What is the spec of this car

[MONTOYA]

My friend and i were at the car yard looking at this good looking E39. The salesmen was very helpful but not able to give us the detailed spec.Would appreciate our forum kaki/E39 owners shed some light on the spec.E39, 525i, 2001, CKD. 2001From our oberservation, it has 8 air bags (6 at the front), electronic seats for driver and front passenger. ASC button inside and back roller blind.Does it come with a M54 engine? DSC, Parktronic? any other features?This dealer is asking for RM170K. approx 100K mileage. Is this a good price.Thanks in advance. :blush:

 

[pussy]

bro, pass us the vin numbers... from there we can know what the car has..

 

[saat]

Originaql E39 525i CKD Specifications:

10 Air bags
ABS
ASC (No DSC or EBD)
Fog lamps
Halogen lights
Steptronic adaptive 5-speed gearbox
Electrically operated seats for both front seats with memory for driver.
Comfort Montana black leather clad seats
Business radio with cassette and CD Changer
Dimming rear view mirror.
Electrically operated rear sun blind
Steering wheel controls for stereo, recirc and cruise control

Double vanos

Automatic climate control

Parktronics - Optional
White lights - Optional


RM170K is quite low for a 2001 CKD

 

[MONTOYA]

where can i see the VIN? as for unregistered CBU, i can find it on the left of the engine compartment if you facing it. it is plated in black on the ledge of the side guard. ( passenger's side)

Is the VIN written on the registration card as well? :huh:

 

[saat]

The VIN is at the same spot. Is on a plate located at the lower end of the windscreen where it meets the car body. It can be seen thru the glass.

 

[M30revival]

If the car is CBU, the VIN number should be clearly printed near the shock tower, typically on the left side (looking from the front).

It is better to check the VIN to determine the year/make. Saw one immaculate 2000 E39 525i. Took down the VIN and just did a check only to find out it is a 1999 E39 523i!

 

[MONTOYA]

OK, here is the update.. I got the VIN and the results attached. Can anyone give an analysis.....good? no good?

Chassis number BXXXXXX
Vehicle code DT44
Series E39
Model 525i
Body type saloon
Catalog model MYS
Production date 2000 / 10
Engine M54
Transmission Automatic
Steering Right
Catalyzer YES


Additional Information for Vehicle code DT44
Production FROM : 2000/09/01 TO : 2003/11/30
Engine M54
Engine Oil 6.50 Liter
Transmission Automatic
Transmission Model A5S 325Z
Transmission Oil 9.40 Liter
Rear Axle Oil 1.00 Liter
Coolant(w/o Air Conditioner) 0.00 Liter
Coolant(with Air Conditioner) 10.50 Liter
Brake fluid 1.00 Liter
Remarks :
Final drive (rear axel),
Automatic transmission: lifetime oil filing

 

[M30revival]

Not much to say rather than it just confirm this car is a E39 525i with M54 engine, and the catalog model (MYS) say this is for Malaysia market. Since it is a CKD car, it is probably serviced by AB previously, at RM170K it is probably a good buy. Just need to check the service history.

At that price, you might also want to consider unregister Japan spec E39 525i 2000 model with low mileage. Some comes with DVD and navigation system as well. The TV monitor in the dash can be tuned to received Malaysia TV channel. It also comes with CD changer so you still can play your favourite CD since the car come stardard with a cassette tuner (most Japan spec are in this form).

You need to be careful since some of the Japan spec E39 is really late batch of 2000 523i with M52TU engine. However, in Japan they put the 525i batch on and some of the local AP holder didn't know this and still bring them in as 525i. You can find this out by looking at the VIN. In my check so far, any VIN earlier than GH9xxxx is actually a 523i. Most of these batch comes with cloth seats so if you are into leather, negotiate with the dealer to fit one for you.

