What to look for when buying a used BMW E46 or E39
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2015
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This video is designed to help individuals looking to purchase a BMW E39 or e46, in this video I point out many things to look for when buying these cars that could potentially cost a lot of money upfront to get the car drivable and reliable.
BMW e39 e46 buyers guide also things to look out for
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Its so funny how I have almost everything wrong that you pointed out
basically check every little thing, I don't know why I still love these cars Hahaha, everything fails and I still bought another one that I have to fix.
Roberto Sunga same lol. Crazy. I just sold my 335i at 100k miles. The car had soooo many little issues. I have no car at the moment. Taking my time.
e46 or e39?
Recently bought a 540i with 234k on it. Went to take delivery of the car at night, without knowing the problems I'd encounter. Some days later I had to check everything on the car has it was soon going to pass the car inspection. Turns out the only problem this 540i had was the xenon light adjusters. I literally did nothing else for it in order to pass the inspection. Pretty amazed.
I have owned a 528I and a 530I over the last 9 years. I replaced a water pump 3 years ago and a wheel bearing. Couple broken coil springs and a battery. Thermostats on both cars. I don't do a lot of miles but these cars have been so enjoyable to drive. But like the guy said, if you're not technical, buy a newish car with a warranty etc. I'd rather buy a fully loaded old BMW that cannot depreciate any more!
My friend bought a used 4.4l e39 with over 300 000km. So far he has had it for over 2 years. He has the skills to fix almost anything, but hasn't needed them, since the only thing to break was one bearing, which was easy and cheap to replace. That car is a fucking tank.
He has been launching it, drifting, winter drifting, racing and drifting on gravel roads, and doing over 200km/h on highways. Basically treatment that could be described as torture.
En ymmärrä ku tuntuu siltä, että vain jenkit valittaa vanhempien bemareiden luotettavuudesta toisin ku Euroopassa mis näil ajellaan maailmanloppuun saakka.
Tegthhu
Manuaali vaihteisto + jenkit = rikkinäinen auto
Some really good information here! Looking to buy a E39 soon, thank you!
thank you for taking the time to do this, very useful info.
Thanks for taking the time to make this very useful and informative video. Cheers!
Possibly the most informative and relevant e39 issues Vlog on the tube .
Very nice guide, me personally when I bought my e39 firstly I fixed the headlight adjusters .... driving in the night was real horror with the light pointed to the ground :)
Thank you for these videos. I am researching 3 and 5 series to purchase. 323, 328, 528, 530 late 90's cars. I am learning much from you.
Good video. Thanks for posting. Had a 2000 530i sport UK spec for 4 years. Wonderful car, bar the clunky, notchy manual box. Just the way it was apparently. LEDs on stereo and dials were also hopeless. However, generally easy to work on as a clueless DIY fixer. '99 530d SE Touring was another story, of the horror variety.
Cyber courage is a muh! This is some very useful info i can use. In the market for a E30 myself. Thanks Nate!
Some really good info here. I am researching which E39 manual to buy.
I appreciate your honesty and the practical advice.
Thanks, there is alot i did not go over but the video would of been 4 hours long if i went over every problem lol
+Nathan's DIY Garage i would watch it anyway....also u forgot to mention rust problem.
+Nathan's DIY Garage Did you mention the VANOS sometimes the "O rings" brake too of them so u havent got that much power. Ahh one question my e39 252000KM Build:1995 2L is pretty loud when u floor it (engine) like a metal sound. Do u know what it could be. Anyways greetings from germany
Hmm well its hard to say without hearing it, but i would first check the idler and tensioner pulleys, i hear the euro 2.2 has alot of odd problems .
ok thank u very much for the fast answer well the ingine still runs smooth but i think i have to check it the next time.
I Love my E39 2003! Amazing car. Have owned about 5-6 of them.
I'm considering buying one in a couple of months. Are they really expensive to maintain?
+Pistol Pete they are but they sure do last. They don't break down so easy.
Maybe you spend a few here and there but once that's fixed you'll be good. I've had mine for 2 years and only thing wrong within 2 years was a water pump that's about it and oil change and etc.
