E39 - My least reliable car ever!! |
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zayd55
Groupie Joined: 10-March-2005 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 62 |
Posted: 25-January-2006 at 18:45 |
I must also say that this is the most troublesome car that I have ever owned. Just look at my lovely list which still is not yet complete. I wish I could just go back to my old trusted japanese steeds which don't bloody let you down as much as these german sausages. However when these cars are working perfectly they are like chariots of fire flying along the expressways.BMW 530i Sport Auto
Maintenance Work - Purchased
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2000 E39 530i Sport Auto M54
Titan Silver |
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chazzer
Bavarian-Board Contributor V8 Baby !!! Joined: 25-April-2005 Location: south bristol Status: Offline Points: 383 |
Posted: 25-January-2006 at 19:27 |
Christ ..... i thought the E39 had a few flaws ... but i didnt know it was that bad im glad a bought another E34 (540I), my beloved 520 -M50 has covered nearly 60k with me behind the wheel and servicing apart it cost me new fuel pump which went at 142k and three ignition coils at 165k ... still going well at 184k .. my advice would be sell your E39's and buy an E34 while there are still a few good ones about, parts are fairly cheap and widely avaliable and as a bonus they are very easy to work on, well mine has never needed anything that me a few hours and a bently manual couldnt sort.... best wishes charlie Edited by chazzer |
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Current : 1995 BMW E34 540I Auto 98K Fully Loaded, Leather, Sat Nav & Dvd. Previous: 1991 BMW E34 520I Manual(non-vanos) 185K with full leather. 1990 BMW E34 525I Auto 113k in sterling silver
& 1993 BMW E34 520I SE in dimond black |
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Exharper
Really Senior Member I Dont let the misses drive it!! Joined: 19-January-2005 Location: Sawley, Long Eaton Status: Offline Points: 444 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 06:33 |
I own a 523 i se, ive had it for two years now and bought it on 117000 miles. It has noe done 133000 and my only repairs to this car are. 1, lower suspension bearing 2, Ignition switch 3, rear silencer guard clips 4, new drinks holders in the back 5, and 3 new driver door levers!! 6, break fluid sensor 7, passenger airbag sensor (Not repaired). I think that is OK when the BMW gives me so much back, like comfort power and that nice engine sound. So big up the E39 and im looking at another as i speak!!!
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Beemer dan 523i SE 1997 (184K) Canyon Rot Red, auto. 330 CI Msport Convertible, blue 51K.
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jamie (e39)528i
Really Senior Member II Joined: 03-January-2005 Location: chafford hundred essex Status: Offline Points: 1093 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 08:28 |
Well i think it is my turn now...... in the last 3 years this is what has happened to mine....... New battery,xenon headlamp adjusters,front discs and pads,power steering hoses x2,new rain sensor unit,drive beltsx2,passenger airbag mat,wheel sensors,air con belt's,thermostat and a water pump being fitted as we speak. Now that sounds like a lot of things gone wrong but the car is pushing 126000 miles and is used every day come rain or shine. I dont expect a car to be totally reliable when it gets to over 100,000 miles as you will be replacing most things that are original. The majority of parts replaced are consumables like tyres,thermostat,drive belts etc..... The e39 has been less reliable than my previous BM's but that is because it is more complex than the others,(e34 525i 24v and e30 316) I enjoy driving the e39 alot and is a good allround car,would i buy another? maybe........
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Exharper
Really Senior Member I Dont let the misses drive it!! Joined: 19-January-2005 Location: Sawley, Long Eaton Status: Offline Points: 444 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 08:37 |
Do you know how much the airbag mat costs to replace, i beleve you have to take the seat to bits?? Or you can have it coded out.... Sorry add the front disc to my list as well... |
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Beemer dan 523i SE 1997 (184K) Canyon Rot Red, auto. 330 CI Msport Convertible, blue 51K.
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jamie (e39)528i
Really Senior Member II Joined: 03-January-2005 Location: chafford hundred essex Status: Offline Points: 1093 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 08:48 |
I paid £150.00 for mine at my specialist all inc. Yes you do have to take the seat to bits even my specialist said it is a pig to do! I believe its slightly cheaper if you have a cloth interior,mine is leather. Hope that helps. |
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Exharper
Really Senior Member I Dont let the misses drive it!! Joined: 19-January-2005 Location: Sawley, Long Eaton Status: Offline Points: 444 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 09:21 |
That does help, got leather too, so same situation. Do you know if the airbag system is inactive if its just the passenger sensor throwing a wobbler..i wud assume it is. Rediculous safety system dont you think?, however i had enough of looking at that silly light on the dash.
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Beemer dan 523i SE 1997 (184K) Canyon Rot Red, auto. 330 CI Msport Convertible, blue 51K.
