i quite fancy one and wanna spend about 5-6k.

what i want is a 540 tourer with the five spoke alloys ideally with the tv in light metalic green. but i have a question or 2, what are these engines like? the ones in the price bracket have about 130k on them, should i be about to expect expensive problems in the next 30k miles? i know it's a 4.4 v8, but, what are they like on fuel?

the option is the 530d, again these in that price bracket have about 130k miles, now intially i'm scared by the price of turbos, injectors and fuel pumps, should i be worried at 130k or are these probs not really a issue unless it's done mega miles?

also does the e39 boot glass open independantly of the hatch like the e46?

other options are 4.2 a6 quattro, & e320cdi merc.

 

bttt

 

My 2p's worth.............. personally I wouldn't bother with the 540 unless you want to spend a lifetime at the pumps. Also the V8 models had a recirculating ball steering set up and although I haven't personally driven one, am told the rack and pinion models (528 and below) are better.

The early V8's had nikasil liner issues the same as the 6 pots before 2000 so check with BMW UK about engine changes etc if you go for a pre 2000 car.

I had a 528i SE and they are great cars, pound for pound very hard to beat as a used buy in this category, even more so with prices being dirt cheap. Very reliable on the whole, some problems with worn bushes on the front which can give a high speed ''shimy'' which can be misdianosed as warped discs etc.

530d's are AWESOME motors but IMO you won't get a nice tidy example for your budget.
Stories about injectors, fuel pumps, turbos etc are reported indeed buy IMO again think they are exagerated.

For you budget, I'd go for either a 528/ 530i sport model with sensible miles and some extras. Will give you champagne motoring for lemonade money

 

530d is an awesome motor. If you are after an E39 then its the 530d Sport or the M5 - nothing else will be as good.

I shelled just shy of 10k for my 2002 E29 530d Sport 7 months ago and it has been faultless (apart from it wouldn't start one evening, but the problem was my key).

The horror stories you hear about on these cars seem to circulate around the pre-facelift models, post facelift ones seem to be a lot better with hardly any problems at all. Mine has just ticked over to 124k and it is superb and drives like new.

Best car I have owned. Period! - I wanted an M5, but I couldn't live with the fuel bill when doing 60 miles a day, so settled for the diesel - and at 45mpg (600 miles to a tank) I arn't complaining

 

hmm thanks for that, i didn't know the 4.4 had nikisel liners.. it just seems the 540's come with all the toys for little money compared to the 530's which seem to be a bit basic in comparision for the same money.

fuel wise i don't do that many miles, so aslong as it does 20mpg around town i'm happy!