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      05-26-2012, 02:19 PM   #1
BaLLzZz
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Advice : May Purchase MINT 03 530i Sport

As the title says I possibly am going to pull the trigger on a very well maintained 2003 530i sport. Details of the car are uncertain so far BUT I beleive its a low mileage car.

My questions for the board are simple. What are some BASIC things I should be looking for when I testdrive/look at the car? I know it has never been crashed/painted. I would just like to get the car and do some typical preventive maintance stuff to keep her running like a champ.

I have been reading around that the coolant system is a usual problem. What mileage range does this typically occur? Also something about a rear light harness burning out? Windshield rubber drying up? Vanos leaks?

Im not concerned I just want to get the car do as much as is necessary for the mileage it has and learn the auto as much as possible.

In the future I plan to add the wide navi screen and thats pretty much all I have planned. Other then a long clay/polish/wax job(even though the paint is a 8/10 in current form).

Any advice or info is welcome.

Thank You in Advance
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Last edited by BaLLzZz; 05-26-2012 at 03:39 PM..
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      05-26-2012, 05:00 PM   #2
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Get the car! I had a my first cooling problem (expansion tank) at about 70,000 miles. The other big problem that shows up on E39s with 150,000 miles is the auto transmission. Front end suspension seems to need work around 100,000 miles. One other defect I've seen on other E39s is the LED readout on the radio. These issues are all manageable. I still like the way my 528i handles more than my wife's Z4. Really! Get the car.

Good luck.
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      05-27-2012, 09:55 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdmulders View Post
Get the car! I had a my first cooling problem (expansion tank) at about 70,000 miles. The other big problem that shows up on E39s with 150,000 miles is the auto transmission. Front end suspension seems to need work around 100,000 miles. One other defect I've seen on other E39s is the LED readout on the radio. These issues are all manageable. I still like the way my 528i handles more than my wife's Z4. Really! Get the car.

Good luck.
I most certaintly am UNLESS some unseen problems arise which is highly unlikey. Once I get the car I will make an intro post for the board because she really is a beauty. Anything else I should know tell tale signs when I look under the bonnet specific to this car?

Thanks Again
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      08-02-2012, 07:42 PM   #4
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Did you get this car? Have an 02 530i sport will be looking to sell shortly if not. Manual, 18" M wheels, Nav, M Steering wheel 136k miles, love the car just need something bigger with growing family.

Anyway, if you did get would you mind sharing what you paid, trying to figure out what to ask for mine if anyone else has an opinion.

Thanks
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      12-04-2012, 02:42 PM   #5
BaLLzZz
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^ Didn't get the car yet. Seller isn't ready to let her go yet. I don't mind because when I discussed purchasing he told me he wasn't ready yet. I'm first on the list when the time does come though.

The car I have my eye on has an auto(unfortunately) and only about 72k on the clock. So both cars are similar except mileage and a grand or so in options.

If your car is mechanically as sound as the car im looking at and you have your service history in order I think you should ask around 8500 OBO. The blue book is a little high on these cars. I have seen them sell between 5500-8500 depending on mileage condition and such. I think 8500 is a good starting point or even 8000 and see where it takes you from there. GL with the sale.
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Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. - Albert Einstein

01 e46 m54 - Current : 14 f10 n26 - Boring & Gone : 15 f30 n26 - Current : 08 e92 n54 - Gone & Missed!!!
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      02-05-2013, 09:52 PM   #6
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I hope there aren't too many problems with these cars, I live this brand. Haha I bought a 03 530i today!
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