lot of preventative work done, it was the right time to sell, and the right thing to do IMO
However, if I had to sell my F01 and buy a 'cheaper' car to replace it, I'd only go back to an E39 530i...
I'd say fix what needs to be fixed, thoroughly enjoy it on the road trips you've planned and when that's done, then consider selling it...
At 68k it's not even run in
So it'll command a handsome price as is, but it'll still command that, IMO, when you've done the trips...
68k is very low mileage for an E39...!
Without spending twice, if not nearly 3 times the worth of your E39, there aren't many cars out there, IMO, that'll better it...
I sold my Jap import E39 Touring because it was the right time to sell, at the peak of the market, which ensured I'd get as high a price for it as I could...
It was a superb motor, as all 3 of my E39 530i's had been...
I really like my current F01, but I don't love it...
I loved my E39 Touring!
But 2.5 years and a lot of preventative work done, it was the right time to sell, and the right thing to do IMO
However, if I had to sell my F01 and buy a 'cheaper' car to replace it, I'd only go back to an E39 530i...
I'd say fix what needs to be fixed, thoroughly enjoy it on the road trips you've planned and when that's done, then consider selling it...
At 68k it's not even run in
So it'll command a handsome price as is, but it'll still command that, IMO, when you've done the trips...68k is very low mileage for an E39...!
Without spending twice, if not nearly 3 times the worth of your E39, there aren't many cars out there, IMO, that'll better it...
carbon83 said:
Hello all, looking for some advice please.
I have owned my E39 BMW 530i for about 4-5 years now. Its done 68,000 miles
I have some fairly long trips planned over the next few weeks months and years and I am thinking about wheather to invest in the car to really make it as reliable as possible.
I see other posters on here have the same car and done quite a bit to theirs. I have done quite a bit of work on it already during my ownership but there are still things that need doing
Or my other option is to sell it and buy something else (love the look of the lexus's).
But I like the rare factor of the E39...
What are your thoughts please? What would you do? Invest in something old by maintaining it or replace the car with something newer? Cheers.
Getting rare and still a very smart looking car, out of interest what Lexus do you mean? Can't think of anything of the same vintage with handsome looks like the e39, unless you mean something newer?I have owned my E39 BMW 530i for about 4-5 years now. Its done 68,000 miles
I have some fairly long trips planned over the next few weeks months and years and I am thinking about wheather to invest in the car to really make it as reliable as possible.
I see other posters on here have the same car and done quite a bit to theirs. I have done quite a bit of work on it already during my ownership but there are still things that need doing
Or my other option is to sell it and buy something else (love the look of the lexus's).
But I like the rare factor of the E39...
What are your thoughts please? What would you do? Invest in something old by maintaining it or replace the car with something newer? Cheers.
I would hang on to it, I spent three years in a brand new car (Skoda karoq) which was a great family bus but couldn't wait to go back to an old BMW, ended up with a 14 year old e63. It's a pain to keep running at its best but there is something about the feel of it which can't be matched by newer vehicles in my eyes.
Thank you all. What I'm put off is putting money into it which may well never end. But I guess that's the nature of old cars hey?
A lot of the planned trips are leisure but some will be for work turning up at clients offices (I am a software contractor). Maybe a bit of me thinks turning up in this may set the wrong image??
I like the look of all Lexus cars to be honest, the GS and RC hybrids catch my eye. Cheers.
A lot of the planned trips are leisure but some will be for work turning up at clients offices (I am a software contractor). Maybe a bit of me thinks turning up in this may set the wrong image??
I like the look of all Lexus cars to be honest, the GS and RC hybrids catch my eye. Cheers.
An E39 530i Sport with that mileage is becoming Unicorn stuff! Serious future classic material.
Provided the body is in good shape I would keep it, and indeed invest in it. The M54 might be in need of a cooling system refresh at some point but other than that the engine has a lot of life left in it.
As someone who has worked in IT as a Contractor for nearly 30yrs I can tell you the only people who will give a toss about your wheels are those other contractors obsessed with having the next new shiny thing, but most of us do not GAF, and indeed would be impressed by your arrival in it.
Provided the body is in good shape I would keep it, and indeed invest in it. The M54 might be in need of a cooling system refresh at some point but other than that the engine has a lot of life left in it.
As someone who has worked in IT as a Contractor for nearly 30yrs I can tell you the only people who will give a toss about your wheels are those other contractors obsessed with having the next new shiny thing, but most of us do not GAF, and indeed would be impressed by your arrival in it.
carbon83 said:
Thank you all. What I'm put off is putting money into it which may well never end. But I guess that's the nature of old cars hey?