I have one I would consider selling It's an '03 Titanium silver....75K 540 ///M Sport. full Black Montana leather 6 speed. Car has rarely been in the rain maybe 6 times in its life. I has never been a daily driver. Has spent most of its life under a car cover in my garage in Orlando...The paint is as new. Ive owned it since '03. its still smells new inside it's that leather. The build quality of these cars is unsurpassed. The car spent 1/2 its life in Pittsburgh, never driven from November to March, I moved the car to Orlando It's only used about 100 days a year.....If you are interested let me know....These 540/// M Sports are terrific cars. I'm 66 years old an I'm tired of the shifting. However, I'll miss the way this pulls in third gear. Can't hear the motor run. 18" staggered M parallel rims. 412 389 8506
Ken Shirk Do you still have that?
This is hard to believe but a fellow who saw this comment is flying in to buy it Monday the 2nd....It's a great car and I'm torn about selling it. Good luck in your search....
Really good video! Have really helped me a lot as I are in the thought of getting a E39 touring :)
Excellent video, and really helped in my purchase of my e39
As a 6 year e46 owner I can comfirm most of these things have happend to me :P
Waterpump
all 4 ABS sensors
all 4 brake calipers have been stuck at some point(due to car sitting, did repair kits on them)
waterpump
crankcase valve thing + hoses for it and water hoses behind the engine
I have a missfire I haven't fixed yet
fuelpump failed on 250k km
oilfilter house o-rings are leaking
every bushing in the front suspension
thermostat
oil level sensor
Last bit of breaklines to the calipers
Rest I can't remember or is a normal wear part like shocks, breaks etc.
Handbrake internals
But I love driving the car, overall its not been that expensive given that I can probably drive it for another 2 years. About $1k loss per year with depreciation. I do recommend getting a obd2 bluetooth/ wifi reader if you plan on owning this car. So you can read out engine codes yourself.
Totally agree. I think suspension bushes should be classed as consumables on these cars lol.Once you get them sorted they are good cars.That misfire you have could be a vacuum leak see Nathans other videos .
The missfire is only on sylinder 1 tho, I suspect the coilpack, but not sure yet. I don't drive daily atm so its pretty much been sitting lately. I'll have to take a look at it one of these days tho.
Also if your car has been sitting outside check the spark plug tunnel for rain water, e39's love to pull that , especially if the hood was not latched
Good video man! You nailed about every aspect of my E46 (2000 328ci) that i bought a few years ago. One thing you might want to look at is the problems with the subframe separation. I'm not really qualified to talk about it, but a common problem (at least on early e46's) was the right-back bushing between the subframe and body would tear out due to faulty welding at the factory. There are videos showing it, but I can't find them right now.
+David Sutton Yea i pretty much told all the e46 dirty secrets, any e46 that is a manual is in danger of the subframe problems.
Great post! Thanks. I've had me e39 540i for several years and it's been a joy to drive and ultra-reliable as long as you do the maintenance whenever something goes wrong. And you're right, Nathan- you either better know how to fix her OR know what you're talking about so you don't get ripped off.
+Anthony Riche Yep shops are still using the "its a BMW" and parts are expensive scam lol
Awesome cars. I have 520i which Needed some TLC. But now it runs solid. I want to buy a more powerful one in the future
Great vid, learnt quite a bit there. Ive always had fords. I am gonna get myself one of these beaties. Sure look nice.
awesome viedeo man!! tnx a lot!!!
thank you very much for all you do sir.
good video;) now i know what this really loud noise is when i hitting a bump😕
I like your video thank you I have old e34 525i1992 I bought $1500 I fix my own only 110008 mile because your video it run like NEW
thanks buddy very helpful
great stuff. I checked my front end with your advice and it
needs parts. when I push back the front wheel , it moves , so I need control arm bushings. thanks again
+Vincent McIntosh Thanks for watching, you ca get the complete kit now off ebay for $94, remember the 540 parts are different from the others
The problems I had after purchased e46 was airflow censer, light switch and cooling system. The last one was the pain in ass.
"if you don't own tools this car is not for you" :D that's pretty good, and I guess accurate statement.
thank you for such thorough review.
