Was there ever a better era for BMW when they had the E38, E39 and E46? Definitely a time when BMW really was the ultimate driving machine and developed by engineers and not accountants.
E46s were definitely built down to a price as well.... but they were at least attractively styles, sensibly sized and relatively easy to maintain. Not so the newere ones. The E38 is a piece of almost-perfection. E39 somewhere between the two.
my friend had 2.5d manual with 6 speed i think... not sure... and my other friend had x5 with 6 speed automatic.... that automatic transmission from x5 is really smoth and amazing... i wish i could put it in my e39.
@@asmircar1 all BMW diesel Engine automatics had the gearbox from GM from America. I have a E39 530d and a E46 330xd. Both with the same gearbox of course. I love the cars very much but at the same time BMW used the ZF gearboxes for the petrol models. Which are much more reliable.
@@johnmitchell2269 Yeah, looked great. But was actually rubbish. 400 hp but drove like a pig. In terms of driving experience it was the (negative) exception to the (usually excellent) rule.
The proportions are spot on. Modern cars are too big with giant wheels, harsh suspension and huge front grilles (not just BMW). Old cars from the 80's were too small with tiny donut wheels and everything flimsy and weak, not enough power. Late 90's and early 00's was the sweet spot imo. Not the French tat though.
This 530i is from the “ultimate driving machine” era when BMW “M” meant motorsports, today BMW “M” means BMW marketing. Old school bimmer is unbeatable with its signature str8 six NA engine.
Today M stands for muppet, i.e. the attention seeking twerps that drive them all too often... especially since they started putting M badges on everything including diesel SUVs..... Yuck! lol
You can dislike the agressive looks, but the s58 is an insane engine. It would be cool to have another s38 with 500hp, but that engine would be huge, the normal bmws have 91mm bore space, the s38 had 100 and small block cheys are 112, so it would be much harder than making the 670hp lt6 in the new z06
Every saloon looks better with fatter tire sides. I never understood the need to put 20"-22" rubbers with about 1 inch between het alloy and the tarmac on a car that is made for comfort and cruising. Look at the S-classe or even E-class/5 series. Imagine how they would drive if they put 2000s wheels on them - in proportion to the wheel arches of course.
@@caleidoo The thing is, comfort and cruising *doesn't* look good. There's no getting around this. Or at least painting with a general brush the race car inspired lowering is a fast and simple way to make any car look better.
If tires had been white or grey, the modern cars would also be able to use small rims without making the wheels look tiny. The black rubber visually makes the wheel disappear inside the wheel arch. I noticed that dusty/snowy tires often make a car look better because of this.
@@jimj2683 Fun fact: the mascot of Michelin is white ;) "Tires weren’t colored black until 1912, thus, Bibendum is white. Prior to 1912, tires were either grey-white or had a light translucent beige hue. Carbon was subsequently added to the rubber formula as a preservative and a strengthener."
I have an E39 530i Sport (Champagne Edition 2) and I absolutely adore it. I’ll never sell it. It’s not cheap to maintain to high standards, however it’s worth every penny. Buttery smooth and adequately powerful engine, an unbelievably comprehensive suspension set up and beautifully weighted steering. I wouldn’t put anything past it as a daily. I’ve bought many cars since owning it, old and new, to see if they could topple it off it’s spot, but they just didn’t come close for me. It’s perfection and I can’t really fault it.
Driver of the sister of that car - the Aegean Edition - checking in. They really are superb aren't they? Mine is going in for a restoration at Munich Legends. I came to that decision when it was time to replace my very soulless and dull F30 330d, and I thought instead of getting the equally soulless and dull G20, I'd put that money into a car I actually love.
@@tcaudiobooks737 they truly are wonderful. I’ve been tempted to buy an Aegean Edition to complete the set, but neither are cheap nowadays. His and hers would be very cool though ! Glad to hear somebody else is sending there’s off for restoration too, after trying their luck with more modern stuff. Mine will be going off as soon as my E30 is back. They’re 100% worth it...
@Harry Page Totally agree, same thing happened to me with my 540i. I kept mine for 16 years in the end, other cars came and went including newer BMW's but the 540 stayed. I finally sold it to a collector purely because I needed more space to carry things around for my work. Fantastic cars that do everything very well indeed, especially long distances.
@@paulsz6194 Honestly, I still think that the E60 and other bangle design (actually except for the E65) we’re pretty graceful, especially compared to the nonsensical designs as of late under Domagoj Dukec
When BMWs were made to their best and styling was elegant and lovely. The E39 is in my opinion one of the best BMW have made and no 5 series has bettered it overall.
This era of BMW is their peak in my opinion. I never found them to quite as appealing after this generation. And they became less so as the years went on.
You couldn’t be more correct there Jay - I absolutely adored my full factory E39 535I M Sport in blue with full grey leather interior and silver interior trim , really enjoyed that car for many many years
And I have a E39 535i Auto, in .... Chiaretto Red! Absolutely love it. Such incredibly supple suspension and such a smooth drive, with pace when you want it.
@Richard Harrold I have had several and prefer the pre face-lift ones...simpler single vanos and the cost accountants started circulating around 2000......
The only car I've ever regretted selling was my old E39 540i (1998), canyon red metallic, sand beige interior. Fantastic V8 engine, fast enough, very solid & reliable car, at its best in long road trips, I kept it exactly seven years and only things in addition to regular service was to change cheap squeaking after market break pads installed by the previous owner and one loose connector/clip attached in fuel pump. No other issues in whole time. Best value for money I've ever spent on car.
As someone who was insane enough to get a 2001 530iA as his first car: It was the best decision i could've made emotionally, but for sure one of the worst ones financially.
I got a 2003 525i e39 with 200k, only complaint I have about these cars is the cooling system with how they placed the coolant lines hidden under the intake and just how it’s a hassle to work on. Besides that overall the inlines are very reliable and strong motors.
@@stefanbraem I convinced myself it was a decent looking car just because the grilles were a normal size, but it's actually horrid. But BMWs reflect the times we live in I'm afraid, where beauty and tradition are sacrificed for ugliness, degeneracy and mindless change for the sake of it.
@Richard Harrold I really love lighter interiors more than black. My interior is silver nappa leather, but I also love champagne and lotus white. Beige though - especially with the light brown upper dash looks nasty.
The ride was truly sublime. Especially for the ride height. Mine was on some after-market wheels and thinner tires, but i have never sat in a more comfortable car since.
The color Chiarettot red is named after a rose-ish wine from around Lago Di Garda, a lake in the north of Italy (they filmed the Top Gear Perfect road trip 2 special around there), so you were correct in saying it was named after a region of Italy
A vehicle that can be enjoyed for many years and doesn't cost the earth to run. They are a delight to drive, with instruments and ergonomics that have to this day never been bettered.
I like these "classic" cars - I went for a 2001 W210 E-class myself and I really enjoy it. Smooth and comfortable to drive and just enough electronics to keep me cool and relaxed on a hot summers day without having to fear hefty bills at the repair shop.
@@johnennis4586 The car is very basic and considering its age it lacks a whole lot of the electronics available in more modern cars. I have an aftermarket stereo with bluetooth, working electrical windows and a cool aircon. That's all I need. :)
@@stressballer I've owned a few W210's and rust aside they're really not a bad car. The 3.2 V6 petrol is a gem of an engine and as for electrical problems I don't think they're any worse or better than many other cars of the era.
@Richard Harrold “reasonably” …. I agree, they weren’t what you’d call ugly but in comparison to the E38 that’s all they were …. “Reasonably handsome” hardly a ringing endorsement for BMWs design team!
