Stay E30 or go E39?

[madjurgen]

An e39 540i6 will most likely be my next addition. Unless I go contracting and then its straight to the red, black and gold crest.

I'm willing to bet that most of the people complaining about high maintenance costs can't turn a wrench themselves.

[whiltebeitel]

No turning of a wrench will fix the sealed case trans of a 996. 8k isn't cheap. The 5-series have thier ailments, and the parts, etc. are more expensive than E30 stuff, but it's not that bad. If you can't justy keeping both, get the e39 until you can't deny your lust for E30 any more, and we'll be here in the mean itme.

[TopOfTheLine89]

Get 5 more e30's instead.

[madjurgen]

No turning of a wrench will fix the sealed case trans of a 996. 8k isn't cheap.

True. But there's nothing like that on an e39.

And 996's are fugly. Either 930 or 964 for me.

[Stevie30]

How do old men drive? Keep an E30 for fun and driving adventure

[Spec]

Updating thread:

I decided to keep my E30 for now and not purchase the E39. After putting two of them in the shop for PPI's I decided I didn't want to spend $19,000 on a car, then another $4,000 into getting it running well, then another $6,000 into making it look the way I wanted. I'm going to wait a year or two until my income has upped another 20-30k/yr and I'll buy the right one with low miles.

Until then, I've ordered HID lighting, Euro smoked ellipsoids, 17" Konis, Bilstein sport shocks, eibach pro-kit springs, and some other things to get the car in tip-top shape. Subwoofers will finally get added to complete my full stereo system.

[oekundar]

Updating thread:

I decided to keep my E30 for now and not purchase the E39. After putting two of them in the shop for PPI's I decided I didn't want to spend $19,000 on a car, then another $4,000 into getting it running well, then another $6,000 into making it look the way I wanted. I'm going to wait a year or two until my income has upped another 20-30k/yr and I'll buy the right one with low miles.

Until then, I've ordered HID lighting, Euro smoked ellipsoids, 17" Konis, Bilstein sport shocks, eibach pro-kit springs, and some other things to get the car in tip-top shape. Subwoofers will finally get added to complete my full stereo system.

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo


get the e39.....you'll love it....and that 20-30k/year might really be 5k/ year depending on if you're married/kids...LOL....do eeet NOW....go back and buy the e39......

:jk: do what ever works best for you financially.....

[VacMan]

I bought mine for $7k from the original owner with a stack of receipts an inch high; he was a "checkbook mechanic." I also know a guy who is in the process of picking up an E39 touring for under $5k. It's all in where you look (and who you know.) :D

Tim

[Spec]

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo


get the e39.....you'll love it....and that 20-30k/year might really be 5k/ year depending on if you're married/kids...LOL....do eeet NOW....go back and buy the e39......

:jk: do what ever works best for you financially.....

Haha. Yea I kind of hate myself for it too :( But I'm a single guy on my way up the charts so I have no doubts the money is coming - and no woman/children to worry about.

I would rather be able to get a model with 30-40k on it, instead of 90k+. I can wait another year or two before I buy... no biggy. Plus I think a house is a bit more important at the moment. :puppy:

[oekundar]

Haha. Yea I kind of hate myself for it too :( But I'm a single guy on my way up the charts so I have no doubts the money is coming - and no woman/children to worry about.

I would rather be able to get a model with 30-40k on it, instead of 90k+. I can wait another year or two before I buy... no biggy. Plus I think a house is a bit more important at the moment. :puppy:

Touche!....get the house first...my first order....after that...BUILD a nice garage....then buy the cars to put in it....

[Spec]

Touche!....get the house first...my first order....after that...BUILD a nice garage....then buy the cars to put in it....

Yes sir! :hitler:

I can't tell you how much I want a huge garage/shop in the back of my place to work on vehicles. My garage is crammed with two motorcycles, both in peices at the moment - and rent a 2nd garage for the car, no room to work in it.....

[markseven]

I sold my low mileage E39 540iT Sport in order to get an E30. The guy I bought my E30 from ended buying an E39 530i Sport. The guy I sold my E39 to sold his E30 in order to buy my car. The grass is always greener, ya know?

If you are set on getting a reasonably priced executive jet, get a 540iT. I think Car and Driver went as far as stating that "if there is only one car in the world that can meet all of your needs, it's the 540 Sport Wagon" (or something like that). It was the fastest production wagon sold in North America until the AMG 55 came out. 292hp & 320lb/ft. Steptronic, yes, but a lot of fun to drive.

E39's are heavy and eat tires (summer tires) quickly. The cooling system on 540's will self-destruct every 60K miles. You will need a CDV delete if you buy a manual transmission sedan. Other than that, they are awesome. Probably the most aesthetically pleasing BMW of the modern era. One last thing: get a second generation car '01-'03 because they have the Angel Eyes, Celis tails and the smaller, more elegant steering wheel. Double VANOS debuted mid-2000, IIRC.

As with any used car, get a pre-purchase inspection with compression check. One that has had the tranny and dif oil changed every 30K and engine oil changed at least every 7.5K is mandatory, IMHO. BMW's new maintanance schedule is wack. Do not trust the "life time fill" on the gear box and dif.