Looking at a 2002 bmw 530i sport estate,

its got a FSH, 110k, auto and all the options. Any points to look for apart from making sure everything works? Any well known engine issues? Google doesn't show any single point that I can find.

Email me if you need any info.

Triple check the service history, you wanna aim for full BMW service history.

Also you can give any BMW dealer the reg and they will give you a list of BMW uk services.

go on bmw5.co.uk. there is a buyers guide on the forum. Theres not much that goes wrong with them.

[Edited on 18/4/10 by Danozeman]

the guys had it from new and bar the first 3 services its all been done at a well known and respected specialist so happy from that point of view as hes got all the receipts too.

Am I right in thinking the auto box on these is the strong ZF one not the troublesome GM fitted to the 530D? Is it a case of if the box is working fine don't change the fluid as that 'could' cause problems?

Locostbuyer83 if there's any pointers you can give me could you U2U them to me? I've checked its a UK car and got a full printout of its spec too.

Have a check on the gearbox oil change.They only run on "speical" oil....Don't be put off by that though.Valvoline Maxlife is what I have used in the past.Its a lay underneath job to check.Well covered on lots of different forums.It'll be a ZF 'box (Should be "steptronic"style).I have had a lot of dealings with late BMW's.A very good brand of car,There is loads of support and parts out there.Buy it

[Edited on 18/4/10 by TPG]

[Edited on 18/4/10 by TPG]

Owned my 528i e39 for nearly 4 years. Great cars. Heres what I know to look out for:

On the e39 in general:

1) Wobbles
Take it all the way up to 80mph ish - should be no wobbles or vibes transient or otherwise. Thrust arm bushings front and rear can be the cause and are pretty expensive (alloy arms, bushes need pressing out/in by ind specialist / BMW)
2) VANOS
Start it up and listen to it. Should be no rattles whatsoever regardless of what the seller tells you. These engines tickover super smoothly - once warm, with a hand on the gear lever you should feel nothing but the slightest tremble. If theres vibes or a rattly noise accompanied by a lack of power / difficulty pulling away smoothly its probably the VANOS unit (theres 2 on that engine). Expensive to replace / very time consuming to repair if you DIY it - google it theres a write-up somewhere.
3) Wheels
Watch out for BMW alloys especially in my experience the Style 66 wheels. These bend extremely easily especially on the inside edge at the rear - mine had done so badly one had actually split. If you can, get under and look at the rim. New these are laughably expensive - 2nd hand they might be just as bad (my replacment set off ebay were!)
4) Cooling system
Various reports of plastic water pump impellers cracking / thermostats failing on 528i / might be same on 530i too. Check the service history and see if the coolant has been changed at the right time / stat ever been changed / pump been changed. If you plan on keeping it, Id replace the stat as a service item - dead easy, max. an hour and part not expensive from BMW.
5) Leccy stuff
Check everything! My LKM failed (light control unit) meaning the lights flickered all the time and sometimes main beam stayed on, no relays, its all FETs - mega expensive to fix unles you have a soldeirng iron and nothing to lose!
Also if it has comms check it accepts your SIM card - my phone doesnt work and sometimes pixels fail on the dash display.

Other than that - it will be awesome if its a goodun. They handle much better than the size would suggest and eat up the miles in comfort / give pretty good MPGs.

Would defo reccommend!

Hope all that helps?!

Geoff

Geoff

It all helps, I know they make a few changes to 528 lump/issues when they introduced the 530 including a metal impeller on the water pump and a few tweaks to the cooling system.

Its got the standard 'sport' wheels that came with it as part a full 'M' pack.

Its got cream leather that i'm not 100% keen on as it could do with a full clean/treatment to bring it back to a nice standard but everything else about it seems spot on.

What sort of mpg were/are you getting from your 528? I know the bigger engines tend to give the same MPG as the smaller ones.

My only concern is that it'd do 30mpg on a motorway run.

Also to add its had the control modules for the lights and window's replaced about 2 years ago.

[Edited on 18/4/10 by franky]

You should get 35mpg without trying too hard on a long run. I get 32mpg on average with a mix of A road crusing and a bit of gunning it on the twisty stuff for a giggle. Ok given the size of engine / weight of car.

You probably already know this but if its being sold as a Sport make sure it really is one. Should have the thigh support on the seats, M steering wheel and the nicer bumpers etc etc.

Only other thing is the door seals which on the earlier models squeak - its no big deal but once you notice it, it gets on your nerves! Later models of e39 had felt seals and were quieter.

Mmm, I think thats it.

Fluids in the gearbox are supposedly an issue as mentioned for the auto - I cant comment from experience since mine is the manual but there are some knowledgable peeps on the forums and supposedly the redline lubes are favoured.

Its a genuine sport, BM dealer confirmed it then sent me the full spec..



that was expensive!

Sounds like a very nicely specced e39.

Wish mine was the sport - Ive had to make do with bolting on new old stock sport bits like every wannabe...