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      01-26-2017, 11:19 AM   #23
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Always loved the e39
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      01-26-2017, 11:19 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3M TAPE View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodMoodley View Post
This was my first BMW. On my third one now but this one was a little more special.

Miss this car. Still have the wife though
Should've kept the car
I agree. I actually sold it my neighbour. I have had to watch in sorrow as it fell in to disrepair. He smacked it up 3 times and had shoddy repairs done. If I remember I'll take a pic of its present state and post it.
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      01-26-2017, 11:51 AM   #25
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This was my favorite BMW. Excellent car any way you look at it. Also, the only car I regret selling.
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      01-26-2017, 11:57 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Germanauto View Post
One of my fav BMWs of all time, and certainly the best of the 5ers.

I must say though....interior fit and finish? It looked great when it was new, but I can't find an E39 whose interior has held up well after all these years. BMW interiors from that era didn't seem built to last.
I daily drive a 2003 E39 540 that I bought a year and a half ago from a buddy in my office. Interior has held up really well, considering he had kids and daily drove it in SF for over a decade.

Car has 62k miles on it today and I did a full overhaul when I bought it (full cooling system, engine gaskets, all fluids, suspension bushings, power steering hoses, engine / trans mounts, short shift kit, timing chain tensioner, checked timing chain guides, new plugs and coil packs, new timing belts, new clutch, exterior and interior detail, etc.), with the understanding that I wanted to keep this for as long as possible. It's been a great learning process for me, as someone who didn't grow up with the tools or knowledge to work on my own car (first time I tried to change the oil in my high school volvo, I drained the transmission fluid and double filled the oil - guess we all have to learn somehow). I did most of the initial mechanical work myself and all of the detailing, before turning it over to my local indy shop for the gaskets and clutch. My wife can't understand why I keep putting time and money into a 14 year old car, but the first iteration of the E39 came out when I was just learning to drive and I remember seeing the M5 and thinking it was the coolest sedan I had ever seen (still searching for a low-mileage 2002 or 2003, if anyone has a lead ). When I found out one of the guys in my office had a low mileage, 2003 540i with 6 speed and M sport package (he'd owned since 2004), I told him I'd buy it immediately if he ever decided to sell. Thankfully, he upgraded to an E63 wagon, and I had the opportunity to pick it up.

Couple pictures of the 540 and my less subtle weekend car





Last edited by MBLocal017; 01-26-2017 at 12:12 PM..
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      01-26-2017, 12:21 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MBLocal017 View Post
I daily drive a 2003 E39 540 that I bought a year and a half ago from a buddy in my office. Interior has held up really well, considering he had kids and daily drove it in SF for over a decade.

Car has 62k miles on it today and I did a full overhaul when I bought it (full cooling system, engine gaskets, all fluids, suspension bushings, power steering hoses, engine / trans mounts, short shift kit, timing chain tensioner, checked timing chain guides, new plugs and coil packs, new timing belts, new clutch, exterior and interior detail, etc.), with the understanding that I wanted to keep this for as long as possible. It's been a great learning process for me, as someone who didn't grow up with the tools or knowledge to work on my own car (first time I tried to change the oil in my high school volvo, I drained the transmission fluid and double filled the oil - guess we all have to learn somehow). I did most of the initial mechanical work myself and all of the detailing, before turning it over to my local indy shop for the gaskets and clutch. My wife can't understand why I keep putting time and money into a 14 year old car, but the first iteration of the E39 came out when I was just learning to drive and I remember seeing the M5 and thinking it was the coolest sedan I had ever seen (still searching for a low-mileage 2002 or 2003, if anyone has a lead ). When I found out one of the guys in my office had a low mileage, 2003 540i with 6 speed and M sport package (he'd owned since 2004), I told him I'd buy it immediately if he ever decided to sell. Thankfully, he upgraded to an E63 wagon, and I had the opportunity to pick it up.

Couple pictures of the 540 and my less subtle weekend car




Wow car looks amazing! Love your collection. I have a somewhat similar but opposite garage with an E46 M3 and an F10 535i.
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      01-26-2017, 12:26 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Germanauto View Post
One of my fav BMWs of all time, and certainly the best of the 5ers.

I must say though....interior fit and finish? It looked great when it was new, but I can't find an E39 whose interior has held up well after all these years. BMW interiors from that era didn't seem built to last.
The E36 and E39 were the first generation of BMWs built with materials designed with recyclability in mind. This definitely effected the plastic's long term durability.

I had two e39s, an '01 540 wagon and an '03 M5. Two of my favorite cars ever. Thanks for sharing the videos.

Edit:
Here was my M5:

DSC_2692 by Josh, on Flickr

DSC_2705 by Josh, on Flickr

Last edited by Josh (PA); 01-26-2017 at 12:40 PM..
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      01-26-2017, 12:39 PM   #29
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The E39 is the best 5 series of all time. Nothing will match its natural feel for driving, comfort, and all around practicality.

