E39 diesel buying information / running costs.

[mat205125]

I'm interested in considering a 525 or 530 diesel to be used as my daily commuting car, and would appreciate any information that current / previous owners can give regarding their running costs.

Purely because I luuuurve the way they look inside and out, I will be hunting out a sport model, ideally a 530, but a 525 isn't the end of the world.

I'm very interested to hear if there are any common E39 faults that I need to be on the look out for, and what / when the large expensive service intervals occur - due to budget and age of car I'm guessing that the car I buy won't be far off of 100k.

All experiences of E39 ownerships would be gratefully appreicated.

[timwatsham]

I've an E39 530d and absolutely love it... Seem to be getting 41mpg overall (35mpg when I drive around London, about 39mpg when in the country as mix cruising with hooning, and about 43-44mpg when sitting at 80 on the motorway). I bought mine with 114,000 on the clock in January, and it just turned 123,000 miles today on the way home. Such an amazing car - fast, fun, relaxing, economical, smart and not too glitzy. We were down in Devon this weekend and it was brilliant for overtaking whole queues of traffic on A roads when no-one else was pulling out...

Servicing looks reasonable so far - £259 for an inspection 1 + fuel filters + engine flush through prestigecarservicing.com and they picked it up, washed it and returned it too... Can't say fairer than that. 2 new tyres when I first bought it were cheaper than equivalent for my old 520 touring as the tyre size was more common (16" v 15" wheels).

I don't really need the space, so a 3 series would have been a better fit for my lifestyle, but they are more expensive and I don't like the image... THat and the fact the 5 series is that much quieter makes me put up with the increased fuel consumption!

Heartily recomended!!!!

[pikeyboy]

just bought a 530d touring about 2 months ago, with me tec suspension and bbs split rims etc etc ...it is brilliant. goes like stink, not too quick off the mark but once your doing 80 it flies round to 120. towed the race car and trailer to mallory down the m1 at ridiculous speeds like it wasnt even on the back. plus i get a decent amount of fuel economy when i dont nail it and for a big car it steers wonderfully, much better than my previous merc.

[mat205125]

Good to hear your replies, and interesting to note that it tows well. There'll certainly be a fair few miles racked up with a car trailer on the rear if I do get one.

It's far more space than I need in a car too, but appreciate that the 3 series carrys a used premium, and the diesel coupes and cabriolets are far too new to consider.

Keep the comments coming. Any E39 experiences appreciated.