There is one unit of 2001 E39 525i with M Sport spec on display in Keong Heng now. Go check it out if you budget can be stretched by another RM15K. The only thing not genuine in my view is the mileage (low 22K+ km). No way to find out unless you plug the ModiC III/GT1 to check the real mileage.

 

[5series]

Hi, Brudder M30 revival,

Help! Help! Help!

I just got my 525i E39 1997 model as you describe. The problem now is it comes with Japan spec tuner which I can't receive local channels at all.

Is there anywhere in Klang Valley that fix such a problem? Otherwise, how is other importers change the tuner to receive local channels?

Mine tuner is fixed with OBE. Hence, it may be difficult to chance the whole thing!

 

[azman818]

sorry to hijack, but i was at one dealer's place to look at one 525 japan cbu
2000 m-sport package. this steering is w/o multi-function. seats are so new
as in attached pix. mileage claim 30k. body all round is faultless - even underside. mileage tampering is so common for japan cbu? and do they go through the trouble of putting in new seats to pass off low mileage claim. do you think price 185k is reasonable.

 

[M30revival]

Originally posted by 5series@Jun 7 2005, 12:25 AM
Hi, Brudder M30 revival,

Help! Help! Help!

I just got my 525i E39 1997 model as you describe. The problem now is it comes with Japan spec tuner which I can't receive local channels at all.

Is there anywhere in Klang Valley that fix such a problem? Otherwise, how is other importers change the tuner to receive local channels?

Mine tuner is fixed with OBE. Hence, it may be difficult to chance the whole thing!

Well, most owner will buy a booster to boost the signal so that you can received signal above 90Mhz. I have not purchase one before but I heard you can get it from Jalan Pasar (in KL of course).

One thing I plan to do is to negotiate with the used car dealer to install that for me if I intend to buy a Japan spec E39. Most Japan spec E39 come with cassette tuner so it is not easy to replace the HU. The best option is take it to a reputable accessory shop and ask them to do it. Again I have no experience on this so YMMV.

 

[M30revival]

Originally posted by azman818@Jun 7 2005, 12:53 AM
sorry to hijack, but i was at one dealer's place to look at one 525 japan cbu
2000 m-sport package. this steering is w/o multi-function. seats are so new
as in attached pix. mileage claim 30k. body all round is faultless - even underside. mileage tampering is so common for japan cbu? and do they go through the trouble of putting in new seats to pass off low mileage claim. do you think price 185k is reasonable.

That's interesting.

Most of the Japan spec CBU E39 525 M Sport I saw comes with multi-function steering. The unit you saw could be a rare specimen that choose not to have the multifunction option!

No, most of the low mileage CBU E39 525 has genuine mileage. Like other has mentioned, you can hook it up to MoDIC III or above diagnostic machine to check it 'real' mileage. I have seen many Japan CBU E39 and almost all of them have 'clean' seat because they have been 'refurbished' in Japan before they are send over here. Most of the dealer got their car from Rainbow who is an established used car exporter so the car you'll see in the local used car dealer yard all looks 'immaculate'.

Is 185K the negotiated price. I know most 2000 or later E39 525i M Sport is asking for at least RM189K or more. The higher the spec the higher the price. Where did you saw this specimen?

If you are going to pay that amount of money, find another unit that comes with multifunction steering. The cost to retrofit one later will be quite high so it not worth the trouble. Also, if you are looking for M Sport edition, look for UK spec because the TV/DVD functions are all in English. Those from Japan are not easy to decipher unless you read Japanese. I think there is an option to change it to English but I have not found out how (yet).

 

[5series]

Ha! Ha! That is interesting! How does the booster work? Is it being fixed inside or outside of the HU? Mind to share!

 

[5series]

Oh! Shit! Another problem arise! Just discovered that the alarm is not working after changing the key battery.

The alarm was not in use (as claimed by the previous owner) after the key battery runs off. Do I need to reset the whole entire alarm system. If I do a modic check, can the problem being rectified?