I am considering 540i 2001 manual gearbox.
always wanted one.
but last 6 years been driving Honda (v6 6 speed coupe, which would be perfect if not for the wrong wheel drive :), had Audi had Benz had VW but Hondas because was tired of German cars for their service requirements. although I can do most of the stuff myself on a car, I am not a big fan of working on them, I just love to drive them. This review helps big time.
I got a 323i from a first owner it's all good except had to replace the window regulator and the driver seat has a little line rip in the crease other then that so good so far
Nathan, I own both an E39 and an E46. Common problem on the E46 (mine has it too with only 70,000 miles) is the faded rear package tray. These go from being colored black to appearing purple in little time from the sun. These can easily be dyed black again. Other big one inside is the pillars... the fabric has a tendency to come off the pillars. If lucky you can re-glue the fabric with some spray adhesive. Lastly is the common missing rain gutter as they have a habit of falling off. Great video... I'm subscribed.
+Nick M its true for my 2001 325c also the door gaskets and windshield rubber...
Great video bro !
yup I have fixed or need to fix just about everything on this video.
The first video that I saw from you. I must say, you are amazing and you look like a really good and positive person! Keep up the good work
+NIGHTOWL Salle Thank you for watching and i urge you to check out the other videos , im sure they will save you some money.
Thank you, sir for help. I certanly will watch other videos too! Subscribed
I just bought 330i and the cars looks it just been seating on a lot somewhere the only problem found was the passenger window needed a motor but i dont mind if the truck doesn't open with fnger latch but work with my key though. I replaced the front rotors, aligned and balanced the tires got an oil change and it already had a smog check done but now the maintenance light is on pointing to a possible air/gas leak somewhere. I even cleaned the MAF sensor.
Awesome video
Great video :)
Thanks 🙏🏻
Oil leaks are definitely a common issue on e46s... Ccv and oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket. Just a few. Great cars though, I personally haven't had too many issues on mine.
great video
I just bought a e39 530i. Thanks for the channel!
Its been 2 years. Was it worth it?
?
Also the EWS immobiliser module can fail suddenly causing a No Start of the engine, possibly leaving the driver and any passengers potentially stranded as I found out and having to have the car recovered home.
good info
Thanks for the info! Looking at a 540i/6 at the moment.
I have a parts 03 540 here if you need any parts
if you're a good mechanic or got money to burn then a Euro is good for you, awesome cars but require a gentle touch and attention to detail. as with anything do you're research and have a heads up on what you're doing first he don't bolt a problem back on not knowing it's bad or how to test it. really good info on what to expect and how to fix it / good job and keep up the good work/ shops and dealers hate people like us that know the truth!!!
Thanks for the information, I was considering a 2007 335i and a Bmw mechanic told me to stay with normally aspirated cars. I guess the old days are gone of quality made cars by BMW.
+brad andrews The 335's are not bad , the turbos are not that hard to remove if needed, you can rebuild them for roughly $150 per turbo via ebay if you do it yourself
That's an interesting coif. Reminds me of a detective from the 1980s, or a high school gym coach.
cheers man.
You couldn't look less interested if you tried
You would appreciate more than you do but I suppose you are moore; Me, I and Myself. That´s a bad life man.
tjf4375 maybe he is just tired of a holes like you
lmao
Fantastic video
+kokovq Thanks you
These are actually some of the most reliable cars around. At least they are in Europe. I have heard rumours that the US models are not assembled so well and that the dealers can be greedy. The straight sixes are generally considered more reliable than the V8 models. Diesel 530d is superb but go for the later 193 bhp models.
Najlepszym motorem jest 2,8i Te 3,0 biorą olej
Americans are clueless morons with shit dealers/garage holders that have no clue about proper car maintance in general.
First of, overall conditioning. Rust in the body, does the engine and drivetrain run smooth then last the little things around it.
I own a BMW 523i e39 now in the fourth year. Best car I've been driving. Drools ....
Have not seen the problems you show on my car.
Are the US BMWs the same as we get? Can climatic conditions be important?
Finally ... we are probably some who have higher standards for cleaning and maintenance of our BMW than you have !!!
