"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
02/03/2015 at 11:26 • Filed to: None
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"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
02/03/2015 at 11:26 • Filed to: None | 0
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Hey guys, I'm shopping around for a cheap BMW and I found a E39 wagon I really like but it looks to have a couple big things wrong with it and I'm wanting to know if I should run away or use them to haggle a lower price. Guy is asking $2300 for a 2001 525i wagon. Says it needs an ABS control module and also says it has a weak reverse. Quick look shows a new ABS control module to be around $500 and the weak reverse seems to be a flaw in the transmission design on the zf 5hp19. Should I run away or are these things I might be able to fix/or have fixed cheaper and use them to haggle for a lower price?
unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins)
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 11:40 |
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I'm no tech, just a shade tree mechanic. The reverse band on the 5hp19 fails. You can rebuild the ZF under $1000 on your own time, but shops charge a pretty penny. A new abs module is too expensive, you have to send the module to get rebuild. Solder points on the abs module fail. There are companies that charge 100 to 150 dollars on a abs module rebuild. You might not need an abs module, since a faulty abs sensor can show the symptoms of a bad abs control module. Oem wheel speed sensors are $100. If you can lower the price to $1200 with some cash left over then do it, if not just sprint away since this e39 needs work.
Party-vi
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 11:44 |
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" I'm shopping around for a cheap BMW"
Pro-tip: Don't do this.
Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
> unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins)
02/03/2015 at 11:44 |
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Not sure about the tranny stuff but I can attest to the ABS stuff, dealer told me it was a buggered ABS control unit and later I found a broke wire to the sensor and got the part for 70 bucks.
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mcseanerson
> Party-vi
02/03/2015 at 11:46 |
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I know. But I've found a lot of cars that seem more expensive on the outside once you get into the communities that surround those cars you find out they can be had much cheaper and some big problems can be less big problems.
ly2v8-Brian
> Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
02/03/2015 at 12:04 |
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This. Always give a good check of what leads to a module before assuming it is the problem.
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ly2v8-Brian
> Party-vi
02/03/2015 at 12:05 |
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Well, definitely not if you want a reliable DD, I'm mulling the idea of finding a cheap one to have something to tinker with.
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Party-vi
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 12:07 |
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If you feel competent in swapping the transmission out it won't be an issue. If it were in good condition it would be worth around $5k or a bit higher. See if you can find a low mileage 5HP19 - they should be going for $1,200 or so, or try to find an E39 in better condition for . Otherwise you're going to spend $2,000 on the car and another $3,000 to have a shop fix it.
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Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
> ly2v8-Brian
02/03/2015 at 12:07 |
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It was actually broke close to the sensor on the drivers side, not able to tell without taking the calliper off, but glad I did.
911e46z06
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 12:10 |
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Spend an extra 2 grand and buy a good one. Once e39s start to have issues, they go to shit quick.
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ly2v8-Brian
> Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
02/03/2015 at 12:10 |
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Lucky then you could see it. I have a Digital Multimeter at home that I can use for checking, definitely a worthwhile device.
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mcseanerson
> Party-vi
02/03/2015 at 12:13 |
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From what I've seen the no reverse is a flaw in the 5hp19 design and purchasing a low mileage one would only be delaying the inevitable. The only permanent solution is to rebuild it or have it rebuilt. If I went for this car I'd be asking the guy to go down in price.
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Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
> ly2v8-Brian
02/03/2015 at 12:16 |
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I have one too, not much of an electrician but want to learn more at least for auto repair. Really the only things I learn how to fix are things that go wrong on my Sonoma.
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mcseanerson
> 911e46z06
02/03/2015 at 12:17 |
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Well if that's the case then I wouldn't even be interested. I'm not especially in need of a 5 series I just really liked the idea of a BMW wagon, always liked the way they looked.
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911e46z06
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 12:28 |
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Just keep your eye out. Wagons are kind of rare, but good ones pop up on Craigs every now and then.
I've had 4 e39s, and I would highly recommend them. The only one I ever had issues with had well over 200k on it when it started going wrong, but it was just a mess after that. You'll spend less for one in good condition than you will getting a broken one back in good condition. And always always always have a BMW tech check it out before you buy.
505Turbeaux
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 12:37 |
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crack pipe. I sold my black 01 sport package for $2500 with none of those problems
S2Konstantin
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 12:43 |
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You can get a used trans for less than $400, or you can do what I did to mine and get a manual swap from a wrecked car for less than $1000
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mcseanerson
> 911e46z06
02/03/2015 at 12:52 |
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Yeah I already found a shop for a PPI.
