Can anyone give me info or a check on a car please.

[susser]

Calling from not very sunny Norfolk.
I've got a car I'm interested in here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-Y-BMW-530i-SE-AUTO-Awes...
Can anyone tell me anything more about it please ?
Ta

[Gad-Westy]

Don't know anything about the car but have you priced up a new gearbox if that's what it needs? I can;t imagine it would be cheap.

[trs998]

I'm Susser's son (the possible buyer!)

I have looked at the idea of a s/h box - 700 or so should get me one, otherwise one could grab one from ebay or from a scappie. Worst case a new one at something like 3k I believe. If I really couldn't fix it (hah) or find another, I would consider buying a spares car, or even selling this one. A new one is something like 3k which is possible (if this car is worth spending that)

Anyone prepared to have a look-see, or know anything about the dealer?

[bmw2002]

It looks like a shed to me, there are better E39s out there without issues.......walk away.

[Chris_w666]

Cars without faults are on autotrader for less than 4k, loads of 530-35is at that kind of money. Presuming the auction ends at c£2k plus a min of £1000 for the gearbox you are looking at a lot of money.

Walk away from the auction.

[trs998]

I've been looking for a e39 530i for ages. If I want these options I can't imagine I could find it for less than 6-7k.

My backup option is to sell this again, in which case I don't expect I'll lose much.
I suspect I can replace the gearbox with a secondhand one, even if it's not possible to replace the reverse clutch or brake band. I have also got various obd tools to diagnose parking sensors/airbags.

I think that even with a new gearbox (approx 3k), this would be a better deal than a cloth/no gadget car from autotrader.
All 530is on autotrader are low-spec until you get up to around 6k. I judge this car to be a all-ok price of around 6k....

[bmw2002]

Newer, half the miles, similar spec, M Sport kit etc etc...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/848640.htm

[trs998]

PH car:
-

• no tv
• more importantly, no satnav or computer
• no heating or electrics or massage on seats (well, i'd like those options)
• no sunroof (not sure if they're good or not, might leak noise into cabin?)
• could be anyone, car may not even exist (though might be fine)

+

• much lower miles (maybe not having to change wheel bearings)
• works properly! (allegedly)
• doesn;'t have electric dampers which will be expensive to replace
• seller i've talked to, sells a lot of cars, dealer checks out, probably ok

So PH one theoretically costs the same (ish), but with lower mileage, i reckon... but far less options (i love gadgets, and I plan to sit in the massage seats for the next 100k+ miles!)

Edited by trs998 on Tuesday 20th January 18:30

[bmw2002]

Good luck, I've added some sites to save you some time over the next 100k

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/

http://www.bmw-carparts.co.uk/

HTH

[trs998]

hmm.
http://noreverse.org/index.html

This sounds very much like a broken clutch drum, and effectively rules out repairing the gearbox easily. possible, but hard and probably beyond me and dad in the garage...

[trs998]

Well, having dithered, calculated and vacillated...

I am now the winning bidder (50 mins to go)

I figure:

• The gearbox may well fail on any other E39 (seems quite common) so I figure I'll end up buying an auto box in the next year anyway...
• I don't pay labour rates to repair things, meaning I can fix it cheaper than any dealer
• Bumper scuffs aren't immediately expensive given i'm not selling it on.
• Ditto parking sensors
• The options are very rare and I've been looking for exactly this car for 6 months (well, plus double glazing)
• I need one before the end of the tax year and this is the only vaguely right (yes, i know it's wrong) one in 6 months I've found for under 6k.
• I've got ebay frenzy :P

[andy rob]

ive recently put a box in a 2001 325 auto, same problem with reverse, box cost £250 from breakers, exhaust was a sod to get off & starter motor was glued onto dowel, just make sure the torque converter is right in to box beofre you fit it- 3 clunks or clicks as it goes in otherwise it will sheer the drive off the input shaft of your new box

[andy rob]

looks like a right lump of car for the money

[Gad-Westy]

Did you win it then?