E38's are beautiful, elegant, stylish and sporty looking. The indestructible one from Tomorrow Never Dies and the one in the first Transporter movie with Jason Statham. Legendary cars from BMW's best/peak era.
For me, there is nothing more homely than an E39. My Grandad had an E39 540i Touring. My Dad had an E39 540i manual and at the same time, my mum had an E39 M5. Nothing better than looking out of a car window at night at all the lights flashing by, especially when that is accompanied by a soft V8 rumble and the effortless ability to sail past unsuspecting traffic.
I think "Homely" is not the best adjective for a car you admire. Granted you are trying to use the word in terms of nostalgia, but homely is a word most often used to describe something ugly
@@feastorafamine Huh? No it isn't, homely means "British (of a place or surroundings) simple but cosy and comfortable, as in one's own home. "a modern hotel with a homely atmosphere". Unless you're from the US, I see the same Google hit for Homely shows "North American (of a person) unattractive in appearance." Which is just weird! 😉
Great review Jay. I still love jumping in my 530d sport after 16 years and many miles. Still get thumbs up from those that appreciate a good looking car.
The best 5-Series hands down, particularly in M-Sport flavour... the E39 will always be leagues ahead of other 5's in the design and build-quality department. My M-Sport Touring has 220k on the clock, rust in all the usual places, and drives flawlessly. The 3.0 i6 (M54B30) is the one to have, being the best blend of power-to-weight and reliability...
Great buy Sinjin. Jay, I'm 100% behind you on this amazing car. I had a fully loaded 2001 530d Sport in the same exterior & interior colour with all options. I've always said it's one of the best all round cars I've ever owned as a daily for comfort & power. I've done many 400 mile journeys non stop & still feel refresh after the drive. I would agree not the cheapest on bills as I only ever used the main dealer. Fuel economy on the 530d sport was amazing. Not boasting but I've had Bentley's, Merc's, AMG's, Alpina's, Porsches, Ferrari's, list goes on but this & my Lexus 600hl were my 2 most favourite cars for complete comfort & reliability. For me your channel's one of the best on TH-cam for reviews. Keep them coming! The Gogster (Gogi)
Sold my 530d Msport 18 months ago. Have regretted it ever since. Had done 235k miles and some of the injectors were shot but wish I'd have got them replaced and the car remapped. As you say the ride quality, refinement and build quality are absolutly peerless. I traded "up" for a 635d and although a fantastic car, the build quality isn't in the same division as that of the 5 and ride comfort, despite getting shot of the runflats, still can't compete with the 5 either.
I bought a 1999’ E39 5-speed 528i with only 122K miles on it last year. Replaced the clutch, got new tires for it and it rides perfect. Upkeep isn’t cheap, but any time I leave the office and see my car in the lot it makes me smile. I’m keeping it forever
Simpler cars with better build quality = winning formula. Some cracking cars in this era. Shame some car company Accountants didn't understand this. Thanks J!
I had Sapphire black one of these, it was a special order car i bought it at 3 years old and drove it for 7 years, it was genuinely quick, totally solid and stunningly beautiful. Reliablity wise, well it blew 3 light bulbs in that time, that was it, despite my work colleague telling me how big a mistake i had made buying it over his equivalent Lexus. Ironically, he was telling me this as i gave him a lift to the local dealer to pick up his Lexus which had been in the garage for 2 weeks with transmission issues. I just sat quietly listening with one of those smug looks on my face. The E39 was one of the greatest cars ever made period.
The timing is strange on this video!! Haha. Ive just upgraded form a 10 1.4 Ibiza to a 02 525i manual! Probably be best decision of my life so far haha brought on a whim too as I was finishing my insurance policy on my old car. My mother started my obsession when she had an 8 series years ago, the quality of car you get back then is totally different form the junk being released today. I work on a variety of new and old cars every day and my 5 series stands out form them all, I love her.
@@pdcichosz Ahh see man that’s the issue I’m having at the moment, my ‘long drive’ never seems to be long enough haha. I failed to mention the envy I have over the folding rear seats that bloke in the videos got uggghh, so much envy.
@@GoToDoAPooAtSchool9 sooo I should probably not mention I also got one with the folding seats ;D On the other hand, your armrest is beefy and so much nicer + you can (most likely) retrofit one from a 7-series with additional options. And the backs of the non-folding seats seem to be beefier too.
@@pdcichosz Yeah your right there fella, be nice if they had a centre fold down instead for the standard leather seats but I digress. End of the day though the one feature we all wish we had is the Extra leather package, now that’s something else haha. All the best on your motoring endeavours, Oh and make sure all the preventative maintenance is done too man, like the Disa valve and such.
I currently own a e39 530i. For the last 5 years and 80.000km it has been a joy to drive and own. Mine is a rare 5 speed manuel. I have had only minor issues wich were only age related. It now has 230.000km on the clock, and i am not planning to sell it. There are a few things i need to fix (minor oil leak and door rubbers wich are going). Definitely the best i car i have ever owned.
My current E39 530i 2002 saloon with manual gearbox (which I imported from Germany) replaced a 530da 2002 Touring a few years ago, and before that a 528iM 1998 Touring. Both gave me a lot of driving pleasure for >350k km! The manual gearbox suits the engine a lot better; it acellerates really fast, both from 0 -- xkm/h or at high motorway speeds! The E39 beats all preveously owned Beemers (633CSi - E12 528i - 628CSi - E32 730iM).
The oil leak is just an thing my e39 530i suffers from. But I found out it’s just the oil filter housing gasket, which is fairly cheep. Just getting to it is the problem, but I plan on keeping mine on the road as long as I can. 120k on the dash and sill out driving a lot of cars till this day
I think you're right. When I see this version of the 5 series, I always say: "That was a great car." No matter how old, certain models (from most Luxury manufactures frankly) will retain some semblance of their cachet.
I've been driven in a E39 528i last year after perhaps 15 years, and I was shocked how could I forgot that these were so comfortable with really high quality interior.
@@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt Correct, those and the e46 diesel were plagued with the plastic swirl flaps illness. Brittle, break, into the cylinders and into the turbo, here goes a massive bill and many bought some blanking plates as a prevention measure. Also that generation of cars is suffering from massive rust issues, especially round the arches. I live near the sea, and most BMWs from that generation have bubbles or worse around the arches.
Still have my 02 BMW 530I - took care of it with the normal maintenance (trans and differential service, oil changes, etc) and it still drives like NEW. My AC is *ICE cold* too. Handles great, shifts great. I'm at 195k and it has served me well. I don't intend on ever getting rid of it. The comments here are spot on. Great German Engineering.
Whilst not quiet as beautiful and perfectly proportioned as the E38 7 series of the day, this is still a very pretty car 20+ years later. Those 16 inch alloys are perfect, they allow for a nice 55 tyre wall and the discs fill the wheels. 👌👌👌👌
Bought a 2000 540i m sport with the 4.4L V8 and 6 speed manual for $7500 and it's the most fun car i've ever driven. Doing valve cover gaskets, plugs, and upgrading injectors and coils rn. Gonna do a full exhaust next and get it tuned to see where the NA hp ceiling is.
One year into ownership of my 530i touring Manual. Was also 25 when I bought it. Absolutely loving it, even though none of my friends understand the choice 😂
I am 23 I just bought a 530 . I love that car a little expensive to maintain but it is worth. It happens the same to me... none of my friends said I am a weirdo lol
One of the best BMW’s I have ever owned, had the E39 528i for about 6 years from new and did over 100,000 miles without any problems. Impeccable ride and build quality. Subsequently had E60 530i which was nowhere near as good.
