[blk528isport]

Yeah I’m real happy with my 3rd e39 that I bought this March (2003 540i M Dinan 4). It had 83k on in it - now 115k daily & nightly driver.. Can’t get enough seat time !

 

[RAZ1777]

Wow - I didn't know I was is such good company!!! Nice to see the above posts match my experiences.

I have had 3 e39 BMWs that went over 300,000, and an X5 over 200K.

My first e39 was a 1997 540i 6 speed manual. I bought it at 160K and sold it at 317K to a coworker because my kids were coming up on driving. I didn't think it was a good idea to give the 540i to a 16 year old driver. When my coworker retired the 540 had 340K.

The second e39 was a 2002 525i purchased for my son's first car. Bought at 150K and sold at 324k.

The third e39 was a 2002 530i purchased for my daughter's first car. Bought it at 158K and still have it with 327K on it.

My forth(!) e39 I just picked up in Feb 2020 - a 2002 540i 6 speed manual - for ME!. It's just a baby with only 98K on it now.

Along the way I also bought the wife a new e53 X5 in 2002 and it now has 213K,

All of them had the original motor and transmission. None of them required major engine work, the heads were never removed, no valve train or carnk/rod bearings, etc.

I only use Mobil 1 motor oil, and perform almost all work on the cars. Tires and alignments are a couple things I have not invested in tool to do.

Isn't it great to know a model well so that you don't have to learn new stuff ever time it needs work?

 

[tja623]

If Anybody in the Annapolis, MD area wants an e39, 540i, auto, as donor vehicle, find me, TJ, at TriTec Automotive, Annapolis. It has 212000 and in need of chain guides. I have no time these days to properly care for it, but it was great to me... My wife wants it out of the driveway saying I'll never fix it. Comes with complete suspension in a box and various other parts.Also has very nice Beyern RAPP silver wheels. I'm a tech and it was my second car/ongoing project. Just want it to go to a good home instead of a junkyard for $350 and a "free" tow.

 

[DerekJr.]

The original engine died like 3 months ago at 320k miles...probably the bottom end is gone. I took the opportunity to fit the larger 2.8litre engine out of a 528i that had 155k miles. It was also a good opportunity to learn all things about replacing an engine which I haven't done prior.

 

[Boosted12a]

An I though I was doing something with 208k on my 540. Impressive to see these numbers. Almost Volvo territory.

 

[borntodeal]

For all you high-mileage club folks, I have a 2002 530i with more than 200K miles and it won't start below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. No one can figure it out. I have replaced lots of parts per the mechanic. It still fails to start in the cold but starts instantly, without hesitation, above 55 degrees and runs perfectly. Any takers on this mystery?

 

[effduration]

For all you high-mileage club folks, I have a 2002 530i with more than 200K miles and it won't start below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. No one can figure it out. I have replaced lots of parts per the mechanic. It still fails to start in the cold but starts instantly, without hesitation, above 55 degrees and runs perfectly. Any takers on this mystery?

Are you and the car really in Southern California ? If so, then find another non-dealer BMW specialist...and no one else. Look at reviews...

55 degrees is not that cold and should not trigger a non-start .

 

[cn90]

Look into ECT sensor, located either between cyl #1&#2 or #5-#6, can't remember which year is which
If you ever replace the ECT, use only BMW Genuine part...

 

[norseman01]

Ha, it's been fairly reliable. The weakest link has been the cooling system.....various components failing at various times. But it's a good donkey of a car.

Makes my 523i look lame at only 161k, though with the tamper dot on who knows
Yes, the cooling system does appear to be their achilleas heel, that & structural corrosion in the earlier models.
Mine will be 25 years old in June & is still solid underneath with a tidy body .. just the boot being professionally resprayed.
Faults? the usual cluster ribbon character fade, the front springs are a bit tired, A/C needs a re-gas each Spring & of course the infamous E39 rubbish handbrake.

 

[stilldriving]

98 E39 M62 high mileage
I have the trifecta and I have not been able to get to it on my 98 but I estimate the miles to be at least 350 K

I am in between deciding to keep her, or or just give her to someone else, as she needs some TLC on account of having too many vehicles. The only reason I’ve held onto her this long is because she’s the green and sand combo. I absolutely love that color combination. Plus she’s pre-Vanos.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wiredawg100]

(2001) 525I, Mileage pic taken today, May 4. 2024. Purchased in the first halve of 2008 & I believe I am the 3rd owner. She was a beaut at one time. Today, she's petty much my beater now. I had to loan it to the wife (her vehicle is at the dealership, DTC issue). Yesterday, she snapped half the front spoiler via a dip from a parking lot onto the street. SMH
Now its my snaggle-toothe beater.

beater.

 

[taz.]

500000km on my old 525TDS, 387000km on my 520iA

 

[Aristoc]

I always wondered about attaching side skirts like that. It would cover up some rusty spots.

(2001) 525I, Mileage pic taken today, May 4. 2024. Purchased in the first halve of 2008 & I believe I am the 3rd owner. She was a beaut at one time. Today, she's petty much my beater now. I had to loan it to the wife (her vehicle is at the dealership, DTC issue). Yesterday, she snapped half the front spoiler via a dip from a parking lot onto the street. SMH
Now its my snaggle-toothe beater.

beater. View attachment 1118356

 

[taz.]

(2001) 525I, Mileage pic taken today, May 4. 2024. Purchased in the first halve of 2008 & I believe I am the 3rd owner. She was a beaut at one time. Today, she's petty much my beater now. I had to loan it to the wife (her vehicle is at the dealership, DTC issue). Yesterday, she snapped half the front spoiler via a dip from a parking lot onto the street. SMH
Now its my snaggle-toothe beater.

beater.

I would be pi...d, if she came home with the car like that. Then she would have been missing teeth beater🤣

 

[MMMM_ERT]

DAmn....I thought my 245K miles was impressive, some of you folks have some amazing numbers.

 

[540 M-Sport]

2001 540 M-Sport. 363,000 miles. Canadian market car I imported back in 2003. Continues to be daily driven...even though I bought its replacement a M550iX...but ended up preferring the 540. M550iX sits a lot on a battery tender.

 

[bmw blue]

This was from yesterday, turned over 194,000. I have driven it maybe a bit over 5,000 miles in the last 6 years.

 

[ClassicChris]

2001 BMW 525iAT ”Sport Wagon” with 255,202 miles on original engine and transmission.

 

[DHoang]

This was my mileage on 09/08/2024:

...my mileage one yr later:

almost all of those miles got put to good use towing my trailer
w/ a motorcycle on board heading out to some staging area.

 

[taz.]

@DHoang You check engine light is on, put some tape on it🤣