need advice r3v e39 525it or e36 m3?

[agile30]

As the title states I'm debating between both of these cars. I am looking for a daily so that I can work on the e30 at my leisure and not stress about a car to get to work. I use my own personal vehicle for work so I need something comfortable. I already test drove the e39 and it may not be gutsy but its clean inside and out. Carfax shows one owner and was maintained. No funny noises while driving.vThe only thing that I noticed was that the abs ad traction control lights are on which leads me to believe that a sensor is bad. Car stopped fine without any problems. The only thing is the asking priee. They are asking 8997. The nada has it at that exact price factoring in that it only has 103000 miles. I'm sure I can get it down to 8k out the door. It just seems like most tourings are super expensive or beat to hell.
This is the 525it.

http://m.cars.com/m/for-sale/index.html#photogallery?paID=111702099&aff=mobsite&searchId=1497509400000000000000001363317236439&userId=1497509400000000000000001363317236436&stkTyp=U&mkNm=BMW&mdNm=525&zip=60641

Now the e36. My friend has a 95 m3 in avus blue with min interior and vaders. He's offering it to me for 6000. I like the car just don't want it to turn into another toy and want something more practical. I don't mind driving stickshift everyday but at the same time my girl or mom can't drive my car incase of emergencies. Plus car seats in the back can be a pain sometimes.

[agent]

No contest, I'd choose the touring. Having owned my E39 going on three years I can share a few things you should be aware of. First, like most BMWs the cooling system needs to be replaced every 100,000 miles. There are a number of other "while you are in there" jobs to do at the same time, so you may want to go ahead and prepare to spend several hundred and a weekend doing them.

It's a 2001 which means it is a facelift model and has factory angel eyes (a good thing), however that also means potential issues with the ZF automatic transmission because of a seal design flaw (if it's an HP19). I had to have my torque converter replaced at 103,000. Not cheap.

The other issue that seems to plague many E39s is the ABS module. If only the ABS light is illuminated in amber, then it may very well just be a wheel speed sensor. If you get the trifecta of the ABS light, the traction control light, and the brake light then it's probably the module. There is a company called BBA you can send it to to have repaired. It's not a DIY job.

Good luck!

[agile30]

Yea has all 3 lights. I thought that the brake could have been just a pad sensor that wasn't changed. Is it possible to drive th vehicle with the trifecta without problems? Would swapping in a known module work? How would I know if the converter is going out/trans issue?

[ButtJuice]

I vote e39 x100

[Kevinl]

That touring is nice would be even cooler if it was a 540i

[agile30]

Yea would be gorgous if it was a 540. But I don't mind the 525. Smaller motor and keep me out of trouble

[markseven]

525 is underpowered.

[agent]

Yea has all 3 lights. I thought that the brake could have been just a pad sensor that wasn't changed. Is it possible to drive th vehicle with the trifecta without problems? Would swapping in a known module work? How would I know if the converter is going out/trans issue?

You can drive it, though with the system malfunctioning obviously the ABS will not be working. In some cases the speedometer and odometer will also stop working intermittently (since they depend on signals from the wheel speed sensors). The ABS modules are coded to the car, so sending off the one that's in it and having it rebuilt is the least expensive option. Removal and replacement of the part of the module needing repair is easy; it's the actual repair that isn't DIY'able.

You'll know if the converter is going out by a check engine light and a stored P0741 code. If you live in a place that requires emissions testing, the car will not pass until it's fixed because of the code.

[agile30]

Ok thank you sir. While the module is out to repair can I drive the car? Or will it act up without it being connected? And ill show up with a scanner when I go look at it next.

[agent]

There are mixed opinions on driving it without the module. Some say you can drive a finite amount of miles before it triggers the tamper indicator on the odometer (a big orange dot right next to it). I left my car parked while my module was out. I believe if you pay for expedited shipping you can send it out on a Monday and have it back by that Thursday or Friday. They sent my module back out the same day they received it.

Here's what you need:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230748266845/

The good news is prices are about 25% less than they were when I had mine done.

[agile30]

Beautiful. Negotiating points. Only thing that has me worried though is the trans issue.

[Nick_S]

I'd get the touring for a DD. An M3 you'll likely turn into another project....atleast I would.

[redsubdivisions]

Touring, no questions asked.

[agent]

Beautiful. Negotiating points. Only thing that has me worried though is the trans issue.

From what I understand some cars never experience it, even if they have the transmission model that's prone to having it happen. It wasn't an issue when I bought my car, and there weren't any signs that it was about to happen. I just got the check light one day. We have emissions testing here so I had to get it fixed. I've read where some folks who experience the issue drive the car for months like that, though I wasn't willing to try.

My preferred resource for the E39 is the section for it on bimmerfest.com.

[ethirtysix36]

525it with s50 swap??