E39 520i m sport high mileage question

Colash

I'm still on the look out for one of these . My main goal is pick one up with a good service history . I've managed to trace one but the mileage is 140k miles . Is this big mileage on these 2.2 engines . ?The car looks great, is tested an has a very comprehensive service history

166man

Is there a specific reason for going for the 2.2?

Please don't say to save on tax insurance fuel.economy etc...

Colash

166man wrote: »

Is there a specific reason for going for the 2.2?

Please don't say to save on tax insurance fuel.economy etc...

I've zero reason for a diseal to be honest plus I'm taking it that there is less to go wrong with the petrol models over the diseal ??

Foxhole Norman

Colash wrote: »

I've zero reason for a diseal to be honest plus I'm taking it that there is less to go wrong with the petrol models over the diseal ??

He means(I assume) why not look at the 525i, best balance of tax/power, it's also a slightly better engine.

I'm coming up to 130K on my 525i with the only real thing having to have been done is the cooling system which is a known flaw.

166Man himself had a 155K mile 525i as well I think. These engines are pretty bulletproof and with constant, regular oil changes will keep going.

Colash

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

He means(I assume) why not look at the 525i, best balance of tax/power, it's also a slightly better engine.

I'm coming up to 130K on my 525i with the only real thing having to have been done is the cooling system which is a known flaw.

166Man himself had a 155K mile 525i as well I think. These engines are pretty bulletproof and with constant, regular oil changes will keep going.

A decent 520/525i m sport is hard found lads on a 3k budget especially one that ticks all the boxes

voz es

So after doing a bit of research I found the engine you are querying is a M54B22 engine. So i'm not going to waste your time pretending money is not an issue in the country at the moment. Have a look at this link it should be of use to you:
http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=935634
also if you love your BMW cars look up:
bmwhaus.ie
bmw-driver.net

One bit of advise these questions are very likely to have been asked before. so type in the typical highlights of your question into the search engine and there will be a vast amount of info there.

yours might be ' M54B22 RELIABILITY '

Colash

voz es wrote: »

So after doing a bit of research I found the engine you are querying is a M54B22 engine. So i'm not going to waste your time pretending money is not an issue in the country at the moment. Have a look at this link it should be of use to you:
http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=935634
also if you love your BMW cars look up:
bmwhaus.ie
bmw-driver.net

One bit of advise these questions are very likely to have been asked before. so type in the typical highlights of your question into the search engine and there will be a vast amount of info there.

yours might be ' M54B22 RELIABILITY '

The M54 engine is pretty bulletproff, but it is prone to the VANOS variable valve timing issue (as are the M52 and M56 engines), though youll have a job spotting it as the symptoms are pretty subtle, and youll probably only notice after having driven the car for a while as the symptoms are lower mpg, slightly worse performance, and the engine can be slightly lumpy on idle.

Im not sure if its a massive problem as i dont have the issue but im sure someone else might be able to give you some pointers.

The e46 boys seems fairly confident of the 2.2 engine . Is it defiantly the same one as in a 03 520i m??

Foxhole Norman

Colash wrote: »

A decent 520/525i m sport is hard found lads on a 3k budget especially one that ticks all the boxes

I paid 1900 for my 2002 525i Sport, PDC, Leather, Auto, Dual Zone Climate, 120k Miles, 15 month NCT. Fair enough it has no service history so I took a chance, haven't looked back though, it's been (largely) reliable ever since.

Also yes, the 520 is the M54B22.

Colash

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

I paid 1900 for my 2002 525i Sport, PDC, Leather, Auto, Dual Zone Climate, 120k Miles, 15 month NCT. Fair enough it has no service history so I took a chance, haven't looked back though, it's been (largely) reliable ever since.

Also yes, the 520 is the M54B22.

Is that your everyday car foxhole ?

Foxhole Norman

Colash wrote: »

Is that your everyday car foxhole ?

It is indeed, I do about 250 miles a week.

voz es

Colash wrote: »

The M54 engine is pretty bulletproff, but it is prone to the VANOS variable valve timing issue (as are the M52 and M56 engines), though youll have a job spotting it as the symptoms are pretty subtle, and youll probably only notice after having driven the car for a while as the symptoms are lower mpg, slightly worse performance, and the engine can be slightly lumpy on idle.

Im not sure if its a massive problem as i dont have the issue but im sure someone else might be able to give you some pointers.

The e46 boys seems fairly confident of the 2.2 engine . Is it defiantly the same one as in a 03 520i m??

I have an S50B32 from the e36 and they would be known for their Vanos issues. I looked at one or two before i bought mine with the vanos gone and they sounded a bit like a diesel car, loud. dr.vanos over in Scotland has a kit for that model available for a fraction of the original cost.

I can't pretend to know much on the e39 cars. they appear to have been a great car with a lot speaking highly of the 530d great power and economy but the tax is just terrible high and its a Diesel. The lads there seem on the button with the 525, when you have six cylinders you need them to be working.
Sure type in s54b22 into google search and you wont be long finding out the info you need as to what cars it was in.

Colash

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

It is indeed, I do about 250 miles a week.

I do around 100-150 a week to be honest . I've always been a vag man. Vw/skoda in diesals but always loved the look style an shape of the e39 5 series m sport. I've driven the 530d an a mates 520i the other day an love both of them but I'm thinking of I could pick up a fIrly decent 520i tested , with good paper work for 2500-3000k I'd be happy

Colash

Ps the tax is just bearable on the 520i I reckon at 951. Plus power isn't a huge concern of mine. A great driver that looks good is all I'm after . I'm flat out here looking for 525i e39s but they are rare enough it seems

Foxhole Norman

Colash wrote: »

I do around 100-150 a week to be honest . I've always been a vag man. Vw/skoda in diesals but always loved the look style an shape of the e39 5 series m sport. I've driven the 530d an a mates 520i the other day an love both of them but I'm thinking of I could pick up a fIrly decent 520i tested , with good paper work for 2500-3000k I'd be happy

Ah sure at that mileage a tank would last you 2/3 weeks. I'd look for a 525 but wouldn't be disappointed with a 520, still a peppy 6 cylinder. You should be able to get a good one of either at that budget.

