willis 0 Report post Posted August 11, 2006 Hi there, I'm considering buying an E39 528i and have been doing some reading-up on the specifications. I've found conflicting information regarding how many gears there are in the auto transmission - is it 4 or 5? Were they originally launched with a 4-speed box and later upgraded to a 5-speed, or were both available but for different markets (NZ vs. UK vs. Japan)? And where does the Tiptronic transmission fit into the picture? Also, was the engine equipped with VANOS from the outset or was that introduced at a later stage? Many thanks for replies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SKT174 1 Report post Posted August 11, 2006 Didn't think the E39 series had ever made a 4-speed box, should have been either a 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual, 5 speed auto and 5 speed steptronic. The E39 Guide Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willis 0 Report post Posted August 11, 2006 Thanks SKT174, I thought the same but have a road test by Motor magazine (Aussie) from 1996 that states five speed auto in the text but the specifications panel has 4-speed listed (might be a typo), plus on trademe.co.nz a question on one of the 528i auctions regarding how many gears in the auto was answered by the owner as "4" (might be ignorance on their part). But it was enough to make me wonder. Didn't think the E39 series had ever made a 4-speed box, should have been either a 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual, 5 speed auto and 5 speed steptronic. The E39 Guide Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SKT174 1 Report post Posted August 11, 2006 M52 Engine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willis 0 Report post Posted August 11, 2006 Nice one, SKT174, thanks again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jazzbass 1 Report post Posted August 25, 2006 as they are set up for cruising Good call. Mine is certainly set-up that way. One very comfortable car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites