E36/9 What to look out for?
Discussion
Advice I was given when looking at E39s...
You may as well get the more powerful model, they cost the same to run anyway. A 523i and 528i have pretty much the same MPG figures with identical service costs. Watch out for Nikasil problems in pre Sept 1998 engines. £2500 will probably get you into an average (110-120k) mileage late 98 early 99 car, but there are bargains around. These cars are known eat miles without major issues and a 120k example could be in much better condition than a 60k example, so buy on condition rather than mileage. Manuals are rarer, I went for the auto/steptronic and don't regret it, its a fantastic car and genuinely quite a bit of fun to drive, for what it is. FSH is important, even better if its from BMW or an indy.
You may as well get the more powerful model, they cost the same to run anyway. A 523i and 528i have pretty much the same MPG figures with identical service costs. Watch out for Nikasil problems in pre Sept 1998 engines. £2500 will probably get you into an average (110-120k) mileage late 98 early 99 car, but there are bargains around. These cars are known eat miles without major issues and a 120k example could be in much better condition than a 60k example, so buy on condition rather than mileage. Manuals are rarer, I went for the auto/steptronic and don't regret it, its a fantastic car and genuinely quite a bit of fun to drive, for what it is. FSH is important, even better if its from BMW or an indy.
sparks_E39 said:
Advice I was given when looking at E39s...
You may as well get the more powerful model, they cost the same to run anyway. A 523i and 528i have pretty much the same MPG figures with identical service costs. Watch out for Nikasil problems in pre Sept 1998 engines. £2500 will probably get you into an average (110-120k) mileage late 98 early 99 car, but there are bargains around. These cars are known eat miles without major issues and a 120k example could be in much better condition than a 60k example, so buy on condition rather than mileage. Manuals are rarer, I went for the auto/steptronic and don't regret it, its a fantastic car and genuinely quite a bit of fun to drive, for what it is. FSH is important, even better if its from BMW or an indy.
Thanks. Is there a chassis or engine cut-in for the post Nikasil?You may as well get the more powerful model, they cost the same to run anyway. A 523i and 528i have pretty much the same MPG figures with identical service costs. Watch out for Nikasil problems in pre Sept 1998 engines. £2500 will probably get you into an average (110-120k) mileage late 98 early 99 car, but there are bargains around. These cars are known eat miles without major issues and a 120k example could be in much better condition than a 60k example, so buy on condition rather than mileage. Manuals are rarer, I went for the auto/steptronic and don't regret it, its a fantastic car and genuinely quite a bit of fun to drive, for what it is. FSH is important, even better if its from BMW or an indy.
http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum/forum_posts...
Only the M60 and the European M52 are affected.
Only the M60 and the European M52 are affected.
Go e39/5 over e36/3, they still look handsome compared to the rather aged smaller bruv. Agree on being just as well with bigger engine, had e39 520 and it really wasn't that good on the petrol and all reports indicate a 528 would have easily matched it for economy, 520 was working too hard just to shift the bulk (the car you cocks not me, before someone says it 
).
). 
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff