BMW 530i Sport - 3 years on

[Conscript]

Still a fantastic looking car in my opinion and yours is a particularly nice example. I'm quite jealous. Reckon you'll get another three years out of it?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Not an awful lot value wise - the mileage is the wrong side of 160k and at this end of the market it can be as mint as a brand new one and people still won't be interested.

 

[mjt]

Not an awful lot value wise - the mileage is the wrong side of 160k and at this end of the market it can be as mint as a brand new one and people still won't be interested.

160k?

i thought it was nearer 120!
that's in astonishingly good condition
although you don't do high mileages in it. you keep it garaged?

 

[rmuir]

I really want one but it's a lot more complicated picking my next car - I'm no longer at the stage in life where I can just spend all my earnings on a shiney car. I have to give consideration to boring stuff as well

I feel your pain on this front.

This is made more manageable by the fact I'm in no hurry to change it

Surely makes the painstaking detail of your search more worthwhile?

I spent ages hunting for my current car ( 130 tdci mondy ) and its without doubt been the right car for the job however much I wish the 5 series would have been the machine for me.

 

[[TW]Fox]

although you don't do high mileages in it. you keep it garaged?

It's not garaged, no. My mileage is a bit random - for the last 2 years I've done very low annual mileage in it but when I first got it at one stage I had a 100 mile a day commute. I am also spending increasing amounts of time driving up and down the M5 - for example I'll cover 1000 miles next week going to Yorkshire.

 

[edd1e]

not to bad for age

 

[robnut]

Ill be looking at a e39 shortly, might badger you for some tips. Depending how my upcoming surgery goes i may be limited to an auto tho

 

[Bat]

Beautiful car. I think that colour suits the E39 perfectly and it looks completely timeless IMO.

Testament to the time, patience and effort spent researching and waiting for the right one I guess. I'm pretty sure that if I owned it, I wouldn't be looking to change. The 160k means nothing to you as you know it isn't a typical high mileage car. Fair play to you

 

[[TW]Fox]

I am very, very tempted to retrofit the BMW Navigation system and keep it for at least another year or two. Certainly until I've sorted out a place with the GF rather than the constant driving up and down the M5 anyway. Can't think of a better car for that journey - every time I step out of it after a long trip I half want to get back in and drive even further. Plymouth to Southampton after dark is a particular favourite

 

[Ricochet J]

Great car. Could I ask if you could post some interior shots?

Thanks

 

[[TW]Fox]

Sure..

That reminds me - I must get rid of the steering wheel. I actually sourced an M-Tech 2 wheel (Which became standard 2 weeks after mine was built, grrr) in perfect condition from a 6000 mile 330Ci in January. Got it all fitted but the airbag was faulty and the seller wouldnt split

 

[robnut]

Do you Fox, or anyone have any experince of the auto box in the e39?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Do you Fox, or anyone have any experince of the auto box in the e39?

I test drove a few autos before I got mine (Autos outnumber manuals 5 to 1). Olly on these forums has a 530i Sport which is utterly identical to mine (Mine is a month newer I think?) but is automatic instead of manual.

What did you want to know?

 

[Ricochet J]

That's a spotless interior and looks very comfortable and cosey.

 

[robnut]

I test drove a few autos before I got mine (Autos outnumber manuals 5 to 1). Olly on these forums has a 530i Sport which is utterly identical to mine (Mine is a month newer I think?) but is automatic instead of manual.

What did you want to know?

The general realiablity, 5 speed i guess? do any known issues?

 

[Gerard]

Bmw's to me always look as though theyre missing something without the idrive screen, sometimes you get so used to seeing it in ads for cars then when its not there the upper dash looks a bit strange sometimes.

Also front parking sensors thought thats what the bumper was for, move till you hear the crunch. I always thought that model has those little light wraparound things dunno what theyre called..kinda like an eyebrow that comes down between the 2 main bulbs.

 

[[TW]Fox]

It's 5 speed, yes. It's generally reliable (The petrol models have a ZF 5 Speed box which is commonly found in most Audi's as well, the diesels have a GM unit) but there are reports of failiures around 80-140k miles. Half the internet things this is because the 'Sealed for life' gearbox oil is nothing of the sort and should be changed. The other half thinks it isn't - so really, be aware of the potential. Some of the 5 speed ZF boxes can lose reverse. Can't remember why.

I went for a manual because it was less reliability hassle (And then I got an entire new transmission fitted anyway, lol), slightly more economical (Not a major factor in the decision) but mostly because... I like manuals and enjoy driving them more. The Sport model is great in that despite the cars size its still good fun to chuck around a nice A road (It's a bit big to properly cane down a narrow B road).

 

[InvaderGIR]

That reminds me - I must get rid of the steering wheel. I actually sourced an M-Tech 2 wheel (Which became standard 2 weeks after mine was built, grrr) in perfect condition from a 6000 mile 330Ci in January. Got it all fitted but the airbag was faulty and the seller wouldnt split

Good, that wheel mings, hard!

 

[[TW]Fox]

Bmw's to me always look as though theyre missing something without the idrive screen, sometimes you get so used to seeing it in ads for cars then when its not there the upper dash looks a bit strange sometimes.

I completely agree which is why I'm going to retrofit this (Inc wheel) end of this year/early next:

 

[Ricochet J]

Will you be fitting it yourself?