People say you should only pay what something worth. But how do you know? That's why I'm asking on the forum as i've never has an E34 before and, it seems, everybody on here has two or three!!!

Viewed a 1996 P plate 525i se Auto touring(hence the earlier question about auto boxes.) with double sunroof but no Aircon. Metallic silver, with 112,000 miles on the clock. BMW history until 2000. There are no receipts after that. Car drives exceptionally well. Feels tight with auto going between gears without jerks and doesn't feel as though it's slipping. Bodywork is in VGC but there is a small amount of paint bubble at the back edge of the front wings where it meets the front edge of the front doors. Car hasn't got mudflaps which might explain this. Tyres very good all round with a years MOT.

Any advice on whay should be a fair price. It's being sold by an independant used dealer who went from £3995 which I know it a bit high to £3300.

Your opinions please.....

Service history to the year 2000 to 76,000 miles. Not 2000 miles. There are stamps from other garages to 96,000 miles. Meant to add that the radiator, viscous coupling and thermostat were replaced under warranty sometime during 1999.

There. Thats it.

I've just looked at an E39 528i saloon on an S plate, similar milage, aircon etc, but obviously not an estate.

This car was £5,500.

I'd have thought 3 was about top wack, as from what you are saying it does need some bodywork.

Have a look at the front jacking points, a very good look, as these are the vents for the sunroof drain channels, if blocked they could be rotten by now.

Are the bubbles rust? if so walk away. E34's do not rust and for that money there will be better with full histories out there. The last of the e34's are difficult to price as you would not find a good 96 e39 for much under 5k, so all of a sudden £3995 seems cheap. It is not. An e34 for 4k needs to be top spec (air and leather) and fully historied.

My mate has just sold a 95 M 525iSE auto with 102k up and struggled to get £2600. It had history and a wad of bills. BUT it had no leather and no air. It was however, immaculate with not a bubble anywhere. Now I consider that a cheap car that you would, or could, forego the extras. Would it have raised any more with the air and leather? I doubt it but it would have sold a damn sight quicker.

Good luck

Trevor

Hi big g

i just brought a 525se touring doublesunroof no air con 122,000 miles for £2100.00 with full service history all i say is take it out for a very long drive as mine has devolped a intermittant knchie gear change going from third to fourth (auto box) it only does it now and again so i can live with it apart from that it's a superb car for the money :).

p.s look in the auto trader thats where i got mine from .

Thanks for all your opinions. From what I've seen the touring models seem to hold there money well against a saloon. Ideally I'm looking for a TDS but they are like hen's teeth. If anyone knows of a touring for sale either 525i manual/auto or 525 tds man.auto then please drop me a line. Good tourings are very hard to get up here in Scotland. I'll put a wanted add on the sale page.

Cheers everyone

Thanks to Phil for the links. Always handy to get some new websites to keep an eye on. Anyone else you knows of cars for sale your help will be greatly appreciated. I will travel for the right car.

Cheers

Nigel wrote: I've just looked at an E39 528i saloon on an S plate, similar mileage, aircon etc, but obviously not an estate. This car was £5,500.

Where did you see that Nigel? Thats a great price isn't?  In May 2003 I test drove a 98 S E39 528i SE with leather, aircon, steptronic and a sunroof from a dealer.  It was an approved used Beamer with 48k.  Price was £15,995. This was top book price at the time. 

Now that means it has dropped up to £10,000 in 18 months?  Surely not?

Andrew

Andrew Rolland wrote: Nigel wrote: I've just looked at an E39 528i saloon on an S plate, similar mileage, aircon etc, but obviously not an estate. This car was £5,500. Where did you see that Nigel? Thats a great price isn't?  In May 2003 I test drove a 98 S E39 528i SE with leather, aircon, steptronic and a sunroof from a dealer.  It was an approved used Beamer with 48k.  Price was £15,995. This was top book price at the time.  Now that means it has dropped up to £10,000 in 18 months?  Surely not? Andrew

Sounds about right for a private sale doesnt it, especially at this time of year?

My friend just paid 3.5K for a "p" plate E39 528 ,  high mileage but FSH

E39's are dropping in price now, i've bought 3 this year, and now the price you can get them if you're looking is unbelievable! not difficult to get one for under £4k with full BMWSH, and about 110-130k, i saw a few sell on eBay for under £3k this year, but over 200k mileage which is steep! (one was £2650 which is a cheap E39).

Best place is the auctions, choose the days when the dealer part exchangers go through, BMW wont sell a 2nd hand car if it goes above 100k (don't hold me to it, a BMW salesman who sold me an E46 328 told me! ) so they go to the auction and can go for silly money!! either way!