E39 buyer's guide or checklist

[Neil G60]

Does a buyer's guide exist anywhere for pointers on things to look out for on an E39? If not would anyone here be able to list out a few points to look out for, either on the car or in the service history? I'd be looking for a 3 litre petrol (or 3.5 V8 although they seems to be rare as hen's teeth). Most cars in my price range (£4-6k) seem to be hovering around the 80-120k mile mark. They seems to be very well screwed together and the interiors wear exceptionally well but I don't want to be buying a car which will be trouble in the future if preventative maintenance hasn't been undertaken correctly.

Thanks

[BarnatosGhost]

Neil G60 said:

Does a buyer's guide exist anywhere for pointers on things to look out for on an E39? If not would anyone here be able to list out a few points to look out for, either on the car or in the service history? I'd be looking for a 3 litre petrol (or 3.5 V8 although they seems to be rare as hen's teeth). Most cars in my price range (£4-6k) seem to be hovering around the 80-120k mile mark. They seems to be very well screwed together and the interiors wear exceptionally well but I don't want to be buying a car which will be trouble in the future if preventative maintenance hasn't been undertaken correctly.

Thanks

haven't got a buyers guide, but the 3.5V8 is unappreciated by most. The 3.0 seems to be favourite, or if its not fast enough for you, the 4.4 V8 costs barely more than the 3.5 to run, but is much faster.

Good luck, great cars - my £1100 1998 523i is very strong after 14 months in my care and 150,000 miles. No remedial works whatsoever needed so far. (touch wood).

[eliot]

Did you try the search function on this section of the forum ?

[Neil G60]

I've had a search on all forums on PH but there's nothing it seems bar an M5 checklist. I guess all the usual checks apply then

[eliot]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

there are more, just that I'm late for my train.

Basicly, track control arms, radiator, thermostat, water pump, pixels on dash

[Digger]

As above the cooling system is a fragile affair on these. I needed to replace the radiator on my 2000 540i a week after purchase. After a run check that there is no coolant message from the dash.

[System-G]

I remember seeing a buyers guide over at bmw5.co.uk when I was looking for my 1999 528 Touring.

[BillyB]

Enjoy: http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2...

[eliot]

BillyB said:

Enjoy: http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2...

Good article, just ignore this bit: "V8s not worth the extra. 2.8iSE and newer 3.0iSE is as far as you need to go.
"

[Neil G60]

Thanks all!