E39 535i - Why not?

[hoopsontoast]

I am looking to buy an E39 535i for two reasons...

1. My Brother, Dad and I had this stupid idea to do a road trip of Europe in 2022, in a V8 Saloon while we still can. Originally we were thinking an X308 Jag but I'm keen on BMWs, and since my Brother took my E90 330i out for a spin he is on board too.

2. Now my wife works from home full-time, and has a modern Mazda2 for short journeys / decent MPG, I sort have free reign to swap out my E90 330i for something more barge like, for long journeys, and I really fancy a V8. I want something comfy, not too big and V8 so the E39 fits the bill.

So, with a budget of £3-4k or so, what apart from rust, are the key things to look out for on the 535i?

Note, looking at 535i just on value over a 540i really, I'd love a Touring but they are going up in price and not available as a 535i.

[ballbagbagins]

I know you are aware of the rust but these can be very crusty now.

Someone I know had one that looked mint but when he tried to lift it on a ramp all of the sills were found to be like cornflakes. He sold it straight away.

[ChasR]

535is make a lovely noise.

They are not much quicker than a 530i but with almost the fuel habit of a 540i. There really is something lovely about the drive of a 540i .

£4k should get you a 540i but you'll have to search a bit, and a few chaps of mine do keep an eye out for things and grab them .

Rust as said is the biggest issue with these. My friend sorted alot of his out. He put his up for sale a few days ago for £5k, but he's decided to keep it . His does have alot of trick bits on it now however, including the desirable Style 32s in 18", Alpina front splitter & rear spoiler.

I may know of a couple of candidates for sale soon for you. Those include:

-X350 Jag V6
-X308 Sovereign LWD.

Both will be below budget.

The one thing good about BMWs over Jags is they are generally easier to diagnose (this is to do with how the AJV8 kind of met emissions standards) , and better quality spares are easier to come by for a more reasonable price.

[joem83]

I know BMW V8's suffer with reliability issues, love a E39 though.
A 530i would probably be a better purchase but it doesnt meet the V8 requirement.

[hoopsontoast]

Jun 28, 2021 19:23:46 GMT ChasR said:

535is make a lovely noise.

They are not much quicker than a 530i but with almost the fuel habit of a 540i. There really is something lovely about the drive of a 540i .

£4k should get you a 540i but you'll have to search a bit, and a few chaps of mine do keep an eye out for things and grab them .

Rust as said is the biggest issue with these. My friend sorted alot of his out. He put his up for sale a few days ago for £5k, but he's decided to keep it . His does have alot of trick bits on it now however, including the desirable Style 32s in 18", Alpina front splitter & rear spoiler.

I may know of a couple of candidates for sale soon for you. Those include:

-X350 Jag V6
-X308 Sovereign LWD.

Both will be below budget.

The one thing good about BMWs over Jags is they are generally easier to diagnose (this is to do with how the AJV8 kind of met emissions standards) , and better quality spares are easier to come by for a more reasonable price.

Oh yes, the sensible choice is a 530i but then I might as well just keep the E90 330i then really.

I'd really just discounted the 540i as from looking over the past few months, tend to go for a good deal more than an equivelent 535i.

Myself and Chris are pretty set on the BMW now, so much so he has been researching E90 330d's for his commute to work....

[hoopsontoast]

Jun 28, 2021 20:09:39 GMT joem83 said:

I know BMW V8's suffer with reliability issues, love a E39 though.
A 530i would probably be a better purchase but it doesnt meet the V8 requirement.

Yes, the smart choice would be a 530i but then, as mentioned above I might as well keep the 330i.

[gte86]

www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11868633
Bit over budget and it has silly wheels but it looks OK. Obviously it may be rotten underneath so would need a good checking over

[hoopsontoast]

Jun 28, 2021 20:41:43 GMT gte86 said:

www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11868633
Bit over budget and it has silly wheels but it looks OK. Obviously it may be rotten underneath so would need a good checking over

That looks lovely although I'd quite like a cream interior. I'm thinking that I may look to increase the budget a bit though, I'd really like a Touring just as the Wifes Mazda2 is quite small in the boot so having a large load space is useful.

[lmr]

I have had a E39 540 as a daily driver for 5 1/2 years. Reliability has been pretty good. Rust in the sills is well hidden, but relatively easy to sort, once you have disassembled everything - I am not brave enough to weld close to the fuel tank. Watch for oil leaks from the sump gasket - the lower seal is easy to sort, the upper one less so. The alternator is water cooled and a pig to replace. Water pump is a known weakness and worth replacing. Fan belt tensioner spring doesn't seem to last forever.