That is interesting - I am doing the backflip now: selling my E61 530i LCI and going back to a E39 540i Touring. The performance on paper is almost exactly identical, but during the testdrive the E39 felt a lot more relaxed and calming while my 530i always seems to be with the finger on the trigger.
I absolutely LOVE my 2003 e39 530i - my mother bought it new and I fell in love when my dad brought it home- they gifted it to me last year- it was babied by BMW and garage kept its whole life- by far, the absolute most fun I’ve had driving car.
I presently have two E39’s. A 1998 540ia and a 2003 530ia which is my daily driver, both get around 22mpg at 80 mph! I do my own maintenance and repairs out side of a starter for the 540ia and a alternator for the 530ia, I did the regular basic maintenance, I am Seventy one yoa. Both have over 140,000 miles everything works on them. I will die with these cars out living me at this point!
Brings back memories! Sold my e39 back in the day at 189k on the clock. At 90k renewed the control arms, rocker cover gasket, DISA valve, rad, water pump, thermostat and viscous coupling . Apart from that carried out the usual maintenance/service and it never let me down. The M54 lump was still strong at 189k!
I have a pre facelift e39 530d automatic with the older m57 without the intake swirl flaps. It has a business package with red individual interior coupled with sport seats and aluminium m-sport shocks & spings from sachs. This is the last christmas that we are going to spend together as i have a need for a 4 wheel drive off road vehicle and i have to sell my loved one after 4 years of great memories on the road. I've had lots and lots of different cars all the way from civics to E class mercedes and this e39 530d is the best car i have ever driven or owned.
You're spot on. These have future classic all over them and values are already on the rise . I owned a 530i Sport with a manual box and it was the best car I've ever owned. The only downside is the large number of common issues that will empty your bank account if you buy the wrong car.
A few weeks ago I bought a 2004 BMW 530I M-sport wagon. It is one of very few left in good kondition 190.000 kms. Fully loaded with all the boxes ticked. Love this car
I own a 1995 540i6, 2001 540it sport pack, 2001 740i msport and 2002 X5 4.6is. These years were the best of the brand, hands fkn down. My entire fleet is gaining in value monthly.
As an old man My favourite BMW is the 1983 735i (no idea what the model number was) in bright red. A guy down the road had a brand new one,and I thought (and still do) the electric seat and headrest switches were the coolest thing I had seen in a car 👍
@JayEmm - Oh! Mate! You nailed it there! The only car I regret selling was my e39 540i M Sport Touring - a car that those with with sunburnt arms asked "So, it that really an M5 then?!' 110ron was a sufficient response not to hear anymore BS.
I’ve had the opportunity to drive a few nice examples of 528s and 530s. It’s amazing how something so old an so cheap can make you feel so damn special.
The 530i with the M-sport package is the best handling sedan I have ever driven. It handles better than a lot of two door sports cars. The 0-60 time is something like 6.9 seconds so it’s not really that slow either. It’s got enough power to push you back in your seat. I absolutely love mine. It’s been super reliable too. I bought it with 134,000 miles and have racked up almost 20,000 (mostly) trouble free miles in the last three years. There’s an intermittent CEL, and I had to replace the leaking fuel injectors…that’s it.
@@nab5018 at a cruise on the interstate, I can get 24 mpg or so. I tend to drive closer to 85-90mph so it’s a little worse than if I were to drive 75mph.
The recipe for an awesome TH-cam channel tell a story about an awesome topic and when the viewer gets a question pop in there head answer it!!! Really enjoyed this video. I’m an e39 530d touring owner (green on green on green) paint leather plastics(dash is two tone green along with the door cards)!!! And love it. Stumbled across this video and loved your honest impartial approach!!! Liked and subbed hitting the 🛎😉👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I love all 5 series but e39 is my favourite of all time. My brother used to have a 528i and 530i back when I was a kid. Soo smooth and felt quick in its day
BMW's from this era were built to a high standard with quality interiors that last. As James said the later series will built down to a price. If you want one i wouldn't wait to long, only the less well cared for samples will be left.
I think the E39 series was the last of the elegant, understated body designs that BMW was known for. Also, the most beautiful of the 5 series. Twenty two years ago I drove my brother-in-law's new 540i/6 Sport and told him,"if you ever decide to sell or trade it, please call me first". In March of this year he did. - White, with 49,381 miles on it, maintenance records, garage kept with cover and adult driven and maintained, my brain said, "preserve this last of the 20th century driving machines". With the 6-speed Getrag and a complete DINAN stage 2 tuning (from the cold air intake to the exhaust tips), done in the Mountain View, Ca. facility, what would any sane BMW enthusiast do ?
@JayEmm: thank you so much for the appreciation you´ve got for this car. I also own an E39 BMW. It has been manufactured 23 years ago and I´ve been happy owner for almost 10 years now. Nice video you have made lots of love from the heart of the Europe.
I own a M Sport 2002 530i in silver the last 5 years ( driven only in summer ), gorgeous thing to look at. It has cost me its share to put right but it runs beatifully and it´s mpg is ok as well. I put 3500 miles to it this summer going on holidays and I´ll tell you it keeps up with fresher metal in the highway thanks to the engine response and really good high speed manners.
I am 19 years old and i have a E39 525d manual in this colour. It’s cheaper to insure than my K11 Micra granted it’s modified but still the E39 is so much more car for the money. I paid £1000 for mine with 11 months mot and a fresh service m. I just did 400 miles in it in a weekend and it didn’t skip a beat. Great cars and a great review.
I had one of these many years ago. Loved it. Perfectly stable at well over 100 mph. So quiet I sometimes didn't even realize I had gotten up that fast. Who looks at speedometers? 😂😅
I bought my first BMW and first E39 last year. A 99 528i. I named her Berlynn. I absolutely love the car and plan on keeping her around. M52TU dual vanos engine only puts out around 193 CHP and she sits at just over 4,000 lbs, but will still get up and go! The ride quality is unparalleled by any of the other 16 vehicles I have owned. The car drives so well and will get you where you have to go. Unfortunately, there was some neglect by the previous owners that I am stuck with fixing. Not major things, just tedious things here and there that needed fixing. Such as a leaky banjo bolt for the feed line into the vanos unit, a bad CCV valve, dry rotted CCV hoses, and a leaky valve cover gasket. I have been fixing these issues and the car has been happy! The maintenance can be tedious as hell, but if you can manage to take care of the cars, they will take great care of you! E39s are beautiful too! I love the body lines and the simple yet luxurious interior. The heated seats and split climate control are nice as well. Even an additional climate control unit for those rear seat passengers! The E39s were undoubtedly ahead of their time and the technology works well even today when cared for and maintained properly. The M52 engine may not be as powerful as the M54, but the M52 is also a very robust and reliable engine! The only thing anyone should be aware of is do NOT under any circumstance let the motor overheat and go into the red. If it does, pull over and shut it off immediately. While the M family of motors are reliable, if they are overheated, they may as well be trash. When overheated, the threads for the head studs become soft and often end up separating from the block which allows the studs to back out, causing constant head gasket failure. Not even time-serts of any kind are successful at fixing this issue. Best advice? Live by the manual and do your best to maintain and keep up with the car and do annual coolant flushes and refills. Thanks for the great video my friend! Keep at it!
I’d have to agree with you, James. This model was an absolute cracker from BMW and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if these became a classic in the near future.
