E39 ...

Post Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:10 pm

been a while since i owned my E39 523i SE
i'm going to look at a "2000" W reg, 528i M-sport auto for a friend and we have been told the car has a good history recorded but it does have 147K miles under it's belt.. do they go well still with this sort of mileage? anything to consider?

many thank's

Post Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:16 pm

Given the weather that's forecast for Scotland over the next few months, I'd advise you not to buy a RWD car, unless you have another car to use.

Post Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:24 pm

I think its too late for nikasil issues and thats nothing for a well serviced m50 engine!

Post Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:43 pm

cheers guy's.. if the snow is as bad as they predict then it'll look good sat in the drive

i spoke to the owner for my mate.. he reckons "it's one of the better one's" well cared for and oil changed between service's, no noises from any suspension, drive train etc & flawless body/paint

i enjoyed my W reg E39 and it was faultless but i sold that with 97K on it & full dealer history. kinda wish i was going looking at this car for myself, it certainly looks well kept and has the comfy alcantara/suede sports interior

Post Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:42 am

e34 beats e39, every day of the week.

£3k gets a ropey 530"sport" e39, or a lovely 525/535i "sport" e34. no contest!

Post Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:21 am

mattrs wrote:I think its too late for nikasil issues and thats nothing for a well serviced m50 engine!

It'll be an M52 and yes too late for nikasil.

Just make sure everything works and theres no warning light lit ESPECIALLY the abs and dsc lights (possible ABS module issues).
Suspension (being an Msport) needs to be knock free which few are

Rust: rear arches and rears of the sills. front arches at the front just back from the bumper line, and rear quarters along the bumper line. Rear panel below the bootlid and the rear bootlid itself.
Oil leaks from camcover and oil filter housing (to block profile gasket) although I don't believe they suffer as bad as the M54's
Auto: has the fluid been changed? If not by at least 100k the box could be on borrowed time. Many now being broken due to boxes going bang.

Plus just about everything else youd check on any other used car.

Post Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:55 pm

we went, we saw & it turned out to be a complete turd! in the pictures it looked a stunner

in the flesh rust bucket!

be warned: W54 MSF, E39 528i M-Sport

Post Thu Nov 17, 2011 7:05 am

What sort of money was it and what were the problems?

Post Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:14 am

B7 wrote:What sort of money was it and what were the problems?

It was a Scottish turd , and the other scrap on view belonged to the owner, isn't that enough ?

Post Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:32 am

3k e39 sports do seem to be ropey

I wouldn't touch one either

for a decent one u can pay between 3500-4500

they are well sorted cars if they have had easy life with good maintenance

Post Thu Nov 17, 2011 7:22 pm

B7 wrote:What sort of money was it and what were the problems?

he wanted £2500 & not a penny less!.. need's about £2K thrown at it to make it the standard it should be even for a 11yr old E39

the escort in the back ground apparently is his but the pic was not taken were he stay's..

faults with the E39
surface rust: all 4 arches, bottom edge of boot & one wing, far to many stone chips to count, both bumpers are peeling, 2 golf ball dent's on a quarter, needs 4 tyres, & wheels refurbed, "EVERY" light was on, on the dash! and i found a water leak from the top rad pipe. interior was badly bobbled & seat's were flat. no history & only had the rip off section of the V5 and was already filled out in a womans name??

on the phone this car was described as "flawless body, driver & all round condition in need of nothing! along with a traceable history & service book plus only 1 key "

honestly it's a £500 T.U.R.D