E39 520i

[kitwhizz]

Hey guys,I would like a short review on the E39 520 model year 1997.What are the flaws to this particular model? Things like parts, engine , fuel consumption..etc etc....or any view from the onwers.Thanks.

 

[yoke]

One word, UNDERPOWER brother... single vanos from the M52 lump. U should look the least the 523. Other than that main gripe, the rest of it is SOLID, build, quality, comfort and so on is superb.
But, the flip side of the coin, if you go for the 520, fuel (not necessary some will argue) and maintainance cost is cheap (come to think of it the different is not that much).
Well good luck

 

[kitwhizz]

Underpowered huh? Just out of doubts,is the 97 model come with single vanos?

 

[esham]

Underpowered huh? Just out of doubts,is the 97 model come with single vanos?

Whatever it is 520i underpower bro..

 

[lgeek]

Should go for min 528I for e39 . You can feel the quick response from 528i rather than sluggish 520i . Be your choice !!

 

[bmw7833]

Dont regret after u purchase the 520i..

 

[peckchoonheng]

I have an E34 520 (1st owner) and E39 523 (Nov 97 UK spec). I just can't understand why adding 500cc can boost so much more power and fun.I have been driving the slow 520 for too long to repeat the mistake. Get the idea?

 

[Jerman]

kitwhizz,
If your budget permits, I suggest you go for the last batch M54 engine. Fuel consumption (least of worry), you could get about 8- 8.5km per litre (city driving) and 10-11km per litre (highway). As for maintenance, relative to Japs, it's about 20-30% more in service/maintenance overall but you will not regret it as it's an excellent car (overall package), build quality, solid & superb NVH, high comfort level & good handling and its driving dynamics. Power wise will not take off like the Volvo T5 but adequate for most occasions!


More info on E39, click here

http://www.official-auto.net/oa2/77/Bmw E39.html

http://www.e38.org/e39/

 

[peckchoonheng]

Sorry to side track. Which T5 is that? S40 or S60? I tried my neighbour's S80 T5 and I thought that was slow.

 

[Jerman]

Sorry to side track. Which T5 is that? S40 or S60? I tried my neighbour's S80 T5 and I thought that was slow.

Peck,
I meant S60 2.4 litre T5! Smoke the Germans easily, oops

 

[gshanmg]

Underpowered huh? Just out of doubts,is the 97 model come with single vanos?

All the models before 2000 come in single vanos.

 

[johnj]

go for the 525i man...no regrets!!:rock:

 

[kitwhizz]

I am looking for a model as i just sold of my e36 which i had for 2 months due to sum probs in the car, i am hunting for a e39 year 1997.My budget is less then 70k, could i still acquire a 533 or 525?

 

[Jerman]

I am looking for a model as i just sold of my e36 which i had for 2 months due to sum probs in the car, i am hunting for a e39 year 1997.My budget is less then 70k, could i still acquire a 533 or 525?

bro,
For your budget below 70k is rather difficult to get the 523i. Don't forget you still need to put aside a couple of thousand ringgit for minor touch-ups and service?

 

[kitwhizz]

That is the main reason i taught of settling on the 520 model.

 

[bmw7833]

70K + 10K, then u can get a good e39 523i..Price of e39 523i now are going down drastically..For year 97, can neg ard 65K only!

 

[ken77]

Sorry to side track. Which T5 is that? S40 or S60? I tried my neighbour's S80 T5 and I thought that was slow.

sorry to side track too..S80 doesn;t come with T5 but T6..i think probably you tried the S80 2.0T though..

As for S60T5 or S80T6..i think only 530i can come closer or maybe the BMW big brother M-Power only can smoke these two..

anyway, I will go for 525i at least if I'm looking for e39..

 

[peckchoonheng]

bro,
For your budget below 70k is rather difficult to get the 523i. Don't forget you still need to put aside a couple of thousand ringgit for minor touch-ups and service?

He has to be a really "controlled" person in order to do that. What I suspect may happen is:

New set of 18" rims (rep) = RM2500
Four Tyres 245/40 = RM2400
Tinting (assume Air Cool mid range) = RM1000
Repair Undetected faults before transaction = RM1500
Fine tuning = RM1000
Change wipers = RM180
New Hella rear lights = RM1000
New Hella head lights = RM3000
Some paint works retouch = RM500
One round of polishing = RM120

Total: RM13,200.

I am assuming that the E39 he is getting is in very good condition that runs smoothly without needing any repair when taken over. For one that has "Internal injury", even RM50k is not enough for the repair alone.

As for the Volvo S80 T5, its really a 2.0T. I nearly thought that anything with a "T" can "fly".

 

[kitwhizz]

Guys...appreciate your information, i am looking for a ride urgently, mind hooking me up wif a good ride?

 

[Crymson]

What about 520i 2.2? It's manufactured from 2000 onwards but it's going for above 90k though