running costs (E39 540i vs E46 330i)

Saytan · 20 Jul 2011 at 10:43

anyone got much idea of how they stack up? i think i need some bent-8 in my life....

i know most are autos, but i think i can reconcile myself to that

i have access to a good and fairly priced ex-dealer master tech indie specialist.

DRZ · 20 Jul 2011 at 10:47

Cooling system is fragile. Expect sensor pain from things like crank and camshaft position sensors as well, not expensive to replace but you won't be going anywhere until you've fixed them.

Other than that, pretty reliable really.

Usual E39 things apply with the suspension shimmy and all that malarkey.

paradigm · 20 Jul 2011 at 10:52

To be fair, all BMW cooling systems are fragile. My e36 failed, Derek's e36 failed, my e46 failed, my brothers e90 failed, my brothers Mini Cooper S failed...

The V8 unit is (as said) inherently reliable (assuming you don't cook the head in the event of cooling system implosion), and the fuel costs/daily running costs aren't that ridiculous, assuming you don't do large mileage.

Saytan · 20 Jul 2011 at 10:59

i know all about BMW cooling systems, having a 75k mile E46, which has recently had most of it replaced. I did 10k last year, dont see myself doing much more this year, so fuel isnt a massive issue, especially as i dont imagine it'd be that much worse than the 3.0

DRZ · 20 Jul 2011 at 11:04

Saytan said:
i know all about BMW cooling systems, having a 75k mile E46, which has recently had most of it replaced. I did 10k last year, dont see myself doing much more this year, so fuel isnt a massive issue, especially as i dont imagine it'd be that much worse than the 3.0

What did you get in the E46? Economy isn't terrible but certainly v low 30s on the motorway, significantly worse around town!

[TW]Fox · 20 Jul 2011 at 11:20

I shall do an epic e39 reply this evening.

Saytan · 20 Jul 2011 at 11:22

DRZ said:
What did you get in the E46? Economy isn't terrible but certainly v low 30s on the motorway, significantly worse around town!

i average about 23-24 over time. mid 30s on an m-way run

EddScott · 20 Jul 2011 at 12:21

Is there any particular extras you get on a clubsport?

I really need 4 doors but theres a purple-ish colour clubsport I see in Tesco that looks really nice.

Manual is a must for me. Theres like 1 manual 330D Sport on PH that I can find and looks worthwhile (6 speed)

Ben Cole · 20 Jul 2011 at 12:25

[TW]Fox;19623118 said:
I shall do an epic e39 reply this evening.

Will look forward to this. I think you'll be able to tell this man everything he needs to know, at least about one of the cars in question anyway.

Skeeter · 20 Jul 2011 at 12:31

[TW]Fox;19623118 said:
I shall do an epic e39 reply this evening.

Do you write them fresh each time, or do you keep a stock of BMW related write-ups and just tailor them to the requirements of the thread/question asked?

I honestly believe that there is a picture of you on the wall in more than one BMW dealer in the UK with a note underneath that states "do not get into an argument with this man about BMWs, you will lose."

Matt82 · 20 Jul 2011 at 12:36

Skeeter said:
"do not get into an argument with this man about BMWs, you will lose."

did rofl

Saytan · 20 Jul 2011 at 13:32

EddScott said:
Is there any particular extras you get on a clubsport?

I really need 4 doors but theres a purple-ish colour clubsport I see in Tesco that looks really nice.

Manual is a must for me. Theres like 1 manual 330D Sport on PH that I can find and looks worthwhile (6 speed)

you get a bit less sound deadening, some different alloy wheels, a front splitter and a rear wing (although mine had the rear wing deleted)

oh and the interior option is "aluminium block" instead of the usual wood or black block options.

the purple colour is velvet blue. it's nice.

Gaygle · 20 Jul 2011 at 14:02

Saytan said:
i know all about BMW cooling systems, having a 75k mile E46, which has recently had most of it replaced.

You're making me nervous! I'm on about 80k now, with original cooling system, and have got a 500mile trip coming up next week and sod's law dictates that it will happen then, when i'm miles from anywhere and wanting to get on with my holiday.

Saytan · 20 Jul 2011 at 14:04

Gaygle said:
You're making me nervous! I'm on about 80k now, with original cooling system, and have got a 500mile trip coming up next week and sod's law dictates that it will happen then, when i'm miles from anywhere and wanting to get on with my holiday.

you should already know that expecting to replace the cooling system between 60 and 80k is standard on these.

my indie did my water pump for 110 all in

[TW]Fox · 20 Jul 2011 at 14:06

IMHO the cooling system life has nothing to do with mileage, it's about age - given that its mostly caused by degrading plastics.

Mine lasted until 150,000 miles but was less than 5 years old..

Infact arguably most of the common problems on these cars are age related.

Gaygle · 20 Jul 2011 at 14:14

Saytan said:
you should already know that expecting to replace the cooling system between 60 and 80k is standard on these.

my indie did my water pump for 110 all in

I do indeed, but i try not to think about it and as i usually don't make long trips, i will just deal with it when it comes about.

[TW]Fox;19624538 said:
IMHO the cooling system life has nothing to do with mileage, it's about age - given that its mostly caused by degrading plastics.

Mine lasted until 150,000 miles but was less than 5 years old..

Infact arguably most of the common problems on these cars are age related.

Probably, but hasn't even got age on it's side - 9 years old and 80k miles. I'd say i'm in the "at risk" category.

[TW]Fox · 20 Jul 2011 at 14:18

How do you know its not been done before?

Gaygle · 20 Jul 2011 at 14:34

I bought it at ~52k miles (IIRC) so it's possible, but unlikely to have been done then. The car also came with a folder full of old receipts, pretty much since it was new, and there was no mention of any parts of the cooling system being replaced.

[TW]Fox · 20 Jul 2011 at 14:41

If you plan to keep the car a while it may be worth doing it anyway. A lot of the Americans do this.

It's under 500 quid to do it all.

beermonster · 20 Jul 2011 at 19:15

Does the e39 M5 have an uprated cooling system? Mines 10 years old 130k miles and the only parts listed in the service history are a couple of hoses, I have heard of a couple of owners blowing the rad end tanks on track days but generally not many issues reported on the m5 board other than thermostat and sensor issue.