"Built BMW Tough" (jwogan)
08/05/2014 at 13:29 • Filed to: BMW, E39, save the manuals
7
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"Built BMW Tough" (jwogan)
08/05/2014 at 13:29 • Filed to: BMW, E39, save the manuals | 7
| 10 |
This is (was) my favorite car I have ever owned, a 2002 BMW 525i. It had 120k when I bought it in November 2011, and it had 143k when I let it go. Let me explain the title; I didn't just donate it, and I had it advertised on CL and I could have sold it for good money, it being a stick shift and all.
I drove it every day, and every time I got out of the car I realized that I loved the car more than I could sell it for. I decided to give it to my youngest brother. He goes to University of Colorado @ Boulder, and he works his ass off for tuition and doesn't have a car. I knew he would take care of it and appreciate it, and keeping it in the family would give me opportunities to drive it again later.
It wasn't entirely problem free. I hit a raccoon going 70 mph on a backroad, and the car had to be towed thanks to rapid coolant loss. After which, I am a firm believer in comprehensive insurance.
$4,000 of insurance company's money later, I was on the road with a new bumper, foglight, A/C condenser, radiator, radiator core support, and some other stuff. Then there was the time when my alternator was acting funky and leaving me stranded when it was hotter than hell outside, and a $50 voltage regulator solved that problem. When my brother took the car, all I had to do was replace the stupid cracked composite valve cover and the ambient temp sensor. The car gave me no problems; so much for German reliability complaints.
I highly recommend a 6-cylinder E39 to anyone, because they are just great all-round cars. Not the V8 so much, because if I was paying for V8 maintenance on a 5er I'd rather do it with an M5.
I took one last photo with a vintage filter. Meh.
What did I replace it with? Something stupid. Really, really stupid. I love it. It's nicer than my house. When I'm done detailing it, I'll expose my (most likely) future regret to oppo. It will be glorious.
Jagvar
> Built BMW Tough
08/05/2014 at 13:34 |
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Please tell me you replaced it with a Mega Track.
MonkeePuzzle
> Built BMW Tough
08/05/2014 at 13:38 |
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is... is this the replacement?
AM3R
> Built BMW Tough
08/05/2014 at 13:38 |
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At least it's staying in the family!
I like that part where you mention M5's. Yeah I agree, if I was gonna be less reliable than the 6 cylinder I'd rather have it be an M5. I still want to find a sport 530i manual.
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Built BMW Tough
> Jagvar
08/05/2014 at 13:40 |
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Man, that would be so cool. Probably not as comfortable, though.
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Built BMW Tough
> MonkeePuzzle
08/05/2014 at 13:42 |
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michael bleggi
> AM3R
08/05/2014 at 13:46 |
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e39? in the US? i know at least with the e34s the 530i was a v8... of which i have, with a manual (;
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AM3R
> michael bleggi
08/05/2014 at 14:01 |
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Yup the E39 530i was a 6 cylinder here. I know the E39 535i was a V8 but we didn't get that here.
Dsscats
> Built BMW Tough
08/05/2014 at 15:05 |
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I've been trying to find that exact same car in light blue and wagon for so long.
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Built BMW Tough
> Dsscats
08/05/2014 at 15:30 |
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Keep looking, they're out there. Here's something kinda close: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/459357…
Also: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/460325…
and http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/459595…
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Built BMW Tough
08/06/2014 at 16:49 |
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Oooh, cliffhanger.
Nice car - timeless design. You're a good brother.