Test drive BMW 5 series E39 2000 - 2003 sedan

Business class fighter

The five E39 models are prestige, powerful motors and outstanding sled qualities. But if the pilot or maintenance staff of this fighter is poorly prepared, the car will begin to pour.
 
With blood gasoline
If you need an expensive and comfortable German sedan, buy a bourgeois Mercedes or a more democratic audi and be happy. BMWs are created for connoisseurs of speed, reference rear -wheel drive handling and high engineering, bordering on art. In a word, for those whose blood is pretty spoiled by gasoline.
 
Look at the swift silhouette of the five. Are you not suppressed by the inflated nostrils of the radiator and viciously looking from under the solid glasses of the pupils of headlights? Then sit in a chair surrounded by a central console with a myriad of buttons, as in a fighter cockpit, turn the ignition key and enjoy the flight at a super -low height. However, for starters, you must decide which five you need.
 
BMW starts with the engine
Motors are the pride of the Bavarian company, many recognize them with the best in the world, and therefore the choice of BMW begins with the engine. In the 5th series, in-line 6-cylinder engines are installed-before the 2001 restyling, they had designations 520i (2.0 l; 150 l.), 523i (2.5 l; 170 l.) And 528i (2 , 8 l; 193 l. P.) - and V8.
 
A two -liter is considered not dynamic enough for the five, especially with an automaton. This is not to say that he is really dead. Rather, on the contrary, it has excellent characteristics for its volume. Just from such an aggressive outwardly, you expect more car. And you get the expected one, crossing 523i. Perhaps this is the middle ground for the five. An extra half liter of volume gives a significant increase in dynamics and traction. At the same time, 523i fits into the customs category up to 2.5 liters and when importing to Russia costs only $ 380 more than the 520th.
      
Free market
 
To determine the cost of a used five in Europe, it is enough to compare the year of production, mileage and engine volume with the reference book. The scatter of real prices will be insignificant. We have a complete anarchy.
 
The unrealistically high price, most likely, means that the car was purchased in Russia new before the appearance of significantly cheaper Kaliningrad cars. Its owner simply cannot come to terms with the loss of big money. If you agree to a car that traveled around Russia, it is better to look for Kaliningrad. They part with them easier (in monetary terms).
 
Block prices for five are also found. Upon closer acquaintance with the car and documents, they find a legal or technical explanation. Alas, expensive German cars often have a dark past or find themselves in the hands of those who are not able to serve them.
 
Therefore, the most real prices of 3-4-year-old cars brought from Europe:
 
520i
$ 15 500-18 000
    
535i
$ 24 000-28 000
 
523i
$ 18 500-22 500
    
540i
$ 25,000-30,000
 
528i
 
$ 20,000-25,000
 
    
525tds
 
$ 16,000-20,000

The difference between 528i and 523i is almost as noticeable. However, customs payments for five twenty -eight are already charged in a column over 2.5 liters. You will think when for 23 horses and 300 cubes at customs they offer to leave the extra $ 1600.
 
6-cylinder engines consume approximately 10-17 l/100 km. The two -liter engine wins two and eight maximum liters per hundred. Thus, which of the in -line sixes to prefer it depends on your driver's ambitions and the cost of the car itself.
 
8-cylinder 535i (3.5 l; 235 l.) And 540i (4.4 l; 286 l.), As a rule, is brought to a particular customer from which they take a significant prepayment. Not every distiller will agree to pay $ 5500 for five forty from his pocket when 523i is imported for $ 1900. Should I buy five with V8 under the hood? It’s not even that for every hundred he drinks 12-20 liters of AI-95. In the end, if you are ready to overpay for dynamics and prestige, you will find money for gasoline. The question is, how much will you help out in the 540th year in two, when the multi-liter motors will finally be strangled by taxes? Most likely, in less than 523rd of the same age and condition
 
We decided which of the engines suits us. Now let's figure out what you can expect from each of them.
 
 
The external radiator fan should begin to rotate after turning on the air conditioner. The Vin-Nomer is driven on the right cup of the shock absorber (1) and duplicated on the identification plate (2)
  
   
The multi -contour seat (option) has not only a complete set of electrical regulations. The upper part of its back can change the angle of inclination
 
 
Sometimes cleanliness is harmful to health
In general, BMW engines are reliable and durable. Sudden breakdown is unlikely. For example, camshafts are given by a chain, which, unlike the belt, does not break. Therefore, with proper operation, they are able to pass more than 400,000 km. And motors suffer (in -line sixes are identical in design and are indicated by M52, and both V8 have an M62 index) mainly from low -quality fuel and road salt.
 
