Hi there,

I just bought a 1997 E39 (523i in australia). It has 38,540 miles on the clock and is definetely 100% legit. Is this insanely low for its age / anything of a rarity with these cars being 10 years old etc? The previous owner was an old man who hardly drove and passed away a few years ago with the car sitting around ever since. I bought it from the deceased estate with complete service history. Any comments would be appreciated :) Pictures attached. Any tips for mods that would suit my car and color?

the steering wheel is on the wrong side. :cool

Just kidding. nice find good luck with it.

the steering wheel is on the wrong side. :cool

Just kidding. nice find good luck with it.

Haha, thanks :)

very nice!

why does the leather look purplish?? is it the camera or flash or is it really that worn looking?

why does the leather look purplish?? is it the camera or flash or is it really that worn looking?

The leather isn't worn. It's a very dark brown but when bright lights hit it it looks purple. That's just how the colour looks. If it was worn it wouldn't all look perfectly purple like it does :P

Sweet. Awesome find!!!!

Sweet. Awesome find!!!!

Thanks :D Any idea what this would be worth in the USA? In Australia I paid $18,600 aussie dollars which is considered cheap for this car with such low miles.

The leather isn't worn. It's a very dark brown but when bright lights hit it it looks purple. That's just how the colour looks. If it was worn it wouldn't all look perfectly purple like it does :P

I have the same '97, aspen silver with aubergine/black combo leather.

hmmm we don't have 523's here but a 1997 528i is worth about $7,000 according to Edmunds.com. Of course they are probably assuming 100,000 miles atleast so maybe add 3-4k for the mileage on yours. Plus I don't know what differences there are b/w a 523i and a 528i.

I have the same '97, aspen silver with aubergine/black combo leather.

Nice do you have any bigger photos?

hmmm we don't have 523's here but a 1997 528i is worth about $7,000 according to Edmunds.com. Of course they are probably assuming 100,000 miles atleast so maybe add 3-4k for the mileage on yours. Plus I don't know what differences there are b/w a 523i and a 528i.

I think the only difference is that the 523i has a 2.5 litre engine (detuned 525i basically I would assume).

Nice do you have any bigger photos?
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u96/azaytsev/DSC01710.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u96/azaytsev/DSC01704.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u96/azaytsev/DSC01692.jpg

Actually, once I inputted a little more info this is what I got value wise for a 528i.


http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/headers/utmv_step5_420x24.gifhttp://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1997/BMW/17782/1997.bmw.5series.750-ST.jpg1997 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 528i Sedanhttp://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/sitewide/tmv_pricing_horiz_blue_141x24.gifTrade-In (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)Private Party (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)Dealer Retail (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)National Base Price (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)$5,316$6,327$7,5 62Optional Equipment (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)$649$773$1,028Po wer Moonroof$105$125$166AM/FM/Cassette/CD Audio System$52$62$82Leather Seats$143$170$2264-Speed Automatic Transmission$101$120$160Premium Audio System$124$148$197Comfort Seats$124$148$197Color Adjustment (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)
Gray$-24$-28$-34Regional Adjustment (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)
for Zip Code 73003$-111$-132$-158Mileage Adjustment (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)
38,540 miles$1,470$1,470$1,470Condition Adjustment (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)
Outstanding$631$718$878Total$7,931$9,128$10,746htt p://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/trans1x1.gif Certified Used Vehicle (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)N/A http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/trans1x1.gifPrice Another Vehicle (http://www.edmunds.com/tmv/used/index.html)
Print Private Party Window Sticker (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#) | Print Dealer Window Sticker (http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/bmw/5series/17782/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult#)

okay, that didn't come out right...but you can get an idea.

I think that there can be legitimate concerns with a car that sits for so long without running.

I'm sure the first thing you would have done is to replace all the fluids. I'm no mechanic so don't take this as gospel - but when a car sits for such a long time without being run, I think there are greater chances that condensation and rust can form on the inside of the engine, which can then get transported throughout the system.

As I say, I'm a very novice shade tree mechanic, but I've read that issues can develop with cars sitting, not being run, for a long time.

I'd say that angle should be investigated. At least do some searching and reading, and see if it is actually anything to be concerned about.

BTW, very nice find. Since you got it at an estate sale, I'm sure you probably got a pretty good deal on it too... :)

I think that there can be legitimate concerns with a car that sits for so long without running.

I'm sure the first thing you would have done is to replace all the fluids. I'm no mechanic so don't take this as gospel - but when a car sits for such a long time without being run, I think there are greater chances that condensation and rust can form on the inside of the engine, which can then get transported throughout the system.

As I say, I'm a very novice shade tree mechanic, but I've read that issues can develop with cars sitting, not being run, for a long time.

I'd say that angle should be investigated. At least do some searching and reading, and see if it is actually anything to be concerned about.

BTW, very nice find. Since you got it at an estate sale, I'm sure you probably got a pretty good deal on it too... :)

Yeah I did think about that. Basically, although the guy died a few years ago, I am not sure whether the car was still driven occasionally by someone / whoever had the car temporarily. I know it was definetely sitting 7 months waiting to be processed at the auction house I bought it from, but before that I have no idea what it was doing. The car seems to run fine after I bled the cooling system...before that it would promptly overheat.

Boy, that's not a sleeper, that's a freakin' time capsule! Great find!! Without a doubt, the lowest mileage '97 e39 I've ever seen.

Congrats and enjoy your new found pride and joy.

Boy, that's not a sleeper, that's a freakin' time capsule! Great find!! Without a doubt, the lowest mileage '97 e39 I've ever seen.

Congrats and enjoy your new found pride and joy.
Not the lowest one.
Check this out '98 with 26K mi
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202607

looks nice! take good care of it!

Nice Euro dash there. I'm assuming you got the Euro console too?
Damn Euro stuff, so sought after...

congrats

Thanks :D Any idea what this would be worth in the USA? In Australia I paid $18,600 aussie dollars which is considered cheap for this car with such low miles.


Not too sure about how much.. I mean, the steering wheel IS on the wrong side.... :stickoutt

Congrats!!!

... and don't forget to take the field mice out of the luggage compartment...

:D

Not the lowest one.
Check this out '98 with 26K mi
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202607

That's why I said "the lowest mileage '97 e39."

LOL 523's! Nice find.

always possible, I have about 15k miles on my 03 e39 :)

Hi there,

I just bought a 1997 E39 (523i in australia). It has 38,540 miles on the clock and is definetely 100% legit. Is this insanely low for its age / anything of a rarity with these cars being 10 years old etc? .........

I just inherited my mother's 1979 Ford Mustang with under 50K miles. I never thought of it as insanely low mileage. Plenty of garage queen cars out there with low miles...not so many for sale. Most folks storing and/or preserving their car are not planning to sell it soon.

Nice Euro dash there. I'm assuming you got the Euro console too?
Damn Euro stuff, so sought after...

congrats

Thanks, the whole car is euro because it's in Australia. What is the difference between teh euro and US dash?