What does OPPO think of E39s?

"M-Powwerr Drives a Ford" (straight6fun)
11/05/2014 at 19:34 • Filed to: None

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I was looking on AutoTrader last night, and I found this. I showed it to my dad and he asked "How long do you think it will be for sale?" So I think I have his approval. How much is it worth, what are the maintenance/running costs on these and how reliable are they. I'm not expecting Honda Civic levels, but I can't afford Maserati BiTurbo costs.

Even though this isn't likely to be the one, something similar might be.

DISCUSSION (61)

Brian Silvestro > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:35

M5s or bust

GhostZ > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:36

Love them, but if it was my money I'd rather go for an E28. Cheaper to repair and have more lasting nostalgia resale value that would offset whatever additional comfort and performance the E39 has.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:37

yuck

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Brian Silvestro
11/05/2014 at 19:37

I unfortunately can't afford a M5...so a 530i is the best I can do.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > GhostZ
11/05/2014 at 19:40

My dad had an e28 back in the early '90s...my concern with an 'old' car is the lack of safety features. Not for me, but I have to sell the idea to my mom and safety is the best argument I have.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
11/05/2014 at 19:40

Why?

Nibby > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:40

I wouldn't buy a BMW with more than 120k miles

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:41

They're definitely a type of car

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Nibby
11/05/2014 at 19:41

even if 1 owner?

Brian Silvestro > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:42

Kinja'd!!!

mybeatersabimmer > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:42

540i M-sport 6 speed from 2002 or later is the one to get. But be prepared to get sodomized by the repair costs.

Nibby > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:42

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:44

If you only show interest in buying old cars, they'll probably cave. But E34 is just as reliable, so good looking, and somewhat nostalgic. Look for an E34 535i con Manuel, because powerful and fantastic engine but reliable and simple.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/05/2014 at 19:46

I'd rather have an e34, but there is a lack of nice ones around me. I really do want a e34 535i. However, is the e34 530i alright? or is the V8 not so good?

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > mybeatersabimmer
11/05/2014 at 19:47

I'm scared of the V8 costs, the 540i's are suspiciously cheaper then the 530i's

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Brian Silvestro
11/05/2014 at 19:49

No Prius Needed > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:51

But V8, RWD, and manual.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:54

Heinous repair bills, mediocre performance and in my opinion, uninspiring looks. But I prefer to live in 1976 with my carbs and chrome so don't take me too seriously.

JDMatt > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:54

It's a nice car. If you can't stop yourself from taking a test drive, then you're probably going to buy that car.

mybeatersabimmer > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 19:54

The V8 cars will have higher maintenance costs, but you can get them with lower mileage for an equivalent price. They also are better equipped, better performing, and (if enthusiast owned) better maintained. FYI, it says that the car you listed the link for was traded in. I can tell you just based upon the mileage and condition, that dealership has about $3500 in markup on that car. Just something to bear in mind. It's not that the price they are asking is so ridiculous, its just that there is no way they gave the PO of that car over $1000 in value for it.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
11/05/2014 at 19:56

You're not wrong.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > mybeatersabimmer
11/05/2014 at 20:12

Seriously? They only gave him about $1k?? I would be more inclined to buy from a private party so I could meet the guy (or gal) who owned it before. Are the running costs significantly higher on the 540i's?

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
11/05/2014 at 20:15

At this stage in my life (teenager), I don't want to screw around with carbs, vacuum lines, etc. I totally respect the 70's, carbs, and chrome though.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:17

The 530i and 540i are awesome! Problem is, they are rare and upkeep is slightly more expensive (parts, and complexity to a degree). An E39 is a fantastic car, but I think that if a decent E34 turned up it would be a great option for you.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:21

Kinja'd!!!

I had a 280ZX (pictured) when I was 17. It doesn't have the safety feature that your folks want but it taught me a lot about cars and wrenching. What kind of safety stuff does your new car have to have?

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
11/05/2014 at 20:24

Airbags, and because this is Wisconsin ABS/Traction Control would be nice for winter, unless you think I don't really need it, but I haven't driven in snow yet. (nanny I know). Not safety related, but it has to have A/C too.

Carlitos the Fünfer > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:25

Advice: There's a pretty big difference between the 1997-2000 cars and the 2001-2003 cars. Though the mechanical components are mostly the same, with the exception of the engines of course, the interior is going to be a lot nicer and more modern in the later cars. Repairs are easy enough as long as you don't need to mess with the electrical components. The E39 is really wired up. Also, the forums are great. Seriously. Go check them out. It's a phenomenal car! I've had one in the family since '98 and I love it to death.

AM3R > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:25

I could go all day. The 530i is a gem, most powerful I6 you could get and it is just as efficient as the slow 525i. Reliable, safe, comfortable, etc.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/05/2014 at 20:26

I found a beautiful 540i with the M-Package and the 6mt. From California too, I'm pissed I wasn't 6 months older and able to justify (and having the funds in order) to buy it.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Carlitos the Fünfer
11/05/2014 at 20:29

I've looked at both, I would prefer an LCI, but if there was a perfect pre-LCI, I would buy it. What is the yearly cost of maintenance?

