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E39 common faults to look out for?

Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=25309
Printed Date: 29-March-2024 at 12:25


Topic: E39 common faults to look out for?
Posted By: lordlee
Subject: E39 common faults to look out for?
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 06:43

hi all,

i am looking to purchase a 98 535i E39 and wondered if there are any faults or things to look out for (things that should have been replaced etc). any help/hints/tips would be greatly appreciated!




Replies:
Posted By: donut
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 06:49

http://www.540i6.com/probsfixes.html - http://www.540i6.com/probsfixes.html


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Click here for my http://gallery.spod.net/my_cars/bmw_e39_540i/ - gallery & specs


Posted By: lordlee
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 08:29
thanks newbie - very useful info! i am loving the wheels by the way!


Posted By: lordlee
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 08:45
i mean thanks donut. didnt see your name there at first!! sorry.


Posted By: beast535
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 09:43
BUY IT!! I just got a 97 535i and its great. I used the same list as posted above when i was looking. www.davegilsenan.com/car

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E30 325i sport 1991
E34 530i auto 1989
E39 535i 18"s 1997



Posted By: lordlee
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 09:51

what is it like to drive - i have driven the 528 and was impressed but quite fancied running a V8 - do you get reasonable mileage out of it? is it quick at the lower end of the rev range? Did you get sports suspension? what is the auto box like?

soory for all teh questions but i just want to know if the 535 is the one for me...



Posted By: lordlee
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 10:01
it looks good with those alloys and the angel eyes by the way.


Posted By: beast535
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 10:02

I'll try and answer them all!! I wanted a V8 aswel. I cruise fast but i dont drive very hard on twisty roads so handling wasn't my biggest concern. I have read the 6 cylinder cars handle better because they're lighter and have a different steering setup- rack and pinion as opposed to recirc ball in the V8's i think. I get about 26-28mpg on a motorway cruise (90mph) and low 20's in town traffic. it all depends on your definition of quick!! the auto box with steptronic is great. it is quite a lazy car in auto but if you pop it in sports or manual its quick and responsive. mine doesn't have sports suspension but still feels quite tight. hope this helps. if you're anywhere near cardiff you can have a go in mine. any more questions, just ask.

Dave



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E30 325i sport 1991
E34 530i auto 1989
E39 535i 18"s 1997



Posted By: lordlee
Date Posted: 21-December-2005 at 10:18

Dave,

Thanks for the info - i am nowhere near Cardiff unfortunately but thank you for the offer of the drive. I had forgotten about the steering issue so i may opt to drive both the 6 and the 8 back to back to see if its noticeable. Living in London i doubt i'll get to try out the sports mode much!!



Posted By: ahmurray
Date Posted: 22-December-2005 at 11:49

Lordlee,

I drive a 98 535, 99k miles and still drives beautifully.

In the last 3 years the only problems have been new battery and radiator, pixels failing on the OBC display, and a problem with the cam sensors causing the car to stall, all covered under BMW approved used warranty.  Also an interior door handle snapping off (!) - not technically covered under warranty, but BMW coughed up as goodwill since it looked like faulty materials.

I believe that aircon is the most common failing on these cars.  I can heartily recommend the 535, it is a beautiful car although if you won't get a chance to use it in London, maybe a 528 would be a better investment.

Just put the car in for a service today at BM dealer, needed new discs and pads front and rear, total £871 - ouch!!!

Christmas is cancelled.............

Ali



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Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 22-December-2005 at 15:03
Or look at the 530 which'll give you all the performance of the 535 with 6cyl running costs.

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Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea

Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit


Posted By: studyolic
Date Posted: 22-December-2005 at 15:23
Lordlee

you have a personal message



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Richard.

Current; 2000 316i Compact 1.9
previous; 1999 535i V8,    
1995 316i Compact 1.6



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