~ ~ OMG: 2001 530i Hit 154K miles..Now WHAT ~ Keep/Sell it ? ~ ~
 

Hi guys,

For the last few weeks it's been bugging me that my car has hit over 154K miles. It's a 2001 530i (just so you know). I did the cooling overhaul 2 yrs ago. Got new front brakes & rotors also 2 yrs ago. Also changed the oil pump seal, valve cover seal, some belts & idle pulley....all this 2 yrs ago. Recently got new tires. My power stearing hose (from the oil container) has a little leak. I keep adding the ATF oil in it (one quart every 1-2 yrs). I'll just replace the darn hose when I have time. That's all for now!

Due to 154K miles, I'm getting a little worried now :cry: Should I keep the car, maintain it, and keep driving......OR sell it and buy a new one with low miles? Newer ones (E60) are almost twice the price, even if they have around 100K miles on them :yikes: And knowing BMW's, they will also need a lot of TLC ($$$$/repairs). My biggest worry is that due to the higher (154K+) miles, if one day something like the engin or tranny (more worried about the tranny) goes out, it's gonna cost in thousands, which is a dreadful feeling in my stomach right now. That's why I'm having a hard time trying to figure this out.

Or I can just sell it and go with a Infinity G35, M35, (don't know much about the Lexus) or something similar. However, I have fallen in Love with the BMW 5-Series (especially the 530i model). It's a perfect combination of class, power, sporty, comfort, and everything I could want.

IF...........and that's a big "IF", I do intend to keep this one, what other things/repairs should I be expecting in future. I have not done any tranny oil/filter change, due to the mixed stories I've read here. I do keep the regular oil changes at 5-7K (using Mobil1 5-30W, and Mahle oil filters).

Your help would be appreciated and a Life Saver (Im ready to go in any direction, just need some valid opinions)

Thanks in Advance! :)

Flip a coin.

At 154K, your car is just broken in! :rofl:

If you DIY, this is what makes the e39 affordable. For the e39, you have a HUGE support network for problems and DIY fixes. Forget the e60, if you even think about DIY. e60 owners don't know the working end of a screwdriver. Visit the e60 forum and you'll see what I mean. The major technical question is "dealer or indy?"

If you DIY, you have already solved some of the major problems. A suspension refresh will make the car ride and handle like new. At $1,200 in parts, that's a bit pricey. But it is chump change compared to car payments. If you are looking for a "no worries" driving experience, go Japanese. But that would involve additional cost.

I personally believe that the post-100K miles on a well kept e39 are the best and cheapest miles you can get. Once you do cooling, suspension, Vanos and CCV upgrades, you should get another 75K-100K of great driving. If you haven't changed your ATF at 154K, leave it be. Even if the slushbox craps out, the cost to replace it is cheaper than buying a different car.

Just my $.02

Sounds like you have your E39 in good shape, why the thought of selling it? 154K isn't that many.

Wow! Out of 179 views only 4 replies? Fudman, you make valid points. I'm thinking Japanese, but what compares to 530i? My suspension seems okay up to 120 mph easily.... However, is there any tweaking or maintenance on it that I can do?

Also, I'm always worried about the tranny! It's been good to me. But I fail to understand why almost every car does a tranny filter change & oil flush, BUT for a BMW it's a no no...it might break after the oil/filter change! Not doing any tranny preventive maintainance IS why I'm so jumpy and worried !!!

So, what's the verdict?!

Keep the car. Doesn't sound like you have any issues other than a small leak or two.Mine just hit 230xxx and still runs smooth and have no issues other than regular maintenance (Oil change every 4 months, inspection I, II, etc..).

Hi Newbie528,

My car is at 121K and it's 11 years old. It needs new brakes and rotors and control arms and I just ordered a new set of tires from tirerack. I am keeping the car since the thought of a car payment over my head for the next 5 years on a used e60 is not a good feeling for me. I will keep her for another 10 years since I had a e28 for 17 years (535is). I would keep yours. :)

Take care,
John

Keep it, pay it off, and maintenance it. It will love you long time. :D

How is it any different than 153,000? Whats the big deal.

Well you actually seem quite torn about this, or even seemingly over concerned. For brevity anyway, if your car has been maintained consistently throughout its life then there's nothing to worry about. Tranny failure variances are always all over the place. Forums have seen failure reports at 50k miles and no tranny issues at 200k miles on the same model car.

