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,

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!

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?

monkey_boy · 2 Apr 2016 at 20:40

I've looked over my bills and I'm pretty sure I've mislaid some but it looks as though it's cost at least £5k over 7 years in maintenence. I would say that's pretty lucky so far and what I'm concerned about is whether that luck will run out and I'll be faced with bills for Front Suspension refresh, coolant system, rear subframe bushes and other significant niggles in the next 3 years. Potentially meaning I could spend another £5k in the next 3 years.

If thats what its going to need then so be it but I want to go into it knowing what its going to cost and what the alternatives are so I've attempted a spreadsheet to estimate costs and compare them to other options ie, buying or leasing.

Have I done it right, am I comparing the right things?

**Warning** Some of the other options are suggestions blurted out and are NOT a shortlist of preferred cars. Just something to put in to test an idea or suggestion.
EDIT- Resized for sanity

monkey_boy · 2 Apr 2016 at 20:49

both prices were based on a 2 litre petrol or diesel 5 years old with <50k miles. Repair estimates for the X5 are based on above and purchase repair estimates are based on figures plucked from my exit but broadly thinking of basic brakes, oil, tyres type maintenence as the x5 had, but cheaper due to smaller engine, wheels, tyres, brakes etc, and using an indy garage.

monkey_boy · 2 Apr 2016 at 20:51

This was the kind of thing I was thinking for the A5. Again not a shortlist of preferred cars just options that were blurted out and wanted to put some numbers against.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201603162025839