E39 Buying Advice

[quenquen]

I need your all to help me in making dessision either to buy 528i (1997) - RM 65Kor523i(1998-double vanos) - RM75K which one give better performance, fuel consumption, spare part, Horse power, torque, hadling etc

 

[bmw7833]

I will go for 523i double vanos. BUT if u like high horse power, then go for 528i...

NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT.

I thk maintenance fee will bit higher for 528i compare to 523i.

 

[amax]

from my personal opinion 528 just the pick up different from 523 & 525....

think carefully for 528 u will be paying 2k extra more road tax than 523 & 525....iziit worth it???

523 & 525 resell value will be higher than 528.... for me the road tax wise 528 alrdy make a big different...

just my 2 cents opinion...

 

[Msport-525i]

i will go fo 523i....

 

[Jerman]

I need your all to help me in making dessision
either to buy 528i (1997) - RM 65K or 523i(1998-double vanos) - RM75K which one give better performance, fuel consumption, spare part, Horse power, torque, hadling etc

bro,
I suggest you go for the 523i (double vanos). 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/

 

[lord_jagganath]

the 523i is a great car... if you are worried about resale... don't buy a conti.
528 has a nikasil block...... for both uk and japan spec cars.... so be careful.... ( local cars are not too great either)
523 may be a better bet. (it uses the same block as a late '96 e34 24v (m52b25), hence plenty of parts... also engine had been detuned.... from 192 bhp to 170....) also careful with the dme...... (get it checked...) siemens 41.0 ( most people insert a new chip though)
If your car has reverse sensors... make sure if there is a mod bumper....
double vanos means more torque at lower rpm.. though same peak torque at 245Nm
gearbox issues........ ( be prepared for a new unit for either car)

(speaking from uncles experience.... watch out for car WF* 5203 .... has gearbox issues)

Ps: Jerman dude... M54 is for post 2000 models...

 

[quenquen]

what do you mean by nikasil blok, it is alloy, how abut the fuel consumption it is any big diffrent between 523i Double vanos and 528i.

 

[absidian]

For Nikasil issues, check RealOem.com with the car's VIN, you'll want the engine code to have "TU" for Technical Update. This will confirm a Nikasil-free engine. Otherwise, be in doubt whether the recall work was done.

1998-onwards was Nikasil-free, but check anyway because some cars were manufactured in 1997 but sold in '98.

 

[lord_jagganath]

GAh.. I meant nikasil lining... silly me..

the e39 is the most elegant of 5-serie bmws... don't regret buying any....

if you are concerned with fuel consumption.... get the 530i... the 2.8 for some reason does not cut it... or never touch the sport button.... the bigger engines have lower fuel consumption.. ( believe it or not..)

the e39 m5 is going for 300k in the classifieds.... (about the right price.... 30k pounds in uk...)

 

[stan8]

Consumption between 528 n 523 is not that much but the torque for 528 is better if the 523 is double vanos. If the 523 is single then there is a big difference. Double vanos is smoother engine. I always thought double vanos is only available for E39 from 1999 onwards??? You mentioned 1998 so better make sure

 

[bmw7833]

Yah, i think u need to check back, as i know double vanos only available from 1999.

 

[ICEman63]

I need your all to help me in making dessision

either to buy

528i (1997) - RM 65K
or
523i(1998-double vanos) - RM75K

which one give better performance, fuel consumption, spare part, Horse power, torque, hadling etc

Get the 523i Double Banos...nice won regret..

 

[Bailey]

or maybe juliana banos yeeeeeehhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa but seriously bro go for 528

 

[Grand]

Was told by mechanic that the double vanos engine more manja and problematic. Of course mechanical and performance wise,would be better than single vanos. You may also want to check out other overseas BMW E39 forum. A lot of informative and extensive discussion on this model out there.

Road tax wise shouldn't be too much of an issue. 2.8cc is about RM1.6K whilst 2.5cc is about RM0.8K.

 

[leforte]

there's a saying among automotive enthusiasts which goes " there's no replacement for displacement"

no doubt 1.6k maybe a bit tooooooo bloody high to pay for such rubbish piece of road that our stupid government is giving us, but the sheer enjoyment of driving a 2.8, 3.0 3.5 v8 or even a 540i with a 4.4 v8 is just incomparable. the 5series being a heavy car is just a tad underpowered with the 2.5 and below engine.

the availability of all the torque on demand, just bring a smile to your face every time you take it for a sprint. be it just a short drive around your neighbourhood or a drive on the crapy highway with idiots hogging the fast lane. at times like this is where you find the enjoyment of having a bigger displacement engine, with all the torque in hand, all you need to do is just give the pedal a slight push and you are off smiling away...

 

[opp]

E39

there's a saying among automotive enthusiasts which goes " there's no replacement for displacement"

no doubt 1.6k maybe a bit tooooooo bloody high to pay for such rubbish piece of road that our stupid government is giving us, but the sheer enjoyment of driving a 2.8, 3.0 3.5 v8 or even a 540i with a 4.4 v8 is just incomparable. the 5series being a heavy car is just a tad underpowered with the 2.5 and below engine.

the availability of all the torque on demand, just bring a smile to your face every time you take it for a sprint. be it just a short drive around your neighbourhood or a drive on the crapy highway with idiots hogging the fast lane. at times like this is where you find the enjoyment of having a bigger displacement engine, with all the torque in hand, all you need to do is just give the pedal a slight push and you are off smiling away...

dude

If you can afford it. get the 528. We are driving a heavy truck and any extra cc or bhp would go a long way. Besides that, an excellent car to drive. Just love it !!