Only your checking account will dictate, or less harshly it's your choice. Either you can prognosticate about failures all the time, and thus not really enjoy your car IMO, or you can get a Japanese car. Sorry but you are in a BMW forum. Goodluck.



Sent from my ADR6410LVW using Bimmer App

For people who like E39 there is no such question
E39 Are The Best Cars for the Money !

Mine hit 125k last month and everything is in tip top condition. I plan to be buried in this car.

I'm a tranny matters as much as the engine kind of guy.

Change the Tranny Fluid. Fudman has a writeup on it (Fudman. Why do you suggest not changing it?)
I'm a fan of magnetic drain plugs to trap metal shavings ($29 drain plugs not cheapies)
DISA ~ $180 (super easy DIY)
MAF Sensor ~ $280 (super easy DIY)
Fuel Injectors may need to be balanced (nice to do with extra coin but not required)

You already did the heavy lifting. Keep her. Drive her. Enjoy her for years to come.

Stick $85 a month away for her (=$1020 per year) and do a major DIY each year on her with the coin. If nothing to do one year get new tires or something. Or buy parts for following year project OR take a driving tour vacation that year with the coin. Enjoy without the worry. Life happens no matter how well we try to plan. Roll with the punches and enjoy the the time between rounds.

.

I have owned several Hondas and toyotas before my bimmer. The driving experience cannot be matched. But I will say that I have never had to worry about broken parts during a repair or service as much as the bimmer. The plastic is so brittle. I also have a backup third car.

So I guess it depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for another used bimmer because you love the way it drives, then stick with what you have. If your looking to find something with less wrenching involved then buy a Lexus or Infiniti.

The conventional forum wisdom is if you haven't changed your ATF by 100K, leave it be. I changed mine at 93K and it's been fine. More importantly, don't flush the tranny. I think changing the ATF at 150K+ should not cause any issues, if done properly. But many have gone 200K+ without changing the ATF with no issues.
I think a suspension refresh is in order, though. 150K is far too long on the original suspension. The difference would be day and night.

I'm almost exactly at the same position as you with my 2002 530. 153k with new brakes, suspension, clutch, all fluids and various other small things in the last 2 years. However, I'm so economically and emotionally in to this car that I couldn't possibly think about getting rid of it. Therefore my plan is to keep it as a highway car for the next 100k/10 years. Why fix it up for the next owner when you can take advantage of it yourself?

Keep it, maintain it for at least the next 4-6 years. I'm at 225K on the wagon and 90K on the sedans. Rust is always my downfall w/ DD cars.

I'm at 165,000 original ATF. I do believe that there is no better car for the money in existence yet. This car is my soulmate. Even if the transmission went I'd bench her until I could afford the repair. If I did have to shell out 4 grand sooner or later it would still be a lot less than starting over and getting a car I can't fix myself. It is argued that the e39 may be the best product BMW has made to date. Life after e39? I want to give the F10 a few more years and see how the computer and repairs play out. So far literature says they're not made the same anymore and you don't want to own something that will cost another fortunate after 50,000 miles.

This thread is almost as dumb as the ones asking which muffler to buy.

I was at the same place a few weeks ago ... I do believe the E39 body is the last best body BMW has made! I myself don't like the issues the E60 has had and the F11 is to far out till I can afford to won and maintain. This may be the last BMW I own ... I decided to keep mine and maintain it and when my daughter turns 16 give it to her and then I replace it something else, I'm also leaning towards a Lexus or Infiniti - IMHO BMW and Mercedes are getting to technologically advanced to the point where I may not be able to DIY that its not cost effective! Long live the E39!!!!!!! best of luck!

My 528 has 195k on and still runs great. Its a little beat up but still looks good from 10'. My son is 15, so when he gets his license, this goes to him and I will go looking for a newer, nicer E39 w/manual and do it all over again. Absolutely love this car.

A little comic relief :D

At 295,000 miles I'm not even considering getting rid of it. I've never had a car that can go that long and still feel the way it does. My wife has an e60 which is a very nice car but it pales in comparison to mine.

Or which oil, headlights, tires, wheels, bumpers, angel eye bulbs, brakes.....:D

I just got mine, 120K and I am pretty sure it will be my son's first car, and he's 7.5. It's just a tank, and still maintenance is cheaper than new.