Another E39 Question for the BMW Fanatics..

Phil W · 27 Nov 2009 at 07:39

Is the 528i Auto any good?

That is all

mjt · 27 Nov 2009 at 09:46

yes.

although do you need an auto? the manual is better

InvaderGIR · 27 Nov 2009 at 09:49

I thought the 528 had all the downs of the 530 and none of the ups?

spoonz · 27 Nov 2009 at 09:50

I have a 535 Auto. I like the auto 80% of the time, but it can be frustrating if you want to spirited. Depends on use.

I would say the 28 is likely to feel a little underpowered though.

mjt · 27 Nov 2009 at 09:56

InvaderGIR said:
I thought the 528 had all the downs of the 530 and none of the ups?

well yes, it's older

spoonz said:
I have a 535 Auto. I like the auto 80% of the time, but it can be frustrating if you want to spirited. Depends on use.

I would say the 28 is likely to feel a little underpowered though.

193bhp (albeit when new) is enough to make it not feel underpowered.
our 523i didn't feel underpowered and that only had 163bhp..

having said that, the auto could be a different story

Prophet · 27 Nov 2009 at 09:57

mjt said:
do you really think a car with nearly 200bhp is underpowered?

How heavy is the 5 Series?

paradigm · 27 Nov 2009 at 09:58

mjt said:
do you really think a car with nearly 200bhp is underpowered?

Have you seen the weight of an e39 5'er?

IMO, yes, it's underpowered. Plus the power delivery of the M52 isn't as linear as the M54, with more of its power being higher-up the range. It will never feel quick because of this.

Jez · 27 Nov 2009 at 10:12

Yes it is good, the pre facelift engine and gearbox of choice. Wont be fast, but wont be bad.

[TW]Fox · 27 Nov 2009 at 10:41

Yes, of course its good. The autobox suits the engine and its a decent engine. It is not underpowered (And neither is more of its power higher up the rev range than an M54, if anything the reverse is the case) and it weighs just over 1500kg.

The only problem is that most are now over 10 years old so finding a really nice one is quite a challenge, and you need to really like them to be able to justify how much you'll need to put into to keeping it nice.

topbanana · 27 Nov 2009 at 14:52

A mate of mine had one until recently. Lovely cars.

Phil W · 27 Nov 2009 at 17:12

Its a 2000 (W) Sport, 89k on the clock with 2 previous owners, FSH etc etc, looks pretty tidy from the pictures, up for £3995.

[TW]Fox · 27 Nov 2009 at 17:14

Cue people who know nothing about E39's coming out of the woodwork to inform you that its overpriced and post some pics of tarted up 12 owner from new 530i's for sale in Birmingham to support their argument.

If its in great condition I'd pay that. It's probably 'worth' less but I'm sure there are plenty of tatty Linglong fitted junk at 'book price' if thats what you'd rather. It would have to have cast iron history and no evidence of owners skimping on costs to pay that, though.

It's probably due a suspension refresh about now, though, so I'd factor that into your budgeting. You'll probably spend £500-£600 a year on repairs and servicing I should imagine?