The frequency of oil replacement in the fif engines determines the computer. Usually he invites to the oil service after 10,000-13,000 km. But it is better to make it a rule to change 10,000 km with a filter and after 20,000 km - air and fuel filters.
 
The spark plugs on our gasoline withstand a maximum of 20,000 km. When the candle begins to spare off, the computer turns off the voltage from its coil. If the M62 at the same time begins to noticeably trumpet, then the M52 only worsens the dynamics and the fuel consumption grows. Theoretically, more durable platinum candles do not make sense, even if it is prescribed by the instructions. In Russia, they last a little longer, but four times more expensive.
 
From lousy gasoline, nozzles are closed, which have to be washed at a special installation after 30,000-40,000 km. But the most unpleasant, prolonged work on low -octane fuel during runs for 150,000 km leads to piston rings, which manifests itself in a sharp, up to 1.5 l/1000 km of increasing oil consumption. Since in this case the engine is inevitable (M52 - $ 1500, M62 - $ 2100), consumption (the first signs - blue smoke from the exhaust pipe and reduced compression) is better to check before the purchase. And then avoid dubious gas stations. After candles and nozzles, your main care is not to overheat the motor. To do this, regularly check the serviceability of an additional fan located in front of the radiator (after three years, the fan dies from road salt). Turned on the air conditioner - the fan should start to rotate. Otherwise, the engine will boil in the cork. The new fan costs $ 280. The engine will also overheat sooner or later if the radiator is clogged with dirt. Therefore, the annual cleaning of the radiator with the removal of the bumper is required. For this they will take you, as well as for the replacement of the fan, $ 57. But it is much worse that the radiator can eat salt. Then prepare $ 700 or about $ 500 per non -original.
 
The M52 has another problem in the cooling system - the flow of the thermostat case. When you give $ 34 for thermostat, at the same time change the antifreeze, which must be updated every two years.
 
But if you need to clean the radiator, then washing the engine before changing the oil is not recommended categorically. When the mechanics see in the hands of the owner a used bottle with washing, they begin to rub their hands. Still, because tomorrow he will come to replace all 24 (or 32 on M62) hydraulic compensators, which, subject to just good oil without washing, almost never knocking. Who is not a desire to put $ 850 in the cash desk (M62 - $ 1200)?
 
The rest is trifles. If the engine does not hold idle speed or they are too high, then the idle valve has clogged. It must be washed and lubricated. The symbol of the ASC antibouxer system suddenly lights up on the panel looks worse. If the ABS failure alarm does not burn, and the car does not ride or, conversely, shoves freely on the ice, then the cause of the commotion lies in the broken ASC cable. The issue price is $ 5.5.
    
Diesel: the game is not worth the candle
 
Until 1999, a 6-cylinder turbodiesel of 2.5 liters in 143 hp was installed on the top five. The motor works smoothly and has good dynamics. But by 150,000 km, he stretches a drive chain, the replacement of which is very laborious. At this point, the turbine is suitable and the risk of ruin the fuel pump is added. The total repair costs can be about $ 3,000 if you refuse the services of the corporate service. And compared with 523i gasoline, diesel allows you to save on fuel only $ 1.5/100 km.
  
Operational costs (chassis)
 
Front suspension and steering
Rear suspension
 
30,000 km
120 000 - 150,000 km
 
stabilizer racks $ 90
Rear levers supporting pillows (2 pcs.) $ 110
 
45,000 - 60,000 km
Brake discs $ 190
 
steering pendulum $ 90
Stabilizer racks $ 60
 
60 000 - 75,000 km
Shock absorbers $ 190
 
steering rods and tips $ 450
75,00090,000 km
 
60,000 km
transverse adjustment rods (2 pcs.) $ 220
 
brake discs $ 260
90,000 km
 
90 000105 000 km
Brake discs $ 240
 
hubs of hubs $ 320
90 000105 000 km
 
105,000120,000 km
Silent blocks of the lower levers (4 pcs.) $ 210
 
shock absorbers $ 430
 
upper and lower slats
kulakov (4 pcs.) $ 200
 
120 000135 000 km
 
 
Shock absorbers $ 320
 
 
Prices of original details, taking into account the replacement in the authorized technical center Audi.
  
