BMW 530i E39

[Triumph Man]

I bought an E39 on Saturday, it's a 2001 530i SE manual, 145000 miles on the clock, but seems to drive really well. It's also incredibly well specced. It's got leather comfort electric seats, electric steering column, parking sensors, xenons, sunroof, folding rear seats, and a 6 disc changer . It was cleaner when I bought it, I had already done around 200 miles when this photo was taken!

The good bits are that its a 530 with a manual gearbox and all the toys above. The bad bits are that the parking sensors don't work (long warning beep and the pdc light flashes - individual sensors at fault?), thermostat seems a little lazy, although it will get up to temp it seems to take a while, the viscous fan is slightly noisy, and There's a little bit of bubbling to the front of the drivers side sill. Oh and the mirror only dips very slightly when I put it in reverse.

Aside from that it's a lovely car to drive and I'm really enjoying it!

Eta - not sure why the pic is wonky, and more pics to follow!

Edited by Triumph Man on Monday 14th November 21:20

[Triumph Man]

So far it seems no more juicy than my e34 520 (thankfully!) and thank you! aside from a few cosmetic issues it isn't too bad really, needs a good wash and polish and also the headlights are a little cloudy, I did them once on my old Passat and they came up a treat and really transformed the car so I'll do it again.

[Triumph Man]

Thank you for the tip, I will try that! Would be nice to sort it if I can. Yeah I was lucky with the spec on this car really and the fact it's a manual - I don't think I've ever seen comfort seats on a manual!

[Triumph Man]

Are the sensors difficult to replace?

[Triumph Man]

Right, all sensors ticking merrily bar one in the front, anyone know how difficult the front ones are to change on an SE and where to get a silver one for a decent price?

[Triumph Man]

Well I had a busy afternoon today! Gave her a good wash, clay, and polish, and restored the headlight lenses. I couldn't find my trim blacker otherwise I would have done that too!

[Triumph Man]

That's weird... photo on its side and you have to click it to view the others I thought I had uploaded to the forum!

Anyway I've also had the parking sensors out to clean them. No joy, but swapping good with suspected bad confirmed that it was indeed a sensor not the loom! Phew!

Also I found the foglight that appeared to be missing... in the valance! No idea why it got there, but will refit when I get around to it

[Triumph Man]

[Triumph Man]

Thank you, I paid slightly over shed money and it does have a few niggly issues but we are bonding. ANd yes, it's very nice with a manual box!

[Triumph Man]

Yeah I'm very fortunate to have comforts - I've never seen a manual with comforts before. There is currently a 530d manual on eBay with comforts but I think they were a retrofit. The leather in mine could do with some treatment - it's a little hard

[Triumph Man]

Stu08 said:

Very nice.

I recently purchased a 528i Sport; although mine has the auto box. There are some good ones out there still; I did pay shed money for mine as it has some issues to be resolved. This is my 3rd and I think they are brilliant cars; especially in 30i guise with a manual box!

What jobs need doing on yours? Hopefully nothing too major?

[Triumph Man]

Today's little job: partial re plumb of the screen wash system after it froze Andy burst 15 year old brittle pipes! Not too bad a job, only really awkward bit was getting the new rubber line on the "Y" piece which lives between the two skins of the bonnet and is just positioned so that you cannot get a finger on to push against your new pipe! unfortunately one of those jobs not to do in the dark, so I've been screen wash less since Monday! I was actually glad it rained on Friday!

And in Spooner's garage we are very cultured and civilised: we don't have tea breaks, between jobs, we have cafetière coffee breaks

[Triumph Man]

Recently done an inspection II service at home, developed a "special tool"

Which is essentially a bradawl with a tampon gaffer taped to it to mop up any residual oil in the bores. Only noted on No.3 cylinder, the rest were pretty spotless so the cam cover gasket is seemingly mostly ok so far.

Last weekend I did the thermostat and Exhaust Camshaft position sensor, which was a pig because it took me ages to get the fan off and shroud out! Now I've done it once, however, I should be a lot quicker next time. Even though the shroud is now slightly broken... She drives a lot better though, low end torque is back!