Have several bmw mostly E39 and E60. My 2003 E39 530I is my favorite. Standard suspension , Msport body style and M5 wheels. M5 front seats which are great. Great handling and ride. Great looks. E39s often referred to by journalists as the best car ever made. I agree completely.
Just bought my e39 couple of days ago. I love it and its going to stay in my garage for next couple of years. Definietly better choice than Alfa Romeo that I had last year
Usually I change cars after some 3-4 years, so I bought my E39, 530i in 2005 and still driving it. Yes it had some problems but never big ones, regards to mileage and traffic. But I really can't find a car with that feel. So here I am taking care of it like a family member and still enjoy driving it - probably more than ever. I guess I will be buried in it.
I had a e39 touring 525i petrol, es sport trim..silver inlays instead off wood and so on..was a rare trim for the touring model ..loved it ..best car I ever had
They've already appreciated, in Germany at least. Well maintained examples with the M-sport package are in the 8-10k EUR territory now. I've just bought a 2002 525i manual E39 with the M-sport pack, black :D And I have to say you sir had a big influence on settling for a 19-years old daily. Loving it so far.
We have got 3 E39´s, 2 tourings and one sedan, 2x 530d touring and 520i sedan, those cars are just brilliant. If they go high in price that would be so awesome. I Love that look of the E39 so much, i would not buy anything else.
I have a manual 528 e39. I'd say its handling is actually very sporty, you can push them hard around corners and get little/no understeer, and oversteer is controllable. Mine is an SE and all the suspension bits are in good condition. My dads e39 hasn't had the bushes replaced and it drives like a boat😂. I'd add that the car is very well balanced and the steering gives lots of feel, they managed to make a car sporty whilst being very refined and with excellent build quality unlike modern cars.
I have two 2001 E39 530D Tourings, one auto the other manual. Great motorway cruisers and still an enjoyable drive round the wiggly bits. They make easy work of towing our 1,800 kg Hobby caravan, the self leveling rear suspension keeps the rig nice and level. Classic and timeless design and mechanically simple enough for DIY maintenance.
I've had my E39 528i M-sport or about 5 years now and I adore it. Bought it in highschool at about 150k miles and it's now at around 215k miles with almost no issues. Mine is Titanium Silver over Dove Gray and has been updated over the years with an M5 bumper, upgraded suspension, catback exhaust, intake, and some other goodies. It's the perfect car. and any time I've thought about selling it I always come back to my conversations with other owners, that it's always the ONE car they regret selling or miss the most. You have to drive one to understand why it's such a great car.
I had a 528i with manual gearbox, great car and handled very well for a large car. My dad had the 540i auto. The V8 cars don't handle as well as those fitted with the 6 cylinder engine, as V8 cars had a steering box and steel front subframe from the E34, where as the 6 cylinder cars got an alloy subframe with a rack and pinion setup. It was all down to lack of space on the V8 cars. The 530i straight 6 like that one is probably the pick of the range.
I have an e39 525i manual...have had it for about 9 years. Love that car. Best car I've ever owned. I also have an e39 M5, it's a very comfortable at low speeds, and great in the highway, so much torque under your foot...love both of my e39s for different reasons. Keep them happy with maintenance they will keep you happy with sMiles
The E39 is my all-time favorite BMW. It’s looking a little dated these days but the body is quite beautiful and timeless. Given the right circumstances, I’d buy one tomorrow.
So well done. My 2000 545i manual transmission car by the way has been a joy. 238,000 miles with only minor issues. Happy New Year! Best Wishes, Dave Mc.
I literally just bought a 2002 BMW M sport in silver with black trims and individual wood interior trim with post facelift steering wheel because of how I’d feel whenever one in the same trim drove past. Yes there’s exciting cars to drive from speed, but being able to drive a stunning modern classic in this trim is exciting on its own! The m54 has enough poke up top and it may feel large to corner, but it grips on for dear life Thanks for the affirming video!
Really enjoyed watching that, took me back to my first job when the boss asked the secretary to move his car round the back of the carpark as he was away for the weekend and she was to scared to sit in it. My 26 year old self was only to happy to help and I always remember it feeling special when I sat in it to this day
Was there ever a better era for BMW when they had the E38, E39 and E46? Definitely a time when BMW really was the ultimate driving machine and developed by engineers and not accountants.
E46s were definitely built down to a price as well.... but they were at least attractively styles, sensibly sized and relatively easy to maintain. Not so the newere ones. The E38 is a piece of almost-perfection. E39 somewhere between the two.
my friend had 2.5d manual with 6 speed i think... not sure... and my other friend had x5 with 6 speed automatic.... that automatic transmission from x5 is really smoth and amazing... i wish i could put it in my e39.
@@asmircar1 all BMW diesel Engine automatics had the gearbox from GM from America. I have a E39 530d and a E46 330xd. Both with the same gearbox of course. I love the cars very much but at the same time BMW used the ZF gearboxes for the petrol models. Which are much more reliable.
Totally agree. Also the Z8 back then as well.
@@johnmitchell2269 Yeah, looked great. But was actually rubbish. 400 hp but drove like a pig. In terms of driving experience it was the (negative) exception to the (usually excellent) rule.
The design on this generation is simply timeless.
I was just about to type the same thing.
Not sure about timeless, but it’s certainly aged well.
@@royfontaine5526 if well maintained they look brand new. Also the interior is up to par with new car models excluding ones with overdone tech stuff
@@gui18bif yes but they still look old, as in dated, or "of their time".
The proportions are spot on. Modern cars are too big with giant wheels, harsh suspension and huge front grilles (not just BMW). Old cars from the 80's were too small with tiny donut wheels and everything flimsy and weak, not enough power. Late 90's and early 00's was the sweet spot imo. Not the French tat though.
This 530i is from the “ultimate driving machine” era when BMW “M” meant motorsports, today BMW “M” means BMW marketing. Old school bimmer is unbeatable with its signature str8 six NA engine.
well said
Today M stands for muppet, i.e. the attention seeking twerps that drive them all too often... especially since they started putting M badges on everything including diesel SUVs..... Yuck! lol
Not true. These also had the M-sport package.
I thought m is for more expensiv
You can dislike the agressive looks, but the s58 is an insane engine. It would be cool to have another s38 with 500hp, but that engine would be huge, the normal bmws have 91mm bore space, the s38 had 100 and small block cheys are 112, so it would be much harder than making the 670hp lt6 in the new z06
A car from the days when 16" wheels were perfectly proportioned for a saloon.
Every saloon looks better with fatter tire sides. I never understood the need to put 20"-22" rubbers with about 1 inch between het alloy and the tarmac on a car that is made for comfort and cruising. Look at the S-classe or even E-class/5 series. Imagine how they would drive if they put 2000s wheels on them - in proportion to the wheel arches of course.
@@caleidoo The thing is, comfort and cruising *doesn't* look good. There's no getting around this.
Or at least painting with a general brush the race car inspired lowering is a fast and simple way to make any car look better.
If tires had been white or grey, the modern cars would also be able to use small rims without making the wheels look tiny. The black rubber visually makes the wheel disappear inside the wheel arch.
I noticed that dusty/snowy tires often make a car look better because of this.
I've got 15inch on mine 😂
@@jimj2683 Fun fact: the mascot of Michelin is white ;)
"Tires weren’t colored black until 1912, thus, Bibendum is white.
Prior to 1912, tires were either grey-white or had a light translucent beige hue. Carbon was subsequently added to the rubber formula as a preservative and a strengthener."
