Tested E39 523i Europe

[bimmerholic]

Guys,Recently i went for a test drive in this car.This is the condition and details of the vehicle.1997 Europe M52B25. I ran a check on the VIN. It didn't say if it's a TU version.1 ownerWell kept & maintained interior266,000KM on the clockFull service record history since Day1 from Cartrade and AB.Observations:-Engine/ Trans:The engine was smooth and the transmission shifts (in D and in Tiptronic) were seamless although it has a very high mileage on it. No clucking/ knocking or whatsoever. No sign of engine oil leaking but the power steering reservoir is leaking. There's trace of oil surrounding the reservoir and the connecting hose to the radiator. Any advise here? How do we check if the fan clutch is in proper working condition and that it doesn't draw to much of horses off the engine? Cause i felt that the A/C isn't as cold as other E39s i've sat in. Could it be gas (cheaper option)?Road test:Nothing was vibrating or rattling while on the road.I noticed that the steering wheel was heavy ( i later identified that the front wheels were under-inflated).I felt that the suspensions are somewhat soft. Electronics:When i increase the height of the front driver electric seat, both sides of the cushion rises SIMULTANEOUSLY (flat level) UP TO A POINT, when the left side of the cushion stops rising and the right side of the cushion continues to rise. In other words, the driver seat is now slanting towards the center console. Is this what it's supposed to do after a certain level (that it starts to tilt towards the center console)? If it's not, what could be the issue?Then there's the instrument cluster. Classic Broken Pixels. Read the thread on it in this forum. That should make me RM600 or so poorer.:frown:My concern is that since it's a 12year old car with 266K KM, I'm guessing if anything that should fail (wear & tear parts), it'll be anytime soon if the owner has not replaced these parts before. In the assumption that, an original BMW mechanical part should be able to last for some years before it starts to fail (then again it all depends on the driving style). So in order words, i may be bored down with one after another wear & tear issues if i were to purchase this unit.Comments, thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.Thanks very much.

 

[infinityKL]

if you dont mind a little pain with the much pleasure of a ///...go for it... gd luck

 

[bmw7833]

Guys,

Recently i went for a test drive in this car.

This is the condition and details of the vehicle.

1997 Europe M52B25. I ran a check on the VIN. It didn't say if it's a TU version.

1 owner
Well kept & maintained interior
266,000KM on the clock
Full service record history since Day1 from Cartrade and AB.

Observations:-
Engine/ Trans:
The engine was smooth and the transmission shifts (in D and in Tiptronic) were seamless although it has a very high mileage on it. No clucking/ knocking or whatsoever. No sign of engine oil leaking but the power steering reservoir is leaking. There's trace of oil surrounding the reservoir and the connecting hose to the radiator. Any advise here?

How do we check if the fan clutch is in proper working condition and that it doesn't draw to much of horses off the engine? Cause i felt that the A/C isn't as cold as other E39s i've sat in. Could it be gas (cheaper option)?

Road test:
Nothing was vibrating or rattling while on the road.
I noticed that the steering wheel was heavy ( i later identified that the front wheels were under-inflated).
I felt that the suspensions are somewhat soft.

Electronics:
When i increase the height of the front driver electric seat, both sides of the cushion rises SIMULTANEOUSLY (flat level) UP TO A POINT, when the left side of the cushion stops rising and the right side of the cushion continues to rise. In other words, the driver seat is now slanting towards the center console. Is this what it's supposed to do after a certain level (that it starts to tilt towards the center console)? If it's not, what could be the issue?

Then there's the instrument cluster. Classic Broken Pixels. Read the thread on it in this forum. That should make me RM600 or so poorer.:frown:

My concern is that since it's a 12year old car with 266K KM, I'm guessing if anything that should fail (wear & tear parts), it'll be anytime soon if the owner has not replaced these parts before. In the assumption that, an original BMW mechanical part should be able to last for some years before it starts to fail (then again it all depends on the driving style). So in order words, i may be bored down with one after another wear & tear issues if i were to purchase this unit.

Comments, thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much.

How much the dealer quoted u?

 

[bimmerholic]

if you dont mind a little pain with the much pleasure of a ///...go for it... gd luck

That's the thing bro...what kinda of pain am i getting myself into right after purchasing the unit? I'm not talking about the regular maintenance but rather the pain of replacing the wear and tear parts

i) one shot or
ii) as and when it decides to fail one by one?

That's the only issue of buying a car of this high mileage.

You ask me again....i'm all up for this UDM but reality bites, DAMN!

 

[bimmerholic]

How much the dealer quoted u?

Asking for RM58K. Since it's a 97 and a high miler i'm not willing to part my money for that price. Just estimating how high or low a price should i be looking at for such a condition.

 

[bimmerholic]

Also i want to get the car checked by a BMW mechanic. Is there any suggestion to where i can bring the car for a check-up on what to replace around PJ area?

 

[bmw7833]

U have to prepare at least 5K for 1st time to change all the wear and tear part.

Aircond problem alone will cost u 1K. Since u mentioned suspension is already soft, there will be another 1K.

 

[bmw7833]

If your budget is allowable, go for DV 525i , bro..Never regret.

 

[IsaacVky]

1st year prepare about 10k for wear and tear alone. Suspension parts, Cooling System, Battery, Fuel Pump et cetera.

 

[bimmerholic]

U have to prepare at least 5K for 1st time to change all the wear and tear part.

Aircond problem alone will cost u 1K. Since u mentioned suspension is already soft, there will be another 1K.

1st year prepare about 10k for wear and tear alone. Suspension parts, Cooling System, Battery, Fuel Pump et cetera.

Thanks guys for the estimation. I now know roughly my price window for this car.
In contrary, what i can do is, I'll take the car so long it's within my window frame. And do the replacement of W&T parts for the money i saved from purchasing at a lower price.

 

[bimmerholic]

If your budget is allowable, go for DV 525i , bro..Never regret.

You know what bro, I've been eyeing on this spec for sometime already. I know the difference of 170hp and 190hp stock means a lot to me but sadly budget ain't permitting. On top of that it's of a newer year and so on and whatnot...

 

[bimmerholic]

Has anyone faced the problems i noted out in my first post? Regarding the power steering reservoir and electric seats.

 

[bimmerholic]

Oh yes,....i almost forgot to mention. NO ALARM!

How come?

The central locking works fine, just that when you lock/unlock your car, the indicator's doesn't blink and no sound. The knobs just goes up and down, that''s it.

Unlike some E39s, where i noticed there's a red light beneath the rear view mirror that blinks periodically when the car is armed. This one doesn't have that.

So in case of a panic, how do we ring the alarm using the key? Is there any 523i pilots whose car doesn't come with the original alarm?

 

[bmw7833]

I bliv most of the CKD e39 born without the alarm system, so am i.

 

[wc9922]

Oh yes,....i almost forgot to mention. NO ALARM!

How come?

The central locking works fine, just that when you lock/unlock your car, the indicator's doesn't blink and no sound. The knobs just goes up and down, that''s it.

Unlike some E39s, where i noticed there's a red light beneath the rear view mirror that blinks periodically when the car is armed. This one doesn't have that.

So in case of a panic, how do we ring the alarm using the key? Is there any 523i pilots whose car doesn't come with the original alarm?

Some don't come with the alarm. It's just a function to lock and unlock the car by the remote. Yes, no red light on RVM means no alarm built in.

The seats, you mentioned is a sign the cables are out of sync, need to realign for left and right. Takes bout 20 minutes by a good BMW mechanic. This is common with electric seats no matter what model of BMW.

 

[initialM]

Bro,

E39 is a good car & the price now is very very very cheap. Even cheaper than E46 but feel much better. Of course buying BMW is one thing & maintaining is another. If I were you put at least 20k for downpayment or more if permits so that ease on installment. Then spare at least 20k on maintenance. Then also depend on how fussy u are? & how crazy u are on car & modding.:love:

 

[bimmerholic]

I bliv most of the CKD e39 born without the alarm system, so am i.

But this is CBU from Europe. Surprising...

 

[Dennis]

hey , as long as it's not a UK built and run in UK your car cylinder wall is still good. not much wear and tear as other countries petol dont contain too much sulphur.
refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E39

 

[bimmerholic]

Some don't come with the alarm. It's just a function to lock and unlock the car by the remote. Yes, no red light on RVM means no alarm built in.

The seats, you mentioned is a sign the cables are out of sync, need to realign for left and right. Takes bout 20 minutes by a good BMW mechanic. This is common with electric seats no matter what model of BMW.

Thanks for the info. I believe it's possible to retrofit the original alarm if i can get my hands on a complete set.

I don't really get you when you say the cables are out of sync.
They're not electrical cables connected to the actuators right?
Cost of getting it back in sync?
What's the cause of this?...NOT adjusting the seats all that often or has it to do with the fun of FREQUENTLY twiddling with the adjustment and therefore it runs out of sync?

Thanks very much.

 

[bimmerholic]

Bro,

E39 is a good car & the price now is very very very cheap. Even cheaper than E46 but feel much better. Of course buying BMW is one thing & maintaining is another. If I were you put at least 20k for down payment or more if permits so that ease on installment. Then spare at least 20k on maintenance. Then also depend on how fussy u are? & how crazy u are on car & modding.:love:

Fair enough. I totally agree that E39s are such a beautiful piece of engineering. Yes true, price is cheap now. But with my budget, i'm only able to seek E39s made in 97-98 based on current market price.