I find this strangely alluring...

[SmithyInWelly 212]

And I've no idea why... something isn't right, and yet... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1349332849.htm

[NZ BMW 368]

I had one of these Anniversary Editions, was a great car. The 530i is probably the best balanced of the lot. 

Edited June 16, 2017 by NZ BMW

[Olaf 3345]

10 hours ago, SmithyInWelly said:

And I've no idea why... something isn't right, and yet... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1349332849.htm

the wooden wheel's a bit gauche; it has an aftermarket stereo (no bad thing)... other than that it looks clean and tidy.  It's not an M-sport, the 20th Anniversary is like "all of the luxury options"... You really want a V8, eh. 

[SmithyInWelly 212]

Well the house is sold so will soon be getting a "me" car... budget is looking more like decent e39/e46 or less decent e60/e90... then again a touring would be useful and dog-friendly. Running (fuel/consumables) costs don't bother me so much - maintenance costs are a different story. 

I wouldn't buy this but part of me is strangely drawn to it. Odd.

 

[Olaf 3345]

congrats on the house sale.  Nice e39 Msport 530i Touring showed up on face balls yesterday.

though you know I'm gonna say 545i is the solution #8 )

[allan 295]

Vehicle Identification NumberWBADT62020CE65032

TypeDT62

Model530i - EUR

Development CodeE39

ChassisLIM

SteeringRL

Doors4

EngineM54

Displacement3.00

Power170

DrivetrainHECK

TransmissionAUT

ColorTopasblau Metallic - 364

UpholsterySonderpolsterung - Z1XX

Production PlantDINGOLFING

Production Date2001-05-03

tandard Equipment

202SteptronicSteptronic

520FoglightsNebelscheinwerfer

853Language Version EnglishSprachversion Englisch

Options

204Drive Version ExportAntriebsauslegung Export

249Multi-function For Steering WheelMultifunktion Fuer Lenkrad

261Side Airbag For Rear PassengersSeitenairbag Fuer Fondpassagiere

354Green Stripe WindscreenGruenkeil-frontscheibe

360Lt/aly Wheels/star Spoke 81Lm Raeder/sternspeiche 81

401Sliding/vent Roof, ElectricSchiebe-hebedach, Elektrisch

415Sunblind For Rear WindowSonnenschutzrollo Fuer Heckscheibe

423Floor Mats, VelourFussmatten In Velours

428Warning TriangleWarndreieck

430Int/ext Rr Vw Mirror W Aut Anti-dazzleInnen-/aussenspiegel Aut.abblendend

438Wood TrimEdelholzausfuehrung

441Smokers PackageRaucherpaket

459Seat Adjustm., Electr. W. MemorySitzverstellung, Elektr.mit Memory

473Armrest, FrontArmauflage Vorn

494Seat Heating F Driver/front PassengerSitzheizung Fuer Fahrer/beifahrer

500Headlight Washer Sys/intensive CleaningScheinw.waschanl./intensivreinigung

522Xenon LightXenon-licht

534Automatic Air ConditioningKlimaautomatik

548Speedometer With Kilometer ReadingKilometertacho

602On-board Monitor With TvBordmonitor Mit Tv

640Car Telephone PreparationAutotelefonvorbereitung

676Hifi Loudspeaker SystemHifi Lautsprechersystem

694Preparation For Cd ChangerCd-wechsler Vorbereitung

807Japan VersionJapan-ausfuehrung

818Main Battery SwitchBatteriehauptschalter

823Hot Climate VersionHeissland-ausfuehrung

845Acoustic Belt WarningAkustische Gurtwarnung

875Infrared Remote ControlInfrarotfernbedienung

925Shipping Protection PackageVersandschutzpaket

938Control Zs Individual SeriesSteuerung Zs-individualserien

940Special Request EquipmentSonderwunsch Ausstattung

Information

431Interior Rr Vw Mirror W Aut Anti-dInnenspiegel,automatisch Abblendend

555On-board ComputerBordcomputer

Individual

Steuerung Individual
Hinweisschild BMW Individual

Sonderserie
E39-Japan-D-1, KA88
Variante 3

Z1XX Polster
Innenausstattung Leder Montana schwarz (Nr. 8 171 304),
Umfang N6
zuzueglich Armstuetze Tuer, Mittelkonsole, Armauflage vorne,
Handbremshebelbalg, Blende Handbremsausschnitt
Naehfaden schwarz (Nr. 1 905 499), Farb-Nr. 0020
Steppzwirn in schwarz (Nr. 1 963 800), Farb-Nr. 0020
Sitzlehnenrueckwand in Schaumfolie schwarz
Sitzblenden in schwarz
Nahtbild der Sitze vorne und hinten wie N6/N8
Restliche Innenausstattung wie bei Leder Montana schwarz,
Schl.Nr. N6SW

0940 Sonderwunschausstattung
Tuereinstiegsleisten vorne mit dem Schriftzug,
" BMW Japan 20th Anniversary"
Tureinstiegsleisten hinten analog SA 778.

 

[allan 295]

For a Anniversary model it doesn't have a few of the goodies i would have expected, comfort seats, clear indicators and side lamps. Not sure on the wheels look more like e60 type than a e39, no rear PDC. This makes it hard to know how close you are to things as visibility out the back is sh%$^t  hence the need for a reverse camera set up. At those k's would be looking for a PPI some receipts on cooling system, suspension  work, brakes rotors, cluster pixels, cup holders or investing in a warranty cover or the like. Don't get me wrong they are a nice balanced unit but not with out some major faults and with time mounting up 16 odd years and Murphy's Law just lurking plus it is a BMW

[TermiPeteNZ 1319]

It is a tidy car in a very nice colour - and those Style 81 wheels are reasonably common on E39 and are the best non- Msport or ///M on the E39 IMHO. Not sure about the timbermatic steering wheel tho - it's a bit 'jag'

@allan's advice +1

[SmithyInWelly 212]

Nail on head @TermiPeteNZ - it is the "jaggedness" of the steering wheel that's throwing me... otherwise it's nice looking/spec car, and I like that it's a bit different; or, individual if you prefer 

[Michael. 2313]

Those tacky wooden wheels are a 00s Lexus thing. 

Not a good look in a BMW imo 

[Gabe79 410]

That's a decent price if it's in good condition, or you can get a MBI for it. The steering wheel is a $150 issue if you want to replace it with a plain black one. No fuss there.

[Young Thrash Driver 1020]

A decent 530 Motorsport with 200km sold on TM a couple of days ago for $3k... there's also a very nice 540 Motorsport here on the forum absolutely begging for someone to grab it, a steal at 4.5k!

[Eagle 1680]

Its like the Japanese brother of my E39. Mine being OrientBlau with motorsport kit & steering wheel, tan leather and a few option differences.

Price seems a tad high to me considering its a dirty jap import with nothing truly special about it.

Yeah seem to be heaps of cheap 530i Motorsports for sale lately, but id bet they would be mechanically worn out in one way or another ( like all cheap E39's)