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Post by Tim on Jan 25, 2021 15:35:03 GMT
But not the one you think  My brother in law's 5 series Touring has been stored at our house for the last few weeks - since he got his Honda Civic. The plan was for him to sort out the mystery electrical ailments afflicting the 5 but in the meantime it's been looking sorry for itself on the drive and being unused apart from me occasionally taking it for a short spin to keep it slightly active. Anyway in light of disposing of the 320 and the 5 series being taxed and MOT'd it seemed like a good idea for him to transfer the ownership to me so we can put it into more regular use. So we did that on Friday. That means I'm now the proud owner of a 2003 530d Touring with about 190k miles on the clock, several warning lights on the dashboard and the helpful comment "don't use it if you need to be somewhere for a particular time". I'm told likely faults will include the gearbox forgetting how to engage gears and the self-levelling suspension pumping right up so the nose points at the floor. Fortunately he's passed on his iCarSoft plug-in code reader so these 'extras' can be dealt with. Note that 17" alloys used to look perfectly adequate on a 5 series. In addition the bonnet was up so I could fill the screenwash.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2021 17:05:52 GMT
Apart from some grime, it looks perfectly decent, I reckon anyway.
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Post by ChrisM on Jan 25, 2021 17:07:48 GMT
Are you looking to keep it, or hand it on ?
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Post by Tim on Jan 26, 2021 9:20:09 GMT
Apart from some grime, it looks perfectly decent, I reckon anyway. I photographed its best side. It had some welding at the offside rear sill to get through the MOT last year - expensive because the fuel tank had to come off. All the arches are bubbling a bit as well and there's clearly some inlet/boost issue because it doesn't really get going until about 3k revs. It'll do for taking crap to the skip though - although that requires a booking at the moment so I'll leave myself plenty of time. Chris, it's not really our decision to make. B-i-L thinks he's going to fix it up and keep it, says it has sentimental value, etc. He took it down to Czech twice and Mrs Tim drove it back the 2nd time. It's got massage seats that still work but, oddly they don't have the heating option. |
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Post by PetrolEd on Jan 26, 2021 9:29:17 GMT
The E39 5 Series in M sport spec was a bloody good looking car. I wish some of the current design team would use this as inspiration.
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Post by Alex on Jan 26, 2021 16:28:39 GMT
One of the best looking estates ever made those. They got the styling and proportions just right. Most are a but grotty these days sadly especially, as you've found, the rust has worked it's way in eventually and the electrics are starting to show their age.
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Post by Blarno on Jan 26, 2021 16:32:16 GMT
Manuel or slusher? I've been thinking recently about binning the E46 off and getting one of these.
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Post by Tim on Jan 26, 2021 16:36:24 GMT
Manuel or slusher? I've been thinking recently about binning the E46 off and getting one of these. Slusher. Mrs Tim loves it. It's currently parked outside with a large chest of drawers in the back - who needs a Volvo! |
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Post by johnc on Jan 26, 2021 16:59:31 GMT
Re the low revs boost problem, check the turbo hoses because when they age they go a bit brittle and can crack. A new hose(s) might sort that problem for a few £'s.
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Post by PG on Jan 26, 2021 20:52:59 GMT
Ah, those nostalgic days when BMW's actually looked good.
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Post by Tim on Jan 27, 2021 11:09:09 GMT
Re the low revs boost problem, check the turbo hoses because when they age they go a bit brittle and can crack. A new hose(s) might sort that problem for a few £'s. I'll check that, it does give what feels like full boost at higher revs but it's sluggish before that. |
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Post by rodge on Jan 29, 2021 4:04:44 GMT
Always fancied owning one like that, great all purpose car.
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Post by Blarno on Jan 29, 2021 12:43:48 GMT
Re the low revs boost problem, check the turbo hoses because when they age they go a bit brittle and can crack. A new hose(s) might sort that problem for a few £'s. I'll check that, it does give what feels like full boost at higher revs but it's sluggish before that. Also might be worth considering the boost control solenoid or the vacuum lines from it. I replaced all my vacuum lines (turbo and EGR) for less than a tenner with silicon tubing that won't perish. |
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Post by Tim on Feb 1, 2021 9:52:59 GMT
Sounds like a summer job!
