Need advice on purchasing an E39 5 series
Discussion
Hi, I’m looking for some advice on the purchase of a used BMW 5 series – would love some guidance on which car to buy but more importantly what potential issues to look out for when test driving / looking at one.
Background:
Haven’t owned a car in a while and am now looking for a family car that looks good and is also a great drive (my last car was a Mazda MX-5 which I loved driving around the twisty roads of the Californian hills – oh good old times). The use will be for urban driving, weekend trips and the odd longer distance holiday. Budget is about £6k.
Have narrowed my search down to a BMW 5 series, preferably the E39 type because I like the shape and I was thinking of getting a 530. I prefer manual to automatic and petrol to diesel. For my budget I am expecting a mileage of 60-90k.
Questions:
1. What things typically go wrong and should I look for in a 70k+ mileage 5 series? I’ve heard the cooling system and rear shock mounts can start giving around that time and that the automatic gearbox may need rebuilding.
2. I’m thinking of getting a 530i, however I have seen a tidy 540, is this worth considering?
3. As I mentioned, I prefer the manual but is it worth considering the automatic? I don’t need a very sporty drive but don’t want to feel that the car is pushing me along. Am aware of the tiptronic gear option some of these cars have – is this any good?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Suzanne
Background:
Haven’t owned a car in a while and am now looking for a family car that looks good and is also a great drive (my last car was a Mazda MX-5 which I loved driving around the twisty roads of the Californian hills – oh good old times). The use will be for urban driving, weekend trips and the odd longer distance holiday. Budget is about £6k.
Have narrowed my search down to a BMW 5 series, preferably the E39 type because I like the shape and I was thinking of getting a 530. I prefer manual to automatic and petrol to diesel. For my budget I am expecting a mileage of 60-90k.
Questions:
1. What things typically go wrong and should I look for in a 70k+ mileage 5 series? I’ve heard the cooling system and rear shock mounts can start giving around that time and that the automatic gearbox may need rebuilding.
2. I’m thinking of getting a 530i, however I have seen a tidy 540, is this worth considering?
3. As I mentioned, I prefer the manual but is it worth considering the automatic? I don’t need a very sporty drive but don’t want to feel that the car is pushing me along. Am aware of the tiptronic gear option some of these cars have – is this any good?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Suzanne
Fox, we need to get a mod to sticky that rather excellent e39 buying guide you wroteI've got a 2002 530i Sport Auto with 80k on the clock.
Best car I've ever owned. I like it a lot. You have correctly highlighted the weak spots so check these carefully.
Buy on condition rather than miles as these cars can handle high mway miles with consumate ease. For the same reason, spot and avoid the dogs out there. Due to the cars being so strong, cheapskates can get away with abusing them and they can still look good.
Check all paperwork - where is the car worked on and how often are things done, that's what I would want to see.
Oh, and I love a seller who invests in preventative work, it gives me all the right messages. Buy from an enthusiast, there are plenty out there.
530i is a great car - good luck with the search. Feel free to post links to cars you are interested in so we can all shout: "Buy!" or "Run!"
Edited by Matt UK on Sunday 6th September 20:44
Lovely cars. I've had mine for about eight years. Mine is now on 110k miles. Despite having money for a newer car I really can't find anything better.
The auto box suits the car well but if you want a manual that's fine. 530 is great. Not aware of any issues with 540 other than fuel consumption.
Suspension bushes etc tend to wear once the mileage gets high.
That's about it.
Good luck.
pp
The auto box suits the car well but if you want a manual that's fine. 530 is great. Not aware of any issues with 540 other than fuel consumption.
Suspension bushes etc tend to wear once the mileage gets high.
That's about it.
Good luck.
pp
Matt UK said:
530i is a great car - good luck with the search. Feel free to post links to cars you are interested in so we can all shout: "Buy!" or "Run!"