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jamie (e39)528i
Really Senior Member II Joined: 03-January-2005 Location: chafford hundred essex Status: Offline Points: 1093 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 09:29 |
Yes you are right the airbag is not operational when the light is on,however all others will work! The mat only senses when there is someone in the passsenger seat so is off most of the time if you travel alone. I must admit the light drove me mad
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Oisin
Really Senior Member I Joined: 26-May-2004 Location: Ireland_Millstreet Co.Cork Status: Offline Points: 490 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 10:34 |
Could say! the same as all of ye!!! trouble trouble trouble have a 525tds,reconditioned engine,sensors,pixels gone,links,tie rods,the lists just goes on and on!!! great fun to drive,but cost an arm and a leg!! |
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2006 VW Passat 1.9tdi
1995 E34 520i(M5)Sold.New classic required Previous: 2004 Santa fee commercial - 2001 Saab 9-5 3.0,Tid - 1997 E39 525tds |
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marky
Groupie Joined: 02-June-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 59 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 12:39 |
Yep, my 97 528i SE has been the most expensive car I have ever run and the most unreliable. Ive had several Citroens and peugeots in the past and they have been much more reliable. The car has only done 83000 miles In the last 2 years Ive had to: Replace the short engine (nikasil) £2500 ICVs £150 Thermostat £150 Lamda Sensor £100 Still to do: Passenger seat mat Aircon fan (though aircon is still working) Dashboard pixels have gone Rear light bulb :-) Also the depreciation in the last few years has been painful! I havn't even covered the amount spent on servicing, tyres and insurance. All have been 3-4 times what I have spent on other cars. I wonder why I still have the car. Well its because there is nothing out there that is better!!!!!!! :-) Unless you count the ones I cannot afford Porsche 911/M5/Alpina B10 etc... |
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martin528
Groupie Joined: 27-September-2005 Location: Hinckley Status: Offline Points: 67 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 15:54 |
Car delivered back from dealers (Syntner in Leicester) this afternoon.
Drives like a completely differenct car, now silent and smooth again
like it was when I got. Glad for the BMW warranty.
Problems listed were rectified, and others, as follws: 1. Monor rumble from steering wheel - another damn Dunlop was buckled, they also topped the power steering fluid up. Fluid made it feel much better, and I'm getting a second hand set of Turbines with Continental tyres on tomorrow. 2. ABS and ASC light illuminated on dash & gearbox fault - caused by faulty OSR wheel speed sensor...I really couldn't believe a wheel speed sensor affects so much! 3. Slight ticking from engine - BMW topped the oil up, now sounds much better. Ticking from exhaust end - dent in CAT heat shield - bent straight by dealer, now sorted. Car came back polished, and valeted inside and out. Car looks and feels the business again...now I know why I bought one with full history and extended warranty Faith almost restored in BMW E39's, see if it gets even better when new tyres fitted tomorrow. Only other niggle now is a minor clunking from suspension over bumpy ground. Only really noticeable when one wheel hits a bump at a time, so gonna be ARB bushes. Martin |
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Triumph Speed Triple 2006, and E39 528i SE...not bad for a 26 year old!
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ps003
Groupie Joined: 24-May-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 61 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 15:59 |
Well the E39 may not be the best car BMW have ever made as far as reliability goes, but I have to say that in my experience neither were the late E34s. I've had a 1995 525i for 2 years now and have done 7000 miles in total, mostly motorway, it's just reached 119,500 miles and even though it's the best car I've ever driven and makes me smile ever time I put the pedal to the metal, in the 2 years I've had it, it's needed: brake discs and pads all round, lambda sensor, 2 x ignition coil packs, sunroof switch, clutch replacement (manual), lots of work on the handbrake but it still can't hold the car on a hill! Thermostat and water pump (plastic impeller replacement), air conditioning beyond economical repair - complete system would need replacement (previous owner appears to have continued to try and run it with no refrigerant!). Blower fan resistor pack, drivers door lock (still not 100% right but I'm working on it), lots of rewiring in the boot hinge - bad design fault there, new headlamps due to corroded reflectors along with 2 new headlamp adjusters and motors - originals seized solid and burned out the motors, 2 new track rod ends and 4 replacement wheels and tyres due to BMW having fitted those stupidly expensive metric wheels originally. There's still a few minor niggles with it but I've given up with repairs for the moment, am contemplating selling it before it costs me any more. Believe it or not I'm considering a late(ish) E39, there seem to be quite a few 2002 530i sports around at the moment, mostly ex-company ones with full BMWSH and some extended warranty remaining. I hear that the BMW warranty is known for being one of the best around so I'd definitely look round for one that still has one, has anyone here had any major problems with one of the later 6 pot petrol E39s? Paul |
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Current - 2001 E39 530i Sport Auto Previous - 1995 E34 525i SE Manual |
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zayd55
Groupie Joined: 10-March-2005 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 62 |
Posted: 26-January-2006 at 19:53 |
That knocking sound you are hearing when going over speed humps or bumps in the road is most probably your suspension top mounts. They are mounted at the top of your struts and sit on bearings which when worn also can cause your steering to "creak". The mounts are not too expensive and fitting should cost you about £100.00 at a decent Indy.
