Tell me about the E39 535i

MikeHiow · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:37

A local dealer has an S plate 535i Sport Auto for £1500. It seems like ridiculous amounts of car for the money, and it's cheap enough to offset a big bill or two.

I've always wanted to own a V8 and currently want something comfortable - it seems perfect.

I'm not really fussed that this sits in limbo between the 530 and 540, all I care is that it's cheap and V8.

Thoughts?

[TW]Fox · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:41

There is no such thing as a Sport on an S plate. It's an SE with a Sport option pack, though no Sport seats so not sure its even that.

For 1500 quid its going to be in dire need of a major suspension refresh among other things. I really can't see the point.

Scrutinize · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:42

ignore fox, he won't see the finer side to this purchase.

seems like a good buy to me, bomb proof, reliable, and you know your way around cars so not much could go wrong for that money

buy it

[TW]Fox · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:44

Lol bomb proof reliable!?

Disco Boy · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:44

MikeHiow said:
I'm not really fussed that this sits in limbo between the 530 and 540, all I care is that it's cheap and V8.

Really? You'll put up with the big bills when you'll always know that you could get something better that costs the same?

Scrutinize · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:46

[TW]Fox;20087861 said:
Lol bomb proof reliable!?

is mike likely to listen to good advice, bad advice or any advice?

MikeHiow · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:50

[TW]Fox;20087840 said:
There is no such thing as a Sport on an S plate. It's an SE with a Sport option pack, though no Sport seats so not sure its even that.

For 1500 quid its going to be in dire need of a major suspension refresh among other things. I really can't see the point.

Whilst I do value your opinion on the topic of E39s, probably more so than anyone else on the forum, how can you determine this over the internet?

It looks to me like the dealer has paid bottom dollar for a car he knew would be hard to shift and has had to reduce it even further. I'm reserving judgement until viewing.

I'm more interested on what it is like as a car, what a prospective buyer should be looking out for and perhaps what common issues there may be.

Disco Boy said:
Really? You'll put up with the big bills when you'll always know that you could get something better that costs the same?

Like?

Scrutinize · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:52

MikeHiow said:
Whil

I'm more interested on what it is like as a car, what a prospective buyer should be looking out for and perhaps what common issues there may be.

serious hat on now....at this age and likely mileage given the price, everything and anything could be a problem, it is an end of life bmw which may keep going or it may be a money pit

Disco Boy · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:54

MikeHiow said:
Like?

The 540... If you're going to be faced with big bills (repair and fuel) you may as well get the 540 imo.

[TW]Fox · 16 Sep 2011 at 23:58

I can determine this over the internet because its a 13 year old 5 series for 1500 quid from a dealer. It's somewhat unlikely to be sporting fresh M Sport dampers and new Lemforder upper and lower control arms.

It will have been run on a budget and dumped like the winning move in a game of musical chairs I would imagine.

Scrutinize · 17 Sep 2011 at 00:02

[TW]Fox;20087965 said:
dumped like the winning move in a game of musical chairs I would imagine.

having attended a good number of kids parties over the last few years since our first daughter was born, this makes no sense at all

rest of it spot on though...but will he listen.

considering how much mike knows about cars you would have thought potential issues would be obvious.

Scania · 17 Sep 2011 at 05:53

Steering wheel looks (given they are small ish photo's) a little shabby & well used. More so than the wheel on my extremely well used example.

That plus the tow hitch on the rear end would have me looking elsewhere.

If the dealer paid much over £600 for it, I'd be surprised.

mathwat · 17 Sep 2011 at 07:09

And what's the mileage? prob something like 200,000+. If it needs new suspension it'll cost more than the cars worth and thats without anything else wrong with it.

Philz0r · 17 Sep 2011 at 09:13

Hmm i havent been on the forums long but i would listen to fox about bmw's.

GinG · 17 Sep 2011 at 09:34

mrk1@1 said:
having attended a good number of kids parties over the last few years since our first daughter was born, this makes no sense at all

rest of it spot on though...but will he listen.

considering how much mike knows about cars you would have thought potential issues would be obvious.

Makes perfect sense, the winning move...this is the move where (be it against a girl or boy) you are slowly going around that one, lonely, single chair...your eyes are fixed to theirs trying to work out the next move...the music still going one, in your head you are waiting for that split second, no...that millisecond the music stops playing, no matter if you are at the front or back of the chair...you pounce...like a jaguar...nothing gets in your way, if broken bones are the only option be so, bloody noses? no problem, small price to pay to make sure it is your backside that goes on that chair...you are now the crowned champion.

The next thing you hear is kids and parents screaming...call 999...omg...call 999, you look around and there is your component, lying there, motionless, blood everywhere. Your moment has now gone, you now wonder what have you done, was it worth it? The very next minute a slight splutter comes from your opponent, it is ok, they are alive, you just knocked them out, the ambulance comes, checks the opponent over, cleans them up, everyone is happy.

Pass the parcel is next...

Lashout_UK · 17 Sep 2011 at 09:43

I'd pay about £600 for that.

DannyW · 17 Sep 2011 at 09:45

if your going to do it then get a 540i

Dogbreath · 17 Sep 2011 at 09:48

GinG said:
Makes perfect sense, the winning move...this is the move where (be it against a girl or boy) you are slowly going around that one, lonely, single chair...your eyes are fixed to theirs trying to work out the next move...the music still going one, in your head you are waiting for that split second, no...that millisecond the music stops playing, no matter if you are at the front or back of the chair...you pounce...like a jaguar...nothing gets in your way, if broken bones are the only option be so, bloody noses? no problem, small price to pay to make sure it is your backside that goes on that chair...you are now the crowned champion.

I take it you were quite competitive as a child?

Joshy · 17 Sep 2011 at 09:50

Philz0r said:
Hmm i havent been on the forums long but i would listen to fox about bmw's.

But the problem is that he has very little experience (if any?) of buying and running 'prestige' cars on a budget, and Despite how much he will beg to differ I believe that his approach to running his 530i has pretty much warped his perspective. Of course I am not claiming that this car won't need a mega expensive full suspension 'refresh' because at that age, weight, probable mileage and probably usage (tow bar) anything will be needing a fair few suspension components among other things. 99% of the people going to have a look at that car and others in its price range won't notice if the suspension is tired and won't care as long as it does squeak and knock . They'll be happy with a car that (broadly speaking) works.

Nobody out there spends £1,500 on a E39 535i and expects it to be perfect.

DRZ · 17 Sep 2011 at 10:00

BMW V8 cars are a timebomb of expensive pain.

Prepare for big bills.

EDIT: That's coming from someone running an S-Class...