Discussion
As I'm currently debating whether to spend the value of my Rover on it's upkeep (lots of maintainance due soon, maybe £400-£500) I decided to look into different options in terms of upgrading. One car I keep thinking about is an E39 5 series. I really like the look of them, I loved the company ones I used to drive very occasionally a few years ago, and I see the prices are really quite low now.
Are they a liability in terms of running costs/maintainance? I'm not after total performance - I just can't afford it right now. I was thinking about spending £3k or so. Folly or a luxobarge bargain?
Are they a liability in terms of running costs/maintainance? I'm not after total performance - I just can't afford it right now. I was thinking about spending £3k or so. Folly or a luxobarge bargain?
Well, you might need to spend a little more than £3K to get something really decent...However, I recently bought an E39 523i as a daily driver. I have (or had when I bought the 523i...since sold one car) five other BMWs in my 'collection'...including some 'exotica'.
Since buying the car about 4 months ago I've already put 4K miles on the clock and it hasn't missed a beat. The car maybe won't win any Grand Prix...but it really isn't that slow either! I'm extremely happy with it as a comfortable, reliable (so far) daily driver. It has all the creature comforts I need, reasonable economy and anyone not 'in the know' wouldn't believe how much you can buy a good one for!
These things didn't win "Family-sized Saloon Car" year in, year out for nothing.
Recommended!
Since buying the car about 4 months ago I've already put 4K miles on the clock and it hasn't missed a beat. The car maybe won't win any Grand Prix...but it really isn't that slow either! I'm extremely happy with it as a comfortable, reliable (so far) daily driver. It has all the creature comforts I need, reasonable economy and anyone not 'in the know' wouldn't believe how much you can buy a good one for!
These things didn't win "Family-sized Saloon Car" year in, year out for nothing.
Recommended!
If you can stretch to a 528, go for it - they are heavy cars and the fuel consumption is pretty similar. I get about 30 mpg avge from my 528 manual.
They exist with full BMWSH even at your budget - just watch out for the Nikasil engine issue on 6cyl before 1999.
Look at www.bmwland.co.uk for hints and tips or talk to Silverback Mike - he's had about eight now I think...
Good luck
They exist with full BMWSH even at your budget - just watch out for the Nikasil engine issue on 6cyl before 1999.
Look at www.bmwland.co.uk for hints and tips or talk to Silverback Mike - he's had about eight now I think...
Good luck
I'd agree...probably given the choice a 528i would make for a more 'spirited' drive than my 523i (it's just the '98 523i I got was too good a deal to pass up...it had had a brand new engine fitted by BMW at 43K miles because of a probable Nikasil issue and I bought it at 86k and all one dealer FBMWSH, plus nice spec etc). The price differential now makes a 528i worth seeking out. If 'pushed' my 523i can be found 'wanting'....nevertheless as a daily driver I remain extremely happy with it.
I still reckon at £3K you're looking at the bottom end of the market...but add just about £1K more and you're beginning to look at some fairly respectable machinery!
Good luck!
I still reckon at £3K you're looking at the bottom end of the market...but add just about £1K more and you're beginning to look at some fairly respectable machinery!
Good luck!
I guess at a push I could go to £4k-£5k. I'd be keen for a 528 if I could find a good one. My Rover only does 30 MPG, so not such a difference there.Julian - A 528 I think would be an excellent compromise on price and performance - The E39 is an all time classic shape, and easy to modernise by updating lights and wheels to facelifted version if you are so inclined.
Sorry to hijack the thread slightly, but Derin100 - just looked at your website - the 840 you have is beautiful, and your comments on value for money of slightly older cars, whether that be an E39 or E31 is so right - plus which attracts most admiring glances - a 1 year old £40K modern BMW, or a cherished 840 for significantly less than half that!
>> Edited by gmarks1 on Wednesday 15th March 22:37
Sorry to hijack the thread slightly, but Derin100 - just looked at your website - the 840 you have is beautiful, and your comments on value for money of slightly older cars, whether that be an E39 or E31 is so right - plus which attracts most admiring glances - a 1 year old £40K modern BMW, or a cherished 840 for significantly less than half that!
