Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Learn me E39 Touring 1 2 3

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  June 23, 2011 5:33 p.m. chandlerGTi Reader

  OK, I sold my extra pickup this afternoon. Some of that will get spent on my project vehicle(s) but I'm thinking I will spend about +/-$7K on a wagon.

  So... I'm liking E39 Tourings and Subaru Legacy(ies). I like W124 and W201 estates but in that price range I hate to think about maintenance(I owned a 2001 E55 for two years and if it wouldn't have had a warranty I would have gone gone mad).

  Anyone actually know E39s and anything I should be looking for besides the plastic impeller and cooling system issues? They tend to be in the 90-130K mileage range at this point.

  I don't mind being pointed elsewhere but I'm likeing those things...

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  June 23, 2011 8:12 p.m. ansonivan Dork

  All of the normal e39 problems apply to the touring, here are a few extras I can think of off the cuff.

  • rear subframe bushings are toast on all of these by now - $80x4 and require a special press tool to replace, tool can be rented from several online places
  • rear air suspension can leak
  • rear hatch latch motors can die
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  June 23, 2011 8:53 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

  The 540iT may be the greatest vehicle of all time.

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  June 23, 2011 10:02 p.m. amg_rx7 HalfDork

  z31maniac wrote: The 540iT may be the greatest vehicle of all time.

  Yes. BMW mechanics love them.

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  June 24, 2011 3:14 a.m. 02Pilot Reader

  Only the I6 tourings were available in the U.S. with manual transmissions, if that matters. No 530iT, so it's either 528 (pre-facelift) or 525 (post-facelift) for the I6, or 540 automatic. Sport packages are hard to find, as are manuals.

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  June 24, 2011 7:09 a.m. skruffy SuperDork

  That being said, all the stuff is there on a V8 car to install the pedal cluster and computers from sedans swap over. So, if you really want a 6 speed it's certainly possible.

  Also, the sedan M-sport front bumper is a bolt on affair and there's a few solutions for making the rear bumper look correct.

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  June 25, 2011 7:16 a.m. chandlerGTi Reader

  OK, three cars to check out today.

  A) 528it 1999 148k. Five speed, coolant system replace 28k ago with BMW parts. Body decent, tailgate has rust(common issue it looks like) and rear bumper has two largish imperfections.

  B) 2002 Outback. Five speed one owner all records. Head gaskets and teams replaced in last year.

  C) 528it 2001 107k. Auto(prefer a stick) no records at. all. Auction car with ready nice body. I think this is out just due to auto.

  Since this is an extra car ithat I may use to commute once in awhile I will most like get a stick. All of these cars are between $3/5K

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  June 25, 2011 7:23 a.m. dyintorace SuperDork

  chandlerGTi wrote: OK, three cars to check out today. A) 528it 1999 148k. Five speed, coolant system replace 28k ago with BMW parts. Body decent, tailgate has rust(common issue it looks like) and rear bumper has two largish imperfections. B) 2002 Outback. Five speed one owner all records. Head gaskets and teams replaced in last year. C) 528it 2001 107k. Auto(prefer a stick) no records at. all. Auction car with ready nice body. I think this is out just due to auto. Since this is an extra car ithat I may use to commute once in awhile I will most like get a stick. All of these cars are between $3/5K

  One thing I always dreamt of was an e39 wagon, with an I6, so I could then bolt a turbo to it. This would be an expensive way to do it, but Active Autowerke confirmed to me that their e46 I6 kits would fit on the same motor in an e39. Would just require some slight modification.

