Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 18, 2010 Hi I'm looking into buying an E39 530i. Just wondering if there is anything I should look out for before buying. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted July 18, 2010 Have a search - there has been heaps of E39 info put on here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 18, 2010 Ok, thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 1964 Report post Posted July 18, 2010 Get it checked by an independent specialist. AA checks are a total waste of time and money. Someone with a proper scanner. e.g. Checked my E39 540 with a "good" scanner before I purchased it. Came up fine. Then checked it with a very good scanner. Good long list of things for me to open the wallet for. Make sure they throughly check your rear suspension ball joints and tow control arms. These start to wear on higher km E39's and can be expensive to replace. I will recommend Glenn at Botany Motor Worx as his check is very detailed and he has the tools and experience to match. Don't skip a check because it looks good, has low kms or the dealer says she is mint. So many do and pay for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted July 18, 2010 Also I'm pretty sure there's an E39 buyer's guide stickied or in the forum somewhere here if you do a search Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 18, 2010 Get it checked by an independent specialist. AA checks are a total waste of time and money. Someone with a proper scanner. e.g. Checked my E39 540 with a "good" scanner before I purchased it. Came up fine. Then checked it with a very good scanner. Good long list of things for me to open the wallet for. Make sure they throughly check your rear suspension ball joints and tow control arms. These start to wear on higher km E39's and can be expensive to replace. I will recommend Glenn at Botany Motor Worx as his check is very detailed and he has the tools and experience to match. Don't skip a check because it looks good, has low kms or the dealer says she is mint. So many do and pay for it. Thanks mate, I'll be sure to take any prospective cars to Glenn. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RvT 9 Report post Posted July 19, 2010 Can I ask the curious question & please don't take any offence for it but ... why the "obsession" with the 530i and not the 540i ? Both lovely cars but if I had a 530i, I would be always asking myself why I didn't go for the bigger brother ... If it is budget related, then total respect and go after the 530 to experience the style and ride. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 1964 Report post Posted July 20, 2010 The 530 is a much better balanced car apparently. They are all facelifts too I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 20, 2010 Can I ask the curious question & please don't take any offence for it but ... why the "obsession" with the 530i and not the 540i ? Both lovely cars but if I had a 530i, I would be always asking myself why I didn't go for the bigger brother ... If it is budget related, then total respect and go after the 530 to experience the style and ride. Haha yes I'd love a 540i. I'm actually opting for the 530i because I'm only 18 and I don't want to be paying a monumental NAC premium. So yes, it comes down to insurance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mavrick 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2010 Haha yes I'd love a 540i. I'm actually opting for the 530i because I'm only 18 and I don't want to be paying a monumental NAC premium. So yes, it comes down to insurance. Have you had a quote of a 540i vs a 530i? I wouldnt think they would differ greatly to be honest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 20, 2010 Have you had a quote of a 540i vs a 530i? I wouldnt think they would differ greatly to be honest. Mainstream insurance companies will insure me on a 530i whereas they won't on a 540i. I can only get comprehensive coverage with specialist insurers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashmill 68 Report post Posted July 20, 2010 Can I ask the curious question & please don't take any offence for it but ... why the "obsession" with the 530i and not the 540i ? Both lovely cars but if I had a 530i, I would be always asking myself why I didn't go for the bigger brother ... If it is budget related, then total respect and go after the 530 to experience the style and ride. The 530i has better steering feel because it uses rack and pinion which the V8 can't use. My 530 was NZ new and had done 260KM in 5 years yet was still a brilliant car and the engine was just superb. I would have another one in a heartbeat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted July 20, 2010 The 530i has better steering feel because it uses rack and pinion which the V8 can't use. My 530 was NZ new and had done 260KM in 5 years yet was still a brilliant car and the engine was just superb. I would have another one in a heartbeat.put you on the spot bruce.....which is the better car,E34 or E39....bias and opinions welcome! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RvT 9 Report post Posted July 20, 2010 (edited) The 530i has better steering feel because it uses rack and pinion which the V8 can't use. Didn't know that. My architect bought the 530i while I had the 540. He took mine for a ride and said the hp was different and that he wished he had gone 540 in the end but he still has the 530 and still loves it put you on the spot bruce.....which is the better car,E34 or E39....bias and opinions welcome! I had the e34 535 before the e39 540 .... there is no comparison unless you like expensive repairs. The e39 is such a step up IMO Re the original poster, M530i, being 18yo makes logical sense to buy the 530i. At least you are not looking at the entry level 528 model. Good luck and you will enjoy the 530. One option to look for that is really worth getting is the push through rear seats. Ended up using it multi times for things that were just a tad too long to fit in the boot. Edited July 20, 2010 by RvT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 20, 2010 Re the original poster, M530i, being 18yo makes logical sense to buy the 530i. At least you are not looking at the entry level 528 model. Good luck and you will enjoy the 530. One option to look for that is really worth getting is the push through rear seats. Ended up using it multi times for things that were just a tad too long to fit in the boot. Haha yes, 530i it is. Yeah, will definitely look out for the push through rear seats. Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lidistick 70 Report post Posted July 21, 2010 Having driven both, the 530i is plenty for NZ roads. You will hardly ever need the extra torque of the 4.4L V8. Probably only if you are towing. The M54B30 is grunty with max torque at 3500rpm. The V8 is great but not a lot of extra horses. Steering feel....TBH, minimal. Both felt good. V8 sounded much better tho. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 21, 2010 Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cytamen 1 Report post Posted July 26, 2010 Also looking at buying an E39 540i, does anybody know the cost for parts & labour for installing a new radiator, water pump and thermostat? I also had problems with the speed sensor in my old 520, as well as the thermostat housing apparently needed replacing (cost?) Are these common problems with E39s? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted July 26, 2010 Cooling system issues (including thermostats, radiators, heater units, waterpumps and plumbing) are not uncommon in many BMWs - E36 and E39 included Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oscar90 0 Report post Posted July 26, 2010 Why don't you put the car in your parents name and have it thru your parents insurance mate?...SOOOO much cheaper and they'll insure anything. Just have you as a "listed driver" and your Mum or Dad as a "Main driver"...never understood people who don't do this when they have trouble with insurance, It's all legit and I know plenty of people who are insured this way and have made claims etc... V8 for the motherf**king win, I don't care what people say and if its only got afew more HP than the 530i... the sound alone makes it worth it! only reason i'd move from a V8 is to go 750iL or E39 M5 lol BTW im 19 so i'm not spinning a yarn from 10 years ago about the insurance from back in the day, im talking nowadays! Anyway E39's awesome so enjoy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 26, 2010 I've also got two crashes to my name. But in any case, before that I couldn't be insured on mum's 5.5l V8 or dad's 3.6l twin turbo unless they were in the passenger seat, despite being 18 + on full licence. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oscar90 0 Report post Posted July 26, 2010 sh*t bad luck, Who are you insured with out of interest? lol On a side note I wrote of three cars in one accident 2 weeks after getting my restricted and I still got insurance on everything thru my parents after that with AMI, ya just gotta be firm with them and point out "hey we've got house, contents, and 4x cars on your insurance and am quite happy to go elsewhere"... that gets them talking to their manager who inturn will say yay or nay.. call centre guys make things because they're following generic guidelines Anyway as i said, E39's are awesome cars, you'll love whatever you get! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 26, 2010 Cheers, will look further into it. Currently with AA. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashmill 68 Report post Posted July 26, 2010 put you on the spot bruce.....which is the better car,E34 or E39....bias and opinions welcome!Thanks Paul................The M5 was just brilliant at what it was designed for, going cross country, fast. I didn't enjoy driving it around town. The E39 was a great all rounder but was no match for the M5 on the open road. The better car?? E34M5!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted July 26, 2010 Thanks Paul................ The M5 was just brilliant at what it was designed for, going cross country, fast. I didn't enjoy driving it around town. The E39 was a great all rounder but was no match for the M5 on the open road. The better car?? E34M5!!!! can relate to that the 535 is not exactly pleasant round town. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
