recommendations for 5 series year / model - in UK

I have just sold my 1995 E34 525TDS, and whilst it had a few problems which
I sorted, I really liked the car.
However, the replacement does not inspire confidence and so I am looking for
another 5 ? series and have
the following wishlist.
Diesel, Manual, reliable, age between 1997 and 2001 and a budget of around
GBP £8K or a bit more if justified.
I can do most work myself but do not have many "special" tools.

Can anyone point me to models to look for and those to avoid for ? whatever
reasons ?

I guess it may/must be an E39, but don't know much model history / years to
avoid / gadgets to go for etc..

Appreciate comments and suggestions

Thanks,

Nick

E39 530d is well-regarded. Only significant weakness might be the
plastic/aluminum radiator which can develop cracks in high-miles cars.

Not sure if diesel can be optioned with sport suspension, but it makes an
already fine-handling machine even better. There are no "stay away from"
options for the car., but the navigation system is notably inferior to that
offered on Japanese luxury cars of the same era.

R / John

"Nick" > wrote in message
...
>I have just sold my 1995 E34 525TDS, and whilst it had a few problems which
>I sorted, I really liked the car.
> However, the replacement does not inspire confidence and so I am looking
> for another 5 ? series and have
> the following wishlist.
> Diesel, Manual, reliable, age between 1997 and 2001 and a budget of around
> GBP £8K or a bit more if justified.
> I can do most work myself but do not have many "special" tools.
>
> Can anyone point me to models to look for and those to avoid for ?
> whatever reasons ?
>
> I guess it may/must be an E39, but don't know much model history / years
> to avoid / gadgets to go for etc..
>
> Appreciate comments and suggestions
>
> Thanks,
>
> Nick
>

John Carrier wrote:
> E39 530d is well-regarded. Only significant weakness might be the
> plastic/aluminum radiator which can develop cracks in high-miles cars.
>
> Not sure if diesel can be optioned with sport suspension, but it makes an
> already fine-handling machine even better. There are no "stay away from"
> options for the car., but the navigation system is notably inferior to that
> offered on Japanese luxury cars of the same era.
>
You guys are lucky to get BMW diesels. If BMW ever offers it here in
the US, I wouldn't hestitate to get one, especially if you can get it
with the sport suspension. After all, once the cars gets kind of old,
you can convert it to "bio-diesel" and drive around smelling like
french fries (or are we still calling it "FREEDOM FRIES.")

In article . com>,
bfd > wrote:
>You guys are lucky to get BMW diesels. If BMW ever offers it here in
>the US, I wouldn't hestitate to get one, especially if you can get it
>with the sport suspension. After all, once the cars gets kind of old,
>you can convert it to "bio-diesel" and drive around smelling like
>french fries

My neighbors car smells like won tons. I was behind a bus last week
that smelled like curry.

If I'm not mistaken the lincoln diesels had bmw engines.
--
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John Carrier wrote:
> E39 530d is well-regarded. Only significant weakness might be the
> plastic/aluminum radiator which can develop cracks in high-miles cars.
>
> Not sure if diesel can be optioned with sport suspension, but it makes an
> already fine-handling machine even better. There are no "stay away from"
> options for the car., but the navigation system is notably inferior to that
> offered on Japanese luxury cars of the same era.
>
You guys are lucky to get BMW diesels. If BMW ever offers it here in
the US, I wouldn't hestitate to get one, especially if you can get it
with the sport suspension. After all, once the cars gets kind of old,
you can convert it to "bio-diesel" and drive around smelling like
french fries (or are we still calling it "FREEDOM FRIES.")

"bfd" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> John Carrier wrote:
>> E39 530d is well-regarded. Only significant weakness might be the
>> plastic/aluminum radiator which can develop cracks in high-miles cars.
>>
>> Not sure if diesel can be optioned with sport suspension, but it makes an
>> already fine-handling machine even better. There are no "stay away
>> from"
>> options for the car., but the navigation system is notably inferior to
>> that
>> offered on Japanese luxury cars of the same era.
>>
> You guys are lucky to get BMW diesels. If BMW ever offers it here in
> the US, I wouldn't hestitate to get one, especially if you can get it
> with the sport suspension. After all, once the cars gets kind of old,
> you can convert it to "bio-diesel" and drive around smelling like
> french fries (or are we still calling it "FREEDOM FRIES.")
>

Can't you import them ?

Nick

Nick wrote:
> "bfd" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> >
> > John Carrier wrote:
> >> E39 530d is well-regarded. Only significant weakness might be the
> >> plastic/aluminum radiator which can develop cracks in high-miles cars.
> >>
> >> Not sure if diesel can be optioned with sport suspension, but it makes an
> >> already fine-handling machine even better. There are no "stay away
> >> from"
> >> options for the car., but the navigation system is notably inferior to
> >> that
> >> offered on Japanese luxury cars of the same era.
> >>
> > You guys are lucky to get BMW diesels. If BMW ever offers it here in
> > the US, I wouldn't hestitate to get one, especially if you can get it
> > with the sport suspension. After all, once the cars gets kind of old,
> > you can convert it to "bio-diesel" and drive around smelling like
> > french fries (or are we still calling it "FREEDOM FRIES.")
> >
>
> Can't you import them ?
>
Not that I'm aware of. We have very strict emission laws, especially
here in California. BMW would need to certify that a diesel engine
meets all EPA/California emission requirement. BMW hasn't sold a diesel
in the US since the E28 524td way back in 1986 or 87.

However, its my understanding that in either 2007 or 08, the US will be
going to something called ultra clean diesel fuel and BMW is suppose to
bring in the highly praised 535d.

One other thing, I would try to stay away from idrive and BMW
navigation as soon as possible. In the US, only the E90 3 Series allows
this option. I bet most people end up not getting either.

>>
> Not that I'm aware of. We have very strict emission laws, especially
> here in California. BMW would need to certify that a diesel engine
> meets all EPA/California emission requirement. BMW hasn't sold a diesel
> in the US since the E28 524td way back in 1986 or 87.
>
> However, its my understanding that in either 2007 or 08, the US will be
> going to something called ultra clean diesel fuel and BMW is suppose to
> bring in the highly praised 535d.
>
> One other thing, I would try to stay away from idrive and BMW
> navigation as soon as possible. In the US, only the E90 3 Series allows
> this option. I bet most people end up not getting either.
>
OK - I thought the euro ones had to meet pretty tight laws nowadays as well
though -
but praps yours are tighter - however some of us Europeans have the
?misguided? opinion that
the US seems to care less about emissions / fuel economy than the Europeans
in their general
lifestyle

Nick

bfd wrote:
>
> However, its my understanding that in either 2007 or 08, the US will be
> going to something called ultra clean diesel fuel and BMW is suppose to
> bring in the highly praised 535d.

ULSD day in the USA is October 1.

80% of the diesel available must be ULSD except in California where it
is 100%.

Fireworks and excessive consiousness modification would be appropriate.

...

In article . com>,
bfd > wrote:
> You guys are lucky to get BMW diesels. If BMW ever offers it here in
> the US, I wouldn't hestitate to get one, especially if you can get it
> with the sport suspension. After all, once the cars gets kind of old,
> you can convert it to "bio-diesel" and drive around smelling like
> french fries (or are we still calling it "FREEDOM FRIES.")

Not all modern high tech diesels will run on bio diesel without
modification.

--
*My designated driver drove me to drink

Dave Plowman London SW
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