E39 5 Series Touring

[ascender]

Just looking at chopping in my car for 2 - one sensible estate and something for the weekend. I don't want to spend more than 15 grand on the estate car and was thinking about an E39. Something like a 540i or 530d. There's not that many around, but enough of a choice and they seem to be pretty bombproof. I just thought they were a nice alternative to something like one of the mega-fast Audi estates which seem to have fairly big running costs associated.

So, I was just wondering if anyone has driven an E39 Touring? I've driven a few variants of the saloon but never an estate. So I'm really looking for any opinions, useful info etc.

Oh, and are there any good places to get info about these on the web or are they too boring to merit a forum??

Thanks in advance,


M.

>>> Edited by ascender on Tuesday 28th December 23:17

[silverback mike]

Ask "harry w", he has just bought a 528i touring. he seems pretty pleased with it. I have a 523se which is marvellous, but a bit hirsty for a 2.5.

I would go for a 530d next time, excellent cars.

[ascender]

Thanks Mike. I know its a bit of a stupid question, but is the 5 much bigger than a 3 in terms of passenger space and load area?

[burriana500]

I have a 98 525 TDS SE Touring - faaantastic! looks great, comfy as hell, goes well, not too many about, relatively cheap servicing - not had a bill more than £430 in three services since I've had it.

Hope to take mine round to 250k at least. Can't imagine a better everyday car, when i swap it may be for a 530d, depending a fuel consumption. I average about 35mpg.

However, one of my wipers has inexplicably packed in this morning... but that's another thread!

[tw99]

I looked at E39 Tourings a while ago, before buying a Saab 9-5 estate instead. One thing that put me off, as I was looking for a comfy long distance car, was the standard seats. I didn't find them very comfortable, and it seems that very few people bothered to pay the extra few hundred quid (!!!!) that BMW wanted for adjustable lumbar support. I also found that I couldn't see the speedo, the steering wheel got in the way when it was in the right position.

Very nice to drive though, for a car of that size.

[burriana500]

ascender said:

Thanks Mike. I know its a bit of a stupid question, but is the 5 much bigger than a 3 in terms of passenger space and load area?

Loads bigger, the cabin is very roomy and we can get most things in, even going to the airport with two cases, various bags and pushchair, and still pull the load cover flat across

Noticed the comment about seats above... mine has the leather seats and I find them superbly comfortable and supportive, they are manual adjust though, not electric.

Do you get the idea that I really like mine

See my profile to see why I think they are the best looking estate cars ever built.

[Mustard]

My father had E30 3series Touring for 7yrs, E34 5 Series touring which he currently has had for just over 6yrs, no prizes for guessing whats coming next!(this is a bloke who previously kept cars less than 3yrs, who now finds it a major rentch to change because he gets attached to them!)

..... E39 5 series of course!

Saab 9-5's are bigger yes, and 'may' have slightly better seats, but the handling, drive and general dynamics are well off the pace of the 5 series, BHP per £ a 9-5 Aero does take some beating, but the '5' is a far more accomplished package.

[dcb]

ascender said:

So, I was just wondering if anyone has driven an E39 Touring? I've driven a few variants of the saloon but never an estate. So I'm really looking for any opinions, useful info etc.

Mate of mine's got an E39 540 Touring.

He likes it - a lot.

Me, I'd avoid the sports suspension - just too firm (IMHO) for an estate.

He agrees that the 540 is overkill for UK roads - just about no one needs V8 power in Britain.

525 or 530 Touring would be fine. Bags of room, and built to last.

[bigpow]

I'm a member of a 5 forum on another site and the E39 estate is a great car, If your doing high miles the 530D is the best Low miles and the 540 is great. The 528 and 530 petrol are the best mix with a cheaper capital price. Get one with all the toys pref sat nav and you will be happy for years. The warrantees are just going to a third party so its not such a good choice any more...

I've had my 528 for nearly three years now and its the best of all worlds

[Mustard]

bigpow said:

I'm a member of a 5 forum on another site and the E39 estate is a great car, If your doing high miles the 530D is the best Low miles and the 540 is great. The 528 and 530 petrol are the best mix with a cheaper capital price. Get one with all the toys pref sat nav and you will be happy for years. The warrantees are just going to a third party so its not such a good choice any more... I've had my 528 for nearly three years now and its the best of all worlds

hows the 525d ('01 onwards) rated, against 520i 2.2 ('01) for a driver who's not inclinded to 'press on'?

