Marc_86 140 Report post Posted January 11, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, LJColeman said: So finally i have the E39 back!! I collected it from Bristol Transmissions at lunch time. Everything all seems to be okay and the car seems to be even smoother than before. The fact ive just paid £1750 hasn't hit me yet! However im very pleased to have it back. A lot of money for this type/age of car but on the other hand definitely a worth while investment. Glad its back to normal/better now. Edited January 11, 2018 by Marc_86 Cant spell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duncan-uk 2,916 Report post Posted January 11, 2018 The question i always think you should ask yourself in these scenarios is what does £1750 plus whatever you can get for the broken car buy you. Assuming the car was fine for your needs up until that point. Yes its a bitter pill to swallow and yes something else may then break but at least you have a car you know and the worry of the gearbox is gone. Its very easy i think to write a car off for a bill that represents a significant chunk of its value but its probably the least worst option. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicaneuk 265 Report post Posted January 11, 2018 21 minutes ago, duncan-uk said: The question i always think you should ask yourself in these scenarios is what does £1750 plus whatever you can get for the broken car buy you. Assuming the car was fine for your needs up until that point. Yes its a bitter pill to swallow and yes something else may then break but at least you have a car you know and the worry of the gearbox is gone. Its very easy i think to write a car off for a bill that represents a significant chunk of its value but its probably the least worst option. Indeed. If the rest of the car is in otherwise good order (so far as you know) then it's a bearable expense. I always just compare such expenses to monthly leasing costs for a new 5 series.. given that, for all intents and purposes, these E39's are just an enjoyable drive as the new ones minus a few toys and gadgets. So using my man maths, provided you go say another 4 months without any other significant expense, you've sort of broken even. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duncan-uk 2,916 Report post Posted January 11, 2018 I think that's fair enough My 530d has cost me say £7k over 3 years including purchase but ex fuel and insurance as that needs paying regardless. Some jobs needed doing others i wanted too (full suspension refresh, rear blinds and the like) so £200 a month and it still has a value of say £3500 so £100 / month bar servicing and tempting fate i don't foresee significant spending for a while - tyres are recent etc so that / month figure should go down. I didn't have £7k in one go and what does that buy you that's significantly better in any case? I reckon that's fair value? 1 Loadmaster reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicaneuk 265 Report post Posted January 11, 2018 (edited) I'm in no position to comment really. My "£1000 bargain E39" has since cost me about another £3000-£4000 in maintenance and repairs and I'm not even a year in yet. I feel like it's slowly coming together now though and the issues are becoming fewer and further between. Edited January 12, 2018 by chicaneuk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJColeman 17 Report post Posted January 12, 2018 I agree with all of you. For they money you cant buy a better car than the E39. I just have to keep it forever now to justify the cost. However its such a great car i wont be planning on getting rid of it anyway! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BarryM 277 Report post Posted January 18, 2018 (edited) If we’re talking big ticket items then I had the timing chain guides replaced last year, the engine went from perfect to sounding like a bag of nails in under 100 miles £2k worse off but I know one of the well known problems is fixed. Edited January 18, 2018 by BarryM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Loadmaster 945 Report post Posted January 18, 2018 .........and the big ticket items should only need attending to once, or at least certainly for many years and miles. And you still have one of the best models of BMW on the road! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marc_86 140 Report post Posted January 19, 2018 I love my e39 and i will do everything in my power to keep it on the road. Luckily (touch wood) nothing major has been needed yet. I love its character and looks and its a really well built motor. A lot of newer cars these days all look the same and they loose their character. Some people will say - get over it...its a 15 year old BMW and why are you bothering to fix it/spend money on it...but to me its an appreciating classic (well not as much as 540s and M5s but you get the jist) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJColeman 17 Report post Posted January 29, 2018 Not much of an update - Just enjoying having the E39 back! I have since replaced the alternator belts as they were looking very tired! Next on the list is to carry out a full service over the coming weeks... Any advise on what oil grade to use? the car is now on 123K, I was thinking 5W30 or 5W40? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Loadmaster 945 Report post Posted January 30, 2018 5w30 IIRC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_a_n1979 2,831 Report post Posted January 30, 2018 23 hours ago, LJColeman said: Not much of an update - Just enjoying having the E39 back! I have since replaced the alternator belts as they were looking very tired! Next on the list is to carry out a full service over the coming weeks... Any advise on what oil grade to use? the car is now on 123K, I was thinking 5W30 or 5W40? I use 5W40 and it's spot on Triple QX 5W40 from Eurocarparts and the Mann filters. There's usually a discount code to use for ECP; so take advantage whilst you can Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJColeman 17 Report post Posted January 30, 2018 Thanks guys, I think I will stick to using 5W30 as I can get elf oil cheap through work. Will be doing a full service Saturday so will update once done! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Bob 99 Report post Posted January 30, 2018 32 minutes ago, LJColeman said: Thanks guys, I think I will stick to using 5W30 as I can get elf oil cheap through work. Will be doing a full service Saturday so will update once done! make sure it's bmw spec oil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Loadmaster 945 Report post Posted January 31, 2018 17 hours ago, d_a_n1979 said: I use 5W40 and it's spot on Triple QX 5W40 from Eurocarparts and the Mann filters. There's usually a discount code to use for ECP; so take advantage whilst you can Is there is different oil spec between the 2.5 and 3.0 6 cylinder? Deff 5W/30 in mine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_a_n1979 2,831 Report post Posted January 31, 2018 2 hours ago, Loadmaster said: Is there is different oil spec between the 2.5 and 3.0 6 cylinder? Deff 5W/30 in mine. Nope You can use 0W30 through to 10W40 if you want; all down to age and mileage/condition of engine really Both this and my previous 530i have run on 5W40 and it's smoother/quieter and uses no oil etc... 0W30, IMO, is far too thin... Some disagree though etc 1 Loadmaster reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lufbramatt 96 Report post Posted January 31, 2018 Agree with Dan, mine uses much less 5w40 than 0w30. Been using the Petronas Syntium that ECP often have on offer. just make sure it's BMW LL-01 spec. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Bob 99 Report post Posted February 1, 2018 Suggestions on oil for my 530d with 160k almost? Always used 5w30, but think I want something a bit thicker to quieten. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_a_n1979 2,831 Report post Posted February 1, 2018 9 minutes ago, Jim Bob said: Suggestions on oil for my 530d with 160k almost? Always used 5w30, but think I want something a bit thicker to quieten. You'll be fine with 5W40 1 Jim Bob reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 92 Report post Posted February 1, 2018 I use 0W-40 in our 525i... We do a lot of short trips, and the 0W seems to help with economy when the oil hasn't heated up enough to thin out to normal operating viscosity... but I the 40 makes me feel better about the days that are 30C+ degrees and humid as a swimming pool I used 5W-40 for one oil change and on the 6 mile trips my wife does several times a day, the economy really suffered - I was surprised. BMW does say 0W or 5W and 30 or 40 - any combination is "correct". It's supposed to be rated ACEA A3/B4 for shear stability. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJColeman 17 Report post Posted February 5, 2018 Finally got around to carrying out the service the weekend: - oil & filter change (5W40) oil - air filter replacement - pollen filter replacement - spark plug replacement - brake fluid change - coolant change - AC service the car seems to be even smoother than before now & the brakes feel much sharper, I don’t think it had a brake fluid change for years. I also removed the old man mud flaps which makes it look much better & gave her a well deserved clean! 3 NWJW, GStarrr and d_a_n1979 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wishicoulddriveit 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2018 would you be interested in selling your "old man mud flaps" and possibly the wing mirrors? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJColeman 17 Report post Posted February 7, 2018 14 hours ago, wishicoulddriveit said: would you be interested in selling your "old man mud flaps" and possibly the wing mirrors? I wish i had seen this earlier! i actually binned the mudflaps on Monday as i thought they would be worthless!!! I have also already sold the SC mirrors i had... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rad22 2 Report post Posted January 26, 2019 i've put them on eBay and got some decent money for them! all about taste btw great car keep the pictures coming Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