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > AM3R
11/05/2014 at 20:30

All Important things to me and the parentals.

mybeatersabimmer > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:31

I work at a dealership myself and that is what we would give for that car. The running costs will be significantly higher with the V8. If it's the case that your entire budget is going into the car itself and you are not looking to keep several thousand in the bank for repairs, the E39s are just not good options. I completely understand where you're at with this. I bought an E46 325Xi as my first car. It was an 04 and had 97k on the clock when I bought it. I sold it just over a year later, because in that time period of broke down completely three times, and required $4000 in repairs. By the time I sold it I hated the car. BMWs are awesome, and are far and away my favorite brand as a whole. But in your position you should either look to spend more money and get something newer and with lower mileage which will save you headaches (early e90 325/328/330i are good options) or something from a different make that won't give you as much trouble.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > No Prius Needed
11/05/2014 at 20:33

and $$$, but you do raise a very good point.

AM3R > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:34

any specific questions?

Try to find a manual sport package car. With a few upgrades, it'll look great. M5 front bumper and wheels completely change the car.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > mybeatersabimmer
11/05/2014 at 20:35

I really don't want to finance, but an e90 would bring me to that. If I was to spend that amount of money, what about an e60?

Vicente Esteve > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:36

6 Cilinder BMW's from that era seem to have a good reputation. Either way I think these look timelessly, and like BUSINESS.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > AM3R
11/05/2014 at 20:36

How much does it cost to run a year?

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Vicente Esteve
11/05/2014 at 20:38

One of the reason I like them, the LCI especially looks better then most cars today.

Vicente Esteve > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:39

Very true. BMW's design is so sedate and under appreciated, it looks amazing in the future.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Vicente Esteve
11/05/2014 at 20:42

Arguably they look better as they get older.

Carlitos the Fünfer > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:42

Gosh... I really don't even know. I switched from one indy to the next and it made a huge difference on cost. I'd say probably somewhere around $500-$800. That's doing easier stuff myself and the hard stuff with the mechanic. If you do everything yourself it's not too bad, but labor for a BMW mechanic is pricey. Forums and a good repair manual and you'll be set.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Carlitos the Fünfer
11/05/2014 at 20:44

That I can afford, actually better then I thought!

mybeatersabimmer > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:44

Depending on the model, you may find that the E60 is in fact cheaper than the E90. Many models share the same engines as well, so for those, reliability would be equal.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > mybeatersabimmer
11/05/2014 at 20:46

What about 1st gen iDrive? That scares me if it goes wrong.

Carlitos the Fünfer > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:47

Also, not sure if you already know, but Pelican Parts will save your life.

mybeatersabimmer > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:49

I have first gen I drive in my 2006 330i. It's clunky, but has not caused me any actual issues. Plus, the diagnostics features are nice to have.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Carlitos the Fünfer
11/05/2014 at 20:49

I know now.

Steve in Manhattan > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 20:54

Again, the Car Guys' advice - get a BMW expert mechanic, that you hire, and have him go through whatever car you choose like his 16 year old was going to be driving it.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > mybeatersabimmer
11/05/2014 at 20:59

How intertwined is the system to the rest of the car electronics.

No Prius Needed > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 21:03

If you don't mind that it isn't a BMW, you can always get one of these.

Kinja'd!!!

AM3R > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 21:03

Hmm. My 328i hasn't given me any trouble, but I'd budget $1000-1500 a year for repairs and maintenance.

If you have a weekend job, you won't be broke.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > AM3R
11/05/2014 at 21:07

A weekend job is all I have time for. That's a good sign, I feel more confident that I can actually afford one of these cars.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > No Prius Needed
11/05/2014 at 21:09

I'm not opposed to an Acura, but unless the RL exists with a stick, it's not on the table.

AM3R > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 21:14

There's a reason why E39's are still popular.

If you want to save some money, pick up a 528i. It'll be a 2000 at the newest, but it has 75% of the performance of the 530i with a little more fuel efficiency and a much cheaper initial price.

No Prius Needed > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 21:15

Well nevermind but there is the TL type S that comes with a stick.

HeathJokerSick > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 21:21

Solid cars. Second best chassis after the E31 in terms of design.

Spasoje > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 21:25

I say go for it. A friend of mine has had an identical 530i (save for the transmission) for about 2-3 years now. Has kept up on maintenance (and so have the PO's) and the costs have been reasonable, according to him. The car is making him a car enthusiast...

Also, the link sends me to Autotrader UK for some reason; here it is again, for those that also got redirected: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 21:33

That sucks. Those performed on the level of the 3.8 M5! They sound amazing, too. Perhaps the best BMW you can get for around $5,000, which is saying a lot. Hopefully another turns up.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/05/2014 at 21:41

That would be nice.

mybeatersabimmer > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 21:55

You can find a lot of good info over on e90post.com . They will have a ton of threads on I drive.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
11/05/2014 at 22:35

The E39 is not going to be a pain in maintenance compared to an E38. Avoid the dealer for most parts, use third party websites that cater to BMW enthusiasts. The manual transmission is the least of your worries and keep an eye on cooling parts and suspension. BMWs tend to eat up suspension and cooling components.