e39?

[chinlai]

I currently own a 89 e34 525i and have lots of fun driving it around. However, I am now itching to "upgrade" to the later e39. Preferbly looking at the post 99 double vanos and still itching for the 2.5 as opposed to the 2.0 model. But with the fuel prices going up.. :unsure: Would like to know the pro's and con's of doing series.. Parts which normally break down? Maintenance Costs?

 

[dedisyar]

been driving my e39 for 3 months now. Changed the consumables and 3 out of 4 abs sensors....all in all spent about RM5k...touch wood..no problem until now...

 

[dvng]

Originally posted by chinlai@Apr 4 2006, 12:30 PM
I currently own a 89 e34 525i and have lots of fun driving it around. However, I am now itching to "upgrade" to the later e39.

Preferbly looking at the post 99 double vanos and still itching for the 2.5 as opposed to the 2.0 model. But with the fuel prices going up.. :unsure:

Would like to know the pro's and con's of doing series.. Parts which normally break down? Maintenance Costs?

fyi..e39 are by and large more expensive to maintain than a e34..

 

[uno]

THe E39 has been voted one of the world's best cars in 2001. It is one of the better model from BMW. The inline is silky smooth. The 2.2 is good enough but if you like it faster, then 2.5 or even 3.0...

 

[bimmer73]

Yup it's the best of its kind. If you do maintainence at the proper interverls then you would not have to worry so much. Except if there is a major problem which is quite rare.

 

[barney]

i'm selling my e39 523i 00/04, if u're interested please pm me :lol:

 

[DaveLiaw]

i would go for 525, its a much powerful and better than 523.

 

[DrGoh]

523 and 525 are the same (525=european designation) ...

My E39 is very reliable. The inline six is fantastic, and it handles great.

Just becareful with the damn air-bag sensors, these include the seat mat, the satellite unit under the seat, etc.. If someone puts a bottle of water underneath the car seat, and water leaked, you'll be looking at RM1000++ for the satellite.

Of course, you don't have to replace it, but you'll get the annoying airbag light on the dash. In addition, there are a few cables there attached to airbag sensors that need to be tied down.

Oh, when moving, do not put a huge TV on your front passenger seat. There is a thin layer of wire-mat embedded inside the seat, if you screw that up, you'll need to replace it too

 

[wglee]

Originally posted by DrGoh@Apr 9 2006, 10:38 AM
523 and 525 are the same (525=european designation) ...

My E39 is very reliable. The inline six is fantastic, and it handles great.

Just becareful with the damn air-bag sensors, these include the seat mat, the satellite unit under the seat, etc.. If someone puts a bottle of water underneath the car seat, and water leaked, you'll be looking at RM1000++ for the satellite.

Of course, you don't have to replace it, but you'll get the annoying airbag light on the dash. In addition, there are a few cables there attached to airbag sensors that need to be tied down.

Oh, when moving, do not put a huge TV on your front passenger seat. There is a thin layer of wire-mat embedded inside the seat, if you screw that up, you'll need to replace it too

I believe the E39 523i and E39 525i are different in that the 523i uses the 170bhp M52 engine whereas the 525i uses the 192bhp M54 engine.

 

[DrGoh]

Actually, I think there are two versions of 2.5L E39.

The M52B25, with 2.5 L (2494cc) version, was introduced in 1995. It produces 170 hp. Bore is 84 mm and stroke is 75 mm.

(The M52B25 won the 2-2.5 L category of the International Engine of the Year awards for 2003 and 2004.)

This is in 1995-2001 E39 5-Series.

Whereas, the M54B25, is a 2.5 L (2494 cc) engine with an 84 mm bore and 75 mm stroke, introduced in 2001. It is all-aluminum with cast iron cylinder liners, fracture-split forged steel connecting rods, a one-piece cast camshaft, and a reinforced plastic intake manifold. Output is 184 hp.

This is in 2001-2003 E39 525i.

 

[DaveLiaw]

Jz helping my colleg mate to look for a E39 523i, went to test drive one yesterday. Since the new series drops about RM20K, the used car dealer is very keen to sell out his stock. Wondering what is the latest market price for E39 523 or 525 (2001-2002 model) after the new pricing annouched by BMW MY?

