|
Thanks, the older 520i has 150bhp and is underpowered. I was considering a 525d or 530d but can't find one for under £2.5k plus I really want to get a petrol for a change. 6 cylinder, 24 valve sounds good and beats my focus which is only 8 valve and 4 cylinder, though torque is the same at 250nm.
|
After the compact Focus, the a 523i will feel cumbersome and slow - especially up hills when you're used to the turbo diesels torque.
Its an old car at the end of the day - I got sucked in to the "Its a BMW" thing and found that things had moved on car size for car size and it wasnt all that.
All in my opinion.
|
|
I would be very disappointed if that was the case. I was hoping to get a "much" better car.
|
I think you will have a much better car, but i'm a believer that cars of this type should be auto's to get the smooth comfortable 'wafting' pleasure of normal not fast driving, and the ability to instantly overtake without pre planning.
I've noticed that many modern diesels can match my older petrol MB for acceleration by using their peak revs and belching out black smoke but in fits and starts as they go up the box, my auto's acceleration is constant without any let up, a smoothness i prefer.
Those that don't black smoke just don't have the urge, though owners of black smokers seem to be often unaware.
You really want the leather too, i hope its got that, and my own choice of the E39 would be a 530i for that effortless surge.
As an aside, the economy is likely to nose dive again soon, maybe car prices could become more advantageous for you to wait till things are depressed again...i've noticed larger cars especially have re-surged in price the last 6 months.
|
I want a manual because it has better fuel economy and faster acceleration, plus I just perfer changing gears myself as it gives me more control. But I woulddn't rule out an auto box, may be I will test drive one. Is there a big difference in mpg between manual and auto in the bmw 5 series?
A 530i would be good and is it only 1-2 mpg less than the 523i, from what I've seen?
|
Yes the MPG issue is a good point. You lose very little in the way of economy by opting for a larger engine in these cars. My 2.2 gave almost the same economy as the 3.0 as it had to work harder. If you can find a nice 525i, 528i or even 530i, don't say no just because you think it may guzzle fuel. They're really not that bad -- I'd say between 28-32MPG average on a mix of urban and motorway driving.
I hate to admit it as I have long since moved on from my E39, but still, I think it was my best all rounder to date. A super car and still looks good. Prices are attractive now, so see a few and bag yourself a good one.
Manuals are a good bet. Autos are 'sealed for life' and many are now giving problems or leaving owners with a £3-4k bill for repair. Only get one if it has had a fluid change. Just my opinion...:)
|
Manual 530i it is then, if I can find one in black, silver or dark blue :-)
Saw a nice black 525i but its the sport and I'm too keen on the front grille. It looks OK, but I don't know, I prefer the normal bumper. Its the other way round with the e60 though, the sport looks loads better.
|
Manual 530i it is then if I can find one in black silver or dark blue :-)
I'm sure most owners of auto's will have had the fluid changed..BMW owners tend not to be idiots who would believe in such a thing as sealed for life..;)
On the performance side of things, very few manual cars can match the constant and instant surge of a proper engined proper auto unless giving the gearbox abuse.
Agree with dark blue in the 530i though, especially with cream leather a lovely combination, looks so 'right'.
I seriously researched the M5 in E39 guise a couple of years ago, but made some expensive discoveries if problems shoukld arise so scotched that idea, however i had found the perfect car in that mode...very dark green almost green/black with tan leather, unusual and desirable.
|
|
|
Just don't drive in snow or ice...
|
Just don't drive in snow or ice...on summer tyres.
|
E39's are a well known subject so fairly easy to research. Look for worn suspensions (wobbling under acceleration or braking - they should feel very planted), cooling issues (radiator and water pumps fail quite regularly), front "pusher" fan (not that important if you're not worried about aircon), viscous cooling fan, heater blower, driveline shunt (often the prop "donut" bush) and excessive oil consumption (although all models, the 530 in particular, use some oil).
It won't have the same running and maintenance costs as a Focus. Keeping an old E39 in top condition can be a ruinous experience. You also have to remember they were top of the tree in 1996 so it's an early 90's design so adjust expectations accordingly.
Having said that, a good one can still be a very good drive and a very good buy but try and find one which has already had most of the common bits done. A neglected one can be a nightmare.
Autos cost about £1300-£1500 to rebuild (most of the petrols use GM boxes and diesels ZF - or maybe the other way round). Common failure is losing reverse so check it goes backwards. The fluid change there is no common consensus on - some say do it, other reports say changing the oil can kill a gearbox. One thing is that is the 'box is worn out and near end of life, new fluid probably won't help.
The 6-cylinder models can do 30-35mpg on a sensible motorway run in auto format but from a cold start with town use can slip under 20mpg. If you do lots of short, cold journies expect some quite frightening fuel consumption figures. Add 3-4mpg for manual.
|
|
Top post, PD! An text-book reply to the OP, in my opinion. Full of useful data, and presented in an expert way but without showing off.
|
|
Saw a nice black 525i but its the sport and I'm too keen on the front grille.
You can't see the grille when you're in the Captain's seat!
MD
|
|
|
|
|
cars especially have re-surged in price the last 6 months.
but should did a death when Joe Public realises that £405 to tax it is a reality.
MD
|
|
Tax wont be an issue on a '98, and maintenance is really straightforward for such a well thought out car. MPG is, especially on an auto, mercurial. I can easily maintain a 33-34mpg average in mixed conditions, whereas my better half is happy when she manages to crack 24mpg!
|
|
Fabulous car the E39. World beating when it appeared and still nicer to drive than most of the stuff made these days. It has a much more cossetting ride than the very sports oriented E60 that replaced it too. All the 6 cylinder engines are good, if it were me then I would look for a 530i. A mate of mine has a late 530i estate with 400,000km on the clock and it still drives well. Avoid anything with wide, low profile tyres and/ or lowered suspension as this stresses the oily bits and the chassis.
|
Saw a 2001 520i (facelift) in medium blue with light fabric interior. The blue paintwork looks very smart and even better than silver/black. The 520i is a newer engine than the 523i with the same 170bhp output but has less torque - 210nnm v 245nm. Is that due to the 523i having a higher engine capacity 2.5l v 2.2l? Which engine is best?
Pity it was an auto because its a second slower to 60, 8.8 sec v 9.8 sec and lower mpg. That puts me off the auto, plus the potential repair costs mentioned above.
|
|
When I had the 2.2litre 520i auto, I didn't find it slow as such, but did slightly wish I had waited for at least a 525i to come round. That being said, the 520i was loaded with kit so I was happy enough. Slightly lacking in torque perhaps, but very free revving. It thrived on it. Could use a bit of oil though...!
|
You should be able to drive a bargain on a 520/523/525 SE which is good if you plan to keep it for a while. Remember, however, that the one which everyone wants is a 530i Sport Auto with leather, xenons and comms pack so if you are looking at short term ownership get one which is easy to sell on.
With winter not that far off if you are looking at pre-facelift also check you can live with the lights which are almost criminally bad. Facelift are a bit better and xenons about the same as most other makes halogens.
|
|
|
|