>> Edited by gmarks1 on Wednesday 15th March 22:37
Egbert Nobacon said:
If you can stretch to a 528, go for it - they are heavy cars and the fuel consumption is pretty similar. I get about 30 mpg avge from my 528 manual.
They exist with full BMWSH even at your budget - just watch out for the Nikasil engine issue on 6cyl before 1999.
Look at www.bmwland.co.uk for hints and tips or talk to Silverback Mike - he's had about eight now I think...
Good luck
Guilty m'lud.
I think the E39 is one of the best cars around. My experience has ranged from a 523i to 540i both manual and tiptronic.
The 523i used as much petrol as the 528i. The manuals are slightly better than the steptronic.
The 540i was absolutely sublime but had a bit of a drinking problem (as would be expected with a 4.4 V8) but in saying that it wasn't bad at all for a 4.4
I am currently in a 528i touring steptronic which is a marvellous compromise of everything. It's quick enough, you can pile all sorts of family stuff in, it's got sports leather seats, integrated boosters (seats not rockets
) even a telly, and a phone and a ......you get my drift, very well equipped for the money. Performance, it's a match for most things.
Economy, 20mpg around town, 30 ish on a run, combined late 20's
Handling, surprisingly good but it does have the sports suspension set up. No wallowing but slightly hard on some surfaces
Comfort, second to none.
In short, if I were you I would go for a 528i, with leather and fbmwsh. Miles are not a problem as long as it has been serviced well and the nicasil problem has been sorted. Mine had a new engine a few years back, BMW were pretty good as they didn't like the bad publicity (along with Jaguar)
Umm...
I think that's it really. I always revert to an E39 after messing about in other cars, it's like slipping back into your favourite pants. 
>> Edited by silverback mike on Friday 17th March 16:31
Hello folks, I've owned a 1997 E39 520 for 3 years now. Had new block and pistons fitted free of charge at local main dealer when mileage was around 58k due to nikasil.Now done 74k and noticed water leaking just under front nearside.The water appears to be clear and gives off no odour,so could it be the water pump on it's way out? otherwise the car has been excellent,even though i only do about 5k miles a year.
beardy said:
Hello folks, I've owned a 1997 E39 520 for 3 years now. Had new block and pistons fitted free of charge at local main dealer when mileage was around 58k due to nikasil.Now done 74k and noticed water leaking just under front nearside.The water appears to be clear and gives off no odour,so could it be the water pump on it's way out? otherwise the car has been excellent,even though i only do about 5k miles a year.
Could be....have you had a look at the radiator / hoses around that area to count them out?
I've looked at rad and hoses but can't see anything suspect.Had inspection 2 about 4 weeks ago and had power steering and air con belts replaced too. looks like it's another trip to the garage. would you advise the same specialist to replace water pump or is it a job that a local establihed garage could tackle? many thanks PB.
Hi Silverback Mike,Just got back from garage,they pressure tested cooling system but found no faults.I told the mechanic that the leaking water was clear and gave no obvious odour,and was dripping from under front passenger seat.He seemed to think that because the car has climate control, the water was probably just condensation and normal. I know that using air con creates condensation but obviously with it being winter it was not switched on. The mechanic suggested that climate control will use the air con system intermittently to regulate cabin temp.Would you agree with this? It cost me £30 but if all is well then it's worth it for piece of mind eh? even if it was a bit embarrassing! Regards PB
>> Edited by beardy on Tuesday 21st March 19:35
>> Edited by beardy on Tuesday 21st March 19:35
beardy said:
Hi Silverback Mike,Just got back from garage,they pressure tested cooling system but found no faults.I told the mechanic that the leaking water was clear and gave no obvious odour,and was dripping from under front passenger seat.He seemed to think that because the car has climate control, the water was probably just condensation and normal. I know that using air con creates condensation but obviously with it being winter it was not switched on. The mechanic suggested that climate control will use the air con system intermittently to regulate cabin temp.Would you agree with this? It cost me £30 but if all is well then it's worth it for piece of mind eh? even if it was a bit embarrassing! Regards PB
>> Edited by beardy on Tuesday 21st March 19:35
That'll be the badger!. I was going to suggest condensation but thought you meant from underneath the radiator....well, at least you know its ok!
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