Bmw e39 530d

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My friend wants me to go with him to look at these at the weekend.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/2002-...-134732-bmw-e39-not-mercedes-audi-/1288368082

I always wanted an e39, but never got round to it. I ended up getting a e46 and had all the common problems with that like the coolant leaking and CC valve and i know most of them are same on the e39. But is there anything else anyone can think of? The biggest thing is the rust, from i have been told it has one very small bubble on the sil. I said to my friend to cough up another grand and he could get a e60, but he has a soft spot for these and has always wanted one.
 
They're ancient now. And that example is 16 years old.

Your mate is going to spend £3150 on a 16 year old car (which at its time was a great car)? It's going to cost a lot more than £3150 to keep this car on the road.
 
I cannot think of a worse thing to do with £3000 than spend it on a 16 year old diesel automatic 5 Series. It is going to be a complete liability and is simply more hassle than its worth, especially with it being a 530d. I sort of get it with a 530i, but why would you have a diesel one of these? Nothing about this purchase is economical or cost effective so the marginal extra fuel cost saving is absolutely not worth it when you consider the possibilities for even more hassle the diesel will present. When I called time on my E39 it ended up costing no more money to run an F10, even accounting for depreciation!

They were great cars but honestly, it makes no sense now.

And a £4k E60 makes no sense either.

If this is his budget he probably needs to stay away from big old German diesel prestige cars and perhaps be a little more modest in his tastes.
 
Must be a typo, but in 2011 the car had 9,645 recorded mileage, and in 12 months has 117,209! :eek:

That's some motoring! :p
 
Like others have mentioned, great car back in the car.

Friend had a mapped 530d and it pulled like a freaking train! But even that had early issues like injectors (before map) which cost a fortune to replace.

Shame really, but it's going to be a huge money pit after 16 years!..
 
Why? Just why?

I cannot think of one single reason why anyone would want to purchase this car. As Fox said, it's a complete liability and will easily cost the same amount in (likely) repairs. This thing is 16-year-old complicated diesel. If he's set on an E39, get a petrol. If he's buying diesel for economical reasons, a 16-year-old BMW isn't the solution.
 
I agree, but its up to him and he very rarely spends a lot when purchasing his cars. He runs them for a year or two then finds something else that is cheap. I am sure it will need some work doing all cars do. My 15 year old is200 has needed a few things, mostly wear and tear items doing this last year. But I shall changing that soon. I would be a bit more understanding if it was a petrol a 540i something a litttle more interesting!
 
Mine is only a 528i and is probably worth a couple of hundred quid to be honest.

I love the e39 but they can be a money pit. I have done all the work on mine myself which does keep the cost down. I would not want to know how much I have spent on it though.
 
540i doesn't really make any sense either. Not massively quicker than the 530i, massively more thirsty though, and with the number steering and heavier nose dulling the handling.
 
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