Early 2000's BMW 530i ?

So Im on the hunt for a new daily driver after my car finally succumbed to the cancer that is the rust belt.. Been casually looking at BMWs. Specifically there are a few early 2000s 530i and 535i's in the greater area.

I dont know a ton about those cars or BMWs in general, but they seem like they would be fun to drive. Anyone on here have any experience? Anything in specific to keep an eye out for in these years? I read the thermostat housing on the I6 tends to get brittle over time until it cracks and then you have a bad day.

I also hear the E39 series which runs through model year 2003 is simple enough where its not a huge PIA work on yourself and do simple repairs. Sounds like the next generation got significantly more computerized and harder to work on.

 

I unfortunately have lots of BMW experience... and if you're looking to drive right away and not do a ton of work... you need one that has EVERY maint record and tons of preventative. I love them, but they age like milk even things like rubber bushings are inferior to their Japanese counterparts. My 135i (11 years old at the time) needed ever rubber bushing replaced. I'd only consider an old one as a project or labor of love, not as a reliable daily.

 

When a BMW reaches 10 years old it's time to sell it. Otherwise it's Bring My Wallet(yours in this case)

 

Have to agree here. BMW = Bring My Wallet - Good one!

I have a 2006 325Xi (E90). Factory ordered it, waited 3 months for it, took delivery with 6 miles on it. 16 1/2 years later it now has over 260,000 miles on it. Have always done scheduled maintenance as required; had no issues with it for first 100,000 miles. But since then, I don't have time to list everything that I've had to replace over the years. But after it suffered a second catastrophic failure in two months a few years ago that required a tow truck, that's when I bought my Tacoma and turned the BMW punted it into my local "garbage miles" driver to keep unnecessary miles off of my truck.

All that said, when running well, the "Ultimate Driving Machine" moniker, especially when equipped with a manual transmission, is well deserved.

 

You're a glutton for self flagellation aren't you?

 

What were the catastrophic failure points?

 

Anyone else got any insight? Seen a few posts on here saying what awesome cars they are, a few of those with high mileage too.

 

You've decided what you want to hear, but I think you'll find it doesn't align with reality. They're awesome cars when running right, but they tend not to do that after 8 or so years.

 

the e39 was/is a great chassis
they are very nice cars to drive
I would buy with confidence, assuming you can really find a clean one with some decent records for peace of mind

 

Yes and no. I figure for about $4-5k (seems to be the going price around here) why not? If its a fun car to drive for a few years then great, if it gives me so much trouble that I dont want to deal with it anymore Ill sell it. Still have my truck to drive if I need to.

I guess Im looking for more than 'they tend to not run right after 8 or so years'. If you could give me specific things to look out for then that would be helpful. You mentioned the rubber bushings so far and thats it. The dual catastrophic failures mentioned above by the other guy still hasnt been explained.

All in all Im not trying to be a dink, Im just saying for a ~20 year old car Id like a bit more info about why to avoid them

Edit: btw I know this isnt a BMW forum, I just tend to trust peeps around here a bit more than other parts of the internet

 

Well the specific model you noted will have VANOS issues, they always do. That could be anywhere from annoying ticking and running with less performance, to codes, to complete timing set failure. Their VVT system (VANOS) is a known pain in the ass. They have all sorts of wiring gremlins, if at the time you buy it it presents none.... they're being hidden and will return. Mine always had idle issues, it smoked, the amount of shadow codes (fun BMW quirk where the car will have codes to tell you things but won't turn on a MIL) was insane, I had traction module failure, lighting module failure, headlight motor failures, fuel pump (both of them) failure, fuel injectors stuck. I left my response so short an concise because my BMWs were too painful to remember. I loved them, amazing driving experience. But it is truly death by 1000 cuts and they're not even remotely reliable. Every time I got in it I was acutely aware that something could break any second. I didn't go a week without issues. I'd absolutely buy another, but less than 5 years old next time.

 

Worst part is the driving experience is so good that they string you along thinking you fix this one more thing and it won't have problems. But I'll tell you this right now and in a year so you can tell me I'm right... There's always another problem right on the horizon.

https://youtu.be/QaAJy6ox7Jc

Still miss this stupid car

 

i think something should be said for post 2006 bmws though

comparing a 1 series with the e39, just totally different eras of manufacturing imho

 

@SR-71A whatever you do, just don't buy an automatic...

 

That's fair they were a little bit simpler before the e9x series. But I will say I completely don't see any point in owning one that doesn't have a turbo. If it's not fast then it's really not good for anything because the driving experience wasn't that much better than another good handling car without that amazing power on tap

 

My morning laugh comes from RockAuto's little newsletter...

 

https://5series.net/forums/e60-discussion-2/new-here-read-before-you-begin-148359/

 

So remember when y'all told me not to buy? Well..

Overall this one is very clean on the exterior. Was a southern car for most of its life. When it came up to Maine the guy garaged it every winter, so very little in the way of rust. 2003 530i, just over 98k miles.

Needs a few things on the inside like drivers power seat motors and a new aftermarket cup holder (wtf BMW..) Mechanically it seems sound besides a few oil leaks and small things. The big one is a possible torque converter. My insurance co. royally f*cked me over and couldn't get it added to my policy by closing time Friday (they had all the info by 10am that morning). So I can't register or drive it all weekend.. but once I start driving it I'll know what codes it sets and see what it really needs.

 

So it begins! I would wish you luck but I don't think it's going to help. Have fun at least.

 

Welcome to hell