E39..izzit a good buy?

[eau-rouge]

the market price for 1997-2000 E39 is now between 70k-100k. im looking for 520i or should go for 523i? i dunno, u guys tell me. want to ask u guys a few questions;1. 520i is single vanos or double vanos?2. any problems with the car?3. 2nd hand spare parts,easy to find?(if pocket sudah kering..hehe)4. how much is the maintainance?5. any tips b4 buying one??if 520i engine with single vanos,then 523i is my choice because 523 double vanos. the engine capacity also is almost the same..520(2.2) 523(2.3)..correct me if im wrong..thanks

 

[Jerman]

the market price for 1997-2000 E39 is now between 70k-100k. im looking for 520i or should go for 523i? i dunno, u guys tell me. want to ask u guys a few questions;

1. 520i is single vanos or double vanos?

2. any problems with the car?

3. 2nd hand spare parts,easy to find?(if pocket sudah kering..hehe)

4. how much is the maintainance?

5. any tips b4 buying one??

eau-rouge,
The earlier 520i is single vanos and the last batch 2.2 litre (M54 engine with 170bhp and 210Nm). On paper, the output superseded the previous M52 523i. Putting these numbers aside, the power is adequate for most occassions. At start-stop traffic, it felt a little 'draggy' but once on the move, it's effortless and the overall competency of this car is quite unsurpassed. NVH is superb for its class! For the 525i (M54 engine, 192bhp and 245Nm) Cost of service & maintenance, well.....so-so lah! Getting spare parts & used ones are no issues. There are a lot of "specialist" in town too!
Try getting another E39 owner to give it a spin would be the best option.

Good luck!

 

[eau-rouge]

thanks for the info jerman.u driving one too?can take me for a spin?hehe..just joking

 

[Jerman]

Spin? Boleh!

thanks for the info jerman.u driving one too?can take me for a spin?hehe..just joking

Spin aje, drift tak boleh!
No problems, bro. Come for TT this coming November 10th and there will be a lot of E39's sifus!

Details here.
http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9187

 

[E36Turbo]

Yo Brothers.... maybe i should frop by for TT.. Perhaps, Bro ERouge & I could get some face to face advices... and some spinssssssssssssssssssss.... (",)

 

[azwanb]

the market price for 1997-2000 E39 is now between 70k-100k. im looking for 520i or should go for 523i? i dunno, u guys tell me. want to ask u guys a few questions;

1. 520i is single vanos or double vanos? Jerman sudah reply

2. any problems with the car? Very the general question. But typical with German makes, it leaks pretty often. But the car generally no problem.

3. 2nd hand spare parts,easy to find?(if pocket sudah kering..hehe) Used parts quite easy to find but is still not your average car partslah

4. how much is the maintainance? Depends on the condition of the car. If the car that you are getting has been maintained properly then not too bad. But based on my own experience and some others, you need to set aside 10 grand easy for immediate work on the car - if you want to avoid spending MUCH more on it later. Think this one carefully, just because you can buy something does not mean you can maintain it.. just like some womenlah

5. any tips b4 buying one?? Shop carefully! I think most important is car's service history if you can get it. And I think even better, get one of the forummers to come with you BEFORE you put that downpayment. Sure a lot of volunteers one.


if 520i engine with single vanos,then 523i is my choice because 523 double vanos. the engine capacity also is almost the same..520(2.2) 523(2.3)..correct me if im wrong..thanks

Always get the bigger engine. You will not regret it.

 

[eau-rouge]

5. any tips b4 buying one?? Shop carefully! I think most important is car's service history if you can get it. And I think even better, get one of the forummers to come with you BEFORE you put that downpayment. Sure a lot of volunteers one.

guess i will bring the car to my workshop and ask the mech to have a look at it.so any particular spot to look out for?interior n exterior..any fragile component?

 

[wglee]

The early 520i came in 6 cylinder 2.0 150bhp/200Nm guise. The late-model 520i had a 2.2 6 cylinder engine putting out 170bhp/210Nm.

The 523i has a 2.5 litre 6 cylinder engine, not 2.3 litre engine. It develops 170bhp/245Nm. The 525i has a 2.5 litre 6 cylinder motor which produces 192bhp/245Nm.

The later batches of the CKD 525i had DSC; all CKD 520i/523i/early 525i only had ASC+T.

If budget permits, I'd say go for the 525i.

 

[eau-rouge]

The 523i has a 2.5 litre 6 cylinder engine, not 2.3 litre engine. It develops 170bhp/245Nm. The 525i has a 2.5 litre 6 cylinder motor which produces 192bhp/245Nm.

hmm..both of them have the same CC.why does the BHP are different?

 

[wglee]

The E39 523i's engine has been detuned.

Just like today's E60 523i and 525i.

 

[wglee]

And I think that has got to do with the road tax - or is it insurance? - system in Germany, which I was told is based on bhp ratings rather than engine c.c.