Colash

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

Ah sure at that mileage a tank would last you 2/3 weeks. I'd look for a 525 but wouldn't be disappointed with a 520, still a peppy 6 cylinder. You should be able to get a good one of either at that budget.

Any pics of yours foxhole?

Foxhole Norman

Colash wrote: »

Any pics of yours foxhole?

Colash

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

U paid 1900 for her ???? She's mint

Foxhole Norman

Colash wrote: »

U paid 1900 for her ???? She's mint

Haha, I know! Absolutely delighted with it to be honest. It had some body issues but they've all been sorted now bar some rust on the boot.

It also got a whole cooling system refresh free of charge from the previous owner

Colash

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

Haha, I know! Absolutely delighted with it to be honest. It had some body issues but they've all been sorted now bar some rust on the boot.

It also got a whole cooling system refresh free of charge from the previous owner

Would they are have got the cooling system refresh at the 100k mark do u think ? The one I'm thinking of has full service history from bmw?

RyanMGF

I've had 4 E39s and higher mileage wouldn't put me off buying one as long as it had been looked after. Highest was an 01 520i with close to 190k miles, FSH, going like a clock and wasn't using a noticeable amount of oil.

My current bangernomics 1997 520i has 110k on it with FBMWSH and will outlive me. Had a really nice 03 530d Touring which I regret selling, if I had sense I would have put an M-Sport kit + alloys on it and had the perfect daily driver.

They are absolutely superb cars.

Foxhole Norman

Colash wrote: »

Would they are have got the cooling system refresh at the 100k mark do u think ? The one I'm thinking of has full service history from bmw?

I'd doubt it, it's not really something that a service would've covered. If they have receipts for the parts though then away ya go. It shouldn't cost much more than around €4/500 or so to do the whole system if it's not done.

Colash

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

I'd doubt it, it's not really something that a service would've covered. If they have receipts for the parts though then away ya go. It shouldn't cost much more than around €4/500 or so to do the whole system if it's not done.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-5-series-520i-msport-03/9262250
Thats whAt I'm thinking of ???

RyanMGF

Knowing who is selling that M-Sport I would say it wouldn't disappoint you, he's quite a petrolhead and does not sell sh1te.

Colash

RyanMGF wrote: »

Knowing who is selling that M-Sport I would say it wouldn't disappoint you, he's quite a petrolhead and does not sell sh1te.

I Acutally bought a Vrs octavia off him
About 3 year ago . Beauty of a car . I know he is genuine also

Foxhole Norman

Colash wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-5-series-520i-msport-03/9262250
Thats whAt I'm thinking of ???

Looks tidy enough! Manual too which is a bonus on the 2.2. I'd prefer dual zone climate myself but the manual controls are fine. If you do get one, look at getting an Eonon D5124F head unit, transforms the interior.

Here's mine:

Colash

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

Looks tidy enough! Manual too which is a bonus on the 2.2. I'd prefer dual zone climate myself but the manual controls are fine. If you do get one, look at getting an Eonon D5124F head unit, transforms the interior.

Here's mine:

Looks good , really makes dash look modern

RyanMGF

That interior is gorgeous. That's a really lovely car.

Colash

It' looks to be a very well kept car

166man

As FN said, I had a 2001 525i MSport manual. Had 155k miles on it and it was a damn good car. Only trouble I had was a water pump needed replacing. Again a very common thing that goes on them.

Imola red is one of the better colours too, though FN's car is lovely.

Here's mine,

Colash

166man wrote: »

As FN said, I had a 2001 525i MSport manual. Had 155k miles on it and it was a damn good car. Only trouble I had was a water pump needed replacing. Again a very common thing that goes on them.

Imola red is one of the better colours too, though FN's car is lovely.

Here's mine,

Ah lads ye are killing me with these beauty's the red is gorgeous . Was that mileage on it when u bought ? Did u find the red fading at all??

Eric Cartman

Colash wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-5-series-520i-msport-03/9262250
Thats whAt I'm thinking of ???

i wouldn't buy one without leather or climate control but thats just me , grand car, lacking in spec.

Colash

Eric Cartman wrote: »

i wouldn't buy one without leather or climate control but thats just me , grand car, lacking in spec.

Not ne bit pushed on leather to be honest . The climate control I hadn't even noticed . Do all the msports not come with same spec ?????

166man

Colash wrote: »

Ah lads ye are killing me with these beauty's the red is gorgeous . Was that mileage on it when u bought ? Did u find the red fading at all??

Yeah had 151k on it and 157 I think when I sold it! I had always wanted an E39 MSport. Red didn't fade at all, though I had it polished in that picture!

Eric Cartman

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520i-02full-m-sportlook-mint/8626336?offset=1

Colash

Eric Cartman wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520i-02full-m-sportlook-mint/8626336?offset=1

Beauty , but no test ????? Even a month of a test makes me interested ., but no test is a no no for me

Foxhole Norman

Colash wrote: »

Not ne bit pushed on leather to be honest . The climate control I hadn't even noticed . Do all the msports not come with same spec ?????

Unfortunately not! Some came very bare with no cruise/multi function wheel or proper traction.

Eric Cartman

Colash wrote: »

Beauty , but no test ????? Even a month of a test makes me interested ., but no test is a no no for me

Will be sold with a full test according to the ad, provided it flys through then its a good bet