It has (unfortunately) developed a rattle underneath, which manifests itself at lower engine speeds (i.e. up to about 2500 rpm) when setting off or under load. If revved in neutral it doesn't rattle. While I was doing the 'stat I did waggle the prop and it didn't have any play in it, but must confess I didn't think about the exhaust. My theory now is an exhaust clamp or bracket or similar just letting the exhaust move about a bit. I'm hoping it's not the cat(s) breaking up... Unfortunately I haven't yet had chance to get it back in the air to check. Other theories are welcome!

[Triumph Man]

Thank you, that makes me feel slightly happier! Again, I read the doom and gloom American forums! I'll try and get her up anyway tonight just to check the clamp.

I blame Devon - every time I go there I tend to come back with some noise or rattle from their broken roads - last time I had to drive down a road a modern 4 x 4 would be doing well to go down... Bloody woman and her wanting to look at a riding stable!

[Triumph Man]

Indeed, I love its flexibility after my e34 520i, which was dead below 4000 rpm. Plus being an SE the turn of speed has surprised a few...

Ccv is on the "somewhen" list, as after the cps she's back running and pulling properly, but like you say it is at that age and mileage.

WRT the rattle upon take off, I had a poke underneath earlier, the exhaust was solid and hangers all seemed ok, however there was some plastic trim sort of interlinked into the back of the drivers side arch liner that appeared to have no fixings in and was sort of just "in there". It was easy to grab and rattle against the chassis so suspect that's the issue (I hope - almost seems too easy...!) the equivalent on the passenger side was good and tight. Bag of fixings will be ordered tomorrow!

[Triumph Man]

Well I wouldn't worry jas it looks very clean, I wouldn't say no to a nice 520i - after all you still get a nice creamy (sometimes literally if it's got an open thermostat!) 6 cylinder mill and possibly one of the nicest looking mid range saloons around. In my opinions E34s look very old now, but a nice face lifted E39 still looks sharp.

Is yours an ES?

[Triumph Man]

jas xjr said:

Triumph Man said:

Well I wouldn't worry jas it looks very clean, I wouldn't say no to a nice 520i - after all you still get a nice creamy (sometimes literally if it's got an open thermostat!) 6 cylinder mill and possibly one of the nicest looking mid range saloons around. In my opinions E34s look very old now, but a nice face lifted E39 still looks sharp.

Is yours an ES?

it says so on the log book, i thought it was a dylexic se it has a slight weep from the rocker cover. how robust are the coilpacks on these? i would like to diy but the thought of having to replace 6 x coilpacks not so much.
what is the significance of the es? never heard of it before. when i bought it , i was just looking for a clean car with a long MOT.
i still like e34,s , but rarely see them around these days.

It was a run out model that had a sports steering wheel and sportier wheels, but were generally lower spec. I think you could get a 520i and 525d in es flavour. Don't know about longevity of coil packs, mines had a replacement at some point - diy is easy though

[Triumph Man]

jas xjr said:

thanks for getting back. i know on some cars the coilpacks do not like to be disturbed. i forget which . i think i will have to do the rocker cover gasket as i do not like any fluids leaking from my cars.the oil is dripping on to the exhaust manifold , i think, i can smell it and its potentially dangerous. i do like a tinker though
i have looked at interiors on ebay.....
i would love a bit more power. i just remembered something i do not like on it. i think it has aftermarket angel eye lights. they will have to stay .

Haven't done te rocker cover gasket so can't comment but the coils are simplicity themselves to replace.

Those headlights are standard angel eyes, IMO they help keep it modern looking. The aftermarket ones can look a touch "council" though

[Triumph Man]

Quick update - now on 157,000 miles. Just had rear swivel bushes done (causing a squeaky arse and rattle - plus the car was a bit squeaky too!). Had the MOT done in April (seems a while ago but I haven't updated since!) had a couple of rear arms then as well. Also had the aux fan changed as that was not working and I didn't want to blow up a lovely ice cold Aircon system.

Work done by Emtech Salisbury who I highly recommend.

Also, my E34 which was temporarily off the road is now back on the road, so I am running the two side by side.

Edited by Triumph Man on Friday 14th July 16:20

[Triumph Man]

I'd love an Alpina one day! Lovely machines!

Thank you for for your kind offer, I will pm you my address