e39 530D sport

s14driftking

right considering going and upgrading the jeep to one of these as they seem a hell of a lot of car for a good price. So i need a few questions answered if any body can, Any common faults or problems with these cars also what is mpg like id be expecting about 32 to 33 any more would be a bonus is this mileage possible

killwill

s14driftking wrote: »

right considering going and upgrading the jeep to one of these as they seem a hell of a lot of car for a good price. So i need a few questions answered if any body can, Any common faults or problems with these cars also what is mpg like id be expecting about 32 to 33 any more would be a bonus is this mileage possible

Mate of mine has one for 6 yrs now. Not an ounce of trouble and IIRC over 50mpg.

gb153

I had one for two years. I had to sell due to loss of job last year but would have kept it otherwise. Loved the car. I had a manual so I was getting 600-650 miles per tank for the first few months. I was probably a bit easier on it at the start so was getting 550 per tank on average overall I think.

Turbos tend to go on them as was the case with mine which is an expensive fix. Also as I brought mine in from UK the rear brake lines were rusted and had to be replaced for NCT. Expensive as fuel tank and rear axle have to be dropped.

If you see one that you like post it up on bmw-driver.net. There's a chance one of the members will know the previous owner and/or history. I would say to only look at ones with a full documented service history.

Try to get a post Sep 2001 as it was facelifted after then. e46 M3 steering wheel for the sport version + engine power went from 186bhp I think to 193bhp. Extras to look out for are dual zone digital climate control, multi function steering wheel, parking sensors (may be rear or both front and rear). Aluminium or piano black interior trim looks a lot nicer than the wood but can be changed easily enough yourself otherwise. UK imports tend to have more extras than Irish.

Big Nasty

Fine car, I've had two petrol ones.

E39's known to suffer from suspension issues and overheating problems (overheating on petrol anyhow). If the car has long NCT suspension issues shouldn't be a problem. Being a diesel I hear swirl flaps can be an issue and also the turbo on some models so hold out for one with a good long service history.

M-tech spec a must
M-Par alloys a must
I would prefer auto too.

Great deals to be had on the likes of these now, especially with a 3L engine. Can't comment on mpg personally but according to Carfolio it's 9.8/5.7/7.2 l/100km urban/extra-urban/combined. Should have lots of torque but not that powerful at 181bhp but should be more than adequate.

Oh yeah, go for end of production model, i.e late 02 / early 03.

gb153

Forgot to say widescreen sat nav is a nice extra even though its a fairly dated system now. Pretty rare unless its an individual spec auto. Leather is also something to look out for. Personal preference though - preferred the half suede upholstery myself which you get otherwise with m sport.

E39MSport

45 mpg rural from manual
32 mpg same roads from the auto

Manual is the way to go with these cars imo. Loads of power to play with. M57 is wasted on an auto.

Get a remap from Chris in Sandyford

oh, and get him to deflap her while your at it.

Big Nasty

E39MSport wrote: »

oh, and get him to deflap her while your at it.

Deflap? Is that like circumcision for girls!?! :eek::eek::eek:

E39MSport

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Deflap? Is that like circumcision for girls!?! :eek::eek::eek:

- cover off
- gentle probing
- flaps off

I think it is

commited

I bought a very late e39, a July 2003 530d Sport bang just after its 4th birthday. It was a manual with 84k on the clock, leather, CD, bluetooth, High OBC, hidden detachable towbar and the usual UK kit. I ran it for 6 months and did about 18k and throughout that averaged about 47mpg. I had 65mpg on the way back from Cork once but that was with ultra granny driving. In that time I had to replace a fuel pump, clear airbag warning light, clean the EGR and normal service items. I was just 23 when I bought it and apart from a few Grandad comments, it was the best car I've owned and one of the best I've driven.

I think the interiors still look really fresh:


Here I am cruising on a motorway in Europe clocking over 100k:


It got used:


Just before I sold it:


I was put in a position where I had to take a company car, so I sold it in November 2008. I'd consider the 530i Sport in manual if you can find one, they'll do mid 30s MPG on a run and the engines are a peach. I don't know if I'd bother with an auto e39 as the manual makes it a fun backroad blaster and the manual will chew motorway miles just as easy as the auto. Saying that, changing gear frequently has never bothered me. I have 2 auto's at the moment and miss driving manuals.

Must have's for any e39 sport:
01 & later facelift (193bhp)
FSH (unless crazy cheap)
Leather
Multi-function steering wheel
Climate
Small steering wheel

Desirable:
High OBC or Satnav
Heated Seats
Factory Bluetooth (rare)
18's

I'll definitely own another one day.

deandean

Yea, a fine car. Go for the Auto if you're in town a lot. Great value for money now.
I do however recommend that you keep a grand in the bank as an insurance policy against something going bang.

dwsl280

Hi, I have a 2002 530D msport automatic. Hasn't given me a bit of trouble. Had to have the front suspension link arms and bushings changed recently but other than that no problems.

I have nearly 148,000 miles on the clock and does approx 500 plus miles to the tank. Average mpg is between 37/38 and on long journeys I have averaged 43/44. I drive mainly motorway miles.

This is easily the best car I have owned so far and can't recommend it enough.