Picked up a BMW

[Chris.m]

Just thought I'd share;

After 8 months of looking, here's what I bought:



Black on Black

2001 BMW 530i with clean title

113,000kms

serviced at dealer

and kept in the same family it's whole life.


But don't worry, I still have the Pathfinder.

[DAiNiUS]

Looks very nice, I love the black on black! Out of curiosity; why not a 540? I know that gas mileage is most likely worse in the 540, but that extra power...

[Chris.m]

good question,

530i has 225 hp

540i has 286 hp (I'll double check that number later)

530i has 19 MPG

540i has 16 MPG

Pathfinder has 15 MPG


Anyway, I wanted something better on gas than the Pathfinder, and the 540i wouldn't really be good enough.

Also the values of the 530i are higher around here and sell quicker than the 540i (I blame high fuel prices)


And honestly, the 530i has enough power for me

So I bought the 530i and love it.

[NismoPick]

Nice! I owned an 02 530i and just sold my 00 528i last week. I love LOVE the E39's... except for the several engineering fails. My 02 had the display pixel problem, but I got the voluntary recall done through BMWNA and only had to pay $120 for an hour of labor. It also had the passenger seat-twist-problem, so I had to pull the seat, shorten the motor cable sheaths, and ziptie them back together. My 00 had the yellow light trifecta of death (toasted ABS module because they mounted it RIGHT BY THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD!), so I paid $300 for Module Masters to rebuild the ABS module.

Just an FYI, the E39 has many electronic modules (one or more for every system). Do research on Carsoft 6.5. I have the cable and it's really useful for module checking / diagnostics.

EDIT... oh, and ironically, the 528 & 530 has the upgraded front suspension... why they didn't it to the 540 is beyond me.

[Chris.m]

I'll look into Carsoft, Thanks.

Yeah, I've been looking into the e39's for over a year now, actively searching to buy for 8 months.

This ones pixels are 100% perfect, so I am quite fortunate.

[DAiNiUS]

I've loved e39s ever since I was a kid. I always wanted one, but I just can't afford the maintenance. That's why I drive a QX4 - it's slow, slightly rusted, gets horrible gas millage, BUT it's as reliable as a wood-burning stove! If/when I start making some serious money, then I'm definitely getting either an Audi or BMW.

BTW, the trip computer (or whatever it's called) on Audis of the same period also have some serious dead pixel problems.

NismoPick, you got me thinking. You mentioned that BMWs had some engineering fails. It just seems so odd to me; aren't Germans supposed to be really anal and perfectionist? They manage to design cars that are brilliant when new, but start falling apart in a few years due to stupid problems. I'm puzzled.

[NismoPick]

NismoPick, you got me thinking. You mentioned that BMWs had some engineering fails. It just seems so odd to me; aren't Germans supposed to be really anal and perfectionist? They manage to design cars that are brilliant when new, but start falling apart in a few years due to stupid problems. I'm puzzled.

IMO, every car / maker has their engineering "fails". GM with their overly zealous use of plastic, Audi's with drivetrain problems, Fords with their 1.2 billion problems (give or take a few), even the QX4 has notorious problems (rear main seal leak, dying stereos, etc). But you can't beat the feel of driving a BMW.

I fell in love with the E39's first because of the LED tail lights. After I bought my 02, I fell in love with the rest of it... especially the cockpit. BMW ergonomics are leaps and bounds above most other makes (mostly the 5, 6, and 7 Series... the 3 Series is still on the "more affordable for everyone" end). Yes, BMW's have their problems and they are VERY slow to issue recalls, but their service & parts departments are top notch. After my dash pixel fix, my airbag light came on. They said it was because the air bag bulb in the orig cluster had burnt out. So I took it back 2 weeks later to find out why the air bag light was on. $130 later, it was the front right door air bag connection under the door panel that was disconnected (probably when the previous owner got the windows tinted). I was pretty happy, and pissed that I just paid for such a silly easy fix, so I did a lot of research on the BMW forums and found all the info about Carsoft, INPA, Edibas, and Progman / SSS. I bought a Carsoft cable ($30) and have been doing all my own BMW diagnostics since. Comes in handy for much more than CEL codes.

Pics of my BMW's:

02 530i (sold 3 yrs ago)


00 528i (sold 2 wks ago)


92 325i (sold 6 yrs ago)


97 318ti (sold 5 yrs ago)

[DAiNiUS]

I see that you've had a few BMWs. Obviously, all cars have problems, but from what I know from personal experience as well as that of others (friends, family, co-workers, internet) it seems that on the whole Japanese cars are just much better built. I suppose that if you do your own maintenance, then it's really not that bad. Parts can be bought for cheap on the internet, and all you need is a garage and some elbow grease.

Let's say you have a QX4/Pathfinder and an X5 or ML. Same year, same millage, similar engine displacement, etc. I bet that the X5/ML would cost at least twice more in maintenance over a three-year period than the QX4/Pathfinder.

I'm just trying to make an argument that Japanese cars are cheaper to run, and offer reasonable quality in terms of materials, refinement, and so on. However, we sometimes buy things not because they offer the best bang for the buck, but because they're just the best (relatively).

[miamiheat3332]

Welcome to the fam!

If you havent already get dis/gt1 and inpa software... Your going to need a cable also but im not sure if yours has the under hood 20 pin or if its all via obd2 like the newer models.. Mine is all obd2.

With those you can virtually adjust everything, read, calibrate etc.

Guy sells the software and cable on ebay for $35. I bought it just cause its a different pinout cable and youd need to mod an audi vag-com obd2 to usb to make it work.. Not worth the time, also has instructions for software if your not computer savvy.


Edit forgot to ask.. Where are you located, i dont see it in your info, but me and some guys from nj/ny are constantly going to meets and stuff, so this is an invite if your interested but it might be pointless if your far away lol.

[Chris.m]

I'll definitely pick up a cable. Mines OBD II as well.

I'm in Vancouver BC Canada, so meets wouldn't work, but thanks anyway.

[miamiheat3332]

Yeah the bmw software helps a ton....

And oh that sucks, makes sense now i looked at your first post you had it in KM.

Im glad your happy with the 530, i can never settle for anything except the best model, its just an ocd thing of mine..

Our crew has 3 4.8is's now, these cars factory i feel are stronger then bmw says, heres a vid from my buddy with black 4.8is, im also in the vid, silver one.. but skip to like 2min mark if you wanna see it, e39 m5 dinan, cant pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Vz0OkTvH0

[Chris.m]

Cool vid.

The main reason I got this 530i (with not many options mind you) was condition. The leather looks absolutely mint, and the plastics are not scratched or worn at all, it really does look like a new car on the inside. The outside does have some dings and scratches, but they will be fixed by a paintless dent repair guy and a body shop within the next month.

PS - I love having two vehicles. The pathy and the 530i are really good complements. I've got the Pathfinder for poor road conditions/ Hauling stuff/ camping and the Beemer for good gas mileage/ comfort

[miamiheat3332]

Yeah man agreed, my dad started using the pathfinder again, i dont even drive it anymore...

The x5 stays waxed up 24.7 in the garage now, never even comes out in the rain anymore.. wipe it down after every drive, so i dont have to wash it, and it stays showroom shine 24.7..

Use my Audi as the daily, and i totally agree with you about condition, both bmw and audi looks like no one ever sat inside. Bmw exterior is better then audi, but audi is also 2001 and almost 140k miles soon.

[NismoPick]

the Beemer for good gas mileage/ comfort

Just an FYI... it's "Bimmer" for BMW cars, and "Beemer" for BMW motorcycles. Just thought I'd let you know before you get heckled on BMW forums.