Purchasing a E39

[aston_jag_tech]

What is the recommended E39?

Looking for the M series only. Year, options, issues, etc...

Thanks to everyone out there.

[pundit]

What is the recommended E39?

Looking for the M series only. Year, options, issues, etc...

Thanks to everyone out there.
As in a M5 or a M-Sport?

[Paul in NZ]

M series is a figment of a marketing mans imagination,or are you talking a manual.M535 meant something when the 5 series to have was an e28 and even then only in the UK I think.If money is no object in running a cr the m5 or 540 then 530 or 528.Apparently the E30 530 d is a nice car too but you probably wont find a manual one

[aston_jag_tech]

Looking for a 2000 and up 5 series M5. I would consider the 540 with a sport package though. Manual trans is a must.

[repenttokyo]

early M5 engines, 2000, some 2001, have a serious carbon issue in the cylinder heads that killed a lot of motors, many were replaced under warranty. So be aware of that when you are checking out a car.

[philbyil]

Personally, I would save your money and get a late 2002/2003 530i.
The 3.0 is a great motor and you can tune/reprog. it to get more than the stock 225. It's a well balanced car with virtually no maintenance nightmares involved.

[repenttokyo]

there's no comparison between an e39 530 and an e39 M5.

[E34turbo]

What is the recommended E39?

Looking for the M series only. Year, options, issues, etc...

Thanks to everyone out there.


I would get a 525 or 528 and boost the crap out of it or a 540/6:D

[nuclearfusion]

there's no comparison between an e39 530 and an e39 M5.

No doubt that's true. Thinking otherwise is silly.

In fairness to the poster though, the E39 530i is a nice car. A local club member here in town has an black E39 530i Sport (ie: seats, suspension, brakes, trim, wheels, manual gearbox, shadowline, etc.) and it is very good - nimble, dynamic, well balanced and fun to drive. The torquey straight-six engine, manual gearbox, good brakes, agile suspension, etc. seem to make it much more like the classic BMW formula than most of what we've seen much of recently. In fact it seems to me one of the few "newer" BMWs to have that classic BMW feel.

Enjoy!

Fusion

[Sam-Son]

Hmm...My father had an '03 E39 530i Sport, manual obviously and he says my car is more enjoyable to drive. he said you had to keep the revs up tho have fun with the 3.0l. I would still get an E39 530 over an E39 525 just because I think the 3.0l has more potential...but an M5 now that you can have some serious fun with

[philbyil]

And please try not to state the obvious on this board.......as you don't know quite who you may be talking to ;)

There are comparisons........the M5 is somewhat of a finicky thorougbred and the 530i is more a well trained quarter horse.
The 530 is a well balanced, easy (with the auto) and fun to drive car, (with the manual) and the sport package :D.
It also has a lower cost of ownership and insurance plus it won't get you into trouble quite as easy as an M5 would ;) .

He was asking for wisdom and alternatives.........so I gave him both.
It's his wallet so I don't know his fiscal pain tolerance (initially or subsequentlyt) so I gave him, what I view as, a sensible alternative to the M5.
YPYMAYTYC.....:D

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

I have that very problem/twitch at the moment with a `02 M5.Very affordable(£13k) but its another world from an E34 M5, nothing seems maintainable by me,forgetting economics, and you are in the hands of stealers and specialists, if we had a trustable one I would go for it,but I dont.BUT oh god that grunt!!!!!!

[Zeuk in Oz]

In fairness to the poster though, the E39 530i is a nice car. A local club member here in town has an black E39 530i Sport (ie: seats, suspension, brakes, trim, wheels, manual gearbox, shadowline, etc.) and it is very good - nimble, dynamic, well balanced and fun to drive. The torquey straight-six engine, manual gearbox, good brakes, agile suspension, etc. seem to make it much more like the classic BMW formula than most of what we've seen much of recently. In fact it seems to me one of the few "newer" BMWs to have that classic BMW feel.

Couldn't agree more.

Given its r&p steering as well as its ease of use - IMHO you have to go far to beat it. I have a 528iT with sport package but would love a late 530i.

[Macv]

buy this one.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/44K-mls-1-owner-California-Super-Car-540-HP-M5-M6-Supra_W0QQitemZ270184310055QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6056 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

get something with a soul, like an e34 M5.

[repenttokyo]

And please try not to state the obvious on this board.......as you don't know quite who you may be talking to ;)

There are comparisons........the M5 is somewhat of a finicky thorougbred and the 530i is more a well trained quarter horse.
The 530 is a well balanced, easy (with the auto) and fun to drive car, (with the manual) and the sport package :D.
It also has a lower cost of ownership and insurance plus it won't get you into trouble quite as easy as an M5 would ;) .

