E39 maintenance compared to E46

[safri]

safri & others,
I believe there are many factors involved here...............by the way, would like to know more about this "someone" who spent 15k barely a year after getting it" Is he a club member?

Wonder what happened to his E39?

you're right, a lot of factors involved here and luck happens to be one of them, especially when you decide to get a second hand car. you need to do a proper inspection before committing yourself to your dream ride. rule of thumb: go for low mileage ride with proper service records. if you're buying from second hand dealer, insist on minimum warranty period, remember this is buyer's market, don't rush into making a decision. a lot of second hand dealers are struggling out there, willing to offer extraordinary deals just to see off their stocks - maximise this to the limit man.

yup, that someone is a club member.

 

[NKTOB]

Whether it's E39 or E46s...

After 5-6 yrs, the usual wear & tears kicks in..the costs of replacing thm are not much difference, certain parts are higher than the other model.

Then again, it's a totally different lifestlye all together...E46 ( 3 series, b4 new E90s is the best looking/saleable 3 series worlwide to include M3 & CSLs ) i.e. young & trendy lifestlye!

The E39 - being a 5 series, always have that "family ride" feel....no qualms as it's really a damn good ride as well! especially those E39 - M5!

There you go folks...E39 or E46 is really a matter of choice. Maintenance wise, if one is really to compare, then don't do it among UDMs if one were to own one!

My ride, so far the replacement costs are wear & tear after 6 yrs (UK specs) no major repairs..and it does fits my current profile!

So, is luck playing a major role here??

 

[bmwcar]

E39 and E46 share alot of the same parts, engines and transmissions. the running costs of the 2 models are very similar as they both have the same issues. the e36 has the similar engines but different transmissions though......

before i took over the e46 323ci, i checked with my parents friend who still has an e39 523i (same engine and transmission as my car) which he got in 1997...over the 8 years, he has clocked almost 200,000 km and had no issues at all....but he has done preventive maintaince - eg changed his atf at 80,000 km and then every 40,000 km onwards..... the only thing he had to change was his exhaust system which he did because he kept hearing an annoying knocking sound which even his friend or mechanic could not hear.... but he changed it anyway. based on that, i concluded that the car is reasonable to run provided it has been correctly maintained...

of course, like most things in life, you would hear good and bad experiences..... some e46 owners have also done 200,000 km+ with no major issues while others have 1/4 that mileage and already have issues.... same with the e39.....

All things being equal, e39 and e46 should have the same running costs, the same issues....it just depends on your luck......and lack of luck can be expensive in this case.......check out the e39 and e46 maintanence threads, alot of expensive similarities.........

Quite sure that alot of our experiences are very similar and we could pool our experience together to understand our cars better.....

 

[keanbkhoo]

OR WAS IT JUST YOUR LUCK!!!

I have no problem with e46 infact it is very good, ya i guess he damn sui lah, next time before buy car go and pray first lah. wakakaka

 

[vinson]

If it was luck, why the problem happen to all e46's in the 1st place..... problems such as power windows, radiator crack after 2yrs?? for the e46 318i valvetronic bla bla bla etc. etc.


Emaveric.....lucky u didn't made the trade in.....dont do it...u'll regret it later

Dude,

A lot of factors should be takened into account when making a comparison. It could be a comparison of a mechanic with slash throat pricing Vs a mechanic that is always generous.

Power windows with belt system is inevitable. Almost all newer cars uses that - Pros and cons. Even Proton and Mercedes suffer the same fate.

Radiator tank (Expansion tank) - if correctly said, it should be replaced by 60,000km. I guess prevention is better than cure....maybe save on the tow truck fee and waking up the mechanic in the wee hours of the morning.

The E39 have their bushing replaced at a sooner time. But this is an unfair comparison & statement as the E 39 is a heavier car and provides a family ride

Anyway, we are all using BMW = Banyak Makan Wang / Bayar Mechanic Wang

A price to pay for the luxury and lifestyle

 

[funfer_fahrer]

E46 or E 39 they are both BMW - (BAGI MEKANIK WANG)

 

[Mohd Azeem]

RM15k repair

hi..its look like the 15 figure is normal among e39owners....here in kerteh got 1 black 528 year97....one day had chance to talk with the owner at coffee shop..when i ask about power...he widely smile...when i ask about maintenance..he said just paid RM15k due to ecu/computer problem.....is this normal????need answer!!!!