I have an E39 530i Sport (Champagne Edition 2) and I absolutely adore it. I’ll never sell it. It’s not cheap to maintain to high standards, however it’s worth every penny. Buttery smooth and adequately powerful engine, an unbelievably comprehensive suspension set up and beautifully weighted steering. I wouldn’t put anything past it as a daily. I’ve bought many cars since owning it, old and new, to see if they could topple it off it’s spot, but they just didn’t come close for me. It’s perfection and I can’t really fault it.
Driver of the sister of that car - the Aegean Edition - checking in. They really are superb aren't they? Mine is going in for a restoration at Munich Legends. I came to that decision when it was time to replace my very soulless and dull F30 330d, and I thought instead of getting the equally soulless and dull G20, I'd put that money into a car I actually love.
@@tcaudiobooks737 they truly are wonderful. I’ve been tempted to buy an Aegean Edition to complete the set, but neither are cheap nowadays. His and hers would be very cool though !
Glad to hear somebody else is sending there’s off for restoration too, after trying their luck with more modern stuff. Mine will be going off as soon as my E30 is back. They’re 100% worth it...
Amen
When you say it’s not cheap to maintain how much is it really costing and what’s likely to break?
@Harry Page Totally agree, same thing happened to me with my 540i. I kept mine for 16 years in the end, other cars came and went including newer BMW's but the 540 stayed. I finally sold it to a collector purely because I needed more space to carry things around for my work. Fantastic cars that do everything very well indeed, especially long distances.
The E39 generation 5 series is a gorgeous looking saloon and estate.
It looks better than the bangle-inspired E60. Some for the styling ques of this car carried over to the upcoming E46.
@@paulsz6194 definitely.
Couldn't agree more
@@paulsz6194 Hah! The Bangle butt. 😃
@@paulsz6194 Honestly, I still think that the E60 and other bangle design (actually except for the E65) we’re pretty graceful, especially compared to the nonsensical designs as of late under Domagoj Dukec
To me, This generation of BMW was their absolute peak. Its been down hill since.
Very true
E60 is a good car but not THIS good
Excluding the e92 M3 and the three M2 models, I agree.
When BMWs were made to their best and styling was elegant and lovely. The E39 is in my opinion one of the best BMW have made and no 5 series has bettered it overall.
This era of BMW is their peak in my opinion. I never found them to quite as appealing after this generation. And they became less so as the years went on.
@minimaL E39 was a huge leap forward from the E34.Regret selling my 535i Sport manual though
Totally agree with you, the e39 is the best 5 series ever made.
I totally agree with you!! 👍
E38 also.
I've always been intrigued by these older Bimmers. Can smell that interior through the screen, they have a special scent that's for sure
That's the smell of insulating material behind the carpets)
Crayons
The smell of chronic flatulence
You couldn’t be more correct there Jay - I absolutely adored my full factory E39 535I M Sport in blue with full grey leather interior and silver interior trim , really enjoyed that car for many many years
I have one of them except it's cosmic black with black interior.
And I have a E39 535i Auto, in .... Chiaretto Red! Absolutely love it. Such incredibly supple suspension and such a smooth drive, with pace when you want it.
@Richard Harrold I have had several and prefer the pre face-lift ones...simpler single vanos and the cost accountants started circulating around 2000......
The only car I've ever regretted selling was my old E39 540i (1998), canyon red metallic, sand beige interior. Fantastic V8 engine, fast enough, very solid & reliable car, at its best in long road trips, I kept it exactly seven years and only things in addition to regular service was to change cheap squeaking after market break pads installed by the previous owner and one loose connector/clip attached in fuel pump. No other issues in whole time. Best value for money I've ever spent on car.
Is there a big difference between the 530i and 535i?
As someone who was insane enough to get a 2001 530iA as his first car: It was the best decision i could've made emotionally, but for sure one of the worst ones financially.
I got a 2003 525i e39 with 200k, only complaint I have about these cars is the cooling system with how they placed the coolant lines hidden under the intake and just how it’s a hassle to work on. Besides that overall the inlines are very reliable and strong motors.
It's awesome how good the looks of the E39 holds up
The beige leather and brown wood date it quite badly, but if you have black wood or silver trim it's shocking how timeless they can look.
Image how we’ll be looking at the current 2 series coupe in 20 years 🙃🤮😛
@@stefanbraem I convinced myself it was a decent looking car just because the grilles were a normal size, but it's actually horrid. But BMWs reflect the times we live in I'm afraid, where beauty and tradition are sacrificed for ugliness, degeneracy and mindless change for the sake of it.
@Richard Harrold I really love lighter interiors more than black. My interior is silver nappa leather, but I also love champagne and lotus white. Beige though - especially with the light brown upper dash looks nasty.
@Richard Harrold I loved the slate green leather, looked awesome with glacier green paint! Quite a stable you've had sir!
The ride was truly sublime. Especially for the ride height. Mine was on some after-market wheels and thinner tires, but i have never sat in a more comfortable car since.
E39 is the best car I've ever owned. Comfortable, classy, and beautifully balanced.
OG BMW with heart and soul...in Zimbabwe we once had a 540i of this generation, what a car that was.
Just saw another guy with a e39 next to mine on the street. We looked at each other, waved and both had a big smile on our face.
Met someone with an identical 530i Aegean Edition at Knutsford services, instant brotherly bond developed instantly.
The color Chiarettot red is named after a rose-ish wine from around Lago Di Garda, a lake in the north of Italy (they filmed the Top Gear Perfect road trip 2 special around there), so you were correct in saying it was named after a region of Italy
A vehicle that can be enjoyed for many years and doesn't cost the earth to run. They are a delight to drive, with instruments and ergonomics that have to this day never been bettered.
I like these "classic" cars - I went for a 2001 W210 E-class myself and I really enjoy it. Smooth and comfortable to drive and just enough electronics to keep me cool and relaxed on a hot summers day without having to fear hefty bills at the repair shop.
@@johnennis4586 he didn’t say he wanted to avoid electronic issues just issues in general…
@@johnennis4586 The car is very basic and considering its age it lacks a whole lot of the electronics available in more modern cars. I have an aftermarket stereo with bluetooth, working electrical windows and a cool aircon. That's all I need. :)
@@stressballer I've owned a few W210's and rust aside they're really not a bad car. The 3.2 V6 petrol is a gem of an engine and as for electrical problems I don't think they're any worse or better than many other cars of the era.
@@johnennis4586 They have no electrical issues did you hit your head?
This and the E38 7 series are such handsome sedans!
The E38 is the last good looking 7 series. The later ones are all hideous.
@Richard Harrold I hate the E65, the headlights are awful. It’s the one Bangle era car that I really don’t like.
@Richard Harrold “reasonably” …. I agree, they weren’t what you’d call ugly but in comparison to the E38 that’s all they were …. “Reasonably handsome” hardly a ringing endorsement for BMWs design team!
@Richard Harrold still didn’t like them. To my eyes the E38 is the last pretty 7. The current one is beyond grim.
E38's are beautiful, elegant, stylish and sporty looking. The indestructible one from Tomorrow Never Dies and the one in the first Transporter movie with Jason Statham. Legendary cars from BMW's best/peak era.
Most anti-age BMW ever. I want one so badly.
I'm italian and I'm from the Chiaretto area. That color is legit
For me, there is nothing more homely than an E39. My Grandad had an E39 540i Touring. My Dad had an E39 540i manual and at the same time, my mum had an E39 M5. Nothing better than looking out of a car window at night at all the lights flashing by, especially when that is accompanied by a soft V8 rumble and the effortless ability to sail past unsuspecting traffic.