He was asking for wisdom and alternatives.........so I gave him both.
It's his wallet so I don't know his fiscal pain tolerance (initially or subsequentlyt) so I gave him, what I view as, a sensible alternative to the M5.
YPYMAYTYC.....:D

when someone asks about the M5, to my mind they are looking for a high performance sedan, which the 530 is not. I just don't see it as being an alternative for what he is looking for. It's his wallet, yes, but he specifically mentioned he was only interested in the M series, which leads me to believe he can afford it. I don't see any comparisons between the 2 vehicles: one is an elite high performance sedan, the other is a decent mid range midsize sedan in a sea of other midsize sedans.

I don't see what stating the obvious has to do with anything, he obviously isn't interested in a car like the 530, yet you mentioned it in any case. If you had recommended an e34 M5, or a jaguar xkr, or a cts-v, then that's another story.

if you own a 530, i'm sorry if i hurt your feelings...but i don't feel that i am "wrong". i could "care less" who I am talking to - on the internet, no one cares who you are, dude, so there's no need to be patronizing.

[yaofeng]

buy this one.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/44K-mls-1-owner-California-Super-Car-540-HP-M5-M6-Supra_W0QQitemZ270184310055QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6056 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Will it pass inspection? I see no cats.

[repenttokyo]

that is a crazy beast!

[philbyil]

You said there was no comparison.....well, actually you can compare them, so I "cared" a little to share some wisdom, and did just that;)
.
He asked about purchasing an E39...then, in the body of his E, somewhat qualified it with M only. Perhaps, he wasn't sure...I didn't know so I just gave him an alternative. He can read it and I qualified that on the bottom...doesn't cost anything to post an alternative and he didn't have to read it.

Can you offer a comparison? Have you driven both the M5 and a 530i manual with a Sport package? I have....

Don't own a 530i, not hurt in the least and I was not being patronizing....although you most certainly appeared to be at the end of your missive :p

Let's play nice around here......and try caring a little, it's nice;)






when someone asks about the M5, to my mind they are looking for a high performance sedan, which the 530 is not. I just don't see it as being an alternative for what he is looking for. It's his wallet, yes, but he specifically mentioned he was only interested in the M series, which leads me to believe he can afford it. I don't see any comparisons between the 2 vehicles: one is an elite high performance sedan, the other is a decent mid range midsize sedan in a sea of other midsize sedans.

I don't see what stating the obvious has to do with anything, he obviously isn't interested in a car like the 530, yet you mentioned it in any case. If you had recommended an e34 M5, or a jaguar xkr, or a cts-v, then that's another story.

if you own a 530, i'm sorry if i hurt your feelings...but i don't feel that i am "wrong". i could "care less" who I am talking to - on the internet, no one cares who you are, dude, so there's no need to be patronizing.

[repenttokyo]

whatever you say dude.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Just go for the M,

Otherwise you'll just keep modding that ol' 5er trying to get there.

[Ross]

Just go for the M,

Otherwise you'll just keep modding that ol' 5er trying to get there.

So, you're a big shot now.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

So, you're a big shot now.

No,

It was a toss up between an 850 or the M5....I figured I'd stick to e34s.

[philbyil]

:) :)



whatever you say dude.

[Paul in NZ]

any more info on this carbon problem???I am considering a 99 m5

[repenttokyo]

:) :)

why don't you just let it go. that's what i was trying to do. i'm not interested in bickering with you any longer.

[repenttokyo]

any more info on this carbon problem???I am considering a 99 m5


here is some good information:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=63737

Also a good board to ask questions about the M5.

[philbyil]

I was just trying to inject a little levity....;).





why don't you just let it go. that's what i was trying to do. i'm not interested in bickering with you any longer.

[aston_jag_tech]

Thanks everyone for your posts!

It has helped a lot. I am really wanting the performance the M has to offer. Although the 540i w/ sprt pkg may be a choice too.

Again, not knowing too much about the E39 is intimidating and the choosing factor is stressful.

In the end, it is going to be a 02 and newer M5 though.

[Paul in NZ]

here is some good information:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=63737

Also a good board to ask questions about the M5.

thanks for that,after i asked I thought ...hnmmm there is a m5 board somewhere isnt there...now i am sorely tempted...

[repenttokyo]

go for it! you won't regret it!