My first M was an E39 in Imola Red with the two tone Imola/Schwartz interior and I sorely miss it sometimes. I definitely need another one in my life.
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      01-26-2017, 12:45 PM   #30
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All these post have me itching to start looking for another one.
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      01-26-2017, 01:06 PM   #31
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Nice in its day, I owned one before. But they started showing their age many many years ago. Still a classic, though. But for what it is, too much upkeep required just so you can drive an old BMW around. An E30 M3 would be a far better "old" BMW to drive around. As for E36/E39, interiors fall apart, are brittle/creaky/faded and peeling. E46 aged much better.
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      01-26-2017, 01:18 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodMoodley View Post
This was my first BMW. On my third one now but this one was a little more special.

Miss this car. Still have the wife though

2003 540i with M-Tech package. Perfect.
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      01-26-2017, 01:36 PM   #33
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I would still take this car over E60 or F10 or G30
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      01-26-2017, 01:40 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E39hijinks View Post
Nice in its day, I owned one before. But they started showing their age many many years ago. Still a classic, though. But for what it is, too much upkeep required just so you can drive an old BMW around. An E30 M3 would be a far better "old" BMW to drive around. As for E36/E39, interiors fall apart, are brittle/creaky/faded and peeling. E46 aged much better.
Maybe you got a bad one. My experience is different. I had two E39's with flawless interiors. They looked as good after 10 years as they did new. Keeping in garage helps.

Here's one for sale right now. Check out these photos.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9944/overview/
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      01-26-2017, 01:48 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Germanauto View Post
One of my fav BMWs of all time, and certainly the best of the 5ers.

I must say though....interior fit and finish? It looked great when it was new, but I can't find an E39 whose interior has held up well after all these years. BMW interiors from that era didn't seem built to last.
Strange. My M5 I've owned for 14 years presents as essentially new inside and out. It's been garaged 24/7 since new, so that clearly helps. 66k miles of fun so far. It's all comes down to the owner's care imo.
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      01-26-2017, 02:01 PM   #36
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Last summer bought my silver '03 530 sport w/115k. Previously owned an '01 740 sport and two e36 M3's.

I'll never sell this one, that's for sure. It's the sweet-spot in my opinion of all BMW's. Just small enough but not too large. Definitely fast enough without being a gas guzzler. Just enough tech that I can work on everything myself. Haven't had any problems since the day I drove it from the previous owner in Chicago back to El Paso. Immaculate all black interior w/3M ceramic tint. Luckily the previous owner was an outstanding mechanic that didn't hold back on maintaining and completing some nice/expensive factory upgrades before selling.

That "thunk" when closing the back doors though... 😋
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      01-26-2017, 02:04 PM   #37
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A Sapphire Black e39 530d with Lemon Yellow and Black interior was the first BMW I bought (the previous e46 318 was a company car).

It looked mean and sounded meaner - that 6-cyl diesel had a fantastic growl when you floored it!

It's amazing how much the LCI sharpened the looks on the outside, considering how little changed. I remember the press calling it (the original) bland when it was launched, but it aged really well and still looks timeless.

Apart from the cup holders in the back (which I got replaced under warrantee) the interior was solid.

It also had the most perfect rain sensor wipers, which would wipe at exactly the right time. The five BMWs I've had since (incl. an e60 and 2x F10) have always been either two reluctant or too frequent, irrespective of sensitivity setting.

Damn I miss that car...
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      01-26-2017, 02:20 PM   #38
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My first BMW ever at age of 17 my father got me the e39 528i. I fell in love instantly and to this day imo the greatest 5 series ever made.
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      01-26-2017, 02:32 PM   #39
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e39 540i ill never forget you.... i love e39 its where i started at.. we used to have an e39 and e38 ahh the good ol days ugh...
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      01-26-2017, 02:51 PM   #40
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Definitely miss mine.



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      01-26-2017, 03:08 PM   #41
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Where are you now my 2003 540i M Sport!!! Rode it for 160,000 incredible miles!

Have held 3 of the 5 series...2000 528i, 2003 540i M, and recently grabbed one of the last 2016 550 xDrive M Sport from my local dealer. Each is a special sort of car.

Great videos! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
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      01-26-2017, 03:14 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW View Post
Probably the best BMW ever made. If not, the best 5 series, especially the 540i and M5!
I agree. I am on my second e39 now...

I really love my e39 540i with a 6 speed manual. Next best thing to owning a e39 M5.

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      01-26-2017, 03:21 PM   #43
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I'd love to get an E39 525iT as a daily one day. Still to this day one of my favorite looking cars. Such a shame BMW no longer sends Tourings over here.

In the meantime, this is still my all time favorite ad:


"A Mercedes can also bring driving pleasure"
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      01-26-2017, 03:32 PM   #44
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Quote:
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I'd love to get an E39 525iT as a daily one day. Still to this day one of my favorite looking cars. Such a shame BMW no longer sends Tourings over here.

In the meantime, this is still my all time favorite ad:


"A Mercedes can also bring driving pleasure"
Of course! How did I leave that one out...

Classic ad in true BMW fashion
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