As an E39 540i owner, NO E39 is reliable. However they are worth it. The V8s are definitely more sturdy than the 6 cylinder engines if you manage to overheat either of them, the V8 will most likely survive whereas the 6 cylinders are prone to head gasket failures or warped heads under that circumstance, outside of that, reliability wise, the community agrees they are about the same (give or take per each owners experience) The 5HP19 used in the 6 cylinder engines can lose reverse from relatively low miles, whereas the 5HP24 in the V8s are a bit more robust. However if you service either of these transmissions they should treat you very well, whining or jerky shifts indicates low fluid. Something completely glossed over in this video is the cooling system.They are notoriously fragile in these cars, if you purchase one without any evidence of recent cooling system work, budget for replacement parts (radiator, hoses, fan clutch, Go for a HEPU brand water pump if you can). cooling system failures are probably the biggest killer of 6 cylinder models and the main reason why they end up in a scrap yard. Provided the cooling system is looked after, a manual transmission 6 cylinder E39 should last an incredibly long time. The V8 engines do suffer from timing chain guide failure from around 150k miles (sometimes they last well over 200k) This is a heavily documented DIY job and should you have the tools and confidence, it can be done by the most novice of mechanics. I have never heard about nikasil liners being a problem in the US or UK, they may be confusing that information with the E34, which even than had very few reported problems as it ultimately wasn't an issue anyway, or engines were replaced under warranty. I can only recommend these cars to someone who will truly know they will enjoy it and is not afraid to work on their own cars and never as a "cheap runabout", because it wont be. You should be diligent with maintenance (like any car really) and they will go forever and ever. Enjoy!

I have sold my 523i last year. It had 603000miles in it! Almost a million km! I wasn't even thinking on buying something new instead. I bought a low mileage E39 528i an i will keep it for many many more years. I also bought two 540is a sedan and a touring, in case i will run into some small issues a will still have some backup cars, and also because they are holding value quiet nice, maybe they will be increasing at some time too... I don't think i will have mobility issues in the next couple decades with these cars owned. I recommend this to everyone. Don't buy a new car, get some E39s instead. You think it is not environmentally correct? Think about how low the effectiveness of reclycling a car is, how much emmissions it takes to produce a brand new car, and also and how many more miles i can still make in these cars comfortabely, with only 2-3litres more fuel burnt per 100km. It will take millions of kms to make up for the damage you caused by making a new car. Which won't last that much either...

Title and discription in english video in dutch ... okay

My E39 has 23 years, 220.000 km. With regular servicing and “normal” driving I still have all original components on it and it runs smoothly like any new middle class car.

Nog een groot pluspunt, dit is in tegenstelling tot de E60 bijvoorbeeld echt een auto die degelijk in elkaar zit, het interieur sluit naadloos aan en vertoont geen enkel kraakje of bijgeluiden, en alles komt geweldig solide over. Tijdloos design!! In mijn ogen samen met de E34 de mooiste 5 serie, alleen de E34 oogt (met name in het interieur) een stuk gedateerder...

Other problems I had with my E39 525D M57 engine about 400k kms: I know that for most cars 400k kms is a lot, but this BMW it's still awesome at this mileage. This car at this point runs awesomely. Yesterday an experienced mechanic told me that I have a jewel under my ass. But even in that case I can't expect a 14 year old car to run as new. I've heard from other people as well about most of the following problems: - Thermostat failed - All 6 glow plugs failed - Both engine mounts broke - Both transmission bearing sets (gearbox mount) broke - AC ventilator failed - There are 3 fuel pumps (1 high-pressure, 2 normal), one of the low-pressure failed - Flexible exhaust coupling leaked - Drive shaft (cardan) makes noise (no observable issue but annoying clicking sound) - Turbo pipes leaked - Front shock absorber failed - Parking sensor failed - Car key battery failed - Xenon lights ballast failed - Rear brake pipe failed - Handbrake shoes failed

I always enjoy your used car buyer's reviews, they are helpful and done well with good English subtitles. Thank you.

voor 100 euro kan je je pixels laten repareren in den helder

Bought e39 528i NFL for 900euros, runs smooth and has no problems :)

Small corrections: there's no need to coding ECU after MAF replaced if you assembled new one with same number. Automatic gearbox need fresh oil after 50000 km - not after 120000 miles. Fading pixels cost less than 30 euro for MID and about 50 euro for tacho, so not so very expensive (even cheaper if you do this by your own ).

