2000 V plate 528i SE
Discussion
Me again. My quest to find a decent 5 continues, and I'm going to have a look at this car tomorrow:
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/
Is this pre/post Nikasil? IIRC, the Nikasil thing was the only real problem on the E39 - do I have that right?
I think this looks like a really nice car but don't want to buy something with "hidden depths" (of my wallet which will have to be plumbed at Teesside Autotech, which is handily round the corner).
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/
Is this pre/post Nikasil? IIRC, the Nikasil thing was the only real problem on the E39 - do I have that right?
I think this looks like a really nice car but don't want to buy something with "hidden depths" (of my wallet which will have to be plumbed at Teesside Autotech, which is handily round the corner).
If its a manual box then check the flywheel isn't noisy. They sometimes need replacing with the clutch and the flywheels are c£480 on their own.
Best way of checking is to drive the car until it is fully warmed up (10 - 15 MILES minimum).
Once warm sit with engine idling, box in neutral foot off clutch and rev the engine.
Hold the revs up and listen for a rattling - if you hear a rattle and if the rattling vanishes when you fully press the clutch then it indicates that the springs on the dual mass flywheel are weak.
Its not necessary to change it immediately - some go on for years - but when the clutch does need changing having to replace a flywheel does increase the cost somewhat !
Also drive it between 50 and 85 on a smooth road and see if you hear / feel any vibrations through the body. Occasionally you get an E39 that has this vibration and they are a bugger to fix because it can be one of any number of suspension components or even the prop causing the vibration - fixing seems to be trial and error.
They are very good cars and the above issues only affect the odd car.
If its been serviced correctly including fluid changes when required then you shouldn't have any problems.
As the previous post said you are outside the Nikasil problem range which I think was fixed from build week 10 in 1998.
Good luck
Best way of checking is to drive the car until it is fully warmed up (10 - 15 MILES minimum).
Once warm sit with engine idling, box in neutral foot off clutch and rev the engine.
Hold the revs up and listen for a rattling - if you hear a rattle and if the rattling vanishes when you fully press the clutch then it indicates that the springs on the dual mass flywheel are weak.
Its not necessary to change it immediately - some go on for years - but when the clutch does need changing having to replace a flywheel does increase the cost somewhat !
Also drive it between 50 and 85 on a smooth road and see if you hear / feel any vibrations through the body. Occasionally you get an E39 that has this vibration and they are a bugger to fix because it can be one of any number of suspension components or even the prop causing the vibration - fixing seems to be trial and error.
They are very good cars and the above issues only affect the odd car.
If its been serviced correctly including fluid changes when required then you shouldn't have any problems.
As the previous post said you are outside the Nikasil problem range which I think was fixed from build week 10 in 1998.
Good luck
Well, the test drive didn't happen (car was right in the middle of the showroom and I only had my lunchbreak) but I did have a good look around it. It seems to be in pretty good order; all the bits are there, the BMW service history is documented, the inside of the engine bay is clean (but not "steam blasted for selling" clean) and there's a few honest stone chips, all of which appear to have been treated to avert rust. The spare wheel has been upgraded from a space saver to an alloy, which is nice. Tyres have a decent amount of tread depth and appear to be evenly worn.
The interior is nice and clean and hasn't been smoked in (important for me) and I'll be playing with the electrickery tomorrow (when I've booked a test drive).
I have a good feeling about this car, and am trying to stay rational and avoid doing anything silly. The test drive will be a deciding factor, though.
The interior is nice and clean and hasn't been smoked in (important for me) and I'll be playing with the electrickery tomorrow (when I've booked a test drive).
I have a good feeling about this car, and am trying to stay rational and avoid doing anything silly. The test drive will be a deciding factor, though.
Good on you... I'm still enjoying the 520 Touring I bought a few weeks ago. Really grows on you the more you drive it - I initially missed the soft ride and seats, and more torquey drive of my old Laguna (shocking I know...), but having spent 400+ miles in it at the weekend you really appreciate the supportive seats, good climate control and quiet demeanor; felt very fresh even after so long in the car.
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