523i E39 - help for buyer

subway

going to look at this car during the week.
http://carnation.ie/detail.aspx?ID=2820245

does anyone have any advice on things to look out for.
is it a good price etc.

really like the 5 series but dont know much about owning them

Big Nasty

Decent enough company to deal with but you wouldn't want to be paying any more than €3.5k for it. 00 so no Nikasil worries. Good solid car and great engine, well powered but not extravagant. Will run good once well maintained.

subway

thanks for the reply, any reason for the 3.5 value?
just trying to figure out what i should be saying to get it down to that price

Big Nasty

subway wrote: »

thanks for the reply, any reason for the 3.5 value?
just trying to figure out what i should be saying to get it down to that price

Very simply because that's all it's worth, asking prices on these ads are just that - asking prices.

subway

ok

Lex Luthor

super car, but a few things to watch out for.

Consult this for more info
http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=24786

The one thing I found with them is to make sure they don't overheat. Start it up from cold, it should reach temp within 10 min, that is exactly half way on the gauge. No more no less. And should stay there. After the drive, let it run for 15min and watch the gauge. It shouldn't budge a mm.

As it doesn't have the nikasil issue, then its one less thing to worry about.

The wheels on the one you are looking at are a bit drab and it could do with the angel eye & rear celis lights to freshen it up. Clear indicators aswell make all the difference.

I like the look of this one
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1341106
or this one
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1319868
or this one at the right price
http://www.carlist.ie/vehicles/view/55370-bmw-523-dublin?r=/vehicles/4,873/*/*/*/flat/

subway

thanks for that, plenty of info there.
im looking for a manual car for the time being but thanks for the links

Stevie Dakota

One thing to watch for is that a few years ago a lot of 1999-2002 5's were imported in from Japan, or Malaysia or someplace East. Nearly all of these were autos with leather and climate, I am not sure if they have any mechanical differences, but I would do a bit of research on this just to be safe.

subway

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

One thing to watch for is that a few years ago a lot of 1999-2002 5's were imported in from Japan, or Malaysia or someplace East. Nearly all of these were autos with leather and climate, I am not sure if they have any mechanical differences, but I would do a bit of research on this just to be safe.

thanks, ive done a check on cartell and it was registered in ireland in jan 00 so i think that should cover that.

Boskowski

subway wrote: »

thanks for that, plenty of info there.
im looking for a manual car for the time being but thanks for the links

Got one myself for the last 5 years. Don't bother with the manual one. This saloon is meant to be an automatic and the automatic gearbox in this is smooth as silk. It also features the sports mode and the tiptronic mode. Believe me automatic gearbox is not an old fellas thing it's simply an improved user interface if you like. You're not going to miss the manual gearbox at all.

alpina

If they're eager to sell you probably would get for €3,750 Push the service history/how recent the last service/no. of stamps/is back box on way out/is the clutch unusually heavy/double check rear shocks/springs/temp guage is it staying at half mark/radiator-coolant is all clear, under the cap check for any sludge residue...
Have owned 2 E39's & they really are bomb proof if serviced/respected, best of luck & if you spring for it you will enjoy;)

Big Nasty

You can have my '97 one for €2.5k! Just taxed for six months too!
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=96163&cat=2

mickdw

Id go for the facelift one with the angel eyes etc. Much fresher looking and yes go for the auto in a car like that.

Stevie Dakota

+1 on the auto, it suits the car so well, although manys the story I have heard about E39's and gearbox issues/limp mode and untraceable software issues.

Lex Luthor

mickdw wrote: »

Id go for the facelift one with the angel eyes etc. Much fresher looking and yes go for the auto in a car like that.

its very easy to facelift one....

mines was a 97 and I got the hella angels with the clear side indicators, clear side repeaters and the rear celis lights. Also added the M5 grill and it totally changed the look.

Stevie Dakota

Lex Luthor wrote: »

its very easy to facelift one....

mines was a 97 and I got the hella angels with the clear side indicators, clear side repeaters and the rear celis lights. Also added the M5 grill and it totally changed the look.

Yes, but there is a bit more to it than that, you are still minus the colour coded rubbing strips and slightly neater front valance to complete the effect. But the angel eyes also do make a world of difference.

subway

thanks, have looked at the facelifted version and its nice but tends to head up out of my price bracket.

ive a couple of reasons why i want a manual car, even if the auto is the version of choice here. suppose if i get an auto at a good price then i guess i will have to make a choice.

MCMLXXV
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