2001 BMW 525iA Sport Touring (E39)

[tobinen]

I recently bought this as a general load carrier, smoker, and anything else that I wouldn't do in the CL.

I had it checked over by the garage and aside from requiring brake pads soon, one tyre soon and they topped up all the fluids, they gave it a clean bill of health. It has covered just over 133,000 miles.

I had the aircon regassed and dye added as it was not very cold and so far it seems to be holding up. It's not a patch on the CL though so maybe this is BMW climate control - a bit weedy.

Next up was sound only coming from the OSF door speaker, so a quick internet search suggested this was the BM54 amplifier. I sent it off to Cartronics and they turned it around in a day and Robert's your mother's brother - sterophonic sound restored.

THe passenger sunvisor has been snapped off and the OSF arch liner has seen better days. The windscreen rubber surround is perishing (they all do that sir, apparently). There is a slight rattle from the sliding boot floor which is annoying.

Tyres are a mixture of Kleber and Michelin Alpin all-seasons so I am set for whatever winter may throw at west Berkshire. They are the incorrect size of 225/45 R17 so I suspect it was cheaper to fit these than the handbook size of 235/45 R17

BMW beards will have spotted it also has replica M5 wheels and not the style 66 it should have had from the factory. They can stay as they are for now as I do not intend to throw a load of money at it, but I think some style 33s would look better.

The tinted windows may well have to come off but it doesn't look an easy job.

If any BMW beards have useful information or observations, please feel free to comment.

An on-line chassis decode returns this list of build codes

Type Code DS42
E Series E39 (2)
Series 5
Type TOUR
Model 525I TOURING (EUR)
Steering RL
Doors 5
Engine M54
Displacement 2.50
Power 141
Drive HECK
Transmission AUT
Colour OXFORDGRUEN 2 METALLIC (430)
Upholstery STANDARDLEDER/BEIGE E36
SANDBEIGE E (N6SN)
Prod. Date 2001-07-11

L812A National version Great Britain
P337A M Sports package
S202A Steptronic
S220A Self-levelling suspension
S227A Sport suspension+lowered+ride-height
S249A Multifunction f steering wheel
S302A Alarm system
S339A Shadow-Line
S386A Roof railing
S412A Luggage-compartment floor, extendable
S428A Warning triangle and first aid kit
S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S434A Interior surface aluminium
S441A Smoker package
S473A Armrest front
S481A Sports seat
S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)
S520A Fog lights
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S555A On-board computer V with remote control
S602A On-board monitor with TV
S609A Navigation system Professional
S632A Preparation BMW Handy (Motorola)
S672A CD changer for 6 CDs
S694A Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S710A M sports steering wheel, multifunction
S715A M Aerodynamics package
S775A Headlining anthracite
S785A White direction indicator lights
S788A BMW LA wheel, Individual
S850A Dummy-SALAPA
S853A Language version English
S863A Retailer Directory Europe
S877A Delete cross-pattern operation
S880A On-board vehicle literature English






Novelty mobile phone in the armrest. I presume this would still work with a SIM.



Replacing the BM54 amplifier



Broken cover due to hamfistedness



Pretty clean inside but the leather could do with a clean. I have bought some Gliptone stuff.



Arch liner damaged





Original chrome grilles. These will be refitted.



Broken sunvisor



Overall it drives quite nicely but I am not a fan of the steering weight. The CL has probably spoiled me to some extent. I can't see any rust anywhere and Oxford green is a pleasant colour.

[tobinen]

It's just had its first tip run. Air conditioning still cold but it takes a while to really blow the low temperature. Loaded a few CDs in the changer and it's OK, but susceptible to skipping over bumps. According to the computer it's averaging around 28 MPG which I suppose is about where I expected it to be. I'll do a proper tank-to-tank test in due course.

It definitely attracts the wrong sort though. Quite a few Max Power / Fast and Furious types right up my backside.

[tobinen]

Nothing untoward to report, though I haven't driven it a lot. I tend to take it to work and back on Thursdays but have worked from home lately so it's just sat there, however the new AA solar battery charger is doing its job nicely.

In other news, thanks to the bay of Flea, I sourced some reasonable (not perfect by any means) second hand style 66 wheels with the correct sized 235/45 R17 Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme tyres. They have enough tread for this winter so all good. I am ready for whatever Mother Nature may throw West Berkshire's way.

