Thinking of buying 2001-2003 530i
 

I'd like to get your thoughts on the 2001-2003 530i. Ideally I'd like to pick up the M Sport, but I find them to be really hard to find, and I do find one it ends up being an automatic.

What I'd like to know is how much difference is there between the non M sport?

So far the obvious that I've noticed:

1. Seats are different
2. Steering wheels are different.
3. Bumpers are different.
4. Trim on the door sils is different

Other than that is there anything else?

Also, how much do the M Sport bumpers cost (for a good quality pair that are complete with all hardware). I thought that I can maybe purchae a non M sport 530i and just get the bumpers seperately.

Thoughts/opinions?

Steering wheel, seats, suspension, bumpers, door sills, and door moldings... I think thats it.

Let's get you close (very ballpark figures, shipped, taxes, etc):

Door moldings ~$150
Front/rear bumper and fogs (painted) ~$750
Springs ~$200
Cheap exhaust, muffler only ~$250
Black window trim ~$600

So that's almost $2000 to get you somewhat cosmetically close with a 01+. Note that this doesn't include labour of any kind, and is a bit conservative.

Where can I find the bumpers painted for 750?

~300-350 USD for front/rear set with fogs. Plus ship and taxes ~450-500 CAD. Bump in ~250-300 for painting. Remember, no labour included!

The suspension is the big thing that you want it makes the ride feel much tighter.
The E39 530i with m-sport package is a definitely great car for the value .

In terms of suspension what's different, the spring rates or springs and shocks between the M and non-M? I was planning on lowering the car as is so buying suspension was already in the plans. I want less wheel well gap all around and a slightly stiffer ride.

I don't know the specific details but I know that it has M-Tech struts (made by sachs-boge) it sits slightly lower and it's stiffer.

i have an 02 530i M tech 5spd with 160K i was thinking of trading in.
lmk if u would be interested.

Put my e39 back up for sale

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ165875908

Ad # 165875908

If what you see interests you, PM me

^ Very nice specimen.

Beautiful car, I saw the ad before and I really like it. I am looking for a 530 though, the 540 is a bit too much for my needs.

Good luck with the sale. BTW, why are you selling it?

storage becomes a problem in the winter plus my priorities have changed :( My biggest concern is being able to replace this with a car a that appealed to me as much as this car. Fortunately, i'm in no rush to find something that fast so it gives me time to look

What are the ownership costs associated with owning the e39 530i? Are there common issues that I should look out for, major service that's costly.

I do my own work in general and would like to know where I'd run into problems, be it because I need special tools or because the parts are hard to find.

I don't know about specifics for the 530, but common to e39s are rear window regulators and cup holders. Rads are weak on 540s. I assume they're the same across e39s.