E39 advice please guys !

Hello chaps.

It's come to that time again, time to change the car, I've started to wear out that very nice and reliable E34 518i estate I have, and it isn't special enough for me to want to bother and save it.

I know I've always said I wouldn't bother with an E39, as the krauts couldn't be arsed to make the windscreen wipers go the correct way, but E34's are getting thinner on the ground, although you can still find the odd one or two :

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20101635716479 2/original-id/201016357164792/associated-ids/201014356326664 %2C201015356588015%2C201017357817695%2C200948347208207%2C201 014356165229/usedcars/postcode/wr51ll?logcode=o

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20102135987738 6/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/3000/body-type/estate/maxi mum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/model/5_series/make/bmw/page/1 /postcode/wr51ll/radius/1501?logcode=p

So ....what do I need to be looking out for on an E39 ?

Vanos ? nikisil ? complicated suspension setups ?

I'm looking at things like this :

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20094834720820 7/original-id/201016357164792/associated-ids/201014356326664 %2C201015356588015%2C201017357817695%2C200948347208207%2C201 014356165229/usedcars/postcode/wr51ll?logcode=a

Many thanks guys

Are you definitely looking for a Touring?  If so, then the most important thing is the condition of the rear suspension.  Not sure if they all have it, but I know that the air suspension on many of them can be bothersome.

Given the level to which values have now dropped, unless you find something truly exceptional there probably isn't a need to look at nikasil cars.  The 523i I sold early this year is now past 150k with a friend and still running flawlessly and not touching a drop of oil but its one less thing to worry about if you go S plate or later (but always check the build date on the inner wing under the bonnet).

It may be a personal thing, but I think the best long term engine is an M52TU 520i, 523i or 528i.  My current 5 is another 523i but the extra torque and general gruntiness of the dual vanos is noticable over the single vanos car.  I'd want to know more about any M54 engined car because of their taste for the black stuff.  I'd like some reassurance that it hasn't run low on oil once too often.

In most areas of suspension, etc. they won't differ greatly from your e34 in terms of what to look out for, e.g. bushes, ball joints, etc.  Dead pixels on the dash, faulty Light Control Modules (leaving one headlight on when they are switched off, etc.), dodgy climate control hedgehog resistors, air bag occupancy sensor faults, ABS/Traction Control sensors and sundry other electrical glitches are the main points to watch out for.  None should probably put you off an otherwise good car and none on their own are finacially crippling but good to be aware and on the lookout when viewing.

Mechanically, the main thing to be paranoid about is the state of the cooling system.  If they boil, these engines are basically scrap.  If its too slow or quick to heat, if the gauge doesn't sit rock steady in the centre when warm, etc. then move on.

The only places the tinworm seems to find a home is around the bootlid (the last 5 had bubbles around the keyhole even though I'd say there was never a key put in it) and inside the fuel filler flap.

The '00 523i I have now is an SE with the factory sport pack, leather, etc.  It had 41k with full BMW history on it when I bought it late Jan.  I probably paid top whack buying it privately for around �4k but it was exceptional and 7-8k miles later it appears to be the bargain of the year so far.

From about April of '00, they got a couple of things such as PDC thrown in to the spec too.

Nigel, take it you don't fancy a change then? 

Then again it took a while to clear the mess up the last time you went for a drive in one....

The only thing I can add re E39s on the cooling side is plastic water pump impeller failure engine over heats, thermo viscous fan clutch slips and over heats.   Plastic pumps were fitted to the single vanos M52 engines (M52TU is the dual vanos) and were replaced with metal pumps.  Make sure the viscous fan is stiff to turn when pushed (WITH THE ENGINE OFF) with your finger tips, if it spins easily, there is no fluid in the clutch so will just spin at the wrong speed.

The wheel sensors can be problematic too, they throw up the ASC/ABS warning light but it needs a diagnostic check to see which one has failed.  Replacment is easy diy, part from ECP is ~�60.

Oh and lastly rear anti roll bar links can clunk a bit, easy diy, only fit genuine BMW ones, they are twice the price but last 4 times as long as the cheap ones I bought from ECP.

Don't buy an oil burner as you will never know how relaible the turbo is going to be.

There is not a lot between the 523i and the 528i in terms of economy IMHO and the 528i is far more lively.

Rear suspension bushes are expensive to replace on the touring

I would look for a model with the big OBC to see if there are any error messages. (rear self leveling suspension touring!)

My 528 has passed it's 3rd MOT since in my ownership without any parts required. The car sees very little service and I have clocked up 60k miles since I bought it (with 122k miles). Didn't come with any service history.

All I have replace so far is brake pads, front brake disks, front wheels bearings (wasn't required, bloody tyres made the noise!!!) and two front suspension links.
Had to replace thermostat, they are plastic and brake sometimes and they will stay open --> bad heating!

My rear subframe bushes are finally shot and this will be the first bigger expense.

Tail gate is bubbling and the clear coat on the bonnet has decided to flake of in big chunks.

Had the Autobox fluid changed straight after I bought it.

Test drive one and you will not want an E34 again.

Edited by UweM3