Next car BMW 530i e39. I'm looking forward to it.
i bough one of these second hand. On test drive it was perfect. After 2 weeks a cylinder head cracked. RIP bmw im selling it for spares now.
10:00 spot on advice 👍🏻
thanks!
Hi, any idea how to fix the steptronic on 2001 525i .the indicator light beside the gear shifter is off and the sport mode does not work. I would appreciate it if you give me some tips or make a video.
Thanks
The E39 is the best looking BMW ever made in my opinion. I'm not a fan of the newer models.
Good video, some interesting points to look for when buying an older BMW such as the E39,
with even the last ones made being over 10 years old now in 2016. If older BMW's are well maintained, they last for years.
Hi Nathan, I just wanted to say thank you very much for sharing your vast Bmer knowledge with us. I have just decided after watching a couple of your video's to purchase my first Bmer from Japan, and ship it to where i live in The Kingdom of Tonga. There are only 2 other bmers on the island, so i have to do my own mechanical work. Now i get to have one of my favorite driving cars, yes! 02, 318i, 41k miles on it, from the pics it looks immaculate. When it arrives here (6 to 8 weeks) what would you do to start things off right? I believe there will be no manual and or maintenance records, but it appears to be well looked after.
Thanks again Nathan
Your new Bmer friend
Jonathan
Giic Llc y
THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION ITS NOT ABOUT HOW HE LOOK ITS ABOUT THE INFORMATION ON THE CAR
Thanks.
thanks and thumbs up... subscried
I love E46 and E39 but I'm a bit worried about the maintenance costs ..
Please get a better camera but thank for the info thinking about buying one
OK thanks will do.
yeap, i have an 02 530i and replace just about everything on it mentioned, .lol. But i did all the work myself so i saved money. I would also like to add the oil filter housing gasket go bad on these as well, also the oil supply line that goes to it goes bad, along with the crush washers for the banjo bolts on both ends of the line. Oil pan gasket, the wheel speed sensors one on each wheel, (4 Total). Make sure to clear out the cooling tube that leads to the alternator, it can become clogged with FOD (foreign object debris) and another one is the power steering banjo lines, replace those crush washers also.. LOL This is not the car for everyone, if you are not a mech, stay away from it. I might be leaving other things out ...
Also, these cars have horrible torque converter seals, most need a new one.
I lack a garage right now, The 335i has engine value issues (lack of lubrication) to injector and hpfp issues and turbo issues. It's a little more than what I can due to my present housing conditions.
+brad andrews it would have To be super cheap to even consider buying it
great list, but these are all easy fixes. It would be great if you could point out the major issues that are hard to fix. Those are the ones that concern us really
GoBIGclan Like Seriously Thank you
i hvae had problems with jerky steering wheel even dough i used ATF oil as described. another thing is that the belt(s) squeak a bit in; more when on DRIVE;REVERSE with AC on. the thing is that the belts are tension enough. what do u think it can be ? new belts ?
E46 330d or E39 530d which is better for daily? Comfort and economy is what i am aiming for
Thank You
+JonathanDoors Thanks for watching.
He said all the problem exactly which I faced in my car bmw e39 520i ...
+Chinku Kutti All the videos are on my channel to fix all of these problems i mentioned, no need to take it to a shop if you have simple tools
No it's not but when the engine is hot or when I put the gear on neutral it doesn't do it
good work im after 325i 2007
Just buy a Honda if you get scared of owning a BMW lol and no you don't have to be a mechanic to own a e39
honda are shit compared to a bmw.
My headlights do exactly as those u have...how can they be fixed..what would I need to buy
thank you , great video . i bought a 525i 2001 with 160 000 miles , i replaced the transmission, radiator, coolant pipe , fan clutch, spar plugs , head gasket , plugs cause i like this car and wanted to take care of it . should i keep it or is there anything else i should do so i don t have to worry something else will go wrong ?
the engine is probably fine, but chassis and electronics maybe get broken. But if you to change the parts you have a car for the next 80k miles
Does this video apply to a 2003 540i m sport? Im looking at a very clean one tomorrow
I bought an e39 5 series about 2 years ago and it ran fine up until recently when I noticed a weird sound when at idle, it sounds like a popcorn machine. I assumed that I have an exhaust leak somewhere in the manifold.. never took it in yet to have it checked. It has over 200k miles on the odometer. pretty sure this isn't a normal sound for the engine. Have you experienced this before in your BMW?
