More BMW E39 questions

johnnystork

So I posted a couple of weeks ago looking for advice about buying a 525d or 530d.

The 525d post 2000 with any spec are very rare so maybe have to miss out on that one. While my heart says just go for a 530d auto (easiest to find), my head sees the price of tax and mpg.

So should I consider a 520 or 525 petrol? What's the mpg and running costs compared to a 530d auto? The car would be used mainly at weekends and the odd evening as I have a van for work etc. Looking to buy this weekend if I can find the right car.

Alanstrainor

I'd expect no more than low to mid 20 mpg out of either. As for jobs that need to have been done at this stage, things like water pump + belts and tensioners really should've been changed by now. Generally speaking the cooling side of things on these cars is a weak point.

johnnystork

For a good spec 530d (Leather, m tech, sport) you are talking 3000 to 4000 with no tax so add 1390 for the year.

Similar spec 520i or 525i is 2000 to 3000 and 885 or 1005 for tax.

So say 4500 for 530d and 3800 for 525i would you really spend the extra 700 on fuel doing the odd evening and weekend miles? Or should i forget fuel type and just go for condition and spec?

Big Nasty

If considering the petrol model this should fit the bill perfectly.

Lovely spec'd 03 525d on DD. http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4196681

johnnystork

cisk wrote: »

Lovely spec'd 03 525d on DD. http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4196681

Nice but over priced

Spipov

2002 520i SE front and rear parking, walnut and sports wheel, 137K miles. Brilliant condition (originally imported from uk 2004) and had 1 owner from 2007 to 2012 (im the 3rd in ireland).

i paid just shy of 2k, and had to do:

1. heater blower - 150
2. Leaky back doors and something else (wiper?) - 75
3. dude before me must have weight 2 tons. had to recushion the driver's seat - 150.

Otherwise, not anymore put into the car. Tax until april 2013 and nct september 2013. Its brilliant, albeit a little big for me. However, i had to downgrade to it from an e90 due to financial difficulties, and hopefully once situation stablises, i can upgrade to an e60, because this e39 is SO comfortable and so brilliant, i see no point looking at other cars to be honest.



Running costs = a full tank (i only did it once because it hurt) will run you 106 euros for 65 litres fill at 1.63 euros.

MPG = Urban (From work to home and back) is doing me around 27-28mpg. when i go onto long runs on the m50 = 30-31mpg and driving down to limerick once it did 34mpg.


it is so smooth i would strongly recommend it. Im hoping to have enough cash in january/february (unless i win the lotto in november), to upgrade to an e60 then.

Stallingrad

Spipov wrote: »

Im hoping to have enough cash in january/february (unless i win the lotto in november), to upgrade to an e60 then.

Some people would say E39 to E60 is a downgrade!

Marlow

johnnystork wrote: »

Nice but over priced

No. It's not. It's a 525d MSport with manual gearbox. Hence it's rare as hen's teeth.

My 525d Touring was advertised for 5900 EUR with 185k miles on the clock, new 1 year NCT and a few months tax on it and advertised at 5900 EUR. It sold returning 5500 EUR within 2 days of me advertising. This is only earlier this year.

Supply and demand. That guy will get very near to his asking. It's the cheapest diesel BMW tax and fuel wise of that generation that you can get. 1005 EUR/year tax as it's 2.5l, so over 300 EUR/year cheaper than a 530d and returns easily over 40 mpg. 53 mpg if driven light-footed.

/M

Marlow

And I need to add, that mine was a '01.

Over priced for your budget maybe, but looking at what the car is worth, it's well priced.

/M

Wicklowandy

525d manual?

It'll be more economical than auto, lower tax than a 530d, not a lot slower and when the auto box goes in whatever auto you buy cheaply, the price of that wont look too bad

Marlow

Wicklowandy wrote: »

not a lot slower

They aren't slower at all. I compared driving standard 525d and 530d at the time I got mine. Pretty much the same. There's only 20-30 bhp between them depending on year.

Remapped my 525d had 230 bhp and 495 Nm, well exceeding the 530d's. On the autos you can't map them that high, because the auto-box gets confused and can't take the torque. And that applies to the 530d's as well.

/M

Idbatterim

how many miles per week are you likely to do Op, there is a lot less to go wrong with the petrols, far more of them about and far cheaper...

johnnystork

Marlow wrote: »

And I need to add, that mine was a '01.

Over priced for your budget maybe, but looking at what the car is worth, it's well priced.

/M

Sad but true

johnnystork

Idbatterim wrote: »

how many miles per week are you likely to do Op, there is a lot less to go wrong with the petrols, far more of them about and far cheaper...

