Need Advise from Gurus here

[tee]

I am deeply considering on checking on my favorite UDM E39. It is going to be my first Conti car. Found this deal in mudah today. http://www.mudah.my/BMW+528+i+Auto+Japan+Spec+Sunroof+TV-17708058.htm I would appreciate if you gurus could actually help me to see if it is a good deal. What should i look for once i'm with the ride? Obviously, its a 528 and the road tax will pretty much dry my wallet. But this was the model which Jeremy Clarkson reviewed and impressed about when it was launchedWhat are the things that i should look for? Apparently it cant be driven to the mechanic to the diagnose, but they do allow me to bring a mechanic check. (which i'm not sure who i can bring, help needed on that too) What else, should i really look forward too ? maintaining a 528 is gonna be a big headache for me ?Help !

 

[Herbert]

tee,

One of our OM is selling his well very maintained e39 528i 1997 for very much less as compared to the one advertised in mudah.my. Check you pm for details.

 

[tweiboon]

If u think to have low maintenance cost then e39 528i 1997 is the best choice. Single vanos less problem. And it is very long lasting too. Less sensors which will save u alot of money.

 

[Herbert]

If u think to have low maintenance cost then e39 528i 1997 is the best choice. Single vanos less problem. And it is very long lasting too. Less sensors which will save u alot of money.

Can you clarify and provide more details why you said single vanos less problem & very long lasting? Can you also share with us how many sensors are there in the e39 M52 single vanos engine as compared to the M54 double vanos engine?

 

[insomniac]

I am deeply considering on checking on my favorite UDM E39. It is going to be my first Conti car.

Found this deal in mudah today.
http://www.mudah.my/BMW+528+i+Auto+Japan+Spec+Sunroof+TV-17708058.htm

I would appreciate if you gurus could actually help me to see if it is a good deal. What should i look for once i'm with the ride?

Obviously, its a 528 and the road tax will pretty much dry my wallet.
But this was the model which Jeremy Clarkson reviewed and impressed about when it was launched

What are the things that i should look for?
Apparently it cant be driven to the mechanic to the diagnose, but they do allow me to bring a mechanic check. (which i'm not sure who i can bring, help needed on that too) What else, should i really look forward too ? maintaining a 528 is gonna be a big headache for me ?

Help !

If the road tax will dry your wallet, some of the maintenance bit (when it comes) may just make you kick the bucket. The 528i isn't the cheapest of things to maintain but it does feel damn good to drive.

Certain items cost a bomb new compared to most JDM's but it may be more worth while to buy new replacements. It's all a matter of whether you want less running issues and whether the wallet is willing. When i got mine, after about 5 months, gearbox gave way and cost me RM7k to get it reconditioned. You could also get one from the chop shops for about RM4.5k.

Not to frighten you or anything just want you to enjoy your UDM ownership. Cheers!

 

[haywire]

If you go check this car, bring a phone with internet with you (along with a mechanic or knowledgeable friend)

Get the last 7 digit of the chassis number (VIN) and type it to www.bmwvin.com to check the actual build date of the car. I'm skeptical about the year 2000 as advertised, although it could be true.

Maybe a good idea to get a diagnostic tool with you too.

 

[tIANcI]

Dun forget the diagnostic tool. Mileage of 45k usually means was 125k. Hehehe

 

[tee]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. My apology if this is a dumb q.. Where do i get the VIN from?

If you go check this car, bring a phone with internet with you (along with a mechanic or knowledgeable friend)

Get the last 7 digit of the chassis number (VIN) and type it to www.bmwvin.com to check the actual build date of the car. I'm skeptical about the year 2000 as advertised, although it could be true.

Maybe a good idea to get a diagnostic tool with you too.

 

[anaksarawak]

Look for this in your engine bay

Thanks everyone for your inputs. My apology if this is a dumb q.. Where do i get the VIN from?

\

 

[tee]

Wow, that's wonderful. no one can cheat you on the manufactured year when you can check the VIN numbers. Shows you what's the original colour as well. Thanks. Another learning point for today.

 

[haywire]

Normally on E39s you dont see that tag, but its engraved on the body on the strut mounting:

The second one have two engravings as it is an Alpina car, normally you would only have one VIN engraved onto the body like the bottom engraving.

 

[JFT63]

Aduih..haywire just injected a V8 venom........huhu...

 

[tee]

Saw this online. Madonna was shown around the city in a E39 M5.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1dYv_gKTA8&feature=youtube_gdata_player