525 E39 Hard to find in Penang?

[Herbert]

Hi..

I'm C K A, newbie to this world of high maintenance car.. (I'm using honda City 1999...that's why). I've been learning that i will have to set apart RM10K for initial repair / service...plus RM500 every month to this baby..Hmmm, interesting... But I think now it's time to search for E39, but my wife likes S60 (not T5)... all sifus are welcomed to give tips and advices...

Yesterday i've been looking for E39 525i, year 2003 , around RM95K... any comments?

Last but not least... thank you for BMWCM and all members for such informative and helpful web... and not forgetting the positive attitude....

CKA,

First, welcome to the forum.

Secondly as a matter of formality, please introduce yourself in the newbie section.

Thirdly this is a BMW club forum and we don't like to compare our beemers with other car (S60).

OK, back to your question on the e39 525i year 2003 that you viewed yesterday. I think I have viewed this car with another Club guest 2 days ago. We have checked the VIN details and the car was actually manufactured in 2002 and registered in 2003. Externally the condition is very good but we did not road test the car hence I cannot say anything about engine, suspension and performance. Take the car to a reliable bmw workshop and have them do a thorough checks. RM93k seems reasonable provided no major problems after checks by workshop.

 

[fredphua]

Fredphua,

I guess based on the prices from mudah.com, some of the e39 525i (Japan specs) maybe a 523i re-badged as 525i. Both 525i and 523i share the same engine (either M52TU or M54) and the only difference is the hp. Best is to use REALOEM.com and check details with the VIN number.

Have you checked the VIN details of the car?? Is it a M52TU or M54 engine?? If it is a M54 engine, that's the latest engine for e39. M52TU (technical upgrade) is the version prior to M54 and both are double vanos.

1. Steering vibration when brake is usually worn disc rotors. Ask the dealer to replace 2 x front original disc rotor & brake pads.

2. Take the car to ChuSeng and ask for a complete computer scan (check for any error codes) and mechanical checks (suspension - absorbers, upper & lower arms), check for oil leakages (steering rack, oil pan, auto trans, power steering), water cooling system (radiator, expansion tank, all hoses).

3. After check by ChuSeng, ask for an estimate quotation for the repairs.


http://www.mudah.my/BMW+525i+E39+SHIFTRONIC+04-7091830.htm ( RM 79,800 registered in 2004 but don't know year of production)

http://www.mudah.my/BMW+525i+Auto+Shiftronic+Japan+Spec-6048208.htm (RM68,900 registered 2005, production 2000 Japan specs. Again it could be a 523i but re-badged as 525i).

http://www.mudah.my/BMW+525i+E39+FACELIFT+MILE+70K+02+07-7084204.htm (RM91k registered 2002)

Thanks herbert. You have given me the excellent checking items.

Checked the VIN number and here is the result: "11/2000 E39 525i Sedan M54 Europe Right hand drive Automatic". From garan it stated registration as 2005.

Now the dealer says we need to come to an agreeable price before sent to mechanic to check the car. But I prefer to check it before even come to an agreeable price before it might involve a lot of repair.

Will sure ask the dealer to repair the vibration problem as i've checked the maintenance thread and the front brake disc cost around RM480 per pair without labour.

 

[Herbert]

Thanks herbert. You have given me the excellent checking items.

Checked the VIN number and here is the result: "11/2000 E39 525i Sedan M54 Europe Right hand drive Automatic". From garan it stated registration as 2005.

Now the dealer says we need to come to an agreeable price before sent to mechanic to check the car. But I prefer to check it before even come to an agreeable price before it might involve a lot of repair.

Will sure ask the dealer to repair the vibration problem as i've checked the maintenance thread and the front brake disc cost around RM480 per pair without labour.

OK M54 engine is good. Ask for original disc rotor and disc pad (Textar with BMW logo). Ask dealer to thrown in lube service and AFT oil change & filter (about RM1k). It is quite normal to agree to pricing before sending to workshop. You have to use your nego skill to get around it.

 

[fredphua]

Hi Alex5522,

Yes you were right that my budget is RM70K, right now they ask for RM89K which is RM20K extra. That is why I did homework and get advice here for the market value before committing anything.

 

[Alex5522]

U must ensure u select the best unit b4 u committed to any one, so that no more repair after u buy just pump in petrol and drive away.

 

[fredphua]

Thanks herbert again.

