1998 E39 528i any good?

[Dr Who]

Been looking for a larger car, auto and relatively economical (compared to a Impreza turbo's 18mpg on SU) to travel to my new job (20 miles each way per day).

Fox raves about his E39 5 series so thought I would see what I can find. I could go up to £3k but would prefer £2500 so I have a contingency for problems, and even though this has a warranty, I am thinking they usually aren't worth the paper they are written on.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-5-Ser...3119887?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4844468e0f

What should I check for?

 

[[TW]Fox]

That's very expensive. If you want an SE you can get a private sale facelift car for that.

 

[Dr Who]

That's very expensive. If you want an SE you can get a private sale facelift car for that.

That's good news, I shall keep looking

 

[Sone]

If you want economical get a manual, getting 25mpg from my auto when was hitting 30's in my old manual doing similar runs

 

[Scania]

If you want economical get a manual, getting 25mpg from my auto when was hitting 30's in my old manual doing similar runs

Agreed - although imo the auto suits an SE e39 far more than swapping cogs - each to his own though.

I'm lucky to see 25mpg overall from my e39 528i auto,but thats short trips,in the main, around town, but it'll happily do high 30's on a gentle(ish) run.

 

[Dr Who]

25-30 is fine for me and I prefer a decent auto for commuting, cog swapping is for fun only

 

[Dr Who]

How about this one Fox?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...w/postcode/ba160lw/page/2/radius/40?logcode=p

 

[[TW]Fox]

In principle thats more the idea, but you are going to have to kiss a fair few frogs to find your prince I'm afraid. Looks like Dunlops on the back which is at least a good start.

 

[Dr Who]

In principle thats more the idea, but you are going to have to kiss a fair few frogs to find your prince I'm afraid.

Story of my life mate