Pulled the Trigger

After months of looking, I believe I found a nice E-39, 2003 530IA. Picking it up tomorrow. Premium package, sports package, premium sound. Appears to be in great condition with records to boot.

I am in between Dallas / Ft. Worth in the Arlington, Mansfield area. Mechanic recommendations are accepted if you know of any in this area.

Looking forward to picking it up tomorrow....

Congrats enjoy the ride!

Welcome! How many miles? Did it have service records?

You shot your car?

She does have 93,000 miles but appears to be extremely well kept. All service records, etc. Serviced at BMW location in North Dallas.

David.

Unless it's been done already (check your records), you are coming due for a cooling system overhaul. This will give you another 100K of reliable driving. This is the primary weakness in all e39s. Fix it and forget it. Also consider a Vanos seal replacement to restore the original variable timing on the engine. The single best performance mod (actually a fix) you can do for your car. Only $100 in parts but 4-6 hrs of labor unless you DIY. Google beisansystems for more info.

www.bimrs.org

Show us some pics when you get the chance. Good luck, welcome to the community!

Koga Congratulations! I'm in the hunt for my first 5 series & have received a lot of good advice on this forum.

Did you find the cat at Classic BMW in PLANO? If so, I saw that and inquired yesterday - looks like a real sweet car. I was ready to zip down from LA - LOL I got an email from the dealer today saying it was sold.

So my search continues - My goal is for a 2002-2003' 530i Sport/Premium In Topaz Blue w/ Gray Leather. I posted in the Classifieds today under "WANTED"
Any help from the forum is appreciated...

Good luck with the car _and post your adventures with her.

Safe Driving!

Colin

She's a baby at 93k miles. I bought my e39 at 174k and an e30 at about 93k as well. As long as the mechanic gives it a clean bill of health, you are in good shape.

I wouldn't heed the warnings of everyone here, your car's condition fully depends on the care taken by the previous owner. I'm at 175k miles now and I have not had a coolant overhaul or a VANOS rebuild. Only thing fixed in that area was a water pump. They naturally go with age. So do thermostats.

If your cooling system holds the proper temperature, does not lose coolant, and the water pump pulley is tight, there is no need to worry. Just be mindful to check the coolant level every couple days through the first month of ownership.

Also, if your car hasn't had a transmission and rear diff fluid change, I would do those first. If you are not doing the work yourself, make sure you have a competent mechanic. Read some posts about ATF change here because the fluid type and fill levels are critical.

I think some day in the spring I will do the VANOS seals or complete rebuild with bearings. It's not so much because I think it's necessary, it's more because it looks like an inexpensive project which could potentially have positive results. There's not much to lose, but there is a lot of knowledge to gain. Plus, I want to see how clean/dirty my valve train looks. It will give me a nice picture of how well the previous owner cared for the car.

NordicWolf

Yes, the one in Plano. A beautiful car, bought; serviced; and traded for a new BMW at the same dealership.

I am picking her up today. The service records will be included. I am pretty sure, but will verify the cooling system has been replaced / repaired (expansion tank). Not sure about water pump or thermostat. Will check the records for all of that.

I am reserving maintenance money annually for care. If not done already, I believe an transmission fluid change would be upcoming near 100,000 miles?

David

^Congrats on the new E39. You don't have to wait on changing the tranny fluid if you're gonna do it. Show us pictures when you had it for a formal introduction

David-

That car looked like a real Cherry - Nice job! It has an interesting package too - Sport/premium with comfort seats with built in lumbar support - I think that's pretty rare. From the picks the car looked pretty flawless.

Enjoy the car! I think you got a very good car at a great price - will be hard to beat that. I've been looking for a while & that one really stuck out.

Read the forums & ask the service department, other BMW mechanics on what should be taken car of & when - such as the ATF - in the meantime - ENJOY!

Keep an eye out for me - 2003 530i Sport/Premium TOPAZ Blue/Gray

Bes t- Colin

Just an update. The 530 i was fully intended to be a weekend driver, but not even every weekend. I know the coolant system is probably the weakest point on the E-39. Here is where I am at 5 weeks into ownership.

Purchased on or about December 10, 2012 -- Drove maybe 120 miles
Between December 10 and January 11 -- Drove maybe 75 miles
January 11 -- drove 145 miles one way, parked two nights
January 13 -- drove 145 miles back ----at about the 100 mile point, the service engine light soon appeared. Car driving spectacular, no issues. I kept a close eye on all gauges, no issues. 45 miles later at the house, "ding" --- check coolant level appeared for the 1st time. I let the engine cool down, a good 2 hours, open the hood and there was a small amount of coolant near the radiator cap. Very little, nothing whatsoever on the ground. Found BMW blue coolant, put about 6 ounces in and scheduled an appointment at user recommended site in Ft. Worth (Lone Star Bavarian). Service engine soon light never went out.

January 17 -- drove her to Lone Star Bavarian, about a 25 mile trip. At about mile 20, the check coolant light level scrolled again. Arrived at Lone Star Bavarian, checked under hood; definintely more leakeage this go around.

Currently awaiting diagnostic, but we could see a slight leak from the bottom radiator hose. Hope that's it, but won't know till later today (18th).

This car is amazing on the road, hugs the ground, steering is tight, fun to drive. Hope to get another 100K out of her.

David

Good news...I think... The radiator / expansion tank / water pump was all replaced 4 years ago.

Diagnostic show the thermostat failed and that is where the leak was from.

David

It never ceases to amaze me how these cars begin to spit up cooling components at around the 100K mark. Like clockwork.