 
Oil radiator - ACTION enemy
Unlike a Mercedes, who puts the buyer of a powerful engine to the machine, BMW does not limit you to choosing a box. Manual or automatic can be obtained with any of the engines.
 
There are no complaints about the mechanics. BMW transfers should be switched very clearly. A noticeable backlash of the lever indicates a mileage of more than 150,000 km. It is eliminated by replacing plastic bushings in the drive. Approximately the same clutch during proper operation serves, and the oil in the box changes after 50,000 km.
 
Until 1998, a 5-speed automatic with electronic control was installed on the five. And then there was a more advanced version of the stepbrush with the possibility of manual switching. Extremely successful, even fans of mechanics liked it. It's not only about manual switching - this toy will soon get tired of you. It’s just that when translating the stepbronics selector into a sporting mode, the effect of braking by the engine appears, and the transmission switches so logical and on time that even when you are active, you do not experience discomfort.
 
Both automatic machines are very reliable and with proper use are at least 200,000 km. But they have a hidden enemy - an oil radiator of the box. It is located behind the front bumper and suffers from road salt. In the conditions of Moscow, in four years, he can flow. The box loses oil and, as a result, a repair that costs $ 1500-2000. By the way, under ordinary conditions, oil in the stepbronics is not changed: synthetic dextron is flooded for the entire service life.
 
On the cardan shaft, about 150,000 km wears an elastic coupling, which must be changed. At about the same time, the seals of the semi -shafts can flow. Change them urgently: with oil starvation, the gearbox will not last long. Shruses themselves are almost eternal, provided that the anthers are preserved.
    
Eastern package
 
All five supplied to Russia are equipped with more rigid shock absorbers, spacers that increase the road clearance by 20 mm, and steel protection of the motor compartment. The branded protection ($ 165) must be installed on the car brought from Europe. The engine pallet on the top five can be spread into two accounts. The European road clearance would also be nice to increase. If the time to change the shock absorbers has not come yet (the reinforced ones cost as much as standard), you can limit yourself to the spacers, a set of which costs $ 134.
 
 
Upper (1) and lower (2) front suspension levers are afraid of braking on irregularities
   
    

Five without air conditioning?
BMW equipment does not provide for various levels of execution. Buyers of five were offered a basic equipment and a huge list of options. Since the debut of E39 in September 1995, the base has become richer annually. In the machines of early issues, only ABS, an anti -boom system, two airbags, electric mirrors and front glasses are guaranteed (climatic was part of the standard only 535i and 540i). The rest - from a leather salon to heating the steering wheel - may be present, but not at all.
 
Typically, the level of equipment corresponds to the volume of the motor. But if there are no empty 535i and 540i, then among the less powerful modifications brought from Europe, amazing specimens are found. For example, 528i without air conditioning, if the first buyer needed only a powerful motor. Or 520i, stuffed with the eyeballs. Therefore, if you order a car from there and certain options are important for you, they must be stipulated in advance.
 
The exception is the machines of the Kaliningrad assembly, for which a single, very rich equipment was developed. Such already appear in the secondary market.

Do not slow down on the washing board
The five E39 has excellent sledge qualities, but it is often reproached for a flimsy suspension. Indeed, in this regard, it is inferior to the predecessor E34. Largely because the levers are now made of aluminum. No, the winged metal itself is not guilty of anything. Just a lighter aluminum suspension shakes the body less, and the driver soon ceases to pay attention to the pits. Especially gets the suspension during braking on the washing board. When driving, the front levers can be killed after 20,000 km.
 
In addition, many details must be changed strictly according to technology. Say, silent blocks and front shock absorbers are supposed to be placed on labels. But what kind of master will the repair manager read the repair manual? And if you also use the left neoriginal, the suspension will have to be sorted out on each.
 
But if you understand what loads the suspension is experiencing on irregularities, and the machine is served in the BMW service specializing in the BMW service, the parts of the parts given in the table will be real. In addition to the racks of stabilizers, which are consumables on most foreign cars, the front levers and shock absorbers, as well as the rear hinges, can be recognized as weak chassis details. Still, 40,000-50,000 km is not enough. The walnut of the rest of the details is satisfactory.
 
This time we brought a rather clearly delimited life of the suspension parts. The fact is that for any multi -link, the rule applies: every detail requiring replacement must be updated immediately. The launched backlash in one of the hinged joints quickly breaks all the others.
 
In addition to the suspension, the ABS wheel sensors will regularly remind of themselves, each of which costs $ 85. Road salt kills them in one winter. True, this year, when new reagents began to be used on Moscow roads, the number of failures decreased sharply.
 
