Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

This is so much car for the money. Shame it will take a small mortgage to run it!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...0-w-reg/881386

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Look like a nice example. E39 IMO is the last of the "good" BMs, so long as its specced right its the best compromise between, comfort, handling and gadgets.

Don't get me wrong, I like newer Beamers but they are too tech-focussed now and too detached to drive, old ones are better drivers cars (so long as the suspension is maintained, sadly most aren't, although some people think their sloppy old BMW is fine "'cos it passes the MOT" ).

Just spent £800 tarting up the our old 530iA Champagne edition II (that basically means its apparently one of 150 made and has every extra available and stupidly wide M-parrallel wheels) which has now been passed on to my mum's partner to replace his 1996 528SE (nice but it was a barge to drive as all the suspension had gone sloppy). Seems barmy to spend such money on a car thats worth at best £1500 - its worth more in parts. But I drove it last week and the handling still feels nice and tight, so its got a few more years left in it yet before the handling goes like all other old BMs (sloppy and floaty, most people don't know until they drive a good one ).

If it had a manual 'box, I'd probably keep it for myself. But I hate auto and SMG/DSG gearboxes.

john banks

Always wanted one of these and looks a great example on paper with a lot of costly stuff done to keep it right. Maybe I missed it but probably worth checking for coolant leaks, suspension/bushes, heater operation, auto box fluid change.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Yep John, its issue keep in mind. Knowing these cars well I'm all to aware of them.

Coolant leaks on the V8's transfer pipe is a the big and costy problem...but its had coolant changes as per spec, so its "should be ok". Most of the V8s I've seen with this problem have rarely the coolant changed on schedule. Old coolant attacks the seals.

It would be nice if he chnaged oil mor eoften than 2 years, but as thats what BMW say to do, its hard to argue. They do have sluding issue if they totter around to/from the shops too much, hence why more frequent changes are better for these cars. Still, its not "too" hard to de-sludge the breather system (unless you break the brittle plastic breather pipes)...I did it on aour 530i when I first bought it becuase a breather valve/diaphragm was sticking, causing idle/throttle calibration issue.

Suspension bushes. Front axle front lower control arm bushing. Usually first to go, then track rod ends, ARB links, as well as the odd bushing on the rear link arms. Rear axle upper rear control arm ball joints are a bitch to do (not cheap either). Yes, our has had all that done over the years. As well as a set of new shocks...nothing wrong with the old ones (MOT-wise), just not as stiff as they once were.

Heater; Stil on its original FCU (aka hedgehog)....the 528 had to have one though, easy.
fix. Also had a new thermostat as the old one was opening too soon (common on all M54 engines...which worsens the sludging issues due to the longer warm-up)

Autobox fluid...not done that yet. Its ten years old this year as ZF do state that time as a arbitary change interval (as opposed to BMW's "sealed for life" mantra ), so I think its time to treat it to one.

Oh yes, belive it or not they rust! All hidden behind the plastic sill covers . They they alway pass an MOT...until you hear a crunching sound when jacking the car up Rear jackling points are the favourite...all you see at eye level is a slight rust bubble on the rear arch, that then starts to spread rather quickly, take out the arch liner and sill covers and your met with a gaping hole!

Like this: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39...ould-read.html

Both our e39s have gone/going the exact same way as the above...and thats where part of the £800 was spent on fixing it. Easy to patch though if caught in time (not so easy if left to spread), just somewhat unexpected (seeing everyone says they are rust proof and you only need to worry about rust on Mercs ).

Razorwrx1

iTrader: (21)

Lovely cars these. In the Total BMW magazine ages ago they said you might as well buy an E39 M5 instead. Most are the same parts and there's not much fuel in it either. Tempting for the money these days in it! If its a weekend car that is.

eelz

iTrader: (10)

I love my e39 M5


Buy one instead of the 540i , There's not much difference in price if you look hard enough.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Good plan, but good E39 M5s are thin on the ground now.... they are a great car and I think the good ones are mainly in the hands of people that know that!

eelz

iTrader: (10)

Very true.

This seems a good car with a good price + if you get it down to £5k you'd be laughing

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...ull-sh/1102001

cheap to insure too as they are regarded as a modern day classic. My quote for this year :-

38yrs old/clean DL/0 NCB/fully comp with 5k millage limit is £360 /£250 excess with roadside recovery.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Shouldn't I be worried with that amount of miles on an M5 though?
I agree though, they are fantastic motors.

47 NAT

That M5 looks great for the money!

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Looks like it has rust patch on the lower lip of the boot.
Cheap for a reason I'd say.

eelz

iTrader: (10)

Not at all mate, these v8 lumps will go forever when maintained correctly (like most cars), 117k is below average miles for its age, both vanos banks repaired too.! for £5k ish you will get a fully equipped car with amazing torque range that will make you smile a great deal more each time you drive it-trust me on this

If you bought it,didn't like it, you'd get your money back at that price easily.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Insurance works out at £550 for me. (30, 10 years no claims), so that isn't too bad.

Too be honest, I just can't decide whether to go for an out and out performance car, or act may age and be sensible!

eelz

iTrader: (10)

now try these for a quote ;

http://www.classiclineinsurance.co.uk/


time to be sensible...lol

young kids used to point and stare at my scooby, now I get middle-aged men giving the nod of approval, e39 M5 maybe a wolf in sheep's clothing but it still gets recognised when they hear the exhaust note growling in the distance.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Gas it

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

The miles I do wouldn't justify the initial outlay.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Fair enough

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

this is a cheap e39 http://passionford.com/forum/cars-fo...ing-cheap.html

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

That'll drive like a barge.

Trust me, I sold one just like that (but got a few more quid for it )

Don't mix up a tatty old SE with the old M52 engine with a nice well kept M-sport, they can do drive very very differently.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

I love the E39 M5. Pictures just don't do them justice, I saw a Le Mans M5 the other day up close and they look awesome from a rear/side angle.

Mind you, I think the E39 sport is a good looking car too.

eelz

iTrader: (10)

like this......

Tidgy

my e39 528 is up for sale if you want one lol

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

Almost..

Be better if you could see it rather than the glare of the sun and the back in shadow

darrenb87

iTrader: (1)

My dad's had his e39 for the last 12 years.
He has been tempted a few times to sell it but every time he drives it he comes back with a smile on his face. I think hes going to be buried with it now.
If you can afford one then go for it. They are amazing cars for their age and still look great after all this time.

mervil

iTrader: (5)

My E39 M5 was fantastic and I'd have another in a heartbeat as long as I could keep my Type R as well! It had 130k on it and it drove like it had 30k miles on it!