Not that many, it's for weekend and evenings mainly as I have a company van. Wish someone could put the auto manual debate to bed, I've never had an auto and wouldn't be against one, only for the less mpg and cost of repair if it goes wrong. Maybe 520 or 525i with full spec might be a better option?

Idbatterim

the auto will use decent bit more juice and be slower and more to go wrong with... its a matter of preference, there is no right or wrong answer. what is your budget?

ants09

johnnystork wrote: »

Not that many, it's for weekend and evenings mainly as I have a company van. Wish someone could put the auto manual debate to bed, I've never had an auto and wouldn't be against one, only for the less mpg and cost of repair if it goes wrong. Maybe 520 or 525i with full spec might be a better option?

Have a auto E39 diesel

MPG in town around 32 Motorway driving around 48 with a light foot
if a heavy foot then expect around 25 in town

Touch the accelerator and she's goes you dont have to floor her.

In sports mode different story as much more responsive but diesel will drop

dont know what the 520's or 525's are like fuel wise

Idbatterim

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-AUTO/17313409593202050/advert?channel=CARS

the above doesnt look bad, considering it has over 5 months tax on it worth a few hundred & alleged full service history. go drive a manual and an auto and see which you prefer...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-MANU/32013498819592780/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-I-SA/31713529907615410/advert?channel=CARS

Tea 1000

Spipov wrote: »

2002 520i SE front and rear parking, walnut and sports wheel, 137K miles. Brilliant condition (originally imported from uk 2004) and had 1 owner from 2007 to 2012 (im the 3rd in ireland).

i paid just shy of 2k, and had to do:

1. heater blower - 150
2. Leaky back doors and something else (wiper?) - 75
3. dude before me must have weight 2 tons. had to recushion the driver's seat - 150.

Otherwise, not anymore put into the car. Tax until april 2013 and nct september 2013. Its brilliant, albeit a little big for me. However, i had to downgrade to it from an e90 due to financial difficulties, and hopefully once situation stablises, i can upgrade to an e60, because this e39 is SO comfortable and so brilliant, i see no point looking at other cars to be honest.



Running costs = a full tank (i only did it once because it hurt) will run you 106 euros for 65 litres fill at 1.63 euros.

MPG = Urban (From work to home and back) is doing me around 27-28mpg. when i go onto long runs on the m50 = 30-31mpg and driving down to limerick once it did 34mpg.


it is so smooth i would strongly recommend it. Im hoping to have enough cash in january/february (unless i win the lotto in november), to upgrade to an e60 then.

I'll be honest and say I think you'd be disappointed to move to an E60 from an E39, they're just better somehow. More comfortable.

Idbatterim

I'll be honest and say I think you'd be disappointed to move to an E60 from an E39, they're just better somehow. More comfortable.

yeah few bmw specialists have told me they prefer they E39, i reckon about the only upgrade with the E60 is its more current, has i drive etc...

Marlow

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I'll be honest and say I think you'd be disappointed to move to an E60 from an E39, they're just better somehow. More comfortable.

I can second that. Quality is just not the same with the E60 anymore. The dash is not angled towards the driver position anymore, which is silly, too. There's loads of details like that, that really made the E39 a better car than the E60.

iDrive will give you more hassle. A lot of the electronics are specialists / main dealer repairable only. And if you disconnect anything, you have to tell the car first otherwise you'll end up with funny behaviour afterwards.

/M

johnnystork

ants09 wrote: »

Have a auto E39 diesel

MPG in town around 32 Motorway driving around 48 with a light foot
if a heavy foot then expect around 25 in town

Touch the accelerator and she's goes you dont have to floor her.

In sports mode different story as much more responsive but diesel will drop

dont know what the 520's or 525's are like fuel wise

Is it a 530d auto? I'm not mad with the right foot, only the tax on the 530 is putting me off. 525d is the one to get I suppose but not if you've to pay 1000/1500 more to save 400 per year.

Pedro32561

I have an e39 525i auto. Have it almost 3 years and I absolutely love it. It's a pleasure to drive. I really only use it on weekends and evenings as well and mostly for short runs so the mpg isn't the best, but it really is a joy to own and everyone admires it.

In the 3 years haven't had anything major or too expensive go wrong - new radiator, timing belt, rocker cover gasket, oil filter housing and then just usual maintenance. There are some great independents around that do good work at a decent price.

Spec on mine is good, m-tech, parking sensors etc. Try get as high spec as possible. For me, has to be auto - you won't go back to manual.