You're having us on, aren't you?
@@darrylford6844 If not, nice collection they had!
I think "Homely" is not the best adjective for a car you admire. Granted you are trying to use the word in terms of nostalgia, but homely is a word most often used to describe something ugly
@@feastorafamine Huh? No it isn't, homely means "British
(of a place or surroundings) simple but cosy and comfortable, as in one's own home.
"a modern hotel with a homely atmosphere".
Unless you're from the US, I see the same Google hit for Homely shows "North American
(of a person) unattractive in appearance."
Which is just weird! 😉
@@Assimilator1 Hugh? I'm from the US. Diff word here bruh. Thanks tho
Great review Jay. I still love jumping in my 530d sport after 16 years and many miles. Still get thumbs up from those that appreciate a good looking car.
Wanna sell it?;)
The best 5-Series hands down, particularly in M-Sport flavour... the E39 will always be leagues ahead of other 5's in the design and build-quality department. My M-Sport Touring has 220k on the clock, rust in all the usual places, and drives flawlessly. The 3.0 i6 (M54B30) is the one to have, being the best blend of power-to-weight and reliability...
Great buy Sinjin. Jay, I'm 100% behind you on this amazing car. I had a fully loaded 2001 530d Sport in the same exterior & interior colour with all options. I've always said it's one of the best all round cars I've ever owned as a daily for comfort & power. I've done many 400 mile journeys non stop & still feel refresh after the drive. I would agree not the cheapest on bills as I only ever used the main dealer. Fuel economy on the 530d sport was amazing. Not boasting but I've had Bentley's, Merc's, AMG's, Alpina's, Porsches, Ferrari's, list goes on but this & my Lexus 600hl were my 2 most favourite cars for complete comfort & reliability. For me your channel's one of the best on TH-cam for reviews. Keep them coming! The Gogster (Gogi)
Sold my 530d Msport 18 months ago. Have regretted it ever since. Had done 235k miles and some of the injectors were shot but wish I'd have got them replaced and the car remapped. As you say the ride quality, refinement and build quality are absolutly peerless. I traded "up" for a 635d and although a fantastic car, the build quality isn't in the same division as that of the 5 and ride comfort, despite getting shot of the runflats, still can't compete with the 5 either.
You hiring people? Would love to be able to have all the cars you listed lol
I bought a 1999’ E39 5-speed 528i with only 122K miles on it last year. Replaced the clutch, got new tires for it and it rides perfect. Upkeep isn’t cheap, but any time I leave the office and see my car in the lot it makes me smile. I’m keeping it forever
Simpler cars with better build quality = winning formula. Some cracking cars in this era. Shame some car company Accountants didn't understand this.
Thanks J!
I had Sapphire black one of these, it was a special order car i bought it at 3 years old and drove it for 7 years, it was genuinely quick, totally solid and stunningly beautiful. Reliablity wise, well it blew 3 light bulbs in that time, that was it, despite my work colleague telling me how big a mistake i had made buying it over his equivalent Lexus. Ironically, he was telling me this as i gave him a lift to the local dealer to pick up his Lexus which had been in the garage for 2 weeks with transmission issues. I just sat quietly listening with one of those smug looks on my face. The E39 was one of the greatest cars ever made period.
The timing is strange on this video!! Haha.
Ive just upgraded form a 10 1.4 Ibiza to a 02 525i manual!
Probably be best decision of my life so far haha brought on a whim too as I was finishing my insurance policy on my old car.
My mother started my obsession when she had an 8 series years ago, the quality of car you get back then is totally different form the junk being released today.
I work on a variety of new and old cars every day and my 5 series stands out form them all, I love her.
Hahah same here, I'm about to take it for a first long drive today. Cheers!
@@pdcichosz Ahh see man that’s the issue I’m having at the moment, my ‘long drive’ never seems to be long enough haha.
I failed to mention the envy I have over the folding rear seats that bloke in the videos got uggghh, so much envy.
@@GoToDoAPooAtSchool9 sooo I should probably not mention I also got one with the folding seats ;D On the other hand, your armrest is beefy and so much nicer + you can (most likely) retrofit one from a 7-series with additional options. And the backs of the non-folding seats seem to be beefier too.
@@pdcichosz Yeah your right there fella, be nice if they had a centre fold down instead for the standard leather seats but I digress.
End of the day though the one feature we all wish we had is the Extra leather package, now that’s something else haha.
All the best on your motoring endeavours,
Oh and make sure all the preventative maintenance is done too man, like the Disa valve and such.
I currently own a e39 530i. For the last 5 years and 80.000km it has been a joy to drive and own. Mine is a rare 5 speed manuel. I have had only minor issues wich were only age related. It now has 230.000km on the clock, and i am not planning to sell it. There are a few things i need to fix (minor oil leak and door rubbers wich are going). Definitely the best i car i have ever owned.
Virtually everyone who drives an e39 says that, myself included.
Nice, as a manual is highly desirable in my book. I have a 2002 e39 530i sport with 250000 on the clock and it is a wonderful car and fun to drive.
My current E39 530i 2002 saloon with manual gearbox (which I imported from Germany) replaced a 530da 2002 Touring a few years ago, and before that a 528iM 1998 Touring. Both gave me a lot of driving pleasure for >350k km! The manual gearbox suits the engine a lot better; it acellerates really fast, both from 0 -- xkm/h or at high motorway speeds! The E39 beats all preveously owned Beemers (633CSi - E12 528i - 628CSi - E32 730iM).
The oil leak is just an thing my e39 530i suffers from. But I found out it’s just the oil filter housing gasket, which is fairly cheep. Just getting to it is the problem, but I plan on keeping mine on the road as long as I can. 120k on the dash and sill out driving a lot of cars till this day
I'm a Mercedes guy, but if I had to choose a BMW, it's this one. E39 was the best imo.
I think you're right. When I see this version of the 5 series, I always say: "That was a great car." No matter how old, certain models (from most Luxury manufactures frankly) will retain some semblance of their cachet.
I've been driven in a E39 528i last year after perhaps 15 years, and I was shocked how could I forgot that these were so comfortable with really high quality interior.
The days before the grilles and engines had less plastic in them.
The grilles maybe not but the engines certainly did these already had the plastic valve covers and cooling system
@@Thanos.m Bummer
@@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt Correct, those and the e46 diesel were plagued with the plastic swirl flaps illness. Brittle, break, into the cylinders and into the turbo, here goes a massive bill and many bought some blanking plates as a prevention measure. Also that generation of cars is suffering from massive rust issues, especially round the arches. I live near the sea, and most BMWs from that generation have bubbles or worse around the arches.
Compare the interior quality of the e39 to the e60 and it's clear, they don't make them like that anymore.
Still have my 02 BMW 530I - took care of it with the normal maintenance (trans and differential service, oil changes, etc) and it still drives like NEW. My AC is *ICE cold* too. Handles great, shifts great. I'm at 195k and it has served me well. I don't intend on ever getting rid of it. The comments here are spot on. Great German Engineering.
sold mine but bought another one within a month it’s simply the best car I have ever driven and probably the best they have ever built.
Whilst not quiet as beautiful and perfectly proportioned as the E38 7 series of the day, this is still a very pretty car 20+ years later. Those 16 inch alloys are perfect, they allow for a nice 55 tyre wall and the discs fill the wheels. 👌👌👌👌
Bought a 2000 540i m sport with the 4.4L V8 and 6 speed manual for $7500 and it's the most fun car i've ever driven. Doing valve cover gaskets, plugs, and upgrading injectors and coils rn. Gonna do a full exhaust next and get it tuned to see where the NA hp ceiling is.
