New country, new job... New bimmer?

[Dan in NZ]

My 1990 525ia has done me proud through university, but I'm graduating in December, and moving to Australia for an exciting job in January 2006. Obviously I'll be selling the 525i, and hopefully I'll be able to get a nice bimmer when I move to Melbourne. For my job I need to look a bit professional, so I was thinking of an E39 or E46. Probably leaning more towards an E39 as I can get a good 528 or 535 for the same price as a 318i. I've driven an E46 318i and just couldn't live withthe lack of power, even at full throttle/high rpm, they don't even pull as hard as my E34 525.

What do you guys think is going to be more reliable, cheaper to run, and overall a better car, an early E39 528/535 or an ear;y E46 318???

[niall]

i call e39 all the way

[Rory535i]

Obviously the 318i is gonna be cheaper to run but i'd go for the e39. no way could i change to the 3.

[Paul in NZ]

dan dan dan.....there can be only one..... choice .....the aussie special 540 limited edition,the closest thing to an 3.8 m5

[niall]

haha
good suggestion,
are they for the same money?

[Rory535i]

Good point Paul, forgot about them. I've seen them go for around 40k over here for a good one. That's what i'd go for come to think of it!

[Paul in NZ]

Not much help in the mechanical dept I am afraid, But I had a 1998 540i after a 1991 535i and sold the 1998 540i to get back into a 1995 540i/6sp.......You might want reconsider......the e34 in my opinion is much better made!
You seen that post Dan huh...huh...??


if you want to find out about the 540ile go here (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/BMW540iLE/) .The guy who set up that group posts here 95-540iLE.I think you get them less than 40k now.

[Zeuk in Oz]

moving to Australia
Seriously though, the problem with E 39s in Oz is that they are all autos (except for M5s of course), apart from a few UK imports that come on the market from time to time.
Having said that, 523i & 528i prices have come down dramatically since the release of the E 60 so are very good value - '98 and newer are the go !
(They would have to be good value to make up for that ugly E 39 front end - still don't know if I could live with the look of it !)
Hope you enjoy Melbourne.

[Dan in NZ]

Early 535 E39 could be a good option. They seem to go for around 30k over there.

Zeuk, were there a few problems that were sorted out by 1998???

I don't really know if I want another E34... Gotta keep up with the times y'know.

I wonder if I could take mine over with me!!!

[pundit]

...I'm graduating in December, and moving to Australia for an exciting job in January 2006...
OMG!!... lock up your sheep!! :D

[Dan in NZ]

"OMG!!... lock up your sheep!!" - Pundit

Pundit is eluding to the well known fact that all men in New Zealand are presented with a sheep at age 15, which is then fcuked mercilessly for three years, and finally exported to Australia as lean choice New Zealand Lamb.

[niall]

so thats why the new zeland lamb is so lean and tender!!

[Zeuk in Oz]

Dan,
I am not an E 39 expert, however my understanding is that '98-on models had the full airbag package which was possibly optional earlier but not on most '96 & '97 models - someone with more experience with them should know.
There might also have been a few teething problems, there usually are when a new model comes out. The old saying is buy the middle of the second series with any new car for just that reason.
My independent mechanic (in Sydney - 200 km trip for me but worth it) also advised '98-on as the model to choose. (I do what I can myself, but engine tuning etc I defer to experts).
Regarding your apparent love of V8s, I believe that compared to the 528i you lose the rack & pinion steering and the balance that was considered perfect in the 528i.
I would recommend you test drive both. I have only driven the 6 cylinder E 39s so cannot comment on the V8s.
Fuel consumption might also be an issue but once again I cannot speak with authority.

[Dan in NZ]

Yeah, I was just reading up on how the V8's lose out on the rack'n'pinion steering. Also I hear the V8's have more problems, so sticking to a 528i could be the answer. I haven't been disappointed with the performance from my 525i, so I'm sure the 528i would be good enough.

[niall]

those 528's are no slouch,
i think they are almost as fast as a
e34 535i auto
correct me?

[Paul in NZ]

i dont think you would be far off the mark Niall.At 155 kw the ol m30 is no slouch but thats not exactly a big power output these daysThe 3.0 lite six is about 170 kw so the e 39 528 power to weight must be pretty close to the e34 535

[Dan in NZ]

i dont think you would be far off the mark Niall.At 155 kw the ol m30 is no slouch but thats not exactly a big power output these daysThe 3.0 lite six is about 170 kw so the e 39 528 power to weight must be pretty close to the e34 535

I read somewhere that the weight of the E39 was similar to the E34, due to a lot of aluminium components. Is the 528i an M50 engine? I'm not sure if they had vanos or bi-vanos at that stage, but I'm sure a 528i would get around alright either way. I'm looking forward to having plenty of E39 goodies, like automatic air recirculation and steering wheel controls...

[Rory535i]

Is the 528i an M50 engine?

it's an M52

[Paul in NZ]

doesnt the steering wheel control your car dan? :p

[granit_silber]

That the e39 and e46 are much LESS DIY friendly than an e34.

I know that the v8 e39's have alloy suspension components that are BMW only for now = expensive.

There are also a lot of things to look for to make sure you don't get a dud.
A/C
Gauges
Electronics
Door Locks (especially the rear doors)
Windows (make sure they go up)

Good Luck!
-ashley

[niall]

thats a good point.
not very diy-ish at all

[Zeuk in Oz]

That the e39 and e46 are much LESS DIY friendly than an e34.

I know that the v8 e39's have alloy suspension components that are BMW only for now = expensive.

My understanding, only from what I have read however, is that even though less DIY friendly, due to their light weight ( read expensive alloy components ) and different design, they dont require suspension component replacement quite as often as the E 34.
The point about the computers is valid, however these are what give the possibility of the added safety features on the E 39 compared with the E 34.
I suppose what I am saying is that there will be some pain but perhaps also some gain.
Obviously get any car you are contemplating fully inspected by someone who knows what they are doing - I cannot recommend anyone in Melbourne but my fellow in Sydney seems to know his onions. :p