BMW E39 - thoughts?

PrettyBoy

How's it going guys,

I've been on the look out for a nice E46 recently ('03-'04 320 or 325 M-Sport, petrol, leather to be specific) but nothing's really catching my eye. I've seen a few nice examples but most have high mileage and/or questionable modifications which put me off. I'm very fussy when it comes to cars and I'm usually happy to wait it out until I find one that's perfect for me but I'm starting to give up on finding the right E46.

Anyway, this has led me to consider E39's ('02-'03 520 or 525). What are peoples opinions on these? It seems that some examples can be had for very reasonable money so I'm wondering what the catch is - are the running costs huge? Are they reliable? I'd love to hear some thoughts from past/current owners or anyone that has experience with them.

I have my heart set on a Beamer but are there any better alternatives? Budget is around €5k.

sawdoubters

people that can afford mercs don't want to be seen driving around in 12 year old car


anything over 10 years is considered end of life for a car

PrettyBoy

sawdoubters wrote: »

people that can afford mercs don't want to be seen driving around in 12 year old car

But I want to be seen driving around in a 12 year old car

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

Bigus

sawdoubters wrote: »

people that can afford mercs don't want to be seen driving around in 12 year old car


anything over 10 years is considered end of life for a car

That's why he wants a BMW.

"anything over 10 years is considered end of life for a car" ....... Only in dublin 4 and fox rock .

Op don't rule out a high miles car that's been looked after with history.

E39's,a real real good one could be got for less than 3k, no demand for export is killing prices, and they were a best selling car here and are very very plentiful.

Personally I think an m sport is far superior with cloth and Alcantara than leather in Ireland , especially if your going to drive it quick in the twistys .

Go look at a few high miles ones and report back, at this stage anything under 150000 miles is not high as they're not being clocked like they used to.

Boskowski

They are an exceptionally good car but the running costs are high compared to all these low emission 'afford to live again' diesels. It's also not going to be easy to find a well looked after specimen. Next to impossible to find anything with genuine < 100000 miles too I reckon.
If you can find one though and if you don't mind 1000€ road tax they are a greatt car.
I have a 1998 523i and she's solid as a rock in every way.

bazz26

Buying one of these cars should be based on condition and history. There are still a lot of them on the road but there are a fair share of dogs and money pits for sale too. Your best bet is search for one that is owned by an enthusiast. Yes you might pay a little over the odds for it buying one of these cheap can be a false economy. Check out the cars for sale section on the likes of bmw-driver.net and pistonheads, best chance of finding a well cared for example.

Tea 1000

The E39 is an excellent car. Really about as good as it gets regarding a nice mix of comfort, space and luxury combined with handling and feedback. It's not as agile as a 3 series, or even the E34, but it's more comfortable and feels like a nice place to be. The face-lift ones would be my preference, and M-Sport if possible, manual also, but pretty much all of them are decent.
My preference for the facelift would be partially down to the fact that over-heating issues and nikasil problems are mostly gone in those, but pre-facelift ones are equally reliable if you buy the right one.
You'll be looking to spend the full of your €5000 though for a properly decent, genuine sub-100k mile one, and I'd probably be looking at a UK trip. As said above, buy right and you'll have a gem. Buy cheap and it'll be the last cheap buck you spend, the wallet will be beaten from then on!

Stallingrad

Finding good E39's is getting tough, certainly the best ones will be in the UK, but then you will have rust issues with those, fuel lines, suspension, etc. I'd be checking out http://www.bmw-driver.net where you might find a cared for one here.

dgt

A grand car to have as a daily driver. Definitely see if you can afford the 525 over the 520, not much difference in motor tax. You'd be looking at approx 2-3 mpg difference

You will pick these cars up very very cheap, just beware of ropey examples. Fairly nimble for a big enough car and look well with an Msport kit.

As for reliable, mine never failed to start. Same can't be said for the V8 but that's a different league altogether..... Just beware of a few niggly bits such as pixels on the dash and failing door handles for example. They can be heavy on front suspension components and rear arms, this is indicated by inside wear on the tyre. Easy enough fix

Other than that, go for one :cool:

djfattony2000

Looking at these myself too.

On the hunt for a touring model.

renofan

sawdoubters wrote: »

people that can afford mercs don't want to be seen driving around in 12 year old car


anything over 10 years is considered end of life for a car

That is a pretty stupid post imo.

OP go onto specialist BMW forums and they should be glad to help you source a decent E46/E39. http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/ would be one port of call.