 

[dvng]

Originally posted by DaveLiaw@Apr 9 2006, 03:41 PM
Jz helping my colleg mate to look for a E39 523i, went to test drive one yesterday. Since the new series drops about RM20K, the used car dealer is very keen to sell out his stock. Wondering what is the latest market price for E39 523 or 525 (2001-2002 model) after the new pricing annouched by BMW MY?

apparently most secondhand car dealers are holding on to their prices..since it is suicidal if they bring the prices down..imagine sellin at RM20k lower..they might give some discounts but i dont thik it will be that much..the best thing is everybody hold on (wait for at least 3 months)..and see who can wait out longer..therefore do not rush your purchase..

 

[DaveLiaw]

That was the same thing i told my buddy. However, he worried the interest rate is going up if wait longer......the dealer told us the bank offers 4.5% now for used car.

 

[chairoger]

Originally posted by dvng+Apr 9 2006, 04:31 PM-->QUOTE (dvng @ Apr 9 2006, 04:31 PM)

 

[jetschin]

Dr. Goh, My e39 has this airbag sensor lighted up. Same problem exactly one year ago, changed the seat belt tensioner, costs me RM600. What do you think is the cause of the persistent problem? Seat mat? Best place to get this rectified? Other than this airbag thing, car runs great.

 

[DrGoh]

jetschin, will answer your question here

 

[wglee]

Originally posted by DrGoh@Apr 9 2006, 12:13 PM
Actually, I think there are two versions of 2.5L E39.

The M52B25, with 2.5 L (2494cc) version, was introduced in 1995. It produces 170 hp. Bore is 84 mm and stroke is 75 mm.

(The M52B25 won the 2-2.5 L category of the International Engine of the Year awards for 2003 and 2004.)

This is in 1995-2001 E39 5-Series.

Whereas, the M54B25, is a 2.5 L (2494 cc) engine with an 84 mm bore and 75 mm stroke, introduced in 2001. It is all-aluminum with cast iron cylinder liners, fracture-split forged steel connecting rods, a one-piece cast camshaft, and a reinforced plastic intake manifold. Output is 184 hp.

This is in 2001-2003 E39 525i.

BMW quotes 192 horses for the E39 525i in their brochures and owner's manual.

 

[azwanb]

Originally posted by dedisyar@Apr 4 2006, 02:28 PM
been driving my e39 for 3 months now. Changed the consumables and 3 out of 4 abs sensors....all in all spent about RM5k...touch wood..no problem until now...

How much for the sensors? Also what were the symptoms?

 

[eddiefiola]

chinlai,

e39.....hehehe..... still the best car in the real world...

e39 has plenty of engines of m52 n m54.

m52 (single vanos, TU has double vanos)(no valvetronic)
m52b20 150hp
m52b20tu 150hp
m52b22 and m52b22tu: can be found in e46, not available in e39
m52b24 2.4L(for thailand market only)
m52b25 2.5L 170hp
m52b25tu 2.5L 170hp
m52b28 2.8L 193hp
m52b28tu 2.8L 193hp

TU=technical update. differences between engine with TU n engine without TU are:
TU has:
-redesigned crankcase
-modified pistons
-double vanos
-uses siemens ms42 dme
-reaches torque at earlier rpm
-slightly heavier engine

m54 (all double vanos) (no valvetronic)
m54b22 2.2L 170hp
m54b25 2.5L 192hp
m54b30 3.0L 231hp

some 525i have m52b25TU engine n some have m54b25 engine. depends on what year the car is n depends on what market the car is catered for.......
523i always means m52b25 engine......

advise u to get the m54 engine(if possible). forget the m52 engines. u won't regret..........

or if u are interested in other engines, u can get
530d: available in m51(184hp) and m57b30(193hp) engines (inline 6)
525d: m57b25 (163hp) (inline 6)
540d: m67 (v8)
535i: m62b35 (245hp) (v8)
540i: m62b44 (286hp) (v8)
m5: s62 (400hp) (v8)

 

[dave]

Wah! Expert, You didn't recommend the M54 3.0 engine which i had for sale
. Don't forget your next mod is to add on S'C right ? Bro 330 bhp...
Cheers