Since this is a recon unit from Europe, and the garan states "kereta import terpakai", anyway we can check on AP? Cause that time (2005) still a lot of fake AP problem. Worry if I didn't check it now later kastam come kacau me susah.

 

[Herbert]

Thanks herbert again.

Since this is a recon unit from Europe, and the garan states "kereta import terpakai", anyway we can check on AP? Cause that time (2005) still a lot of fake AP problem. Worry if I didn't check it now later kastam come kacau me susah.

The dealer should have the ORIGINAL copy of the AP. To check whether AP is fake or otherwise, will be really difficult unless you go personally to MITI (Ministry of International Trade) verify. If you are taking up loan from a bank, then the bank would also verify the AP with the dealer before making payment.

 

[redlotus]

So much of useful information in this forum!

 

[WK Hew]

I plan to sell my E39 528, change to E60. Local assembled in 2000 and regsitered in 2001. Milelage ~ 192km. No need to spend single cents for repairing. If you interested and come to KL, you can contact me. I plan to sell RM85K.

 

[ah_Keng]

I plan to sell my E39 528, change to E60. Local assembled in 2000 and regsitered in 2001. Milelage ~ 192km. No need to spend single cents for repairing. If you interested and come to KL, you can contact me. I plan to sell RM85K.

Same price with InitialM's UDM...

 

[WK Hew]

From the pictures, car seems to be physically in good condition. However looks can be deceiving and hence you need to take it to a reliable BMW workshop to do a computer scan and relevant mechanical checks.

To check year of production, single or double vanos, engine model M52 or M52 TU, go to
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do. and enter VIN number. For example my e39 525i is BR69100.

How to check the VIN number from the car?

 

[Herbert]

I plan to sell my E39 528, change to E60. Local assembled in 2000 and regsitered in 2001. Milelage ~ 192km. No need to spend single cents for repairing. If you interested and come to KL, you can contact me. I plan to sell RM85K.

Your 528i is M52TU engine. Sure or not no need to spend single cents for repairs?? After plug in diagnostic scanner and find error codes, then jack up the car and found lower/upper arms loose, oil leaking from steering rack, then how?? There is no such thing as no need to spend single cents for repair for a 10 years old car. Only car salesman will tell you that!!

 

[Herbert]

How to check the VIN number from the car?

http://www.bmwccbc.org/resources/vin.html

 

[ALIAS]

Thanks herbert. You have given me the excellent checking items.

Checked the VIN number and here is the result: "11/2000 E39 525i Sedan M54 Europe Right hand drive Automatic". From garan it stated registration as 2005.

Now the dealer says we need to come to an agreeable price before sent to mechanic to check the car. But I prefer to check it before even come to an agreeable price before it might involve a lot of repair.

Will sure ask the dealer to repair the vibration problem as i've checked the maintenance thread and the front brake disc cost around RM480 per pair without labour.

Just to tokok tambah a bit, when you take it to the workshop and have the diagnostic machine plugged in, can check for the real mileage. See whether it matches what's shown on your OBC display. Can also do the same using the key.

The Japan spec M52 or M52TU 2.5-litre E39 is labeled as 525. They were sold like that in Japan. It's actually what is called 523 elsewhere. 170hp. 22hp lower than a 2.5-litre m54 engine. Can spend money to upgrade the hp. I went thru a number of 523 when shopping for one previously but decided to just pay the extra for a M54.

 

[WK Hew]

How to know VIN number from our car?

 

[Herbert]

How to know VIN number from our car?

inside engine compartment, number is ontop of driver's side top suspension mount.

 

[fredphua]

Just to add on to herbert regarding finding VIN in picture. I've highlighted the area with red color circle

 

[WK Hew]

inside engine compartment, number is ontop of driver's side top suspension mount.

Thanks, GU30069, found the infor as following
You Have Selected: 03/2000 E39 528i Sedan M52 MYS Right hand drive Automatic

 

[bimmerholic]

http://www.mudah.my/BMW+525i+E39+FACELIFT+MILE+70K+02+07-7084204.htm (RM91k registered 2002)

Wah! Never knew they had this thing called "JAPAN 20TH SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY SPEC" E39! WTF!

Notice it says "Individual" at the rear sill....but doesn't look anything like it's Individual....the color for one doesn't say so....hmmmm

 

[viewfinder]

Just sharing a thought... make sure mechanic knows that you're the one paying for the inspection. Else the dealer may worked out something with the mechanic behind the scene. And mechanic maybe missing out on obvious flaw...