Idbatterim

jonny with the mileage you do, diesel makes zero sense! a straight 6 petrol is going to be far nicer to drive than a diesel, have less issues, less tax if its the 2.2L, the asking price will be far lower & the selection enormous compared to diesels... I have a 2.5L petrol, but do virtually no mileage, so to hell with the cost of fuel (within reason)!

johnnystork

Idbatterim wrote: »

jonny with the mileage you do, diesel makes zero sense! a straight 6 petrol is going to be far nicer to drive than a diesel, have less issues, less tax if its the 2.2L, the asking price will be far lower & the selection enormous compared to diesels... I have a 2.5L petrol, but do virtually no mileage, so to hell with the cost of fuel (within reason)!

And since the tax increase and mpg isn't massive between the 2.2 and 2.5, apart from price or spec should I go for the 525i?

Idbatterim

ok the 525 has 25 more bhp and tax is marginally more. there will however be far more 520's than 525's. Another thing to bear in mind is, that with the higher the tax goes, if you dont pay it all in one go and do it half yearly or every quarter, the bigger engines are obviously costing even more. Id go for one with leather and cruise / climate control, no point buying paddy spec one as they will be same price virtually as much better specced one and will be easier to sell when the time comes. do you mind whether you buy private or from dealer? your based in galway right?


below are the motor tax rates
12 mth 6mth 3mth
2,101 to 2,200 885 491 250 73.75

2,201 to 2,300 925 513 261 77.08
2,301 to 2,400 962 533 271 80.16
2,401 to 2,500 1,005 557 283 83.75

got to say, this one (linked to by another poster) looks very good alright! fantastic spec...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4118951

johnnystork

Idbatterim wrote: »

ok the 525 has 25 more bhp and tax is marginally more. there will however be far more 520's than 525's. Another thing to bear in mind is, that with the higher the tax goes, if you dont pay it all in one go and do it half yearly or every quarter, the bigger engines are obviously costing even more. Id go for one with leather and cruise / climate control, no point buying paddy spec one as they will be same price virtually as much better specced one and will be easier to sell when the time comes. do you mind whether you buy private or from dealer? your based in galway right?


below are the motor tax rates
12 mth 6mth 3mth
2,101 to 2,200 885 491 250 73.75

2,201 to 2,300 925 513 261 77.08
2,301 to 2,400 962 533 271 80.16
2,401 to 2,500 1,005 557 283 83.75

got to say, this one (lined to by another poster) looks very good alright! fantastic spec...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4118951

Don't mind private or dealer, just looking for highest spec and don't want to get a 520 then wish I gone for the 525 or 530d. Still not sure about Auto or manual, never had one so won't miss it and I suppose manual gives the extra few mpg. Yeah I'm in East Galway, and know I'll have to travel to get something nice.

These are what's caught my eye on DD

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4077042

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3697155

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4163485

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4129655

Idbatterim

how important is power to you and what cars are you used to driving? personally i reckon the the 2.5L engine is the one to go for, as marginally more tax than the 2.2 for 25bhp more, where the 3L is extra E385 for 36bhp more. The only way I personally would consider a 3L, is if it was heavily reflected in the asking price (which often is the case).

take a read of this, also Im going to commend you on the choice of car, nothing comes close to these in terms of value for mone in my opinion, they are a fantastic car, that are going for peanuts...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E39


These are what's caught my eye on DD

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4077042
looks nice alright, petty he doesnt mention anything about interior or have a few photos

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3697155
would discount this on asking price given engine size and miles

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4163485
nice and its an msport, but no leather or mfsw

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4129655
nice m sport, only missing leather, the alcantara interior is nice though, cant make out what color it is...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4096052
this one is interesting, good spec and price. why would someone import it though when there are so many here already?

johnnystork

Idbatterim wrote: »

how important is power to you and what cars are you used to driving?

I'm not mad for power but the 525 petrol or diesel would be nice as they are on the upper power scale while some way sensible on tax. Had an IS200 Sport a couple of years ago, straight 6, rear wheel drive but not really that powerful.

Idbatterim

I'm not mad for power but the 525 petrol or diesel would be nice as they are on the upper power scale while some way sensible on tax.

exactly thats why myself and the bro chose the 2.5 engine... I would take a day out, start real early and go an test drive and look at a few of them...

Big Nasty

I hear the 2.2 520 is a cvnt for burning oil and I know from a drive I had in one that it has to work a little to hard. The 525 petrol would be ideal IMO and more likely to come in higher spec.

Wicklowandy

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4129655

I can really understand people saying you've no need for diesel....