Thanks for the english subs. Very interesting stuff you guys are making! Think I'll subscribe

Voor de mensen die de lcd willen repareren op deze modellen : het is vaak niet het display zelf wat de geest geeft, maar de flexibele kabel die het display met de printplaat verbindt, je kan deze zelf vervangen (er zijn genoeg video's en instructies beschikbaar) en zodra je hem vervangt met de verzilverde connector kabel (ruwweg 15 euro) zou het probleem verholpen moeten zijn.

Ik ben zelf eigenaar van een E39 M5, fantastische auto! Ben benieuwd naar jullie review!

Funny, cause where I live (Sweden) I believe touring with manual gearbox is the common. On the other hand, that goes for any brand in this country where 35% of all registered cars are Volvo bricks.

Dit was echt een nice review. Sommige auto's zijn zo goed dat je niet per se de nieuwste wil. :)

one thing he did not mention is that the m54b22 (2,2l) engine consumes oil. And also leaks oil around oilfilter housing, valvue cover gaskest so even if u fix aall the oil leaks u have to know that it uses oil. around 0.8l every 1000km

Good review, I wish I could have see more from the camera when u were pointing out.

E38 buyers review pls!

e39 ftw

While you're already fulfilling my requests, could you do a video about the Mazda CX-7?

heb er een voor 1000 gekocht paar maanden geleden. doet het nog steeds super.

what a brilliant bimmer. now spare parts are fairly cheap as well adds more to the reason why i should buy one.

kunnen jullie niet een duotest maken van de e39 en de e60 M5 zou me leuk lijken zijn beide supermooie auto's

Thanks a lot for this video.

Good stuff, just looking for E39 to buy.

Bij de diesels willen ook nog wel eens na 200k km de turbo de geest geven. Heb ik in ieder geval gehad en BMW vertelde mij dat ze het vaker hebben voor zien komen.

do you can test the Mercedes-Benz W211 estate wagon?

Mooie wagen! Al zou ik eerder voor de sedan gaan

gaan jullie ook een keer een 1ste auto special doen

Jullie zijn vergeten dat de open daken van de e39 vaaak stuk gaan

Mooie video!

I'm buying this model car!

Best variant is 530d e39.

volgende renault megane 2 ?

I have an E39 530d .

E30 buyers review please!!

Wenn ihr das Video auf Holländisch macht, wieso ist dann die Beschreibung auf Englisch? Ich versteh jedenfalls kein Wort...

I was considering a E39 if i ever get rid of my C5 A6 Avant but the number of small issues these cars have would drive me mad.

1:35 530 D?

fuck I though this was gonna be in human language, not Klingon...

Rij nu een E46, zit er over te denken om met een jaartje over te stappen op een E39 of een E60. Weet iemand of de E39 en E60 kwa onderhoud veel meer kosten dan een E46? Alvast bedankt!

en 525 tds 143pk vergeten ? mijn heeft 5ton op de teller , (535i V8 bestaat ook) 520d 4 cylinder 136pk voor 1700kg....., is gewoon voor landen met hoge rijtaks , e39 veel te zwaar voor kleine 4 cylinder , goed voor e46 320d

Ik vind een E34 ook een hele goede 5 Serie.

my e39 ma 150 km

When doing english subs,dont translate km to miles please.its wrong.and rude.

E34

Tell people it's not in English

What is the main reason people bought a touring than a sedan?

530D :-)

This language has got to be the closest thing to gibberish 😂

toffe wagen tot dat de rekeningen van 2000+ euro beginnen komen .

L

Wij hebben de e39 523i :D

soms heb ik het idee dat ze echt geen idee hebben waar ze over praten 18k kost een m5 e39 die kan je niet vergelijken met een e39 simpele diesel of benzine die kosten letterlijk geen drol... al heb je een e39 in goeie staat krijg je nooit van je leven meer dan 10k voor.....

Great looking car, great drive, rubbish reliability.

I once bought an e39. It was a fucking money pit. Avoid.

10k voor een wrak van 14 jaar oud?!?!?!?!?!

English please.

technically useless.. aside from "pretty".