Very happy new forum member - 1997 E39 528i

[Bener 13]

Hey there everyone, I just scored an amazing deal on our new 1997 E39 528i - I've had a bit of a thing for the E39 for a while now, and I managed to convince my wife that she liked them by finding this one just up the road from us - 94,000kms, NZ New. She was sold as soon as she drove it!

It's definitely the nicest sedan I've driven, it's a truly impressive car. Very happy to have joined the BMW club!

 

 

Edited November 13, 2019 by Bener

[zero 1162]

Loving the colour

[BozzaFC 300]

These are such beautiful cars and yours is such a nice spec too. 
 

Not sure what the service history on this is like but I would recommend you do the following to ensure she treats you right long term: change all fluids/filters (including trans); get someone/yourself to check over the cooling system - at this mileage it’s probably all original; replace what will be tired and perished vanos seals; and thoroughly check over suspension. 
 

This is a beautiful example of a car that looks, feels and drives better than most new cars on the road (even newer versions of itself). 
 

Enjoy, and welcome to E39 life! 

[Olaf 3321]

6 hours ago, BozzaFC said:

This is a beautiful example of a car that looks, feels and drives better than most new cars on the road (even newer versions of itself). 

Them's fighting words ?   Best we organise a back-to-back with your - errr - "530i" then! ?

Welcome to Bimmersport @Bener, looks like a beaut example.

Edited November 13, 2019 by Olaf
emoji, punctuation

[Bener 13]

16 hours ago, BozzaFC said:

These are such beautiful cars and yours is such a nice spec too. 
 

Not sure what the service history on this is like but I would recommend you do the following to ensure she treats you right long term: change all fluids/filters (including trans); get someone/yourself to check over the cooling system - at this mileage it’s probably all original; replace what will be tired and perished vanos seals; and thoroughly check over suspension. 
 

This is a beautiful example of a car that looks, feels and drives better than most new cars on the road (even newer versions of itself). 
 

Enjoy, and welcome to E39 life! 

Thanks for this, I'll definitely follow up on that advice. I took it to my mechanic who is a euro specialist and he said if I don't buy it he will, so that's a vote of confidence! He also said bring it in and he'll do the trans which I one thing I'd probably leave to the experts... I like to do most of my own work so I'll follow your recommendations for a start. The engine bay is super clean and the old owner just spent $800 on servicing so I'll be going back through the books today and setting what's been done.

Not bad for $4,400! At that price I jumped on it quick! 

I do agree about the comparison to more modern cars, it's an amazing vehicle to drive and does not feel 20 years old.

 

Edited November 14, 2019 by Bener

[zero 1162]

If you like to do your own work, we can advise you on here as many members have experience with this engine and chassis.

[Bener 13]

2 minutes ago, zero said:

If you like to do your own work, we can advise you on here as many members have experience with this engine and chassis.

I certainly do - thanks for the offer! I was hoping this forum would be a great source of helpful info. 

I'll be getting the mechanic to do the trans oil + filter, but most other stuff I'd do myself. He's given me a really good price to do a worn rack end, the only issue spotted after a full inspection, which has made me quite happy. I might just get him to do that, as it includes a wheel alignment and I don't want to wreck the nice Toyo Proxes that are on there...

I'll be keeping a close eye on the cooling system, according to the mechanic it is in great condition, and a few hoses have been pre-emtively replaced already, but I know how much of a concern these can be at times. 

[BozzaFC 300]

1 hour ago, Bener said:

I'll be keeping a close eye on the cooling system, according to the mechanic it is in great condition, and a few hoses have been pre-emtively replaced already, but I know how much of a concern these can be at times. 

To ease your cooling-concerns you can adjust your coolant temp gauge to be far more accurate than it is in its stock form. From the factory those gauges are massively buffered, to the point where they aren’t actually very helpful at all. 
 

I did this on my 530i using PA Soft 1.4. If you need any help with this feel free to flick me a message 

 

[Bener 13]

Thanks @BozzaFC I will definitely look into that one. I'll flick you a message at some stage.

[hqstu 780]

Offshore parts sites like FCPEuro.com in the states and Schmiedmann.com in Denmark are good places to get reality checks on prices.  Even factoring freight and soon to be GST (on all orders, not just above $400), offshore prices are generally well worth looking at.

And RealOEM.com for entering your cars VIN and getting specific part numbers (works well most of the time... not all .. but most..)  Beware the LHD RHD trap on certain parts.  Again RealOEM should help in this regard.

[Tor 3]

Have bought a 2001 540i with broken timing chain guides.  Found when  checking parts prices that I can buy parts for approx 50% of NZ suppliers prices from UK or USA.  Was a bit reluctant due to high freight cost.

Ended up buying from Aus,  [email protected].  Worth checking out for parts, so far I am very happy with their service and prices.  Freight was only $15

[Bener 13]

2 hours ago, Tor said:

Have bought a 2001 540i with broken timing chain guides.  Found when  checking parts prices that I can buy parts for approx 50% of NZ suppliers prices from UK or USA.  Was a bit reluctant due to high freight cost.

Ended up buying from Aus,  [email protected].  Worth checking out for parts, so far I am very happy with their service and prices.  Freight was only $15

Awesome advice, thanks! I've done the same for other vehicles I've owned, good to hear this works for BMW.

That's a really nice 540i, have you got it all running now?

[Tor 3]

Nearly there, just need to refit waterpump and tighten crankshaft bolt, then refit the rest.

Very excited as car is in great condition, but I have not heard motor running, so here is hoping all is good!.  Should know this coming weekend

 

[Bener 13]

16 minutes ago, Tor said:

Nearly there, just need to refit waterpump and tighten crankshaft bolt, then refit the rest.

Very excited as car is in great condition, but I have not heard motor running, so here is hoping all is good!.  Should know this coming weekend

 

Nice, hope it goes well!

[Tor 3]

Car is all back together, have had a short drive, all good, but running rough, just as if it is running on 6  or 7 cylinders.

Have it booked in for diagnostic scan next week

[Bener 13]

42 minutes ago, Tor said:

Car is all back together, have had a short drive, all good, but running rough, just as if it is running on 6  or 7 cylinders.

Have it booked in for diagnostic scan next week

That's a good start!