I'm in a similar boat and am considering getting rid of the MX5 and back into a 5 series (had an e34 525i before).I keep getting drawn to this advert
Will probably be next year before i can look at doing anything as my wife has just gone on maternity leave.
pmanson said:
Matt UK said:
530i is a great car - good luck with the search. Feel free to post links to cars you are interested in so we can all shout: "Buy!" or "Run!"
I'm in a similar boat and am considering getting rid of the MX5 and back into a 5 series (had an e34 525i before).I keep getting drawn to this advert
Will probably be next year before i can look at doing anything as my wife has just gone on maternity leave.
HRG. said:
pmanson said:
Matt UK said:
530i is a great car - good luck with the search. Feel free to post links to cars you are interested in so we can all shout: "Buy!" or "Run!"
I'm in a similar boat and am considering getting rid of the MX5 and back into a 5 series (had an e34 525i before).I keep getting drawn to this advert
Will probably be next year before i can look at doing anything as my wife has just gone on maternity leave.
HRG. said:
pmanson said:
Matt UK said:
530i is a great car - good luck with the search. Feel free to post links to cars you are interested in so we can all shout: "Buy!" or "Run!"
I'm in a similar boat and am considering getting rid of the MX5 and back into a 5 series (had an e34 525i before).I keep getting drawn to this advert
Will probably be next year before i can look at doing anything as my wife has just gone on maternity leave.
christer said:
HRG. said:
pmanson said:
Matt UK said:
530i is a great car - good luck with the search. Feel free to post links to cars you are interested in so we can all shout: "Buy!" or "Run!"
I'm in a similar boat and am considering getting rid of the MX5 and back into a 5 series (had an e34 525i before).I keep getting drawn to this advert
Will probably be next year before i can look at doing anything as my wife has just gone on maternity leave.
k all in the grand sceme of things, but tax is money down the drain. It's a matter of principle for me (and my pre-2001 5 litre Griff 
)christer said:
HRG. said:
pmanson said:
Matt UK said:
530i is a great car - good luck with the search. Feel free to post links to cars you are interested in so we can all shout: "Buy!" or "Run!"
I'm in a similar boat and am considering getting rid of the MX5 and back into a 5 series (had an e34 525i before).I keep getting drawn to this advert
Will probably be next year before i can look at doing anything as my wife has just gone on maternity leave.
There definitely is a difference, the V8 steering is definitely inferior. This didn't matter to me as these cars are not sports cars by any stretch of the imegaination so I would rather have the sound, power and "occasion" driving the 540. Having said that, I would be happy with a 530i as well - both great cars and well worth a look. Just drive some yourself and you will see what I mean. You will notice the different feel of the steering, but you can also ask yourself if it matters in a big fat saloon cruiser Nice choice to have!
Nice choice to have!HRG. said:
It's a recession you know. £200 is fk all in the grand sceme of things, but tax is money down the drain. It's a matter of principle for me (and my pre-2001 5 litre Griff )
Don't you know you have to spend yourself out of a recession? Its true because the government said sok all in the grand sceme of things, but tax is money down the drain. It's a matter of principle for me (and my pre-2001 5 litre Griff )So all your cars are pre-2001 based on your principles? This seems a bit half-hearted to me, you should get a bunch of veteran cars that are tax exempt if you really want to show me you mean it!
^^
christer said:
HRG. said:
It's a recession you know. £200 is fk all in the grand sceme of things, but tax is money down the drain. It's a matter of principle for me (and my pre-2001 5 litre Griff )
Don't you know you have to spend yourself out of a recession? Its true because the government said sok all in the grand sceme of things, but tax is money down the drain. It's a matter of principle for me (and my pre-2001 5 litre Griff )So all your cars are pre-2001 based on your principles? This seems a bit half-hearted to me, you should get a bunch of veteran cars that are tax exempt if you really want to show me you mean it!
^^
99 E39. Check.
2003 Hornet, bugger, but bikes are cheap anyway
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