What about when you have cylinder misfire with fuel cut off?
"The first thing you have to look for is the trunk button" lol. Sorry just thought it was a funny way to start the video. With these cars its all about the cooling system. If the car has over 85,000 miles you NEED to have a cooling refresh done. If it hasn't been done just know you will need to do it. Upper/lower coolant hoses, thermostat, water pump sometimes even the radiator. This can get pricey if you pay to have it done but these cars are actually very easy to work on the cooling system. Basically if the original cooling system is still in place and its not leaking it will soon. Might be a good negotiation point when purchasing. Control arm bushings usually need to be replaced also. Really the biggest one is the cooling system. You do not want to overheat these cars. All aluminum blocks do not take heat very well. It can literally take a matter of minutes to warp the head when overheating.
Don't forget the rear footwells get damp because of the water vapours that need replacing. Also, creaking doors !
Those damn water vapours. I hate replacing the water vapours!
Turn signal fluid is also a pain to change
Also the dash lights and gauges will start Intermitting .Love and hate this car period
hey Nathan thanks for making the awesome video. i live in washington state and have been browsing BMWs for months now. finally i have noticed one that fits all of my desires. year 2000 323ci 34,500 miles clean title clean carfaxs the inside and outside is spotless would definitely be classified as 3% (excellent) on KBB. they're asking for $9,000 but i would probably offer them 7,500-8,000 cash. i have not contacted them to inspect/test drive yet but i would love your input on the situation.
+Voltaire Well if you like to work on stuff i would just find one with higher milage that need some things for under $1000,
Nathan's DIY Garage temp sensor
Abs pump rust on the jack up points
not sure havent look at the car like that hes gonna bring it over today
What year is that car? I am considering buying a 2003 BMW 530i. Prices used, it looks like a lot of car for a decent price. What do I look for to make sure the car has been properly maintained? For example, how can I tell if the oil has been changed regularly?
Thanks for a terrific video!
That is a 2001, they are good cars for the money but you will have to for sure do stuff to any e39 you buy, they are kind of sensitive when it comes to maintainence
can you do one on a newer 5 series ?
like your video! one question. I turn on my ac and the auxiliary fan did not spin at all. i checked a fuses and they look good just couldn't find the 75watt and the other one.. please any help. i tried moving the fan by hand and it moves not hard at all.
+R Tario I would check the plug and make sure its not corroded , the big fuses for the fan on a e39 are behind the glovebox
I just subscribed. Is it hard to replace the radiator on ur own?
The fan shroud is complex on the e39 and you need the special tool to remove the fan, other than that it is easy
Hi Nathan, looking at a 2006 330i cabriolet with 50,000 miles is there anything else that I should watch for in addition to what you mentioned?
+brad andrews Just make sure there are no overheating problems and check the front control arms like shown in the video
Hey Nathan
how do I distinguish between a ccv or valve seal problem? I drive a 2003 E46 N42.
+Vincent McIntosh There is a 90% chance its not the valve seals on the n42
How can i fix the crooked seat problem
Hey Nathan nice video i'm looking at a 2001 bmw 325ci with 71,000 miles for $8000 is that a good deal
+David Guzman Well i buy them all the time with problems for under $1000, i sell nice e46's for $2500-$3500, $8000 is M3 price range
So is there anything reliable parts with money pit BMW'S ?
i was told fuel pump is good not 100% sure
Just drove a 530i today. Lovely ride but engine seemed a little rough vs my 99 A8. Could the motor mounts be worn or perhaps the exhaust system ? I know this straight six is meant to be buttery smooth and perhaps the D2 with double glazing and V8 is always going to be smoother, quieter???
Jacana Productions 4.4s are incredibly smooth running when all is in check. there’s a video of someone with a turbo m62 and they balance a quarter on its side while the engine is at idle.
I have one code P1447 also have a mis functioning ambient temp sensor -040F - perhaps this is the reason for the rough idle? Oh and pin whole leak in expansion tank.