A lot of the planned trips are leisure but some will be for work turning up at clients offices (I am a software contractor). Maybe a bit of me thinks turning up in this may set the wrong image??
I like the look of all Lexus cars to be honest, the GS and RC hybrids catch my eye. Cheers.
Meh... Sod other peoples opinions...!A lot of the planned trips are leisure but some will be for work turning up at clients offices (I am a software contractor). Maybe a bit of me thinks turning up in this may set the wrong image??
I like the look of all Lexus cars to be honest, the GS and RC hybrids catch my eye. Cheers.
However I turned up to client meetings in my Jap import E39 touring with my digital clients and some 'government' clients too and those of a certain age that knew the BMW E39 well would always want to have a look around it and comment on how they had one and it was the best car they had etc!
They are, a very hard car to beat IMO and yes, you'll always be putting some money into it (as you said, that's older cars for you); but keep on top of the preventative maintenance and it'll run & run without fail...!
I’m in the keep it boat, but I’m a sucker for an E39 despite not actually having owned one. I think they aged very very gracefully.
If it’s not rotten and is generally a good car, hang onto it and make it a brilliant car.
Sod what other people think. I swapped a 2019 M140i for a 2007 130i, most think I’m made but I love it. It looks smarter / better cared for than most of the newer cars in the office car park. I’m not really fussed if other people think I’m a
for driving a 15 year old 1 series.
If it’s not rotten and is generally a good car, hang onto it and make it a brilliant car.
Sod what other people think. I swapped a 2019 M140i for a 2007 130i, most think I’m made but I love it. It looks smarter / better cared for than most of the newer cars in the office car park. I’m not really fussed if other people think I’m a
for driving a 15 year old 1 series.I'd keep it.
I don't really like E39's much, mainly because so many (most) are rusting, needy old sheds. But with that mileage, it's worth keeping and there is no doubt that when new, they were tremendous things. The value is increasing and it will soon be old enough for classic insurance with an agreed value. Not just that, but it is old and rare enough now to get appreciative comments from anyone who actually knows cars.
Take some time to do some 'extended maintenance' as well. Just keeping the rear arches clean is a start.
I don't really like E39's much, mainly because so many (most) are rusting, needy old sheds. But with that mileage, it's worth keeping and there is no doubt that when new, they were tremendous things. The value is increasing and it will soon be old enough for classic insurance with an agreed value. Not just that, but it is old and rare enough now to get appreciative comments from anyone who actually knows cars.
Take some time to do some 'extended maintenance' as well. Just keeping the rear arches clean is a start.
68k miles, definitely a keeper if it was me, lovely cars that have a proper presence on the road, PX my e39 10yrs ago, went to Merc then Audi now back to BMW again, every car I've driven and had since always gets compared to the e39, all of them don't quite reach the joy I got from the old beemer, still miss it even now!
Cheers all for your advice. Everyone all saying the same thing which is nice. I guess another reason for changing is the unknown and unexpected breakdowns or issues in an old car. I think new parts from the dealer are getting hard to buy and/or hyper inflated so there is added cost there?
That's another thing that really puts me off.
But cheers all for your thoughts.
That's another thing that really puts me off.
But cheers all for your thoughts.
naturalaspiration said:
The supply of cheap and OEM quality parts for E39 is virtually endless, but if you are (clearly) not a diy person, a new car is a safer bet.
Agree to some extentThe decent quality parts for an E39 are easy to find and source (Meyle, Lemforder, Moog, Febi Bilsten & even OEM in some cases); they cover a lot of the E60/61 cars too
But don't agree that if you're not a DIY'er it's best to replace with a new car
A decent, looked after E39 will be easy enough to work on and making friends with a good, local indy is key here. Provide the parts, pay the indy in £beertokens and you're sorted
The E39 issue which remains is rust, and preventing it/keeping it in check in a financially sustainable manner is DIY, with an occasional cutting/welding job for a body shop - unless you have a garage with controlled humidity level. Pre-facelift petrol E60 (no expensive OEM parts-only direct injection problems) would be a good alternative as its body has been e-coated via Dürr's RoDip production line. No rust issues with them.
If OP wants to get rid of his car as he is worried about "the unknown and unexpected breakdowns or issues in an old car" my understanding is that he is not a type of a person who would be searching/buying aftermarket/breaker parts himself and asking his indie to fix it. If he was he would not have asked the question in the first place - my educated guess.
