E39 Japan Specs

[shamsudin_latiff]

Hi 5ers,I am new member and just got my e39 525i m-sport japanese specs. Was wandering if anyone out there who owns similar specs. I ve lots to ask as I was equip with japs owner's manual.Appreciate your assistance.Cheers,Sam

 

[Jerman]

Owner's manual

Hi 5ers,

I am new member and just got my e39 525i m-sport japanese specs. Was wandering if anyone out there who owns similar specs. I ve lots to ask as I was equip with japs owner's manual.

Appreciate your assistance.

Cheers,
Sam

Try this site.
http://www.e38.org/e39/

Scroll to the end under Owner's Manual

Welcome to the Club, sam

 

[shamsudin_latiff]

Hi Jerman,

Thanks for your assistance. It is very useful site.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[selfmech]

Hi Sham,

Welcome. Got mine registered as 525i but the TIS is showing 523i with M52 engine. How about yours?

Rgds.

 

[andrewk]

selfmech,

If I'm not mistaken, 523 and 525 both have 2.5ltr engines. Just different power output. Something to do with some Euro countries which taxes cars of pwr output rather than engine size.

Thas why I've heard that many car salesman here try to flog out the 523i as 525i. I think the sifus here recommend to check de VIN with AB(?) or some website to confirm.

Sham,

Congrats on the new ride! I'm also looking at upgrading to a E39 525i M-Sports. Can you enlighten me, what is the diff between a Jap spec and UK spec? I'm going to view one of each next week....

Also, if you don't mind, what price did you pay for one? I'm gonna look at one 02 Jap Spec, and one 01 UK spec..... Which would be de better buy, if conditions are alike?

Thanks and drive safely!!

 

[selfmech]

Dear AndrewK,

I have check most of the VIN and only models above 2001 fitted with M54 engines are classified as 525i. So I am not too sure if the Japs are really of different power band than the 523i.

Rgds.

 

[absidian]

From what I've read, the diff on the Jap-spec BMWs tend to have a lower final drive ratio.

This should result in slightly lower gearing, hence better acceleration but lower top speed.

Can anyone confirm this?

---

 

[bohtak]

confirmed.

 

[bohtak]

selfmech,

If I'm not mistaken, 523 and 525 both have 2.5ltr engines. Just different power output. Something to do with some Euro countries which taxes cars of pwr output rather than engine size.

Thas why I've heard that many car salesman here try to flog out the 523i as 525i. I think the sifus here recommend to check de VIN with AB(?) or some website to confirm.

Sham,

Congrats on the new ride! I'm also looking at upgrading to a E39 525i M-Sports. Can you enlighten me, what is the diff between a Jap spec and UK spec? I'm going to view one of each next week....

Also, if you don't mind, what price did you pay for one? I'm gonna look at one 02 Jap Spec, and one 01 UK spec..... Which would be de better buy, if conditions are alike?

Thanks and drive safely!!

for the jap spec, if not mistaken, if both are full options, the jap spec you'll get the alcantara seats, while the UK spec will be the leathers. on the other hand, radio frequenzy will be a prob for the jap one, but you'll get the acoustics warnings as well.. the plus point is the JATCO gearbox which is on the jap one has a better ratio and strength to some point, an advantage over the ZF boxes. but top speed is scarificed, not unless u get a SC kit!

 

[absidian]

Nice one bohtak.

I'd imagine the slightly shorter ratio should be quite nice to have since the UK ones were rather long-legged aimed at motorway cruising and their higher national speed limit.

---

 

[BMW5er]

Nice one bohtak.

I'd imagine the slightly shorter ratio should be quite nice to have since the UK ones were rather long-legged aimed at motorway cruising and their higher national speed limit.

---

Absidian,

What's UK hiway speed limit?

 

[absidian]

Yes, British drivers (on average) move quicker but also more safely for some strange reason.

Probably coz fewer motorbikes, no Kancil, no Duit-Kopi drivers

---

 

[andrewk]

Thanks for the info guys

 

[shamsudin_latiff]

Hi,
Mine is 525i M-sport with M54 engine RM175k. It comes with widescreen dvd natvigation, tv, etc.
Market value for 2001 is probably around RM155k - RM165k and for 2002 is around RM165k - RM180k depending on the condition and specs.

Cheers, Sam

 

[BMW5er]

Highway 2+ Lanes

Official limit 70mph (112 km/h)
Unofficial limit 88-90mph (145 km/h)


Single Lane A-roads

Official limit 60mph (97km/h)
Unofficial limit 70mph ( 112 km/h )


Yes, British drivers (on average) move quicker but also more safely for some strange reason.

Probably coz fewer motorbikes, no Kancil, no Duit-Kopi drivers

---

Thanks for the info mate...

 

[andrewk]

Thanks for de info Sam.

I've seen 2 units so far. Prices are within the bands quoted, but to my dismay, no wide screen sat nav Wonder how much it will cost to retro fit one? .....

 

[shamsudin_latiff]

I believe one of the member did fit it on his E46. Not sure how much it cost here though but I did saw one ads in eBay US selling around USD3700. Btw where did you view the 2 cars. There are only few places in KL that carry E39 M sport edition.
Cheers, Sam

 

[andrewk]

Wow!! USD3700!!!... ok ler... no need la... just by KL Map Directory... only RM30

Saw one in Ampang and another in Tmn Tun. Did you view these cars too? Feedback much appreciated... God willing, I'll get one by mid year

 

[gshanmg]

Wow!! USD3700!!!... ok ler... no need la... just by KL Map Directory... only RM30

Saw one in Ampang and another in Tmn Tun. Did you view these cars too? Feedback much appreciated... God willing, I'll get one by mid year

I have come across one 525i MSport 2002 model in Jan 2007 in Old Klang Road at the turning into Taman Sri Sentosa...almost got into it...but pockets were not deep enough then...not too sure if still there...it was going at 175K.

 

[wang]

From what I've read, the diff on the Jap-spec BMWs tend to have a lower final drive ratio.

This should result in slightly lower gearing, hence better acceleration but lower top speed.

Can anyone confirm this?

---

bro...i can confirmed this...UK spec will more top-speed...bcoz my top-speed reached 240km/h c/w 18"...otherwise 5th gear 3000 RPM = 160km/h...more save fuel at highway times...