As soon as the weather turns I'll rid myself of the replica M5 wheels. I hope the wheel bolts are interchangeable

Edited by tobinen on Sunday 21st October 15:16

[tobinen]

A second hand sun visor has been sourced this week for £20 from an E39 Facebook page. It's in good order so a small weekend job for me

One thing I have noticed is the gearbox down-changes from 5th to 4th up the slightest incline, especially on cruise. A quick internet trawl suggests this may be the lock-up solenoid on its way out. All other gear changes are fine. If there is no immediate rush to fix it I will leave it for later unless erly repair prevents something more serious.

I've ordered a torque wrench and socket as I don't have these for when I want to change the wheels over.

[tobinen]

strangehighways said:

Lovely car. I've never had the pleasure of owning an E39 but would like to at some point.

How do you find the engine in the estate with the Auto box? Is it just enough or fine for most scenarios?

It's fine for every day stuff, but I would buy the 3 litre if there is a next time. The V8 was out of my budget but would be the one to have I think.

[tobinen]

My first trip of some distance in the Touring this afternoon back to Cambridge. I gave it an energetic workout via Bicester, Buckingham, Milton Keynes and St. Neots. It's a very smooth engine as BMW knows S6s but lacking oomph.

The driver's seat is very comfortable but the wireless is st, though it is 17 years old. The winter tyres seem ok but it's too warm and one can feel the movement on the blocks of the Vredestein wintrac extremes

That all said I'm beginning to like it more but it confirms my feeling that a 3.0 SE with 16" wheels would've been the correct choice

[tobinen]

Finally sold the M5 replicas for £100, so the 66s and tyres came in at net £110, which I think is pretty reasonable. Second hand centre caps came, but 2 were very loose so may be unuseable. The others seem to be holding in but there is no 'snap' or 'click'. For £8.40 I won't lose any sleep over them.

I really miss DAB and a decent stereo though, of which the CL reminds me everytime I drive it.

[tobinen]

Nothing much to report. Nothing has fallen off and it seems to running all OK.

Today I bought Bosch wiper blades all round for £20 from ECP. Horrible judder now gone.

[tobinen]

I was topping up the coolant today and I noticed how poor the windscreen moulding is. I think this will have to be done by autumn

[tobinen]

I've watched a couple of YouTube videos and it does look pretty straight-forward. I think this could be a job for next weekend if the weather is dry

[tobinen]

The standard stereo is crap, no doubt. I've had the BM54 repaired and upgraded to 30W but it's just awful sound however you cut it.

I'm not throwing a load of money at it as I don't like it enough, but for a estate hack it will do.

After this I'd like something else for an estate. If someone offered me what I paid or close to it, I'd sell this as I just can't gel with the steering weight

[tobinen]

Not going so well. The side bits removed easily but the top part is a bd. Could the screen be bonded over the top of the seal in a previous life?

[tobinen]

Most YouTube videos I've seen show it being replaced in-situ but mine has a metal piece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6YTW4_cqpw

This bloke misses the part I wanted!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hde5_PilnGI

Edited by tobinen on Saturday 30th March 15:15

[tobinen]

Righto, I will persevere

[tobinen]

No further progress other than scratching the roof, FFS.

I've put duct tape around the danger areas now, after a scrape. Gave up for this afternoon, I'll try to muster enthusiasm tomorrow but I suspect a call to my garage is imminent

[tobinen]

It's finding enough purchase on the metal part which is the tough part, for me anyway. I think I'll go down to Halfords and buy some better needle-nose pliers.

[tobinen]

Still haven't pulled out the old windscreen moulding as I have lost interest for now. Had another go last week but to no avail.

Now the air conditioning has stopped blowing cold altogether so I wonder if it's related to the noisy pulley/compressor.

[tobinen]

Sadly I have a crack developing at the top right corner of the windscreen (currently 6+ cm) so I will have to abandon the job and seek a replacement.

Undeterred, I decided to take on the headlamp adjusters. Plenty of information out there and YouTube videos, ao away we go.

The headlamp:



After a few goes in the oven at 100°C, no longer than 4 minutes each time, it came apart with a bit of encouragement



The top rubber was so perished it fell apart upon contact





All was going well until it came time to do up the outer adjuster screw. The gear part will no longer 'grab' the screw so I can't tighten it



So job on hold, and I am now scouring the interweb for a replacement.

[tobinen]

Using the strongest Araldite from Halfords I have attached the gear to the screw and I will leave it overnight. I am not hopeful but for £5.50 it's worth a go.

I suspect if it holds I won't be able to turn it to adjust afterwards.

I've also ordered some new headlamp seals from BMW for £17 delivered.

[tobinen]

I may well end up with decent second hand units via the E39 FB groups! They seem to pop up fairly regularly