AutoSavant
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 13:02 |
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That car uses the same ABS module my daughter's old Volvo 850 used. I took the module out, cut the cover off, re-soldered the cracked solder joints, and put the cover back on. Fixed! took about 2 hours. It worked flawlessly, and helped save her from severe injuries when she got in an accident. The 5hp19 on the other hand . . .hate that trans.
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mcseanerson
> AutoSavant
02/03/2015 at 13:03 |
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Yeah, I was reading the issue with the ABS module is typically just cracked solder joints. That's not even a big deal.
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AutoSavant
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 13:12 |
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Reverse drum fix - http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthre…
ABS module fix - http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthr…
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mcseanerson
> AutoSavant
02/03/2015 at 13:17 |
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I already saw the reverse drum fix one and it is one of things that gave me confidence to look into the car. The ABS module fix is new to me though. Thanks!
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AutoSavant
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 13:20 |
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Knowledge is power! Lol. You can go into the deal with a fair bit of confidence and have some fun with the car. Pay 1500 and fix it yourself.
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mcseanerson
> AutoSavant
02/03/2015 at 13:22 |
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That's about what I've been thinking.
RallyWrench
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 13:22 |
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Everything's been pretty well covered already, but I'll give my 2 cents.
The ABS module can easily be remanufactured by companies like BBA Reman in Boston. I think they charge about $240, with a lifetime warranty. It's usually just a solder joint or conduit failure between the connector & board. The usual symptoms are no communication, or multiple random codes for line pressure, pump circuit, & wheel speed, especially fronts. The kind of codes that would otherwise only set if you're doing a burnout & it sees 2 stationary wheels.
As to the trans, it will require a rebuild. Taking it apart to just do reverse is just prolonging the inevitable. Reverse is the most common failure, but it'll start flaring shifts & lose Drive next. As a rule, I never recommend used transmissions, but if you can find one with less than 100k from a reputable vendor it might be worth a shot. Other than that, shops (like us) using good dyno-equipped rebuilders like ze Germans at Precision European (who is the only outfit we trust) will charge somewhere around $3500 for the job, the trans being around $2700-$3000 unless they're really greedy.
My wife's BMW wagon is a stick for this reason, among others. Clutches are cheap.
I regard the E39 as the last great 5 series. They're really good & reliable cars when cared for but as with so many other Euro cars, the low resale means that they're often in the hands of folks who by all rights should be driving Camrys. This is why I almost always disagree with Tavarish.
Most Opponauts are pretty handy mechanically, so we have a higher success rate with such cars. I don't know how you feel about transmission work, but I'm sure you can do just about anything that car is likely to need otherwise. They're easy to work on. I can only afford our E46 325iT because I'm in the industry, pay cost for parts, and work on it myself. If I was paying for the work, my wife would damn well be in a Venza or something. It'd probably be faster, too.
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mcseanerson
> RallyWrench
02/03/2015 at 13:25 |
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Thanks for the advice. If I had found a BMW wagon with a stick in my price range I wouldn't even be talking to you guys right now because nobody could talk me out of it.
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RallyWrench
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 13:36 |
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And I wouldn't try to!
TotallyThatStupid
> mcseanerson
02/03/2015 at 14:37 |
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I'll preface this with, "I really like E39s, especially Tourings."
The ABS module and the transmission are just the beginning. Dash pixels, window regulators, engine leaks, exploding cooling systems. Where do you live? Somewhere cold? The crankcase breather system can freeze up and hydrolock the engine. And while the rear suspension airbags are not difficult or particularly time consuming to replace, the car is basically undrivable when one or both fail. When, not if.
I'll say again, "I really like E39s, especially Tourings."
The 525iTa is a less than inspiring E39. A manual goes a long way to make the car more interesting, in both sedan and wagon, because you can wind it out. If the automatic is on its way out, consider a manual swap. Yes, you could swap in an LSx and a 6-speed, but... no.
If you're okay with fixing the ABS module - completely doable, by the way - then you could lowball the seller (I mean, like $1500 or less, lowball) and plan on the 5-speed swap. Otherwise, I'd look for something more reasonabl, staying away from BMW automatics altogether.
Oh, and one more thing, which I'm sure you know - there is nothing more expensive than a cheap BMW.
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mcseanerson
> TotallyThatStupid
02/03/2015 at 15:34 |
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Oh, and one more thing, which I'm sure you know - there is nothing more expensive than a cheap BMW.
Sounds like buying a boat.