What's my E39 worth?

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15-03-17, 22:05
outofbandii

What's my E39 worth?
I'm trying to figure out whether to keep or change for a diesel, so want to see if this is scrap due to engine size & configuration, or if has some value on the market.

https://i.imgur.com/CwRqmdch.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tGoePCsh.jpg

It's an '02 525i auto with factory Msport suspension. Reg is 02G8085. NCT until August. 3 owners from new, Eamo on the forum here before me, before that it was owned by a tech company CEO in Galway from new.

It currently has 165k miles on the clock, the last 35k of that has been mostly motorway or long distance (verifable with toll account printout if that makes a difference - no short commute trips as I work from home). I have a thread on the car here with plenty of pictures.

All work carried out/parts replaced since purchase in Oct 2014:
- Rear brake lines replaced
- New battery
- Alternator reconditioned
- Fan belt replaced
- Firmware update
- Oil & filter service (135k miles)
- Fuel pump replacement (OE)
- Tyres -Goodyear x2, 4 wheel tracking
- Expansion bottle replacement & pressure test
- Front fog light replacement
- Front lower arms
- Bosch spark plugs x 6
- Oil & filter service (150k miles)
- Catalytic converter replacement x2 (front and rear banks, OE)
- Siemens-VDO Mass Air Flow sensor
- Misc bulbs
- Seat Occupancy Mat Emulator Airbag Sensor
- Rear Lower Ball Joint Lemforder x2
- Water Pump replacement & Coolant fill
I've always tried to use best available parts (e.g. Siemens-VDO MAF, Lemforder ball joints, Bosch spark plugs). I have paperwork for about 50% of that work as a friend of mine did the rest. The documented work was done by Valdas in Motor Confidence or by local independents Walsh Diagnostics and Peter Ryder Cars. As I said I've got a thread with a fair amount of photos which shows some of this work or parts. I've been told that the radiator was replaced before I got it.

Code:

Vehicle information ======================================== VIN: WBADT42090GX97687 Type code: DT42 Model: 525I (EUR) E-F-R series: E39 Series: 5 Type: LIM Steering: RL Doors: 4 Engine: M54 Displacement: 2.50 Power: 141 (192 hp) Drive: HECK Transmission: AUT Paint code: 894 - CHIARETTOROT METALLIC Upholstery code: N6SN - STANDARDLEDER/BE Prod.date: 2002-06-24 S202 Steptronic S255 Sports leather steering wheel S302 Alarm system S339 Shadow-Line S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit S441 Smoker package S520 Fog lights S534 Automatic air conditioning S661 Radio BMW Business (C43) S694 Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer S704 M Sports suspension S773 Fine wood trim S785 White direction indicator lights S818 Battery master switch S853 Language version, English S863 Dealer List Europe S880 Operating instructions, English S915 Omission of outer-skin preservation S925 Dispatch protection pack

Needs soon:
- front brake pads
- rear tyres
Problems:
- Radio volume spiking occasionally on Newstalk 106 only, worse in wet weather (not joking - thread on this here).
- boot handle not opening (works with internal button and key fob - probably worn wire feeding into the boot - hasn't been a big enough problem for me to fix yet).
- "floaty" speedometer (with no traction or ABS lights showing). From online research I think this is the rear ABS sensor on the left. Update: happened once only, has been fine for the last week.
There's some other minor issues like missing undertray (damaged and removed during the bad floods last year), etc but nothing that has an effect on drivability.

What's it worth?
16-03-17, 00:44
Mivecrx

With high tax and insurance prices been so high I think these cars are overlooked by any normal folk( not car enthusiasts). Then you have the problem where a car enthusiast will overlook this model for an Msport.
It sort of renders the car unsellable to some extent. As in they have to be very cheap to make sense.

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16-03-17, 15:49
crosswired

Sadly, that's true... if are you looking to sell it, try UK.

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16-03-17, 15:55
Curran

Its a shame, because it looks like a clean one - as said, the UK, or, and though I hate to see it maybe parts! :(
16-03-17, 20:46
Valdelisbmw

https://www.facebook.com/autofanailt...1891067415961/
16-03-17, 20:51
Valdelisbmw

dont mind the video ,just was first thing i saw after i read this thread . worth nothing these days ,compare to prices just one year ago .non sport model,higher range mileage . not worth even for parts, as lot of them went for parts but no need for them anymore as not much left on the roads and they need new parts not old ones to keep these cars on the road
16-03-17, 21:04
JohnH

Just keep it. It's worth way more to you than you'd get for it.
16-03-17, 21:55
Valdelisbmw

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnH

Just keep it. It's worth way more to you than you'd get for it.

very true JohnH ,

its question lot people ask me ,is it worth spending money,is it worth to keep it . the first question i ask them , how big step they are ready to make once they get rid of what they have at the minute and what gonna be next .
so there is no yes or no, its up to each indivudualy
17-03-17, 10:12
outofbandii

Thanks, Curran - it is a very clean one by DoneDeal standards, but I'd say it's rough by forum standards when I see what you guys do with your cars.

Valdas, is that an accident or an insurance job?!

I'm doing about twice the mileage I thought I would when I got it. If I switch to a diesel I'll get massive savings in running costs. Not just the lower fuel cost, but I can claim diesel VAT back, and maybe commercial tax if I went that route.

I'm really in two minds about this. Every time I need to spend on it - e.g. will need at least €300 for new brake pads and a pair of rear tyres soon - I wonder if I'm wasting money I should be putting into a new one. But, damn it's a nice drive.
17-03-17, 13:18
318is-joe

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofbandii

T But, damn it's a nice drive.

LOL - that's exactly it. I have an E39 530D M Sport - perfect mechanically but paint needs a bit of TLC or replacement lol

I'm in the same boat, but it always comes back to "what are you going to replace it with"

Gonna paint it and drive it a few more years - it's actually nice to have something that now is different, and to be honest I still love how it wrap's around you and make you feel connected to whats happening - very few cars left like that coming out now. It's at the bottom of it's depreciation also.