I had a beautiful blue E39 540i for ten years. I loved that car. Had stage 1 race cams and 310 bhp
One year into ownership of my 530i touring Manual. Was also 25 when I bought it. Absolutely loving it, even though none of my friends understand the choice 😂
Bought a 530i touring manual last year as well. I understand your choice :) amazing how wise you are at 25
Thinking of getting one 530i and I am just like,no one understands
I am 23 I just bought a 530 . I love that car a little expensive to maintain but it is worth. It happens the same to me... none of my friends said I am a weirdo lol
I bought my 528i 2 years ago and I’m just 9 years old and none of my friends get it either
One of the best BMW’s I have ever owned, had the E39 528i for about 6 years from new and did over 100,000 miles without any problems. Impeccable ride and build quality. Subsequently had E60 530i which was nowhere near as good.
That is interesting - I am doing the backflip now: selling my E61 530i LCI and going back to a E39 540i Touring. The performance on paper is almost exactly identical, but during the testdrive the E39 felt a lot more relaxed and calming while my 530i always seems to be with the finger on the trigger.
I absolutely LOVE my 2003 e39 530i - my mother bought it new and I fell in love when my dad brought it home- they gifted it to me last year- it was babied by BMW and garage kept its whole life- by far, the absolute most fun I’ve had driving car.
I presently have two E39’s. A 1998 540ia and a 2003 530ia which is my daily driver, both get around 22mpg at 80 mph! I do my own maintenance and repairs out side of a starter for the 540ia and a alternator for the 530ia, I did the regular basic maintenance, I am Seventy one yoa. Both have over 140,000 miles everything works on them. I will die with these cars out living me at this point!
Brings back memories! Sold my e39 back in the day at 189k on the clock. At 90k renewed the control arms, rocker cover gasket, DISA valve, rad, water pump, thermostat and viscous coupling . Apart from that carried out the usual maintenance/service and it never let me down.
The M54 lump was still strong at 189k!
I have a pre facelift e39 530d automatic with the older m57 without the intake swirl flaps. It has a business package with red individual interior coupled with sport seats and aluminium m-sport shocks & spings from sachs. This is the last christmas that we are going to spend together as i have a need for a 4 wheel drive off road vehicle and i have to sell my loved one after 4 years of great memories on the road. I've had lots and lots of different cars all the way from civics to E class mercedes and this e39 530d is the best car i have ever driven or owned.
Best looking “5” I might add, pure class and DROVE like a Bimmer.
One of the best most elegant styling ever
A car I have always loved unfortunately never owned
You're spot on. These have future classic all over them and values are already on the rise .
I owned a 530i Sport with a manual box and it was the best car I've ever owned. The only downside is the large number of common issues that will empty your bank account if you buy the wrong car.
Had a 525 diesel. Absolutely loved it to bits. 250km+ trips were the best!
A few weeks ago I bought a 2004 BMW 530I M-sport wagon. It is one of very few left in good kondition 190.000 kms. Fully loaded with all the boxes ticked. Love this car
I own a 1995 540i6, 2001 540it sport pack, 2001 740i msport and 2002 X5 4.6is. These years were the best of the brand, hands fkn down. My entire fleet is gaining in value monthly.
Spot on Jay. I’m glad I own 5 of these. I’m betting they go up in price too. Not that I’d ever sell them. Greatest car ever built!
Absolutely love my E39 M5. Perfect daily driver. Nice to see some of these older “classics” getting some appreciation.
As an old man
My favourite BMW is the 1983 735i (no idea what the model number was) in bright red.
A guy down the road had a brand new one,and I thought (and still do) the electric seat and headrest switches were the coolest thing I had seen in a car 👍
@JayEmm - Oh! Mate! You nailed it there! The only car I regret selling was my e39 540i M Sport Touring - a car that those with with sunburnt arms asked "So, it that really an M5 then?!'
110ron was a sufficient response not to hear anymore BS.
E39 was built to a spec nota price - my 1998 528i is still my favourite car despite driving for more than 30 years .... love it !
I had a E39 530d at the age of 19, was one of the best cars I have ever had….. wish I still had it!
2nd best looking BMW for me, can't beat the looks of E34 in my eyes
I’ve had the opportunity to drive a few nice examples of 528s and 530s. It’s amazing how something so old an so cheap can make you feel so damn special.
The 530i with the M-sport package is the best handling sedan I have ever driven. It handles better than a lot of two door sports cars. The 0-60 time is something like 6.9 seconds so it’s not really that slow either. It’s got enough power to push you back in your seat. I absolutely love mine. It’s been super reliable too. I bought it with 134,000 miles and have racked up almost 20,000 (mostly) trouble free miles in the last three years. There’s an intermittent CEL, and I had to replace the leaking fuel injectors…that’s it.
What has been your average fuel consumption if I may ask? And your motorway fuel mileage at a cruise?
@@nab5018 at a cruise on the interstate, I can get 24 mpg or so. I tend to drive closer to 85-90mph so it’s a little worse than if I were to drive 75mph.
The recipe for an awesome TH-cam channel tell a story about an awesome topic and when the viewer gets a question pop in there head answer it!!! Really enjoyed this video. I’m an e39 530d touring owner (green on green on green) paint leather plastics(dash is two tone green along with the door cards)!!! And love it. Stumbled across this video and loved your honest impartial approach!!! Liked and subbed hitting the 🛎😉👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
That's a lot of green!
I’ve owned my BMW E39 540i manual for over 18 years.
You are not from Greiz are you? I am driving a 540i manual from 2000 now and the guy who had it before I did owned the car for 19 years!
I love all 5 series but e39 is my favourite of all time. My brother used to have a 528i and 530i back when I was a kid. Soo smooth and felt quick in its day
BMW's from this era were built to a high standard with quality interiors that last.
As James said the later series will built down to a price.
If you want one i wouldn't wait to long, only the less well cared for samples will
be left.
I have 2 of these..97 528i and 2001 535i Msport...both have their unique characteristics despite both being e39...love them both
I had the V8 535i version of that car - silky smooth.
Love these cars, this reaffirms my decision to keep hold of my E34
I had E34 17 years. Changed couple months ago to VW. 😢
I think the E39 series was the last of the elegant, understated body designs that BMW was known for. Also, the most beautiful of the 5 series. Twenty two years ago I drove my brother-in-law's new 540i/6 Sport and told him,"if you ever decide to sell or trade it, please call me first". In March of this year he did. - White, with 49,381 miles on it, maintenance records, garage kept with cover and adult driven and maintained, my brain said, "preserve this last of the 20th century driving machines". With the 6-speed Getrag and a complete DINAN stage 2 tuning (from the cold air intake to the exhaust tips), done in the Mountain View, Ca. facility, what would any sane BMW enthusiast do ?
I worked in BMW sales for many years. That model has been the best 5 series ever.
well build ,the way one expect.
@JayEmm: thank you so much for the appreciation you´ve got for this car. I also own an E39 BMW. It has been manufactured 23 years ago and I´ve been happy owner for almost 10 years now.
Nice video you have made lots of love from the heart of the Europe.
I own a M Sport 2002 530i in silver the last 5 years ( driven only in summer ), gorgeous thing to look at. It has cost me its share to put right but it runs beatifully and it´s mpg is ok as well. I put 3500 miles to it this summer going on holidays and I´ll tell you it keeps up with fresher metal in the highway thanks to the engine response and really good high speed manners.
