E39 528i

[Roundal]

I am looking at a'98 model with 200k km fsh and the seller wants R55k. The car is very clean.

What typically can go wrong with these cars? How much should one pay?

 

[Hellas]

Speak to Truvalu. He has a clean 97 528i. Problem free for the most part of it, but there is some DIY to be done here and there. Also nothing that you cannot do in an evening's time or that will cause the car to be out of action for a week. See if you can get it for R50k. It should be possible/reasonable.

 

[P1000]

You can get a 540i for like 10k more with the same specs

 

[Solo Man]

The 528i is one of the nicest of all the E39's in that it has a nice spread of power, economy is not that bad especially if you throw in some open road cruising, reliability is excellent. My car has done 199 000 and is also a 1998 model and the only abnormal thing that happened was at 156 000 the head cracked in two places. Fortunately i was pulling away from a stop sign when the needle of the temp gauge went into the red. I stopped immediately, towed the car to my brothers house which was about 500m away (i was visiting in Upington at the time) . First thought it was the thermostat as the bottom radiator pipe was cold. Replaced with new BMW part, filled up with water and the next morning at 5 i left for home, 900km away near Cape Town. Drove all the way here with one eye on the temp gauge. Needle stayed normal all the way. Cut a long story short, a BMW mechanic did the job after hours and all in all with the head stitched welded, pressure tested, etc., cost me about R7000 to have the car back to normal. Since then it has been running like a swiss watch. Other items to watch are the front suspension components. Had to replace the upper rear wishbones (of all things) because of worn ball joints. Tappet cover gasket was another thing i changed (had the car since 108 000 km and 4 and a half years) I still enjoy the drive whenever i get into it. Oh, also replaced the front shocks at about 194 000km, only because the one shock started sweating. On the open road returns 11,7km/l at genuine 120. In town about 7km/l (it is an auto)

 

[Truvalu]

Welcome!!

My E39 1997 528i is alot of car for little money!!

Try to get the car on a diagnostic by someone who knows what they are talking about.

I got mine at a lucky price on 163000km I think, and it has 174000km on the clock now.

No major problems, so far, lucky me!

Also having the "front suspension" asking for attention, some trimmings (plastic around the seats bottom) and maybe some time in the future Transmission fluid replacement.

Your best bet is to run a diagnostics... it will tell you everything you need to know.

Keep us posted and good luck!