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Post by ChrisM on Feb 1, 2021 10:41:20 GMT
A quick google on car specs shows that the elderly 5-series touring is in fact only a few inches longer than the current 3 series touring
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Post by Stuntman on Feb 1, 2021 22:06:07 GMT
I like the colour Good luck with the diagnosis and fixes! |
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Post by Tim on Feb 2, 2021 9:29:41 GMT
Thanks Dan, I'm not sure exactly what colour it is yet. Since it's a 53 plate, i.e. last of the line, there might've been some run-out colours offered. I'll need to get my finger out, clean it and the M5 and take some shots of them together. Sounds like another job for the summer |
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Post by PG on Feb 2, 2021 9:59:15 GMT
Roll om the summer - you'll be busy |
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Post by racingteatray on Feb 4, 2021 19:08:45 GMT
Thanks Dan, I'm not sure exactly what colour it is yet. Since it's a 53 plate, i.e. last of the line, there might've been some run-out colours offered. I'll need to get my finger out, clean it and the M5 and take some shots of them together. Sounds like another job for the summer Is it not written on a plaque under the bonnet or somewhere? BMW usually has it stamped somewhere, albeit in German. www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=43785&title=e39-coloursI'd assumed it was Avus Blue or Le Mans Blue - what shade is your M5? |
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Post by Tim on Feb 5, 2021 9:28:52 GMT
The M5 is Le Mans blue but as far as I know that was an M specific colour. I think Avus was a bit lighter, unless I'm getting it confused with another colour.
I'll try to remember to have a look next time I'm under the bonnet.
The under bonnet is covered in bits of paper from notes about work done to the car.
It got an oil change when it was in Czech and they continued the tradition!
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Post by Blarno on Feb 5, 2021 14:14:45 GMT
It should be stamped on one of the front strut towers in German.
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Post by Stuntman on Feb 5, 2021 20:29:52 GMT
Le Mans Blue is definitely not an M specific colour. It's certainly been available on some cooking 3ers and 5ers.
My initial thought was that the car was indeed Le Mans Blue, but Racing may have a point regarding Avus.
Anyway - if nothing else, it's a nice colour!
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Post by Martin on Feb 5, 2021 21:10:31 GMT
Le Mans Blue is definitely not an M specific colour. It's certainly been available on some cooking 3ers and 5ers. My initial thought was that the car was indeed Le Mans Blue, but Racing may have a point regarding Avus. Anyway - if nothing else, it's a nice colour! It has indeed and even on the low heat cooking models!  |
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Post by Tim on Feb 8, 2021 9:29:46 GMT
Sorry, I meant I thought Le Mans blue was M specific when applied to E39s. Martin, that looks quite flat you really should be cleaning cars before you take photos  |
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Post by Martin on Feb 8, 2021 9:48:25 GMT
Sorry, I meant I thought Le Mans blue was M specific when applied to E39s. Martin, that looks quite flat you really should be cleaning cars before you take photos Yes, I can't believe I took a picture of a dirty car! I couldn't quickly find a picture of it clean, that was the day it went back and I'd already moved onto the new one.... |
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Post by Sav on Feb 8, 2021 22:56:32 GMT
It must be Topaz Blue.
I still love the look of E39's, it is BMW's best-looking car imo. Which right now doesn't sound like I'm saying much, but was from an era where BMW's didn't look damn right ugly.
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Post by Blarno on Feb 9, 2021 12:10:44 GMT
E39 and E46 are the high watermarks.
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Post by Stuntman on Feb 9, 2021 22:11:37 GMT
 I think the E90 looks sharp still in M configuration... |
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Post by johnc on Feb 10, 2021 8:36:39 GMT
Without the eyebrows on the grills the E90 was a very good looking car. A friend still has his E92 M3, a car he bought in 2007 and he doesn't want to let it go.
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Post by Tim on Feb 10, 2021 10:05:44 GMT
I would really love an E90 M3 saloon. Preferably in a nice dark blue.......  |
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