Low miles E39

gb-gta

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1,130
I’ll try and get some more pics as this one doesn’t say much, but it’s a nice colour!
 

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hashluck

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1,515
I’m not looking to buy it, just getting an idea of value for my mate who’s parents are needing to move it on. Having said that it would be a great car just to use as a runabout…..
Of course condition and history is paramount to value, as we can see from the 15k 530SE auto posted above!
Indeed, if offered with full service history with invoices and no paint/wheels/tyre work required then a different figure can be discussed. Though keeping in mind it is a 520 and in SE spec which will always hold it back. Auction is a good shout for a car like this, just make sure the write up emphasises what is on offer so it is considered differently to the usual auction fodder. I would be interested though, if you can pass on details or put me in touch. Reg. No. via message would be very useful.
 

c4sman

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1,243
Slightly off topic but mate had a e34 520i that’s was pretty slow but had the smoothest straight 6 engine that I’ve ever experienced and was a joy to pedal (especially on a motorway cruise). Great way to travel at the time.
 

outrun

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5,017
I know of a very low miles E39 coming up for sale, 2002 (so one of the late ones) 520iSE auto in dolphin grey. I believe 1 owner from new, just 22k miles. Even 520’s were still straight 6 of course in this era which is nice!

Tricky to value I guess, could make a very nice ‘modern classic’ daily runabout.

Not seen it, but I’m assuming very good condition, always garaged, done very little miles in recent years I think, still MOT’d every year though.

Any E39 gurus with an idea on value?

@Kincath This is up Graham's street. Suggest sending him a Pm with more details. They are not easy sells with the small engine and non M-Sport but still a cool car for the right person.
 

Simon1963

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819
we had a 2004 530i Msport touring for years. Was a cracking car back in the day. Sold it with 230k on the clock and never missed a beat.
 

zagatoes30

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20,764
E39 is a peach of a car but with M Sports and Touring being the most desirable, that said a low mileage 520i will do well and as above I think a few dealers would be interested as they have the customers who want low mileage cars. I was bidding on a E39 540i M Sport saloon with 54k on the clock, I pulled out at £9200 and it went for £9500. I would have thought between £5-7k for the 520i but as always down to the buyer with the money.

Dean (Rockits) follows E39 prices pretty carefully but like me he really wants a 540 M Sport Touring
 

drellis

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Messages
795
I swapped my e39 525msport touring as an everyday car for an i3. As a everyday car just needed too much fettling, but as has been said many times on here an e39 msport strikes the perfect balance of comfort and handling, ans if feels "proper" in the build department flimsy
 

drellis

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Messages
795
If i could have "hid" the e39 i would atill have it. Having driven a 540 and a 530 e39 my ideal would be a 530msport, as the steering on the 540 is a recirculating ball and i wasnt a fan
 

makeshiftUK

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Messages
1,089
An E39 540i M Sport Touring came up recently on Autotrader (I have search alerts set!) - initially up for £8k, reduced to £7k and shortly disappeared from sale. I've not driven a 540i yet, but have often had it described to me that they're 90% of an E39 M5 for 50% of the price. The M54B30 6 cylinder which powers our 530i Tourer is a well regarded engine, oil leaks are fairly common (as is with most BMs!) and whilst 231bhp seems deficient it's plenty enough to have fun allowing the car to be revved to the upper limits without getting you into trouble.

For anyone seriously considering an E39 rust is a TOTAL killer on these, and it is killing mine albeit slowly over the years - rear arches, jacking points, around the side skirts/door sills, petrol filler cap, tailgate... whilst it affects only the bodywork for now, when it gets structural it'll be time to move on. It's hard to conceive of an example that's lived in the the UK that isn't suffering from it in some shape or form, unless it's already been treated or sheltered from the elements.
 

Guy

Member
Messages
2,007
An E39 540i M Sport Touring came up recently on Autotrader (I have search alerts set!) - initially up for £8k, reduced to £7k and shortly disappeared from sale. I've not driven a 540i yet, but have often had it described to me that they're 90% of an E39 M5 for 50% of the price. The M54B30 6 cylinder which powers our 530i Tourer is a well regarded engine, oil leaks are fairly common (as is with most BMs!) and whilst 231bhp seems deficient it's plenty enough to have fun allowing the car to be revved to the upper limits without getting you into trouble.

For anyone seriously considering an E39 rust is a TOTAL killer on these, and it is killing mine albeit slowly over the years - rear arches, jacking points, around the side skirts/door sills, petrol filler cap, tailgate... whilst it affects only the bodywork for now, when it gets structural it'll be time to move on. It's hard to conceive of an example that's lived in the the UK that isn't suffering from it in some shape or form, unless it's already been treated or sheltered from the elements.
Dan, that is the main reason to buy one from Japan. They are completely rust free (based on the dozens I have seen imported by my friend at Valley Cars - well over 300 to date). When my late father took his 03 5 series for an mot 4 years ago they were convinced it had everything replaced as they had never seen anything like it. The 20 year old sat nav doesn't work here but I use Waze even if I rent a brand new car. Other than that, the six I have had are good news. Pic below is of a 525 from '08 picked up this month;
24B23CE4-54B6-480D-B8A8-4181E969165B-rotated.jpg
 

makeshiftUK

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Messages
1,089
Dan, that is the main reason to buy one from Japan. They are completely rust free (based on the dozens I have seen imported by my friend at Valley Cars - well over 300 to date). When my late father took his 03 5 series for an mot 4 years ago they were convinced it had everything replaced as they had never seen anything like it. The 20 year old sat nav doesn't work here but I use Waze even if I rent a brand new car. Other than that, the six I have had are good news. Pic below is of a 525 from '08 picked up this month;
24B23CE4-54B6-480D-B8A8-4181E969165B-rotated.jpg
Good advice. The imports I've seen also tend to be better specified... entry level/mid-range models being specified with electric seats, which IIRC were standard in the 540i/M5. A good friend of mine had a Japanese 540i import, it came with an emergency flare kit...
 

Guy

Member
Messages
2,007
Good advice. The imports I've seen also tend to be better specified... entry level/mid-range models being specified with electric seats, which IIRC were standard in the 540i/M5. A good friend of mine had a Japanese 540i import, it came with an emergency flare kit...
The flare is not uncommon. They seem to use them instead of triangles. Certainly more noticeable and perhaps an indication their rescue services arrive more quickly. I suspect you would need a lot of flares over here whilst waiting for the low loader!
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
Dan, that is the main reason to buy one from Japan. They are completely rust free (based on the dozens I have seen imported by my friend at Valley Cars - well over 300 to date). When my late father took his 03 5 series for an mot 4 years ago they were convinced it had everything replaced as they had never seen anything like it. The 20 year old sat nav doesn't work here but I use Waze even if I rent a brand new car. Other than that, the six I have had are good news. Pic below is of a 525 from '08 picked up this month;
24B23CE4-54B6-480D-B8A8-4181E969165B-rotated.jpg
If you ever run out of plates....
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
Good advice. The imports I've seen also tend to be better specified... entry level/mid-range models being specified with electric seats, which IIRC were standard in the 540i/M5. A good friend of mine had a Japanese 540i import, it came with an emergency flare kit...
Just in case they come back in fashion?