 

[funfer_fahrer]

hi..its look like the 15 figure is normal among e39owners....here in kerteh got 1 black 528 year97....one day had chance to talk with the owner at coffee shop..when i ask about power...he widely smile...when i ask about maintenance..he said just paid RM15k due to ecu/computer problem.....is this normal????need answer!!!!

I don't think the ECU costs that much. It might be the total problem that caused by a faulty ECU.

 

[kk_kamarul]

what about e34 compare to e39.. which one higher ?

 

[BimmerM3]

Conclusion here is? E39 as good as E46 or vice versa?

Bimmer is Bimmer I guess. Let me share with you this..... find out whether Merc or Audi face the same problem.

The answers is probably yes! Mechanical and electronics all depends on the products itself. Some will last and some not.

My experience is all these cars are almost indentical in terms of maintainence.

You got to take care of them. So decide on what you like most, forget about the resale value or the maintainence.

Good Luck, Cheers!

 

[funfer_fahrer]

No matter which bimmer you drive, before you start modifying the car I would suggest you invest in technical knowledge of your particular bimmer. Buy some good service manuals, talk to friends, ask your mechanics or your service advisors some questions or search the web. This will give you extra confidence. The best part you will know your car's limitation and ultimately you know what you are doing. Even some bad mechanics will have to think twice before he can con you. It took me almost a year studying the E39 service manual and BMW training manual before I commit myself to buying an E39. Today, I am still not an E39 expert but it really gives me peace of mind.

 

[bimmer73]

Bro, joint the 5 Series uncles/joint the TT at MMZ Bkt Jelutong ........ you will be suprise how resourceful we are (advising you on the maintenance) other that the racuning.

JYazid

The suprise is the racun.

 

[emaveric]

No matter which bimmer you drive, before you start modifying the car I would suggest you invest in technical knowledge of your particular bimmer. Buy some good service manuals, talk to friends, ask your mechanics or your service advisors some questions or search the web. This will give you extra confidence. The best part you will know your car's limitation and ultimately you know what you are doing. Even some bad mechanics will have to think twice before he can con you. It took me almost a year studying the E39 service manual and BMW training manual before I commit myself to buying an E39. Today, I am still not an E39 expert but it really gives me peace of mind.

Too bad i don't really know anyone driving BMW or even continental car...

 

[bimmer73]

Well, i think that's ok as long the car does not breakdown often. i dont paying more for something that can last. Anyway still deciding btw E39 or W208 (clk).

Bro definitly E39. W208 CLK is a car that drives you. It response to your right foot and the luxury lah. But if you talk about peformance it is definitly E39 hands down. It an awesome ride especially when you are on the highway at 200kmh with one hand on the steering, the car sticks to the road. I drive up and down Kuantan every week in my ride. It just Awesome the way the car handles and the mini drifts along the genting bentong stretch.....hmhm

 

[Ken E.]

what about e34 compare to e39.. which one higher ?

Aya! after all that.......................E34 still rocks lah !!

Cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain and yet still a looker !!

E34 4EVA !!

CABUTZZZ !!

 

[wglee]

AB told me that based on their records and pricing, the E39 costs more to maintain than the E46.

 

[emaveric]

AB told me that based on their records and pricing, the E39 costs more to maintain than the E46.

That's an interesting statement...

 

[funfer_fahrer]

Too bad i don't really know anyone driving BMW or even continental car...

In that case why don't you join the 5ers uncles for a TT? Strictly by invitation only.

 

[eddiefiola]

EMAVERIC,
my previous car was e46 m54b25 (325i) n now e39 m54b30. to me, the cost of maintenance is almost the same.........

no comment on other types or e46 n e39.......

funfer....5-er tt strict by invitation?....waliau, last time u didn't invite me to ur open house......malu sehhh...dtg tak dijemput....

emaveric, don't trust auto bavaria punya price lah, itu semua price nak sembelih org.......

 

[funfer_fahrer]

funfer....5-er tt strict by invitation?....waliau, last time u didn't invite me to ur open house......malu sehhh...dtg tak dijemput....

Ekekekekek..