Looking for opinions... considering an E39
 

I've been checking up on the craigslist, autotrader, etc lately and been seeing a few very nice E39 530i's with sport package and manual trans. (what I was looking for before I bought my E46) all for under $7k :yikes: And considering I can probably get around $10k or more for my ZHP... it's a tempting idea.

So needless to say I'm very seriously considering selling my ZHP and hoping behind the wheel of one of these. I recently moved to a new job and with it came an 80 mile round trip commute so the added comfort of a 5-series could be pretty awesome.

My main fear is that I'll inevitably regret it since the 5-series isn't as sporty, but I've been planning on getting a Miata or an E36 as a track toy/weekend car anyway, so idk. Has anyone here had any experience with the E39? From what I've read and seen they're built much more solidly than just about any BMW of their time, but I'm not sure how they'll be as far as a sporty daily car goes. The only one I've driven was a 528i and it felt pretty gutless, but it was also a non-sport pack and I've read that the M54 is a pretty sizable step up from the M52 (If my E46 is any indication that's definitely true!).

Just looking for some feedback, what would you guys do in my shoes?

I would buy a Jetta TDI 5 speed,
sell ZHP, buy Z4

Neighbor's E39 has been nothing but a nightmare. Only BMW's I would ever buy again are either F30+ or properly maintained M's.

Is his a V8? I've heard nothing but bad things about the V8's. All 3 of my E36's and my E46 have been wonderful reliable cars...

Redo cooling system, remove CDV, redo vanos seals, cover, rebuild suspension... nightmare all over again.
is your new job a car mechanic?

My father had a e39 528i for a couple weeks, I like how it looks but it did not feel sporty at all, it felt pretty heavy and big. I would take an e46 any day especially a zhp

Sent from my ADR6400L using Bimmer App

Why do you even drive a BMW? Literally all you do is sh!t all over them. All of these things you listed are relatively simple regular maintenance items that most cars will need.

Definitely not a V8. I want to say its a 528i, but not 100% sure

Considering the motors are identical to the ones used in the E46's, I don't think they are any less reliable; suspensions are much of the same as well. I would go test drive a few before making the leap.

I can't :werd: this enough

i buy it because of the badge. i am also masochistic. are you?

why do you need such a big car like the e39 for a one-man daily drive to work? get a Honda CRz, wasteful american

Because I have hobbies that involve me taking friends on short road trips quite frequently and more space wouldn't be a bad thing. I enjoy driving, and I'm happy to be everyones go to car, I get road sick as a passenger. So if I could attain more space and get pretty much the same mileage and sporty feel, that's extra bonus. I'm definitely going to go test drive a few, I was just wondering if the E39 chasis has an Achilles heel, or just general feedback, so for that I thank you :)

E39s are very heavy. $7,000 E39 < $7,000 E46

Or buy an E90

"The three series is BMW's benchmark vehicle"

Definitely get e39 530i if you do regularly have 4-5 people in the car and all their baggage.
Mechanically far as I know, e39 have it easier in the engine compartment due to larger space.
Easier ccv job, no need remove so much junk.
Same vanos seals problem
Everything is same

No subframe cracks like early e46
Suspension should be about same cost and maintaince as e46.

Basically same car. More space. Bit more weight. Same mileage.
Go for it. Enjoy the price difference u get after selling ZHP.

I thought the e39's weren't all that much heavier due to BMW using a lot of aluminum? :hmm:

530i 1585 kg (3494 lb) 225hp 16.9 lbs/hp

330ci 3285 lb

323ci 3153 lb :D

Imagine 200 lb guy in your e46 all the time. That's e39 for you

Honestly, in DD situations you probably wouldn't be able to tell a difference. The size cannot be ignored though. Hell if anything that makes me mad that the e46 is so pigfat :ben:

E90's are ghastly and actually weigh a lot more than the E39 does...

Anyway, the extra cash is one of the big reasons I'm considering it... about to put a co-deposit on a house, could definitely use the cash and the best looking one that I've found is only $5000 :yikes: But at the same time, I know I'm going to need at least an extra $2k to do preventive maintenance... qual der wahl. I'll have to do some extensive test driving, from what I'm reading manual 530i's with sports package are about as common if not less common than ZHP's are.