[Marshy]

dcb said:

He agrees that the 540 is overkill for UK roads - just about no one needs V8 power in Britain.

I'm sorry, is this Pistonheads or did I get waylaid onto www.IJustWantToGetFromAtoB.co.uk?

[apache]

Marshy said:

dcb said: He agrees that the 540 is overkill for UK roads - just about no one needs V8 power in Britain. I'm sorry, is this Pistonheads or did I get waylaid onto www.IJustWantToGetFromAtoB.co.uk?

Nope just a wayward Caravanners Weekly reader

[burriana500]

dcb said:

He agrees that the 540 is overkill for UK roads - just about no one needs V8 power in Britain.

Quite agree, absolutely no need at all... pretty high up on the WANT list though

Marshy said:

I'm sorry, is this Pistonheads or did I get waylaid onto www.IJustWantToGetFromAtoB.co.uk?

[dcb]

Marshy said:

I'm sorry, is this Pistonheads or did I get waylaid onto www.IJustWantToGetFromAtoB.co.uk?

Nearly. V8 power only buys you 1 or two seconds in the 0-60mph race, and costs you big time every time you go to the petrol pumps. V8s get 5-8 mpg less than sixes.

All six cylinder cars and all eight cylinder cars will do 70 mph no problems. V8 not cost effective, in other words.

As far as getting from A to B is concerned, it's the idiots with poor lane discipline on the road that slow me down, not my car. Fifty miles down the M4 the other day I followed white van man in lane 3, and he never changed lane once. How crap is that ?

[Smartie]

surely then, neither did you?

[Nudger]

Just bought (Nov) a four year old E39 525se. Very chuffed indeed.

The 5 is definitely much bigger in real terms (boot especially) than the 3 series. Given a real choice, I'd have gone for a 530d, but they hold their prices alright! I looked at 523's, 528's and settled on this particular car simply because it was in mint condition and the best car I saw for the money.

Definitely calmed my driving down though, having a bigger car. Feels more substantial, has real presence in the outside lane. Still quick enough to keep up with your average boy racer though. Fantastic car.

My advice, choose carefully and check all the websites for cars in your area. 5 Series Tourings are few and far between, and quality is very variable at any set price. I ruled out 20 odd cars, test driving a handful before settling on this one (about a month's research)

[HarryW]

Only just seen this thread.
Spent quiet a while looking into estates before picking the 5 touring as a replacement for the trusted old Omega estate . Looked at a few, dismissed loads without seeing them, they are relatively rare, but not that rare. I assume you are aware of any potential mechanical maladies as part of your research, such as nicosil bore wear which contrary tomost schools did go well past the 98 build year, even heard of a 2000 car mentioned .
The Touring is not as spacious as the Omega nor is the steering as direct or communicative IMHO. However that all said and done overall the Omega would be a 7/10 and the 5-touirng 9/10, wish I bought one sooner .
Mines the 2.8 and is curently averaging 22 and a bit mpg, liked the idea of the V8 but hate to think what that would be returning now . The steptronic is great but really saps the power, if auto doesn't bother you then get a manual IMHO.
If I was to start again I think I'd get the 3.0D, but that won't be for a few years yet now .

Harry

[bigpow]

Mustard said:

bigpow said: I'm a member of a 5 forum on another site and the E39 estate is a great car, If your doing high miles the 530D is the best Low miles and the 540 is great. The 528 and 530 petrol are the best mix with a cheaper capital price. Get one with all the toys pref sat nav and you will be happy for years. The warrantees are just going to a third party so its not such a good choice any more... I've had my 528 for nearly three years now and its the best of all worlds hows the 525d ('01 onwards) rated, against 520i 2.2 ('01) for a driver who's not inclinded to 'press on'?

525td is the better car get a chip to sort it out. Spec will be the most important, must have leather thats the point of having a nice car . The leather on the BMW's are much stronger than jags for example so make sure the mileage is correct...

[gazzab]

Guys
I am looking at a 530dSE Touring. 2001 Y Reg.
But with 69K on the clock.
Garage wants £16995 for it.

Assuming it is excellent order what do you think it is worth?

Has most of the bits n bobs (not Sat Nav).
I think the book price is nearer £16K.

The wife doesnt want a car with so many miles though (need to twist her arm)!
Thanks
Gary

[rassi]

ascender said:

Just looking at chopping in my car for 2 - one sensible estate and something for the weekend.

Mike, rather than toying with 5 series ownership, you know it makes sense to get back into MC ownership!