E34/E39 - Help please?

[Dover Nige]

Hi all,

Just looking for some good, sensible PH advice please.

I'm thinking of picking up a 5 series to use as my daily drive to and from work and for my occasional jaunts down the M4 back to Cardiff.

My budget is up to £3k. I prefer the look of the E39 to the E34 and auto over manual, but I'm unsure what engine to go for. I don't mind around 25mpg, but ideally I'd prefer a bit better (wouldn't we all!?) on a motorway run or in gentle driving. I've heard of Nikasil problems on the E39's , but am unsure which engines it affects. I guess due to my budget I'll be looking at something around the 100k miles mark, but I'm sure that's barely run in for one of these I also need it to have cruise, so would I need to look for a certain spec or is that standard..? Running costs wise, am I going to be looking at a certain money pit or might I do ok around my budget..?

Look forward to your advice,

Nige.

[bmwdrivernigel]

3k will get you a bloody good E34 or a not so good E39....its horses for courses really, I would much rather have a decent E34 ( the last of the 'proper BMWs ) over a tired E39. Have a look in the classified here and see what you can get ( most engine sizes will give you 22/30 mpg in an E34, my E34 540 is showing 22mpg and thats after letting a couple of guys from here borrow it for the last month!

I would go for a lazy E34 535/540, plenty of grunt when you need it and as smooth as silk to toodle along in.

[Kinky]

Of the 2, I'd plump for an E34.

Having had both, I personally prefer the E34.

I'd rather put the money into a good car with good history (ie a late '34) then a ropey/cheap E39.

K

[derin100]

I have both:

1) My wife's N-Reg E34 525i Auto Saloon. Ascot Green Metallic/ Dark Grey Cloth. One of the last. Genuine 73K miles with FSH and just serviced, new rad, v-belt tensioners and bel, Mot'd (and Taxed yesterday!). Previous owner bought at 70 years of age and sold it at 80 years due to having to stop driving wit 61K miles.

2) My own R-Reg E39 523i Steptronic Saloon. Oxford Green Metallic/Dark Green Leather Interior. 112K miles but engine replaced under warranty by BMW at 43K (presume Nikasil Issue). FBMWSH (except last which was Insp II at Moseley Motorsport) Oil Service now due soon - will try to get this week. Recent MOT/Tax end April.

Thinking about selling.

If interested and require further details (or just my own personal opinions on the two models) please e-mail me through the contact form on my website:

www.bmwclassics.co.uk

[bmwdrivernigel]

derin100 said:

2) My own R-Reg E39 523i Steptronic Saloon. Oxford Green Metallic/Dark Green Leather Interior. 112K miles but engine replaced under warranty by BMW at 43K (presume Nikasil Issue). FBMWSH (except last which was Insp II at Moseley Motorsport) Oil Service now due soon - will try to get this week. Recent MOT/Tax end April.

Thinking about selling.

If interested and require further details (or just my own personal opinions on the two models) please e-mail me through the contact form on my website:

www.bmwclassics.co.uk

Dovernige, you would be mad to pass this up!!

[Dover Nige]

derin100 said:

I have both:

1) My wife's N-Reg E34 525i Auto Saloon. Ascot Green Metallic/ Dark Grey Cloth. One of the last. Genuine 73K miles with FSH and just serviced, new rad, v-belt tensioners and bel, Mot'd (and Taxed yesterday!). Previous owner bought at 70 years of age and sold it at 80 years due to having to stop driving wit 61K miles.

2) My own R-Reg E39 523i Steptronic Saloon. Oxford Green Metallic/Dark Green Leather Interior. 112K miles but engine replaced under warranty by BMW at 43K (presume Nikasil Issue). FBMWSH (except last which was Insp II at Moseley Motorsport) Oil Service now due soon - will try to get this week. Recent MOT/Tax end April.

Thinking about selling.

If interested and require further details (or just my own personal opinions on the two models) please e-mail me through the contact form on my website:

www.bmwclassics.co.uk

Derin,

Will be in touch. Rather interested.

Nige.

[Dover Nige]

bmwdrivernigel said:

derin100 said:

2) My own R-Reg E39 523i Steptronic Saloon. Oxford Green Metallic/Dark Green Leather Interior. 112K miles but engine replaced under warranty by BMW at 43K (presume Nikasil Issue). FBMWSH (except last which was Insp II at Moseley Motorsport) Oil Service now due soon - will try to get this week. Recent MOT/Tax end April.

Thinking about selling.

If interested and require further details (or just my own personal opinions on the two models) please e-mail me through the contact form on my website:

www.bmwclassics.co.uk

Dovernige, you would be mad to pass this up!!

Well, I'm clearly not mad, but a very happy chappy indeed. This immaculate, smooth running E39 is now sat outside my house as of 11pm Saturday night.

Didn't miss a beat all the way back to Kent and got out feeling fine and not at all tired..!! And that's after getting stuck in the mess that is the M1 motorway closure...!!

Thanks to Derin for selling me this cracking car.

Happy Dover Nige.

[bmwdrivernigel]

Well done!

[Dover Nige]

bmwdrivernigel said:

Well done!

Also thanks to bmwdrivernigel for the pointers and advice.

Cheers chaps...!!!

[Dover Nige]

I'm so pleased with my purchase I keep replying to my own topic..lol!!!

Updated with pics of my acquisition: http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spgmGal=E39_523i 

[bmwdrivernigel]

Welcome to the world of BMW ownership, I told you that you would be mad to pass it up Looks absolutely fantastic and knowing Derins cars it will be perfect.