NobodyImportant

Any interest in my car?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520i-aristocrat-owned-76k-nct-tax/6418909

This is asking top money, but its low mileage (76k & proven), not a single fault on it, just passed NCT on Sunday (tester commented that it was seriously clean and well looked after mechanically), 1 owner for 12 years and no expense spared looking after it. Just serviced too.

Honest opinions on owning it - Around town its a bit thirsty. Out on the M50 no problem getting 36+ mpg. Its so comfy to drive, it wafts along. It gives you a nice special feeling driving it. Looks classy as hell, even with an older plate on it.

I'm of the opinion that the non-msport versions are the better buy. They have higher, softer suspension and taller side walls on the tyre which means that the suspension is under less stress and loads. You also have less, em, racier drivers owning them so they wont have had such a hard life.

Idbatterim

op nice E46 facelift coupes do come up with the spec that you want, you just have to be patient (easier said than done) both myself and my bro have nice facelift m sport, e46 coupes in sapphire black, with leather, mfsw, climate control etc... what kind of mileage and type of driving do you do? Id expect to be able to purchase a nice 05 325ci for in and around your budget (maybe slightly over) in a private sale.

The E39 a some car though, particularly the m sports...

the below is a beaut, mileage may be higher than you would like though...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/325-CI-E/201351220425189/advert?channel=CARS

shanec1928

well over your budget but ill still throw it up. red in these are stunning

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e46-m3-00-06/e46-m3-imola-red-smg/2004187?isexperiment=true

Idbatterim

the running and upkeep of an m3 is ridiculous compared to a 325, 325 is by far the best middle ground tax and running cost wise...

Alanstrainor

I've had my 01 325ci for almost 2 years and it's been perfect. The only problem that's arisen is the rocker cover failing, which is something to expect on a car of its age. Other than that, any jobs I've done have been maintenance or preventative maintenance. Great car, great engine. Best of luck OP.

Idbatterim

I've had my 01 325ci for almost 2 years and it's been perfect. The only problem that's arisen is the rocker cover failing, which is something to expect on a car of its age. Other than that, any jobs I've done have been maintenance or preventative maintenance. Great car, great engine. Best of luck OP.

mine has been very good to, its a 2003, only thing that failed is the starter motor, E30 for bosch reconditioned one on ebay. My bro has had his 2005 for 2 years and not a spot of bother with it...

thecomedian

sawdoubters wrote: »

people that can afford mercs don't want to be seen driving around in 12 year old car


anything over 10 years is considered end of life for a car

What a stupid post!

There are plenty of cars 10+ years that would put younger cars to shame.

Idbatterim

What a stupid post!

There are plenty of cars 10+ years that would put younger cars to shame.

particularly the car in question, those E39 m sport 6 pot petrols as mentioned in the OP, will be different league to most of the crap registered here so far this year...

thecomedian

OP I've a 04 330i, I'd to wait for a while to get a clean one. Eventually I got one that was on off bmwdriver, it had being owned by lads on the site for 4/5 years. I paid a little bit more than others on donedeal but it was worth it.
The 6 cylinder engines are great.

Idbatterim

What a stupid post!

There are plenty of cars 10+ years that would put younger cars to shame.

does anyone car about the car anymore? Isnt it all about "da cheap tax" and the little number on the number plate, isnt that what makes a car these days? :rolleyes:

Tea 1000

NobodyImportant wrote: »

Any interest in my car?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520i-aristocrat-owned-76k-nct-tax/6418909

This is asking top money, but its low mileage (76k & proven), not a single fault on it, just passed NCT on Sunday (tester commented that it was seriously clean and well looked after mechanically), 1 owner for 12 years and no expense spared looking after it. Just serviced too.

Honest opinions on owning it - Around town its a bit thirsty. Out on the M50 no problem getting 36+ mpg. Its so comfy to drive, it wafts along. It gives you a nice special feeling driving it. Looks classy as hell, even with an older plate on it.

I'm of the opinion that the non-msport versions are the better buy. They have higher, softer suspension and taller side walls on the tyre which means that the suspension is under less stress and loads. You also have less, em, racier drivers owning them so they wont have had such a hard life.

If that was manual I'd be knocking on your door!

NobodyImportant

Is there nothing to be said for a Steptronic? (manual mode on the Auto)

No worries, Its the first auto I've ever owned and it hasnt bothered me in the slightest, totally suits the nature of the car, if it was an M-Sport though it might be a different story.

Moneymaker

My dad has a 2002 318 and I love it. She drives perfectly and its a nice place to sit. We're friends with a BMW mechanic and he looks after and maintains it for him. She's as sweet as a nut.

