Talk me out of this

[chowza]

Hey all, new forum member and longtime lurker. Great to be here! Owned my first E39 touring back when I lived in Seattle. Had a short stint with an E91 after moving to MA in 2016, and after passing that one on and going BMW-less for about 8 months now, I'm on the look for my next and possibly last E39 touring. Yep, the E39 is the one that got away. I just can't quit it.

I've been scouring AutoTrader, CarGurus, eBay and the like for a few weeks now. This is the one that's caught my eye:

http://jonathanmotorcars.com/2002-bm...-525i-c-83.htm

I just can't decide if there's any world in which it's worth paying what they're asking, even if I can talk them down a grand or 2. Is any 525 touring, even if it's in immaculate shape with low miles, ever going to be worth more than, I dunno, $8k even in the best of circumstances?

Appreciate any input you might have!

[dannyzabolotny]

That's way overpriced. Might as well buy a nice 2003 540i M-Sport touring for that kind of money. A 525it is a $5k car at best, even if it's perfect. If it was a manual that would make it worth just a bit more. The 540it is the sweet spot in my opinion, the little 2.5L engine isn't enough for the 4000lb touring body.

[danieljames]

I might sell you my 2000 540it. Let me know.

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[danieljames]

Its a 2000 540it, 180k miles. Brought it 2016 off the original owner out of Annapolis.
Let me know if you want a look. Located in Lititz, PA.
Used as my wife's daily.

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[cooose]

The 525 is wildly overpriced, and still high even if you talk him down a couple grand. No affiliation but there's a 540 touring with ~90k miles in the classifieds here for much less than the 525 you found.

[adm750]

I am tempted to put mine on the block...PM me if interested and I can give details. 2003 525 M-sport Euro...
IMG_20161105_112533335.jpgIMG-20130519-00140.jpg
tony

[chowza]

Thanks for the inputs. To be honest, I've stayed away from the 540 because, probably compared to a lot of the forum members here, I'm not much of a gearhead. I've been meaning to start doing more work on my cars myself, but the 540 seems like it would be jumping into the deep end after one swim lesson. My mechanic was definitely trying to steer me 6 cylinder. Maybe if I learned how to do some of the common, critical stuff (eg, timing chain guides, cooling system). Is it fair to assume all of you 540 owners work on your own cars?

To be honest, I don't mind the 525's (lack of) power that much... but maybe that's because I haven't actually driven the 540 yet, haha.

adm750 and danieljames, thanks for the leads and pics. I will get in touch if I decide to pursue the 540 route again.

By the way, if you want a real laugh, there are a couple more *really* overpriced 6-cylinders from CA dealers on CarGurus...

[danieljames]

No probs, I just fix as I go. Having a good Indy and local used parts keeps the old girl Rollin. Good luck.

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[StephenVA]

Get the guy down to the 8-9 K range and buy it if the history comes back as clean and there is a few service records on the cooling system and suspension.

Cooling system is due to be replaced
Front suspension is due as well.

Looks clean and nice with 70K on the clock. Not many out there like that.

Yes, there are a lot of high mileage V8 applications that will have you tempted. The 525 6 will provide a long life and happy owner. Want more power? Get a second car or two, or three, or five......

[chowza]

This particular dealer at least has been reasonably upfront about the state of the car. The sales guy sent me a copy of their inspection checklist and an invoice for the work they did on it when it came into the shop (replaced the radiator and expansion tank, but didn't do an entire cooling system overhaul). I feel like $7.5k is the cap, especially since the suspension likely hasn't been done, and there are no service records outside the CarFax/dealer receipts.

I'll probably throw them a $7.5k offer, just for the hell of it. Even then I would still want a PPI on the thing. It boggles me how many dealers think sub-100K miles on these cars is an invitation to print $$$.

One other factor is that I'm not looking for a daily driver—mostly something to use on medium/long trips and as a backup car. My wife and I both work from home, so our commute is nonexistent and our Nissan Leaf serves most of our needs, but it's a hassle for anything longer than ~60 miles. We'd probably put 4-5K miles on the wagon max per year. I'm also leaning automatic so that the wife can drive it without having to learn three pedals.

[dohalloran]

Geez, that's nice car. But remind the dealer that the car is 15+ years old. Like StephenVA said, talk him down to $8.5K, and you've got a good start.

I stayed with the I6 as well. Gas consumption and easier for me to DIY stuff were my main reasons.

[XAlt]

No probs, I just fix as I go. Having a good Indy and local used parts keeps the old girl Rollin. Good luck.

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Isn't your cars guides fixed?

No risk after that.

[danieljames]

Isn't your cars guides fixed?

No risk after that.

Nope original, no bits in the oil either! Apart from the timing chain tensioner and 3k mile oil changes with liqui moly 10/60.
191200 miles!!

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[jp5Touring]

Nice color combo, I would think 6-8k tops. Concern would be suspension at that mileage.The 525 is fine for everyday driving and you can run all day at 85mph and still get great mileage. I load up my 525 all the time for weekend getaways, its perfect. Your mechanic is right to steer you away from the 540 not the most reliable engine and can be a maintenance wh@*#. The 540 is good if you have a crush on a girl that works at a gas station. Good luck in your hunt.

[geargrinder]

Lol.

- - - Updated - - -

Friends don't let friends buy M62TU's.

[dannyzabolotny]

Lol.

- - - Updated - - -

Friends don't let friends buy M62TU's.

I encourage all my friends to buy M62tu's so they can pay me to overhaul their chain guides. After that, they have a solid, reliable engine and I have some extra money in my pocket. It's a win-win!

[itsbrokeagain]

I encourage all my friends to buy M62tu's so they can pay me to overhaul their chain guides. After that, they have a solid, reliable engine and I have some extra money in my pocket. It's a win-win!

Bazinga

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

A real friend woulda done it for beers, just sayin'....

[jp5Touring]

A real friend woulda done it for beers, just sayin'....

So true, my kid just helped with a trans install and half shafts,got beers and a burrito.

[carlova789]

Super clean example. It's tough to come by a clean one for sale. Everything local here in Atlanta is junk. I was on the edge of selling mine for an e91, but recently decided to keep it.

[dannyzabolotny]

A real friend woulda done it for beers, just sayin'....

Depends on how good of a friend it is. If it's my best friend I'll do it for some food and soda (I don't drink beer). It also depends on if I'm doing all the work or if I'm just helping out. If I'm doing all the work on my own then I charge the full price, but if I'm just helping out I do it for free or really cheap.

[ColtonBH]

Its a 2000 540it, 180k miles. Brought it 2016 off the original owner out of Annapolis.
Let me know if you want a look. Located in Lititz, PA.
Used as my wife's daily.

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Is that the same color as mine was (titangrau)?

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[danieljames]

Is that the same color as mine was (titangrau)?

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Nope it is just plain old anthracite.

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[geargrinder]

looks nice. except for the ghetto wheels which make it look late for a dub hooptie meetup.

[danieljames]

looks nice. except for the ghetto wheels which make it look late for a dub hooptie meetup.

That is actually quite funny. The wheels came off a Saab 95 turbo for $150.00
Had them for years and finally had them on my 7, then this when I couldn't find 16 inch tires for the wheels that came on it. Never was a fan of the polished lip but for the price....... Clear coat is coming off a couple of them so will probably powder coat after this winter.

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