E39 530-540i project?

bmwcoupeftw · 03-24-2011, 10:00 AM

Hello

Ive been really into the looks and handling off the e39 latly as some of my friends have bought e39s. Problem is, theres very few of them were i live with big engines, its mostly 520i and so on. And if there is a 530-540i, they have went 1 billion miles ( over 130.000km) and gotten badly treatned.
Like lots of rust and stuff bcuz of the long winters and salt, and they havent washed them properly etc

So hows the overall quality on the e39s and the "big" engines?
Is a e39 with over 130.000km on it to big of a risk?
I wont buy a new engine... :P (there aint even engines 4 sale so :P)

ANDREASX5M · 04-13-2011, 12:21 AM

1) GREAT QUALITY
2) Low reving engines last longer, 130k is nothing.

mtaylo3 · 04-22-2011, 01:27 PM

I've had my 540i for about seven years now and I love it. I've compared my 12 year old car to new cars and can usually argue why my 186,000 mile 540i is still better than their "off the show room floor" new cars. I still don't have any rattles in the car and it can outperform most cars on the road.

There are problems with E 39's such as the worst cooling system in the world (replace your radiator every few years or upgrade to a zionville and it's not that big of a problem) and a problem with a shake in your steering even with new tires if the control arm bushings get so much as a hairline crack.

If you search sites you'll find most parts aren't that incredibly expensive, even with shipping, and there are a lot of things made for it. Living in Florida I don't have to worry about rust so my baby still looks new which I can't say for the other 12 year old cars in my neighborhood.

One last point, BMW ran an add recently to introduce it's new 5 series. It noted that 5 series has taken 10 major awards for excellence and performance in the last 20 years. I saw that 9 of those 10 awards went to the E39 and only 1 went to the newer 5 series.

cdmulders · 04-28-2011, 10:24 PM

I still say every day, even after owning my 2000 528i for 6 years, that I love my car. It has 230K kms, but not a squeak or rattle. I've put some money into the suspension (keeping it stock but replacing worn components), and it still is the best overall handling/driving car I've owned. Even my wife's Z4, while a killer for performance, isn't as well balanced as a daily driver in my humble opinion. Yes, the cooling system sucks, and automatic trannies are problematic after a few hundred thousand kms. Still, not a spot of rust on my car, and it has seen many Canadian winters with salt and crud all around. I had it repainted last year just to take out some road rash and minor dings - it looks and drives like new, and did I say that I still love it? Don't rule out a 528i or 530i. They aren't the fastest like the 540i or M5, but the motor is bullet-proof. Mine still doesn't drop or burn any oil, and when I push it hard, it still gives most new cars a run for their money.

Cheers.

xuan · 07-06-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwcoupeftw

Hello

So hows the overall quality on the e39s and the "big" engines?
Is a e39 with over 130.000km on it to big of a risk?
I wont buy a new engine... :P (there aint even engines 4 sale so :P)

I am also considering purchasing a 530D pack Luxe / preference y. 2000
It has been scrupulously maintained in the BMW garage who sold it to the first and only owner and
has had Xenons and windscreen replaced before being put on sale (where sligthly opacified by dust...)

It is really in mint condition inside and out but... 340K Km...
Price seems OK (4500€)

My budget is limited but my friend and I would like the opportunity to experiment BMW motoring excellence...

How far can such a car drive ?

03-24-2011, 10:00 AM	#1
bmwcoupeftw Private 10 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 730d, X5 30d Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	E39 530-540i project? Hello Ive been really into the looks and handling off the e39 latly as some of my friends have bought e39s. Problem is, theres very few of them were i live with big engines, its mostly 520i and so on. And if there is a 530-540i, they have went 1 billion miles ( over 130.000km) and gotten badly treatned. Like lots of rust and stuff bcuz of the long winters and salt, and they havent washed them properly etc So hows the overall quality on the e39s and the "big" engines? Is a e39 with over 130.000km on it to big of a risk? I wont buy a new engine... :P (there aint even engines 4 sale so :P)
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04-13-2011, 12:21 AM	#2
ANDREASX5M Private 7 Rep 57 Posts Drives: E36/E39/E46/E70/E60/997TT/R129 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 X5M [0.00]	1) GREAT QUALITY 2) Low reving engines last longer, 130k is nothing.
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04-22-2011, 01:27 PM	#3
mtaylo3 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 99 E39 540I with sport package Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Jacksonville, Florida iTrader: (0)	Nothing like the E39 I've had my 540i for about seven years now and I love it. I've compared my 12 year old car to new cars and can usually argue why my 186,000 mile 540i is still better than their "off the show room floor" new cars. I still don't have any rattles in the car and it can outperform most cars on the road. There are problems with E 39's such as the worst cooling system in the world (replace your radiator every few years or upgrade to a zionville and it's not that big of a problem) and a problem with a shake in your steering even with new tires if the control arm bushings get so much as a hairline crack. If you search sites you'll find most parts aren't that incredibly expensive, even with shipping, and there are a lot of things made for it. Living in Florida I don't have to worry about rust so my baby still looks new which I can't say for the other 12 year old cars in my neighborhood. One last point, BMW ran an add recently to introduce it's new 5 series. It noted that 5 series has taken 10 major awards for excellence and performance in the last 20 years. I saw that 9 of those 10 awards went to the E39 and only 1 went to the newer 5 series.
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04-28-2011, 10:24 PM	#4
cdmulders Captain 349 Rep 704 Posts Drives: 2013 535xi Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nanoose Bay, BC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 535i xDrive [0.00] 2010 E89 Z4 sDrive35i [8.00]	I still say every day, even after owning my 2000 528i for 6 years, that I love my car. It has 230K kms, but not a squeak or rattle. I've put some money into the suspension (keeping it stock but replacing worn components), and it still is the best overall handling/driving car I've owned. Even my wife's Z4, while a killer for performance, isn't as well balanced as a daily driver in my humble opinion. Yes, the cooling system sucks, and automatic trannies are problematic after a few hundred thousand kms. Still, not a spot of rust on my car, and it has seen many Canadian winters with salt and crud all around. I had it repainted last year just to take out some road rash and minor dings - it looks and drives like new, and did I say that I still love it? Don't rule out a 528i or 530i. They aren't the fastest like the 540i or M5, but the motor is bullet-proof. Mine still doesn't drop or burn any oil, and when I push it hard, it still gives most new cars a run for their money. Cheers. __________________ 2013 535xi, Carbon Black, beige interior, M Sport package, HUD, DDC & ARS, ACS springs, Kelleners wheels 2010 Z4 35i, Crimson Red, beige interior, 6sp manual, Adapative Suspension 2000 528i, Cosmo Black, beige interior, Sport package (retired)
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