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2000 E39 530i Sport Auto M54
Titan Silver |
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Ian :0
Groupie Joined: 11-August-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 92 |
Posted: 27-January-2006 at 07:28 |
After an E34 and currently an E39 where next ? E60 ? A6 ? E-Class ? Skoda Superb (Elegance - check the spec !) ? Seriously ! |
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Ian
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darkspirit
Senior Member II Joined: 08-August-2005 Location: Teesside Status: Offline Points: 152 |
Posted: 27-January-2006 at 07:55 |
OK i'll join in aswell :-) Only had my '99 528 (FSH and 87000 miles) for six months and so far ... 4 new decent tyres as the old cheapo's were shaking the wheels. New front pads and discs (wear and tear) Pixels starting to die (expected this to happen) Intermittent on the wipers not working Rain sensor not working PDC failed, just one long beep now? Engine stalls for no apparant reason while cold? Severe shaking under braking at 60mph + (maybe the cheap discs on the front) But despite all the above, it's still a great car! Every time I get in I love the luxury dash and the way the car effortlessly drives. I love the way at 50mph, you plant the loud pedal in 3rd and the car tries to rip up the tarmac as it heads towards 100. I love the way when people see you get out of the car they think 'flash bastard' even though it's probably worth less than their Ford :-) I did think of selling and going back to a jap car, I had her up for sale and had loads of viewings but I ended up putting the buyers off and 'selling' the car to myself again :-) The interiors of jap cars are no match for these (and also E34's im afraid) and they feel so flimsy! I probably wouldn't have bought one of these new if I had the money but they are a hell of a bargain and a lot of car for the money when they sell at £5-7000 secondhand! Long live the E39 :-) |
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'99 E39 528i SE Manual Scwartz black with Grey leather
In the words of SPACEBALLS 'may the schwartz be with you...' :-) |
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Drew540i
Really Senior Member II Available from all good newsagents! Joined: 15-August-2005 Location: The Mansfield Massive Status: Offline Points: 632 |
Posted: 27-January-2006 at 09:57 |
'Tis true. The E39 - even a basic manual P reg 520i -
has a great feelgood factor about it. I'll probably end up buying another one after all, a mega mileage 523i manual or something. They're down to £2000 or less on Ebay now. |
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whitey
Really Senior Member I Joined: 15-May-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 450 |
Posted: 28-January-2006 at 07:46 |
Well imagine my surprise to find the following this morning on the off side rear. I have NEVER had so many tyres on a car. BMW say theres nothing wrong with the rear and that the neg camber on m tech suspension can wear the inner edges. But this is dangerous. I was loaded up touching up to 100mph on boxing day with my Daughter and wife in the car. This is a Dunlop SP2000 that I reckon has done barely 12k. I'm off to buy 2 tyres now and they ain't gonna be Dunlops! Trevor Edited by whitey |
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2000 e39 523i with full factory sport kit.
1989 e30 325i Convertible 1999 Golf GTI 1.8T |
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
Posted: 28-January-2006 at 08:01 |
whitey - do you do a lot of 'happy cornering'?
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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whitey
Really Senior Member I Joined: 15-May-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 450 |
Posted: 28-January-2006 at 11:35 |
Well I would say the ASC is on more than off, but yes my driving style could be classed as "tyre hungry" All I could get this afternoon were 2 Avon ZZ3's which I managed to blag for £170 all in. Considering they wanted £130 + fitting for 1 dunlop i didn't think it was too bad. Only time will tell if the Avons are any good though. I also swapped out my damaged rear N/S rim due to my ice incident (see http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=25202&a mp;PN=1 for details) and I have to say that all vibrations seemed to have ceased. There were there before the accident but the damaged rim made it worse. I have the old rim in the garage and if you lay it on a flat surface, it's like a see saw it's so bent Just the thermostat, front thrust arm bush and a valet and she's ready to go.
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2000 e39 523i with full factory sport kit.
1989 e30 325i Convertible 1999 Golf GTI 1.8T |
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Stone
Newbie Joined: 14-February-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 18 |
Posted: 28-January-2006 at 12:57 |
Mmm, I owned a 91' 525i SE man for 2 years and I currently own a 97' 528i SE man (bought Feb 04'). Both are great to drive and both have cost me money with things going wrong. However, the E39 has been the most expensive with £2.3K's worth of work in 2005 including both rear bearings, clutch replacement, passenger seat occupancy sensor, rear shock spring, cat shields, heater hose, tyres, brake pads and disks and inspections. I did cover 14K miles last year but I thought Beemers were supposed to eat that amount for breakfast. On balance the E34 was probably the slightly better car to drive and has had lower costs overall but the E39 has better refinement and safety features (airbags, 3 rear 3 point belts for kids etc). |
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