twisted 45 Report post Posted March 8, 2009 (edited) As per topic. I'll be purchasing at some point in the coming months. I'll likely be looking around MY: 1996-2000. Does anyone have advice on what i should be looing for? Common issues with these cars? Difference between Singapore and Japland cars? I'm trading up from a Subaru so i'm well versed in preventative maintenence and marque specific issues lol. I Could sway to an E34 fro the right one, but over the last week the E39 has really grown on me.. Thanks For your help! Edited March 8, 2009 by twisted Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted March 8, 2009 Hi twisted, welcome to Bimmersport, you have come to the wright place for information. Have a look through previous posts, it seems a “im thinking of buying a E39†thread comes up every week. Also check out: http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....showtopic=20981 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham m5 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2009 As per topic. I'll be purchasing at some point in the coming months. I'll likely be looking around MY: 1996-2000. Does anyone have advice on what i should be looing for? Common issues with these cars? Difference between Singapore and Japland cars? I'm trading up from a Subaru so i'm well versed in preventative maintenence and marque specific issues lol. I Could sway to an E34 fro the right one, but over the last week the E39 has really grown on me.. Thanks For your help! Make sure its got a full service history and take it to a bmw specialist to check over ( AA ones are not good as they do not specialise in bmw's, also look for leaks water and oil leaks, i would also go for a New Zealand new car, but that is just my opinion, there is always some debate on this. Also go for a high spec car as will hold its money better also check suspension well for noises.Hope this is of some help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
entscheidend 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2009 As per topic. I'll be purchasing at some point in the coming months. I'll likely be looking around MY: 1996-2000. Does anyone have advice on what i should be looing for? Common issues with these cars? Difference between Singapore and Japland cars? I'm trading up from a Subaru so i'm well versed in preventative maintenence and marque specific issues lol. I Could sway to an E34 fro the right one, but over the last week the E39 has really grown on me.. Thanks For your help! Look for one that has a service history for sure or has been looked after. Common faults are of course the cooling system - radiator, then thermostat, water pump Oil leaks - valve cover gaskets, oil sump, power steering Control Arms / bushings etc go on higher mileage E39's If your fussy like me, other problems that dealers dont tend to focus on are sensors - MAF, O2 sensors etc. These can go and affect MPG and make driving sluggish etc. You can unlock the OBC on the dash and select option 19?, it will tell you if there are any faults with OBD. Pixels going out on the dash are a common problem. Singapore - I wouldnt touch but have more spec than Jap - similar to NZ including Satnav and phone Japan - I have found have a better life but dont have as much spec (more cloth, no PDC, metal SR etc). Also you cant put a Euro plate on boot without buying a NZ New/Singapore boot. All in all the E39 is the best BMW ever made Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 1968 Report post Posted March 8, 2009 Just purchased one the other day. I would stay away from singapore ones also. Unless you find a low milage well looked after one like mine. Only problem I have with mine is the heater control valve. The Jap ones I drove were rubbish and had only done a few more Kms than the one I purchased. They both stunk of smoke too. And both had clunky "I sat in Tokyo traffic my whole life" gearboxes. Nearly all the NZ new ones have done a huge amount of KM's. As long as they have been serviced all their life then there is no issues there. But yeah make sure you get the car to a specialist. So far I am loving my one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 1968 Report post Posted March 8, 2009 BTW. Stay away from this one. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-205975065.htm It is poked. Has a huge misfire problem. And has a gearbox like I described above. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twisted 45 Report post Posted March 9, 2009 Awesome! Thanks heaps for the info people! It pays to be prepared when buying a new car. drftit, i had the car you bought on my watchlist out of sheer curiosity, awesome purchase!! And i'll be checking that link when i get home (TM is blocked here). Apologies for not doing the search thing first, I did have a quick scan last week but didnt seem to be sated enough by what i saw, hence the thread Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BLACK DORIS 9 Report post Posted March 9, 2009 BTW. Stay away from this one. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-205975065.htm It is poked. Has a huge misfire problem. And has a gearbox like I described above. slightly off topic, the - QUICK 20 MINS EASY NO DEPOSIT FINANCE AVAILBLE ! made me laugh. Hmm, isn't that the major reason the US/world is in a recession at the mo... On topic, I'm sure I saw a couple of threads with e39 540 cars up for sale today? Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1rotty 40 Report post Posted March 9, 2009 Mine has done 207ks & has had full cooling system replacement(normal for e39s) But apart from that no major issues.Its ex Sth Africa & very high spec. I recently sold my other one -a jap import & it also had just over 200ks with no majors apart from cooling system. There are plenty around.Take your time & choose carefully & you'll absolutely love it-they are awesome! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ballin 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2009 Just purchased one the other day. I would stay away from singapore ones also. Unless you find a low milage well looked after one like mine. Only problem I have with mine is the heater control valve. The Jap ones I drove were rubbish and had only done a few more Kms than the one I purchased. They both stunk of smoke too. And both had clunky "I sat in Tokyo traffic my whole life" gearboxes. Nearly all the NZ new ones have done a huge amount of KM's. As long as they have been serviced all their life then there is no issues there. But yeah make sure you get the car to a specialist. So far I am loving my one. I went to look at this with my mate..... it used to be a freakin taxi!!! way more miles than suggested it stunk!!! when we got there the engine was red hot when we asked why he said some guys just took it out for a test drive... and hammered the sh*t out of it!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 1968 Report post Posted March 11, 2009 I went to look at this with my mate..... it used to be a freakin taxi!!! way more miles than suggested it stunk!!! when we got there the engine was red hot when we asked why he said some guys just took it out for a test drive... and hammered the sh*t out of it!!!!!!! Prob red hot from all the detonation that poor car was getting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwolf 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) Hey twisted, I see you're in the Kapiti coast. I'm in Levin, if you wanna head around and have a look at my 1998 540i. I think it's in bloody good nick. (Except I've got the spare on at the moment as a pot hole bent one of my rims). Sorry, just thought I'd mention I'm definately not looking at selling, just as an idea of what to look for. Edited March 11, 2009 by DarkWolf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