I am 19 years old and i have a E39 525d manual in this colour. It’s cheaper to insure than my K11 Micra granted it’s modified but still the E39 is so much more car for the money. I paid £1000 for mine with 11 months mot and a fresh service m. I just did 400 miles in it in a weekend and it didn’t skip a beat. Great cars and a great review.
I had one of these many years ago. Loved it.
Perfectly stable at well over 100 mph. So quiet I sometimes didn't even realize I had gotten up that fast. Who looks at speedometers? 😂😅
I bought my first BMW and first E39 last year. A 99 528i.
I named her Berlynn.
I absolutely love the car and plan on keeping her around.
M52TU dual vanos engine only puts out around 193 CHP and she sits at just over 4,000 lbs, but will still get up and go!
The ride quality is unparalleled by any of the other 16 vehicles I have owned.
The car drives so well and will get you where you have to go.
Unfortunately, there was some neglect by the previous owners that I am stuck with fixing. Not major things, just tedious things here and there that needed fixing. Such as a leaky banjo bolt for the feed line into the vanos unit, a bad CCV valve, dry rotted CCV hoses, and a leaky valve cover gasket.
I have been fixing these issues and the car has been happy!
The maintenance can be tedious as hell, but if you can manage to take care of the cars, they will take great care of you!
E39s are beautiful too! I love the body lines and the simple yet luxurious interior.
The heated seats and split climate control are nice as well. Even an additional climate control unit for those rear seat passengers!
The E39s were undoubtedly ahead of their time and the technology works well even today when cared for and maintained properly.
The M52 engine may not be as powerful as the M54, but the M52 is also a very robust and reliable engine!
The only thing anyone should be aware of is do NOT under any circumstance let the motor overheat and go into the red. If it does, pull over and shut it off immediately.
While the M family of motors are reliable, if they are overheated, they may as well be trash.
When overheated, the threads for the head studs become soft and often end up separating from the block which allows the studs to back out, causing constant head gasket failure. Not even time-serts of any kind are successful at fixing this issue.
Best advice? Live by the manual and do your best to maintain and keep up with the car and do annual coolant flushes and refills.
Thanks for the great video my friend! Keep at it!
Are you a mechanic?
I bought 520i in quite a terrible shape 4 years ago. Just a little care and I still drive it to this day and really love everything about it.
I’d have to agree with you, James. This model was an absolute cracker from BMW and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if these became a classic in the near future.
Whenever I think of BMW, this is the car that comes to mind.
Have several bmw mostly E39 and E60. My 2003 E39 530I is my favorite. Standard suspension , Msport body style and M5 wheels. M5 front seats which are great. Great handling and ride. Great looks. E39s often referred to by journalists as the best car ever made. I agree completely.
Just bought my e39 couple of days ago. I love it and its going to stay in my garage for next couple of years. Definietly better choice than Alfa Romeo that I had last year
I literally just got a manual example recently and have been doubting on my decision, your video has certainly assured my choice!
My dad had one as well, 530 manual.
It was an awesome car, I was sad the day he sold it.
Usually I change cars after some 3-4 years, so I bought my E39, 530i in 2005 and still driving it. Yes it had some problems but never big ones, regards to mileage and traffic. But I really can't find a car with that feel. So here I am taking care of it like a family member and still enjoy driving it - probably more than ever. I guess I will be buried in it.
I had a e39 touring 525i petrol, es sport trim..silver inlays instead off wood and so on..was a rare trim for the touring model ..loved it ..best car I ever had
Had an E39 330d sport mapped, 15 years ago. graphite grey, full leather, auto, lowered on 18,s carbon bonnet..absolutely loved it
I miss all my old Bimmers. The e32, e38, e34 and the e39. There's nothing like those cars.
Last BMW I drove was the F10. No soul, too heavy.
Had the touring version, incredible car possibly the most balanced ever...perfect ride/handling compromise.
I owned a 2001 fully loaded E39 530 and what a joy it was to own and drive,.. the ABS system gave me a headache but other than that it was flawless
They've already appreciated, in Germany at least. Well maintained examples with the M-sport package are in the 8-10k EUR territory now.
I've just bought a 2002 525i manual E39 with the M-sport pack, black :D And I have to say you sir had a big influence on settling for a 19-years old daily. Loving it so far.
The UK (as ever) needs to catch up..
We have got 3 E39´s, 2 tourings and one sedan, 2x 530d touring and 520i sedan, those cars are just brilliant. If they go high in price that would be so awesome. I Love that look of the E39 so much, i would not buy anything else.
I have a manual 528 e39. I'd say its handling is actually very sporty, you can push them hard around corners and get little/no understeer, and oversteer is controllable. Mine is an SE and all the suspension bits are in good condition. My dads e39 hasn't had the bushes replaced and it drives like a boat😂.
I'd add that the car is very well balanced and the steering gives lots of feel, they managed to make a car sporty whilst being very refined and with excellent build quality unlike modern cars.
I have two 2001 E39 530D Tourings, one auto the other manual. Great motorway cruisers and still an enjoyable drive round the wiggly bits.
They make easy work of towing our 1,800 kg Hobby caravan, the self leveling rear suspension keeps the rig nice and level.
Classic and timeless design and mechanically simple enough for DIY maintenance.
the interiors condition, god damn! but this generation of the bmw is so timeless...!
I've had my E39 528i M-sport or about 5 years now and I adore it. Bought it in highschool at about 150k miles and it's now at around 215k miles with almost no issues. Mine is Titanium Silver over Dove Gray and has been updated over the years with an M5 bumper, upgraded suspension, catback exhaust, intake, and some other goodies. It's the perfect car. and any time I've thought about selling it I always come back to my conversations with other owners, that it's always the ONE car they regret selling or miss the most. You have to drive one to understand why it's such a great car.
I have got a 2001 BMW 530i touring for almost 14 years now and I am very pleased with it.🙂
I had a 528i with manual gearbox, great car and handled very well for a large car. My dad had the 540i auto. The V8 cars don't handle as well as those fitted with the 6 cylinder engine, as V8 cars had a steering box and steel front subframe from the E34, where as the 6 cylinder cars got an alloy subframe with a rack and pinion setup. It was all down to lack of space on the V8 cars. The 530i straight 6 like that one is probably the pick of the range.
I have an e39 525i manual...have had it for about 9 years. Love that car. Best car I've ever owned. I also have an e39 M5, it's a very comfortable at low speeds, and great in the highway, so much torque under your foot...love both of my e39s for different reasons.
Keep them happy with maintenance they will keep you happy with sMiles
Timing! Bought an '02 530I manual two months ago. Really enjoy driving it. Plan on keeping it for years.
The E39 is my all-time favorite BMW. It’s looking a little dated these days but the body is quite beautiful and timeless. Given the right circumstances, I’d buy one tomorrow.
So well done. My 2000 545i manual transmission car by the way has been a joy. 238,000 miles with only minor issues. Happy New Year! Best Wishes, Dave Mc.
I literally just bought a 2002 BMW M sport in silver with black trims and individual wood interior trim with post facelift steering wheel because of how I’d feel whenever one in the same trim drove past. Yes there’s exciting cars to drive from speed, but being able to drive a stunning modern classic in this trim is exciting on its own!
The m54 has enough poke up top and it may feel large to corner, but it grips on for dear life
Thanks for the affirming video!
Really enjoyed watching that, took me back to my first job when the boss asked the secretary to move his car round the back of the carpark as he was away for the weekend and she was to scared to sit in it. My 26 year old self was only to happy to help and I always remember it feeling special when I sat in it to this day