E39 Average Running Costs

monkey_boy · 31 Mar 2016 at 14:24

Hi All,

I know a few of you have or have had E39s, I was just wondering if you could tell me what the average essential repair costs were over the last 3 or 5 years? I'm trying to predict the future repair costs of my e53 X5 and wanted to check against other people's figures! Not too interested in fuel costs or cosmetic bits as they will vary too much to be of any use I think.

Thanks,

geekman · 31 Mar 2016 at 14:59

E39s seem to be total pot luck - I know a few people who've bought cheap ones, put tens of thousands of miles on them with no issues, then others who've got nice examples and seem to spend every day fixing problem after problem.

teenwolf · 31 Mar 2016 at 15:03

here is mine

In the 12 months this is what I have paid out for:

Spark plugs £30
Raised the coil overs a lot. £0
Alternator £15
2 tyres, pirellis off eBay 6mm won one for £4.80 and the other for £15
Radio went caput, fitted a standard pioneer with fascia £30
Rear pads £55
MOT pass no advisories £40
Passenger wing rusted, replacement bought £35
Rocker cover gasket leak from 2 bolt washers £3

Jamauk · 31 Mar 2016 at 15:23

teenwolf said:
quote

£227.80 isn't bad for 12 months on an e39, and I suppose the MOT can be ignored seeing as it's required on all 3 year+ cars. Then I suppose the tyres and pads are classed as consumable, so really it's cost £113 over that time.

What engine is that with?

teenwolf · 31 Mar 2016 at 15:24

its the 2.2

Jamauk · 31 Mar 2016 at 15:29

Aah, so it's the 520i. The M54 is usually a pretty good reliable engine, providing it's looked after and serviced when required.

teenwolf · 31 Mar 2016 at 15:30

Jamauk said:
Aah, so it's the 520i. The M54 is usually a pretty good reliable engine, providing it's looked after and serviced when required.

yup im on 190000 miles at the mo.
it guzzles a lot of oil but runs great.

slick rick · 31 Mar 2016 at 16:35

Replacement engine
Rear shocks + springs
Climate panel
FSR/hedgehog x2
headlight adjuster
Pixel fix instrument cluster
Transmission cooler + ATF + filter + gasket
New rad, waterpump, T-stat + housing
Washer jet pump + pipes
Rear door membranes
Passenger occupancy sensor
Cam cover gasket
Crank case breather
Wiper relay
Aircon pipe + drier
+ normal maintenance stuff and probably other bits I can't remember!

monkey_boy · 1 Apr 2016 at 19:53

slick rick said:
Replacement engine
Rear shocks + springs
Climate panel
FSR/hedgehog x2
headlight adjuster
Pixel fix instrument cluster
Transmission cooler + ATF + filter + gasket
New rad, waterpump, T-stat + housing
Washer jet pump + pipes
Rear door membranes
Passenger occupancy sensor
Cam cover gasket
Crank case breather
Wiper relay
Aircon pipe + drier
+ normal maintenance stuff and probably other bits I can't remember!

How much was that and over what time period?

Was hoping Fox would have a spreadsheet that would shed some light on the situation!

[TW]Fox · 1 Apr 2016 at 20:00

Actually I do! Let me see if I can find it.

Diagro · 1 Apr 2016 at 20:30

We have an e39 M5 in the family.
not been much go wrong recently, needed new TPS but those were £20 each on interwebs.

Kiethton · 1 Apr 2016 at 20:50

Well I've had my 540i for getting onto 3 years now, was lucky that that a number of the normal jobs were done before:

Previous owner did (6 months before purchase):

Water pump, radiator and all cooling bits
Full suspension refresh
Cd changer
Discs and pads all round
Tyres all round
Inspection 2

Plus some other bits - Cooper BMW charged £6k

I've had a gearbox rebuild £1800, alternator (£850), hedgehog (£90), battery (£100), service and 2 tyres in the 13k miles I've done but did buy it at a big discount to market, less than half the big bill above only 6 months later

monkey_boy · 1 Apr 2016 at 21:30

[TW]Fox;29346043 said:
Actually I do! Let me see if I can find it.

Brilliant, thanks.

Kiethton said:
Well I've had my 540i for getting onto 3 years now, was lucky that that a number of the normal jobs were done before:

Previous owner did (6 months before purchase):

Water pump, radiator and all cooling bits
Full suspension refresh
Cd changer
Discs and pads all round
Tyres all round
Inspection 2

Plus some other bits - Cooper BMW charged £6k

I've had a gearbox rebuild £1800, alternator (£850), hedgehog (£90), battery (£100), service and 2 tyres in the 13k miles I've done but did buy it at a big discount to market, less than half the big bill above only 6 months later

What age is your e39?

Kiethton · 1 Apr 2016 at 22:08

Double post

Kiethton · 1 Apr 2016 at 22:09

Mine's a 2003

Bought it on 116k miles, now on 129k. Not all miles have been easy - it's done this a few times keeping a fair few honest!

http://youtu.be/cZXxDTvqduY

[TW]Fox · 1 Apr 2016 at 22:13

Ok here we go..

September 2006 to May 2014:

Repairs and Servicing: £6000
Tyres: £3000

Notable expenses:

Power Steering Pump @ £400
Front suspension refresh @ £400
Multiple radiators @ £600ish
Clutch @ £500
Alternator @ £350

etc

It worked out at about 53p a mile for fuel, insurance, depreciation and all running costs.

Interestingly my F10 has come out at almost exactly the same cost per mile. Ha, actually amazed at that.

ZedPowered · 1 Apr 2016 at 23:01

I have a 2000 E39 523i bought at 155k miles. Cost me about a grand for the car plus almost a years worth of running. That's with oil change, all filters changed, new spark plugs, one new tyre, rear suspension bushes and an MOT. Done 2k miles but it is now flawless except for the paintwork! Lovely cars.

[TW]Fox · 1 Apr 2016 at 23:03

2k miles?

No wonder it hasn't cost anything! That's nothing. I once did more than that in a single trip in my E39 let alone an entire year

vanandjuanunited · 1 Apr 2016 at 23:15

Think he means 200k now on clock

ZedPowered · 1 Apr 2016 at 23:15

To be fair spent more miles on the motorbike as even a 1000cc supersport bike is more fuel efficient! No where near as comfy as the 5 series tho!