Of course I am not selling my nearly 300k miles E39...nearly 300k E38. Nor my E64 nor E66, only broken in at 120k/150k respective miles. New cars built with kitchen appliance industry's approach to robustness and longevity (by design, not mistake) are not for me. And I don't like depreciating assets.
If OP wants to get rid of his car as he is worried about "the unknown and unexpected breakdowns or issues in an old car" my understanding is that he is not a type of a person who would be searching/buying aftermarket/breaker parts himself and asking his indie to fix it. If he was he would not have asked the question in the first place - my educated guess.
Of course I am not selling my nearly 300k miles E39...nearly 300k E38. Nor my E64 nor E66, only broken in at 120k/150k respective miles. New cars built with kitchen appliance industry's approach to robustness and longevity (by design, not mistake) are not for me. And I don't like depreciating assets.
Edited by naturalaspiration on Saturday 19th March 15:51
Edited by naturalaspiration on Saturday 19th March 15:53
Edited by naturalaspiration on Monday 21st March 13:05
Cheers all, excellent to get all your thoughts. I do have a local mechanic that I use for work on the car.
I've had a quote of about £550 to have the rear boot sorted in terms of rust.
Then it's a matter of new cooling system parts and labour. I've been quoted around £500 for this.
Which is why I need to make my mind up if I continue to invest and getting the above done or jump ship.
My main concern being what next once I spend £1000+ getting the above done, even if its done just 68k miles. I think if that is my mentality, then this may be the wrong car for me?
I've had a quote of about £550 to have the rear boot sorted in terms of rust.
Then it's a matter of new cooling system parts and labour. I've been quoted around £500 for this.
Which is why I need to make my mind up if I continue to invest and getting the above done or jump ship.
My main concern being what next once I spend £1000+ getting the above done, even if its done just 68k miles. I think if that is my mentality, then this may be the wrong car for me?
Why do you need to change the cooling system and what exactly would you be changing?
I am still on the original one on my E39, bar the expansion bottle and top radiator hose. If you want to de-stress the system try to find a bit cooler thermostat, ideally up to 90 or so degrees. My OE thermostat has been like that for years, no way I would change it!
In my 20+ years of BMW ownership, all E3x series, I have replaced (on top of the above) one radiator, one thermostat (stuck open so no overheating issue), and one top radiator hose.
I am still on the original one on my E39, bar the expansion bottle and top radiator hose. If you want to de-stress the system try to find a bit cooler thermostat, ideally up to 90 or so degrees. My OE thermostat has been like that for years, no way I would change it!
In my 20+ years of BMW ownership, all E3x series, I have replaced (on top of the above) one radiator, one thermostat (stuck open so no overheating issue), and one top radiator hose.
Edited by naturalaspiration on Monday 21st March 13:06
Edited by naturalaspiration on Monday 21st March 13:11
carbon83 said:
Cheers all, excellent to get all your thoughts. I do have a local mechanic that I use for work on the car.
I've had a quote of about £550 to have the rear boot sorted in terms of rust.
Then it's a matter of new cooling system parts and labour. I've been quoted around £500 for this.
Which is why I need to make my mind up if I continue to invest and getting the above done or jump ship.
My main concern being what next once I spend £1000+ getting the above done, even if its done just 68k miles. I think if that is my mentality, then this may be the wrong car for me?
Re bodywork; that sounds expensive unless the rust is much worse... I'd want a 2nd opinion ideally...I've had a quote of about £550 to have the rear boot sorted in terms of rust.
Then it's a matter of new cooling system parts and labour. I've been quoted around £500 for this.
Which is why I need to make my mind up if I continue to invest and getting the above done or jump ship.
My main concern being what next once I spend £1000+ getting the above done, even if its done just 68k miles. I think if that is my mentality, then this may be the wrong car for me?
Re cooling system; unless you NEED to replace the rad, it doesn't need to be replaced. They can bow with age, but they rarely fail. It's the stat and water pump that fail the most often. Hoses just perish, but not expensive so worth replacing (peace of mind etc)
Hoses (top & bottom):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392212844183?fits=Car+M...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393978566300?fits=Car+M...
Water pump:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393849085283?fits=Car+M...
Stat:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392239867811?fits=Car+M...
For coolant; use Comma G48:
You need 2: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Comma-XSG48M5L-Xstream-An...
If you DO need a rad; stick with Nissens or Behr:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194546706862?fits=Car+M...
As you can see; the parts aren't expensive and if you're able to use your mechanic but provide your own parts then these are the parts I used and always used in all 3 of my E39s and my E38s
BMWmotormec are a tried & trusted reseller; I used them and C3BMW
Hope this helps
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