Anything I should be aware of when looking at a used e39 525i
Touring? Engine service bulletins, chassis weak points, cooling system probs?

Thanks!

Pixels on the displays go bad. You have to write to BMWNA and they'll usually take care of the part and you pay 1 hr labor.

That's it???
Pretty reliable then, eh?

Anything I should be aware of when looking at a used e39 525i
Touring? Engine service bulletins, chassis weak points, cooling system probs?

Thanks!

Buy an E34 Touring, use the difference you would have spent on the E39 Touring to make the E34 really nice and drive happy:D

Also dont forget about the cooling system too.:) But other then that they are pretty reliable. The best thing I like about my E39 is the comfort and how it handles. But a big plus for me is the power difference from my old E36 M3 if you decide to get a V8 instead! :D But the only problem about owning a V8 now is that it eats lots of gas and with the price of gas! :(

Also dont forget about the cooling system too.:) But other then that they are pretty reliable. The best thing I like about my E39 is the comfort and how it handles. But a big plus for me is the power difference from my old E36 M3 if you decide to get a V8 instead! :D But the only problem about owning a V8 now is that it eats lots of gas and with the price of gas! :(

I hear ya. That's why I'm looking at the I-6's. E34's look good too, but since it will be the wife and kid's car, they'll appreciate more modern amenities. Plus I probably won't have much time to make an older car really nice anyway. Rims, tires, maybe suspension. That's about it. Oh, and the supercharger...:cool

Bill - check the lubrication system as these motors will sludge if not cared for.

Hi MD,

what did you endup buying?
I am shopping around for the same, 525 or 540.
Any words of wisdom as to where to take the car for a
"pre-purchase" inspection?

Thanks

As far as the E39 cooling system issues go: is that mainly a problem with the V8, or with the smaller engines as well?

Buy an E34 Touring, use the difference you would have spent on the E39 Touring to make the E34 really nice and drive happy:D


E34 Touring ROCKS!...much more soild than the E39

Hi MD,

what did you endup buying?
I am shopping around for the same, 525 or 540.
Any words of wisdom as to where to take the car for a
"pre-purchase" inspection?

Thanks

STill haven't bought anything, there is a Boston Green 6 speed at BMW honolulu. Decent condition, not perfect. I just haven't had the time to get serious about it. We just had our baby 2 weeks ago.

I would take it to Motorwerkes - Gerard is a great independent shop owner. Fair and very straight up.

I was able to squeeze my car seats in my e46 touring, it'll do for now...

I may have seen the green E39 at the dealer, if it's the one they had about 4 weeks ago, with beige interior? Is it back? It got sold
relatively quickly. I saw that one, hoping for something a bit cleaner. The driver's seat was quite worn, stained interior, dog hair everywhere, plus I was not crazy about the color.

Thanks for the shop suggestion (Motorwerkes). I am actually surprised
there is not more discussion here on the forum regarding the local bmw repair shops, mechanic recommendations etc. So your info greatly appreciated!

Yeah, sounds like the same one. I think it went to a small dealer in Waikiki, didn't sell, and back to BMW. It needs a good detailing first to make it presentable. Shame on BMW for not even doing that...

We do discuss mechanics, etc. quite often. It's just that everyone has their favorites, and we have to be careful not to slander anyone in particular in public. I think most people take those discussions to the Private message section.

Everybody seems to agree that BMW HOnolulu Service has been rather disappointing in the past. There is no pulling punches on that one...