Im looking at lots of 99, 00 528is. I'm only looking at ones with sport pkgs and sport seats, 5sp, etc.

The PNW automarket is very overinflated here but for a 99 528 blk/blk 5sp 101k mi XENONs sport/seats I'm looking at $13k or so.

A 2000 version of the same car with 50,000 miles is about $19k.


Spending less is always better, but is 100k too high?...I know with some cars youll pay alot to get one with lower miles and on others low mileage raises the price very little....Wondering what your thoughts were?

XENONS - I don't know anything about headlights but I will be upgrading them to the 2001+ style ones. Due to this, is there any reason why I would care if the car I'm getting has XENONS or not? Can I make use of the existing self leveling hardware and ballasts or is it unimportant?

Sound - Was there a premium sound option on these cars? I know almost all E39s have the premium package... If they all have the same audio system, what is it comprable to? (E36 HK? E46 HK?)

Thanks guys! Hopefully you will be hearing more from me after I decide on a car.

13k is a touch high for that 528i. My car is very similar to the '99 you're buying (only 10k more miles) and I only paid just shy of 8k for it. :)

I agree it may be a bit steep, but each area's pricing is different. 100k miles isn't a concern if the car was well cared for- check service records.

yeah ill sell you my 540 i 6 speed w/stock parts only(no mods) for just about that .. btw i have the 2001 headlights and tailight upgrade done .. lmk if u have questions

You are better of getting one with xenon if you can and it doesn't get in the way of a good deal. You will still need to buy some new bulbs since the old once would have light output of around 70% but the good part is you don't have to buy an expansive complete set of new angel eye headlights with ballast and bulbs, you can buy the stripped once and transfer the stuff back on the new once. This will give you some confidence knowing the ballast that came from your car will probably last longer then the car.

I think Premium Sound Systems just plain suck! I had a 3 hour drive with my friend in his e39 and my aftermarket components (mid grade) in my e28 sound waaay better. I have Alpine deck and PPI amp with Boston Acoustics components.

ok - having bought two E39s one out of state (a 97 540i 6-sp in Utah) and one locally (2000 528i 5-sp w/sports package and xenons) I think I can speak pretty well to this.

First of all - if you look around enough, you will be able to find a 99-00 528i with the options packages such that you want with 70-80k miles for about 13-14k. I just bought my silver on black 528i 5-sp for 13k and it has the m-sport package (m-shifter and steering wheel along with perhaps slightly more sporting suspension - though not sure about the latter), xenons, with 80k miles on it and in very good condition.

On xenons - it is worth waiting for a car with it. If you don't buy one with factory xenons, I believe you will not get the auto-levelling (which is a pain to retrofit on cars that didn't come with it stock) and having just installed some P39s on mine - the auto-levelling does work with them which rocks. Also the xenons will plug straight in - you'll just need to figure out a way to hang the ballasts somewhere.

My 540i had DSP and my 528i does not - I am so freakin glad that it did not come with it - it sounds so much better than the DSP system and is easier to retrofit aftermarket speakers and amps to. Try and avoid getting one with DSP if you can - not a big deal either way though.

Nothing really wrong with getting a higher mileage example - however be aware of what you're buying into. You may save a couple grand on your purchase price but the higher the mileage, the more you're going to have to put into the car to make it a reliable daily driver. However, the manual 5-sp plus I6 engine combo is pretty bulletproof, so you'll be putting money into the usual stuff like cooling system, suspension bits, window actuators, wheel bearings, etc. Also you'll have an advantage negotiating if you're buying cash or your lender will allow you to purchase a car with over 100k miles on it, because I've noticed that many lenders do not allow you to get an auto loan on a car with over 100k miles on it.

In fact I actually just saw what looked like a very good deal on a silver on black 528i 5-sp with sports package, one owner, with 70k miles on it going for just under $13k over in Idaho if you don't mind a bit of a drive.

Good luck on your search - there's definitely some deals out there. I have noticed that you can generally get better deals by looking in portland.