  Gainesville, FL

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  June 25, 2011 12:03 p.m. bluesideup Reader

  The sleeper wagon is a great idea. The one E39 M5 touring that was built must be pretty cool

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  June 25, 2011 9:12 p.m. chandlerGTi Reader

  chandlerGTi wrote: OK, three cars to check out today. A) 528it 1999 148k. Five speed, coolant system replace 28k ago with BMW parts. Body decent, tailgate has rust(common issue it looks like) and rear bumper has two largish imperfections. B) 2002 Outback. Five speed one owner all records. Head gaskets and teams replaced in last year. C) 528it 2001 107k. Auto(prefer a stick) no records at. all. Auction car with ready nice body. I think this is out just due to auto. Since this is an extra car ithat I may use to commute once in awhile I will most like get a stick. All of these cars are between $3/5K

  A) Complete rust bucket. Supposed coolant system replacement is figment of imagination(it's leaking now). Clutch chatter, horrible vibration(subframe bushings?) dash only half works B) Not a straight panel on it C) Nicest car of the bunch. Drives well, shifts well. Someone put an aluminum radiator in it at some point(probably after the third plastic one). No records but pretty dang nice. $4500 Looked at some E39 sedans and some other Legacys. I do not like the street manners of the Legacy; however, even the beater E39s are a delight to drive. BTW: 528itT FTW
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  June 28, 2011 7:53 a.m. pigeon Dork

  The past president of my local BMWCCA chapter just (like 5 minutes ago) posted his wife's '03 E39 525iT for sale - it's got to be just about perfect, 130k miles, serviced by the local BMWCCA race prep shop, asking $7k/obo. If you're interested PM me your email and I'll forward the email that was sent to the club list.

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  June 28, 2011 3:05 p.m. joepaluch Reader

  I have a 2002 E39 530 Sedan. Auto. It is my daily driver and I have had it since 2005 and 36k miles. I have 125k on it. I just replaced the radiator, fan clutch, expansion tank and bunch of hoses. I love the car. The only sad part is how the values have dropped off. I personally can't think of a better car for 7k. So I will not sell it. Maintenance could be expensive, but I do all the wrenching myself so that mitigates the cost.

  Joe Paluch - NASA 944 Spec - Arizona - 4th 2009 NASA Nationals

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  June 28, 2011 8:49 p.m. chandlerGTi Reader

  I hear you. When I got the E55 I actually looked at the E39 M5, even they have depreciated. All of the cars in this price range are 50/50 on whether they will need work right away but it is a chance to take.

  Looking at two 528it tomorrow, both manual cars one enthusiast owned and the other another auction car.

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  June 29, 2011 4:02 p.m. chandlerGTi Reader

  Well, we will go with...woohoo!

  Got one, take delivery after the 4th weekend.

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  June 29, 2011 7:03 p.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

  details?

  spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know

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  June 30, 2011 10:08 a.m. chandlerGTi Reader

  99 with 119k on it. Orient blue 5speed. Little rust, maint records since 55k or so.

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  June 30, 2011 10:46 a.m. Matt B HalfDork

  Congrats on the find. I've been salivating over these for awhile myself.

  Oh yeah, almost forgot - Pics or ban

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  June 30, 2011 11:12 a.m. chandlerGTi Reader

  Yeah, I only took one and haven't loaded it yet. Wednesday night for sure.

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  June 30, 2011 12:08 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

  Sport option?

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  June 30, 2011 1:23 p.m. chandlerGTi Reader

  Yup, 528 sport. Pretty good overall

  
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  June 30, 2011 4:57 p.m. ValuePack Dork

  :oh face:

  My envy is deep.

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  June 30, 2011 6:45 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

  Excellent! I see someone swapped on style 32 wheels off a 540i. Personally, I like the style 5 wheels that were standard on those cars better but these are good looking wheels too.

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  June 30, 2011 6:46 p.m. njansenv HalfDork

  I love Orient Blue.... Nice car!

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  June 30, 2011 7:01 p.m. chandlerGTi Reader

  stuart in mn wrote: Excellent! I see someone swapped on style 32 wheels off a 540i. Personally, I like the style 5 wheels that were standard on those cars better but these are good looking wheels too.

  Actually, as many came with style 32s as Type 5s, or so I see. I may try to find some 18" Type 5s or refinish the extra RSs I have downstairs.

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  June 30, 2011 7:27 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

  chandlerGTi wrote: Yup, 528 sport. Pretty good overall

  Where's the "drool" icon? Nice find.

  How can it be a midlife crisis, when I've driven sportscars my entire life?

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