E39 523i --requesting some help..

[deep3102]

Dear all sifu'si require some information regarding the 523i engine. Based on ur experience, how do u think this engine performs and wut are the basic maintenance that i should be looking at? what is the HP that comes out of it and what is ur overall view of the car? Reason i seek help is coz im viewing a car tomorrow, it is a 523i, registered in year 2000. price going for RM77K. and current milage is between 70~80K miles...pls drop me ur comments about this and whether or not i should pursue the deal further...what should i be expecting to see, in terms or wear n tear n all that...pls advise...thank you all.

 

[bmw7833]

Check here: http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1413

 

[azan23uk]

523i

Dear all sifu's

i require some information regarding the 523i engine. Based on ur experience, how do u think this engine performs and wut are the basic maintenance that i should be looking at? what is the HP that comes out of it and what is ur overall view of the car?

Reason i seek help is coz im viewing a car tomorrow, it is a 523i, registered in year 2000. price going for RM77K. and current milage is between 70~80K miles...

pls drop me ur comments about this and whether or not i should pursue the deal further...what should i be expecting to see, in terms or wear n tear n all that...pls advise...

thank you all.

Bro,

A lot to check. Start by checking the VIN no and service history. fail these two..forget it. if 523i is what u are looking for, dont worry...a lot in the market. Take your time, don't rush. If not, prepare RM10k-RM15k in the first year on repairs and replacements of worn parts.

As a rule of thumb, once your car in 'tip-top' condition, put aside RM500 per mth for maintenance and minor repairs. Its a RM300k car once, now its a mere RM80k. Good things don't come cheap usually. My 2 cents.

 

[deep3102]

guys, i appreciate your feedback and opinion. thank you.

please feel free to drop me more info on this.

thanks.

 

[Kubica]

don't believe so much on the mileage. VIN is amust. check suspension system too. engine normally OK.

 

[elixir]

Also, there are quite a lot of flood these days.
Be careful, check thoroughly, underneath the carpet, seats, wiries, anywhere. make sure there is no mud like stain.
It's the worst thing you could imagine, getting a 'flooded' BMW.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

Here's an initial checklist for you.

1. If the salesperson is lansi, forget it.

2. If they don't allow you to test drive, forget it.

3. If the showroom says "NAZA", forget it.

If you can satisfy all these criterias, I'll give you another more advanced checklist.

 

[balaram]

hi bro, worth taking to a mechanic and check it out before you decide on the purchase, i will be worth to pay about RM80 then regret later.

 

[champion]

Newbie here - whats the objective of checking the VIN ?

 

[champion]

Did some reading on the thread, got the answers for my own question. Sorry y'all. Just in case any newbie is asking the same question. Got this link from another member http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/tips_pages/vin_decoding.htm

 

[bimmerholic]

and check if the VIN on the car you're getting with http://www.realoem.com to see if the year of manu tallies.