I'm just waiting for the day he finally agrees to sell it to me. :pac:

PrettyBoy

Thanks all, very informative and helpful responses. I do keep an eye on BMW Driver, I'll have to post over there and see what kind of response I get. I'm not really interested in finding the cheapest one, I'd rather pay a premium for a well-cared for example from someone that's looked after it. It's hard to find something when you're as picky as I am

Tea 1000 wrote: »

My preference for the facelift would be partially down to the fact that over-heating issues and nikasil problems are mostly gone in those, but pre-facelift ones are equally reliable if you buy the right one.

This is exactly the type of info I'm looking for, thanks.

NobodyImportant wrote: »

Any interest in my car?

Thanks for the link, had already seen your car advertised but I'm only interested in facelift M-Sport models tbh, preferably manual. Yours looks like a very clean example though, GLWS.

Idbatterim wrote: »

op nice E46 facelift coupes do come up with the spec that you want, you just have to be patient (easier said than done) both myself and my bro have nice facelift m sport, e46 coupes in sapphire black, with leather, mfsw, climate control etc... what kind of mileage and type of driving do you do? Id expect to be able to purchase a nice 05 325ci for in and around your budget (maybe slightly over) in a private sale.

I wouldn't do big mileage tbh, around 100 miles per week of mostly city driving. Ideally I'd like to find a facelift 325 with leather and sub-100k miles but I think it may be wishful thinking with my budget. Had seen the 325 you linked but unfortunately it's a little out of reach price-wise at the moment.

shanec1928 wrote: »

well over your budget but ill still throw it up. red in these are stunning

That's a great example and I'd love to buy an M3 but unfortunately I can't justify the running costs and the price to tax it. Hopefully I'll be looking at these within a couple of years.

I've noticed there have been some very nice M3's selling recently, nice to see some people will pay a bit more for a nice example, especially with all the €7-8k abused ones sitting on Done Deal.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I've had my 01 325ci for almost 2 years and it's been perfect. The only problem that's arisen is the rocker cover failing, which is something to expect on a car of its age. Other than that, any jobs I've done have been maintenance or preventative maintenance. Great car, great engine. Best of luck OP.

Thanks, great to hear that yours is going well. I have to stress that I'm really looking for an E46 325, my lack of patience is what's making me consider an E39

Boskowski

Oh btw most won't like me saying that but this is a car that is most suited for an auto box.
It is a 1.7 ton monster and you want a 3 litre or more engine to turn this into something sporty anyway.
My 2.5 litre 6 cylinder is adequately propelled, swift but not a racer. Driving such a car hard on the manual is not going to turn her into a racer either.
She's a sporty exec saloon and the auto box complements that just right.

Eric Cartman

Boskowski wrote: »

Oh btw most won't like me saying that but this is a car that is most suited for an auto box.
It is a 1.7 ton monster and you want a 3 litre or more engine to turn this into something sporty anyway.
My 2.5 litre 6 cylinder is adequately propelled, swift but not a racer. Driving such a car hard on the manual is not going to turn her into a racer either.
She's a sporty exec saloon and the auto box complements that just right.

Also having driven a lot of automatic cars I can happily say the 5 speed steptronic box in my e38 (same as the e39) is the smoothest and sportiest auto box your likely to find in any car of that era.

ShadowHearth

If I would be willing going 2.5l tax and BMW, then I would just buy 728. Not much of difference in tax and so much more of a car. Cheaper too.

Gumbo

shanec1928 wrote: »

well over your budget but ill still throw it up. red in these are stunning

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e46-m3-00-06/e46-m3-imola-red-smg/2004187?isexperiment=true

That car sold to the first viewer.

rebel.ranter

I have an e39 for past 8 years (2002 525iA Sport), I've put over 100k miles on the car. Got it with 50k miles.
They are a fantastic car! Go for 525i over the 520i.
Outside of maintenance items & cosmetic improvements I've replaced fuel pump & reconditioned the alternator. It even has the original battery.
Cooling system overhaul is a must & what I would consider maintenance, that is thermostat, water pump & radiator replacement at the 100k mile mark. The vacuum system for oil is also a common enough failure on all 6 cylinder BMW engines, the plastic gets brittle & cracks.
Then the other weakness is oil leaks from rocker cover & where alternator stand bolts to the block.
They are a great car to drive, I still think it's much nicer than my 6 Series. Everything seems so balanced & matched or something. Get a good one though. I don't drive mine much anymore (wife drives it now) but I will eventually have to think about changing it but I don't know what to replace it with. The newer (e60) 5 Series is a bit more disappointing to drive & not as reliable I'd say.