Typical MPG is 22 to 24. Long journeys, driving like a saint you can achieve 30+ mpg.

They are a stunning car!

[gte86]

Jun 28, 2021 20:44:24 GMT hoopsontoast said:

Jun 28, 2021 20:41:43 GMT gte86 said:

www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11868633
Bit over budget and it has silly wheels but it looks OK. Obviously it may be rotten underneath so would need a good checking over

That looks lovely although I'd quite like a cream interior. I'm thinking that I may look to increase the budget a bit though, I'd really like a Touring just as the Wifes Mazda2 is quite small in the boot so having a large load space is useful.

I've just bought a 530i touring and it's so practical. Fuel economy is rubbish but I do 10 miles a day so its kinda irrelevant. The e39 is so nice to drive.
Due to the age of the cars anything you get will need suspension bits doing. Changing the vanos seals on mine really increased the low down torque so I highly recommend the x8r kit.
Do the v8s sound meaty, or are they heavily silenced like the 530i?

[lmr]

On full throttle, mine sounds amazing!

[gte86]

Jun 28, 2021 21:43:22 GMT lmr said:

On full throttle, mine sounds amazing!

There we go. Someone lock this thread.
Can't wait to see the build thread on you 540iaT 🤣🤣

[rblote]

We had 2 528i E39's. I rate them as the best of the lot. (To me,) they are the best balance between comfort and fun. I had a 535i as well. Loved it. Was fast etc. But the 528i was cheaper to run and maintain.
If we would not need a 7 seat vehicle I would buy a 528i in a heart beat.
I have driven the 540i as well. Don't get me wrong any BMW e39 (or E34) with a 6 Cylinder are just great to drive. I kept going back to the 528I or the old 6 Cyl 535i.
But if you are doing a road trip with with 3 adults I would look at a 735il or something like that.
The room in the back is too good and offers a great place to relax.

[aero]

Jun 28, 2021 20:46:02 GMT lmr said:

I have had a E39 540 as a daily driver for 5 1/2 years. The alternator is water cooled and a pig to replace.

I concur! I did mine on my e38 740i and had to take the entire cooling system off the front of the engine: fan clutch, shroud, rad, all the cooling pipes, new belts while you’re in etc and idler pulleys - replacing all with bmw parts cost £500! BMW quoted £860 for a new alternator! Found a refurbed unit for £150. Took me so long to do it.
But great cars 0-60 in 7 seconds! Mine was the sport but not bad for a 2 tonne car.
The engines leak oil from the cam covers as the gaskets harden, but it’s a relatively easy job.
Think the e39 touring is one of BMW’s best ever cars.

[gte86]

I was going to suggest an e38 but I think the e39 touring is so much more capable. How does the v8 steering compare to the straight 6s?

[hoopsontoast]

My brother sent through a couple of links for a E38 740i, one the long wheel base, I would agree but I'm intending to keep it long term after and don't really plan to be a limo driver...

[Rusted Pistons]

E39s are awesome - I had a 530d recently and it was fantastic even though it had 230k on it!

I also have an X308 XJ8 Jag with stainless exhausts for sale - *cough cough* 😂 and I bet it'd love to see more of Europe.... 😉

[gte86]

My dogs have just broke another fence panel.
Not to worry. E39 van to the rescue with some temporary repair panels.


To throw a spanner in the works, you need an Audi v8 if you want to transport fence panels

[ChasR]

Jun 29, 2021 8:27:07 GMT gte86 said:

I was going to suggest an e38 but I think the e39 touring is so much more capable. How does the v8 steering compare to the straight 6s?

Not as good, especially if the ‘box is worn.

But they really not too bad at all. I didn’t think I’d rate a 540i, but they are a nice thing to drive around in.

[legend]

i run a 528i for the last 100k miles and before that a 735i for another 100k miles. The V8 was super reliable [only died due to electrical problems with 287k miles on it] there is a rubber diaphragm in the back of the inlet manifold that splits and gives you loads of lamda errors, and the chains and tensioners tend to get old and rattly then eventually fall into the sump.

the 6 cylinder ones handle much better and have much nicer steering than the steeringbox you get on the v8s

a 735 is probably a cheaper proposition and has maybe had less abuse over the years than the equivalent 5 series

in terms of mpg over 100k miles i'd say the v8 is around 4mpg worse overall,