On the cars of 1996-1997, the hub bearings were frankly weak, not withstanding 50,000 km on our roads and 50,000 km. Now much more durable bearings are used, interchangeable with the old ones. In general, by 1998, the design of many details had been changed, and the five became noticeably more reliable. This also applies to the steering rack (at 535i and at 540i, a worm mechanism is used instead of the rheck). On cars of 1996-1997, the rail is knocking on irregularities. If you want, you can buy a new one for $ 900 by handing over the old dealer. But, in principle, the knock is not fatal - you can put up with it. In addition, after 150,000 km, hydraulic power hoses begin to flow, which is especially characteristic of 8-cylinder engines. Replace two hoses costs $ 200.
    
M - this is a motorport
 
If in the cabin or on the lid of the trunk there is only the letter M with a multi -colored flag, then the five is equipped with only some options from the sports studio of the company Motorsport. For example, a three -spoke steering wheel.
 
The full right to wear Litera M belongs to the M5 model, which is quite rare. Under the hood of this road missile, a 400-horsepower eight is hidden. Plus - sports seats, supern Wealthy rubber, hard chassis with powerful brakes and 6 -speed mechanics.
 
In principle, if you have $ 40,000-45,000, you can buy this monster. The main thing is to be aware of why you need it. The ideal option for the operation of such a machine is to show it to the envy of acquaintances, and only early in the morning on weekends in the morning in order to shoot along the country line. With daily operation, the M5 on our roads dies much faster than the usual five, and its restoration is incomparably more expensive. If you need a very speedy and at the same time comfortable five on the go, 540i is enough for your eyes. Moreover, it can also be found with 6-speed mechanics.
 

 
When translating the selector of the degree to the left, the sports regime is turned on. Shaking the lever in + and -, you can switch the gears by hand
    
 
Touring
 
This is the name of the BMW station wagons. Unlike a cramped image-universal, the previous generation trees, touring based on the fifth series is very convenient and roomy. In operation, the station wagon is practically no different from the sedan, except that on many copies from the rear there is a suspension with automatic body alignment depending on the load. There is only one requirement for pneumoballons - the car cannot be overloaded, otherwise they can explode.

Harvesting with dry cleaning
So, you have chosen an instance you are interested in. Corrosion on the back of the five, if the car was not in an accident, is early to look. During the first inspection, the machine can only be checked for general neatness and, to be attentive, identify non -Western coloring. How serious the damage was, as well as the general technical condition, you will be appreciated in the technical center specializing in the BMW. There they can also find a twisted run. The fact is that in one of the computers of the five there are codes of malfunctions of the main nodes and assemblies with the run numbers on which they arose. Of course, these data can be erased. But only experienced scammers know about their existence.
 
It also makes sense to check the performance of body and salon equipment. Pay attention to the work of the central castle. If he does not unlock the trunk lid (this sometimes happens), then most likely you will have to change the locking lock assembly. After three or four salted winters, windows and electric mirrors can be buried. So, contacts were oxidized in the driver's door connector. Contact processing with a special spray solves the problem.
 
Turning the ignition key and seeing on the panel a constantly burning alarm of the airbag failure, do not immediately sin on the pillow that worked as a result of the accident. In cars of 1996-1997, a violation of contact in an electric pillow connector, located under the driver's seat, is possible. After restoration of the contact, you need to visit the BMW technical center in order to erase the malfunction code and thereby extinguish the signaling device.
 
Check the operation of the salon fan. If it does not turn on or, conversely, begins to work spontaneously, perhaps the fan control unit has failed. The new costs $ 100.
 
However, all these are trifles. Indeed, the owner himself can freely annoy the car, and out of the most good motives. During the dry cleaning of the salon, there is a risk of filling the screen of the audio system, as well as the climate control control unit. On the buttons of the radio and climatic, dirt is always present, and the washers abundantly treat them with solution. If the screen is inexpensive, then the climate block will pull $ 515. It is better to find a used block. Here is another example of the fact that illiterate hygiene harms health.
 
As you can see, a miracle did not happen. Nobody will call BMW with a poor -quality or unreliable car. But the five once again proves that prestigious modern cars are designed for good operating conditions and cannot be cheap in content. A three -year -old five can be bought not because you have accumulated $ 20,000 on it, but because you do not want to spend $ 45,000 on a new car.
 
Alexander Konov, photo Maxim Goncharov
 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [06/02]