E39 love!

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by dewolf

That shimmy under brakes can also been a known problem. The lower thrust arm. The bush becomes worn and it starts to wobble under braking. I know from experience.

Yep, I'm aware of that, but I'm certain it was the rotors, but after driving it around with the crappy rotors, I will not be surprised I accelerated the wear on the bushing. We'll see. Wife may find me driving hom from the office in a new car

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by Soukus

Yep, I'm aware of that, but I'm certain it was the rotors, but after driving it around with the crappy rotors, I will not be surprised I accelerated the wear on the bushing. We'll see. Wife may find me driving hom from the office in a new car

Tell you what, after rebuilding the front end mine drove better than a new car. Total transformation. They are still a hard car to beat for comfort, driving, and in the 540's case, power.

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by dewolf

Tell you what, after rebuilding the front end mine drove better than a new car. Total transformation. They are still a hard car to beat for comfort, driving, and in the 540's case, power.

You don't understand...this is opportunity my friend

I already got the nasty "WHAT?" when I asked her tonight how long I'd have to stay in the barn if I said I bought another motorcycle I'm close to having to camp out down at the barn..lol..a couple of ebay clicks away.


Seriously, it is a wonderful car. I've been driving my truck to work, and I probably spent close to $100 bucks in diesel this week. The E39 gets me 25 MPG, truck..15-17..motorcycle, 30-40 MPG with an angry right wrist. See...logical right?

[MotoSook]

A used on of these is really screaming out my name this week...

[dewolf]

LOL, I just bought another bike after a 20 year stay away. I have ridden it every day, and every second day some arsehole has tried to kill me!! Maybe the bike is'nt such a good idea for me afterall. People these days just don't give a schit.

[Rufblackbird]

said goodbye to the E39 last week after the insurance company totaled it...it was a sad day. Out of the 40+ vehicles I've owned so far this was one of the best...

[jhelgesen]

Looks fixable, too bad

[Rufblackbird]

when the insurance adjuster (other driver at fault) came to look at it, he estimated it to be $5k of damages. When it was towed to the shop, they said $9k just by looking at it, and after they took it apart it had risen to $12k.

it doesn't look so bad after they cut part of the door away and put on the spare, but this is what it looked like when it first happened. Bear in mind those wheels are forged... While it worked out for us financially it was certainly sad to see it go. Next one will have to be an E39 M5

[rattlsnak]

We have an e39 M5 at the shop right now that has an 1,100 HP Supra motor in it. Completely bada$$...

[onewhippedpuppy]

So, lots of E39 lovin' here has me thinking. I've owned two E36s and one E34, none of which were really built with any real quality, particularly the E36s. Frankly I felt that while they drove well, they featured econobox quality at premium pricing. After my last crappy E36 I basically swore off BMWs. Did BMW make improvements in assembly and material quality in the E39 as compared to the E36? To be clear I believe that any premium car shouldn't creak and rattle as it gets older, the leather shouldn't be shot by 100k, and the plastic shouldn't dramatically fade regardless of upkeep.

I'd like to get a new DD sedan that gets good MPG, has a manual gearbox, is RWD, and generally is fun to drive. Obviously that just screams BMW, but my previous three have just put an incredibly sour taste in my mouth.

[Rick Lee]

I loved my E46 and would buy another one tomorrow if I had any use for it.

[MotoSook]

Matt,

The interior panels on my car are good as new and they feel..quality. The only problem I have is the wood trim along the dash, door and on the center console. The dash trims feel like they were attached with two-sided tape and the varnish is cracked in one piece. My leather is still good, but a bit dry, because I don't do anything to it. Some wear on the drivers left bolter, normal. Carpet is very nice. The headliner is not the greatest material, but I don't see it or feel it. I've taken one door apart to replace a busted window (Valentine 1 theft!) and the design made it very easy to do. The panel and trim fit right back into place like it was never undone. In some ways, better than Porsche quality.

The ride is wonderful with my M Sport suspension. There isn't a whole lot to dislike about the E39. I think they are the best 5 series. I'd like a 550i, but can't get over the interior design. I have grown to like the exterior design, but the interior isn't as about the driver as the E39. Paint is probably better on the E39 than on later models, not as orange peeled as the newer jobs. No creaks or rattles...10 years old and 115,000 miles. When I bought it 4 or 5 years ago, my father-in-law used it for a few days when he was in town, and he absolutely thought it was new. He was blown away when my wife told him I spent 1/2 of what he spent on his RAV4. LOL.

I kid about getting rid of it. I really can't see myself doing it. It's paid for and any repair to come is acceptable. It won't cost me more than a new car, and the quality, design and driver acommodation/synchronization can't be had for cheap with a newer car. I don't feel like I'm driving a 4 door but there is room for two car seats and a third child in the middle of the back seat. The trunk is more than I need day to day (I can get luggage and 3 golf bags in there!), and I get 25 MPG during my 75 mile a day commute. When I want to play, I just keep the rev up and it satisfies. I cruise comfortable at 70-80 mph without feeling unplanted nor unsafe if I have to react. Steering feel is great and sporty.

I'd recommend a Sport model. 5-speed Sports are not easy to find in good condition. I almost settled for an automatic, and I almost gave up my search for an E39. I really wanted a silver with black interior, but this Oriental Blue one I have has really maintained its appeal.

poor Iphone pic:

[MotoSook]

said goodbye to the E39 last week

Jeff, who has the car now? They parting it out? I really would like sport seats for mine.

[JavaBrewer]

E34 535i that I was (still maybe) interested in.

EBay E34 - Salvage

Yes a salvage title...but if the price comes down to mid 4s I would pull the trigger on this.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks Souk.

[gprsh924]

Matt, souk summed it up extremely well. I have his silver on black. When I looked for mine, I desperately wanted a sport package with a 5-speed. Nearly impossible to find. The only manuals I could find were non sport 525i. I went with the sport equipped auto 530i instead. Definitely worth the trade off when you consider the upgraded suspension, wheels, seats, and steering wheel.

Also, the interior is in fantastic shape for a 10 year old car with 90k miles. I'll see if I can scare up a few pictures in a little bit.

[Rufblackbird]

Matt - our '03 540i M Sport had 174k miles on it when it was totaled. No creaks nor rattles, and just a very solid car. E39's (especially V8's) has cooling issues, but with proper (preventative) maintenance it is well worth it IMHO.

Souk - last we saw the car it was at a Copart yard; will probably be up for auction soon.

Java - before we got the E39 I was looking for a E34 535i, there are lots in the SF bay area without salvage titles...

[jhelgesen]

I still have in the back of my head an E39 build with a LS3 in it..... Maybe after I finish the current project

[gprsh924]

All I can find at the moment, it looks a little nicer when cleaned up. But I do enjoy it when it looks like this, it shows off all the wonderful miles I rack up.

[gprsh924]