Also the silver e39 petrol a few people have linked looks a lovely clean car, but se is no substitute for an m.

I like the one linked above, topaz blue with alcantara, the nicest combo.

Some people say leather is best, and good leather looks nice. But the alcantara with that colour is best imo.

I think that one i linked might be a dressed up SE

Whether you get petrol or diesel, you really will have one of the nicest cars at ridiculously cheap money.

Eireann81

johnnystork wrote: »

I'm not mad for power but the 525 petrol or diesel would be nice as they are on the upper power scale while some way sensible on tax. Had an IS200 Sport a couple of years ago, straight 6, rear wheel drive but not really that powerful.

I have a '01 525i manual at the moment. I have had a 520i (150bhp) and a 530d (193bhp) in the past. All have been manual as I really don't like autos (just personal preference). My favourite would be the 530d mainly due to the torque it produces. I do like the 525i though. It sounds a lot nicer than the diesel but you do have to rev it to get decent performance out of it. It is noticeably quicker than an IS200. Fuel economy is poor around town but on a trip from Galway to Limerick you would average about 32mpg which isn't bad. To be honest the fuel economy is similar enough to an is200 I had before.

Unless you can get a 520i a lot cheaper than a 525i, I would definitely go for the bigger engine. If you're not doing much mileage you won't notice the difference in fuel costs and there isn't much of a difference in tax.

You will have to drive an auto and a manual to find out which you prefer.

Marlow

Honestly, the 520i 2.2 is also a pretty stressed engine.

The 523i (2.5l) was a less stressed engine and hence had less problems.

I'd definatly go for a 523i, 525i or 525d at a minimum.

/M

ants09

johnnystork wrote: »

Is it a 530d auto? I'm not mad with the right foot, only the tax on the 530 is putting me off. 525d is the one to get I suppose but not if you've to pay 1000/1500 more to save 400 per year.

Yep its a 530D msports auto

Curry Addict

you should consider that an e39 will cost you to keep on the road.
its heavy on tires, oil, sevices and minor repairs. i have a 520i for a few years and too keep it in top shape it costs me 1-2k a year.

Marlow

Curry Addict wrote: »

you should consider that an e39 will cost you to keep on the road.
its heavy on tires, oil, sevices and minor repairs. i have a 520i for a few years and too keep it in top shape it costs me 1-2k a year.

That is entirely down to what sort of milage you do and who you use for your service/mechanic.

A bit more specifics would be helpful.

/M

Spipov

Weird, you would think the e60 would be an upgrade!!

Mine is a 520 2.2 manual if you were wondering re mpg from first page.

I do believe it drinks oil though

johnnystork

ants09 wrote: »

Yep its a 530D msports auto

No regrets on the extra tax? M sports are lovely though.

Leonard Hofstadter

The 530d auto isn't terribly fast (well it's hardly slow, but you'd think a 3.0 litre engine would go quicker than it does), and as mentioned the gearbox can be a bit weak on them.

I'd go for the 525i manual, less to go wrong (and not just the gearbox either), same power as the 530d, but it's a silky smooth six cylinder petrol engine, and you're not paying 3.0 tax either, which is always a bonus.

520is are fairly anemic as already mentioned.

furtzy

Have a 03 520i SE for the past 12 months and they are service hungry and do like a little oil. Bought it a year ago with 64k on the clock and have put 10k on it. Its had quite a bit of suspension work which seems to be the norm with these. Once they're sorted they are a fine car but a bad one will be a money pit

ants09

johnnystork wrote: »

No regrets on the extra tax? M sports are lovely though.

Have regrets paying over 1.3k a year in motor tax who wouldnt tbh

But then when its done and dusted na havent any regrets as they are lovely cars to drive

Curry Addict

Marlow wrote: »

That is entirely down to what sort of milage you do and who you use for your service/mechanic.

A bit more specifics would be helpful.

/M

i do about 8k miles a year and service and repair most things myself. i bought it at 70k miles and now its at 99k miles.
service parts will cost about 80e, tyres cost approx 500e and needed yearly.
oil top ups around 100e a year.
in that 29k miles ive owned it and off the top of my head(there is probably more) minor repairs were, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, vanos upgrade, front links and bushes, back break hoses, back break pipes, crankcase vent valve, cylinder 6 coil pack, abs module, airbag module, handbreak release, 3-4 bulbs, cd changer, air con blower hedgehog, boot remote locking.
from what ive read all these issues are very common and likely to happen sooner or later. I have been able to fix them all myself but it still costs in parts and headaches and probably 1-2k euro a year. I keep her well and shes an amazing ride tbh