Highlights
- Incredibly low mileage example
- Recent gearbox rebuild
- Presents in great clean condition inside and out
- Long MOT
The Appeal
More commonly known as the E39 5 series, BMW’s fourth generation luxury saloon is very much the physical embodiment of the word timeless. Joji Nagashima’s rather excellent exterior design, paired with BMW quality and luxury meant that upon launch in 1996, the all new 5 series was an unsurprising success.
In more recent years, E39s have been gaining great levels of traction with those appreciative of modern classics and quality BMWs. Their brilliant driving quality and wonderful design meant that good examples have been being picked up left right and centre at an incredible rate. Which makes cars like the example we see here something of a rarity, and one that presents an incredibly exciting opportunity for someone who wishes to dip their foot into the world of BMWs and the E39.
With most of these cars having been used heavily up and down the length and breadth of Britain's motorways, low mileage examples, especially sub 70,000 mile cars simply do not come to market that often.
An early example of the model S245 MWN is a genuine low mileage car that has been thoroughly looked after by everyone throughout its lifetime, having recently benefited from an extensive gearbox rebuild and an MOT valid until June 2023, this is one that’s ready for the next owner to enjoy without worry or concern.
An early example of the model S245 MWN is a genuine low mileage car that has been thoroughly looked after by everyone throughout its lifetime, having recently benefited from an extensive gearbox rebuild and an MOT valid until June 2023, this is one that’s ready for the next owner to enjoy without worry or concern.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 04/08/1998
- Purchased from Trainer BMW of Swansea
- Accompanied by BMW book pack containing various operating manuals and booklets
- Stamped service book
- Invoice and stamp for August 2021 extensive gearbox rebuild
- MOT valid until June 2023
- Collection of many of the car’s prior MOT certificates
- Correct V5 registration document present with the car
The Interior
- Sumptuous cream leather upholstery
- Clean highly original interior
- Still with original first aid and tool kit
It’s no surprise that upon opening the door and glancing inside, we find a sea of rich leather draped across nearly every surface, the cabin of this E39 5 series is a truly marvellous place to be.
Cream leather is the order of the day and we find it coating all of the sculpted body hugging seats, front and rear.
All five seats have borne the test of time well and present as such, with the leather still rich in colour, the only notable wear to be seen is to the cushioning of the driver's seat, however this really doesn’t detract from the quality of the cabin.
Stowed neatly at the foot of the front passenger seat, we find the full and rather extensive BMW first aid kit which does appear to be fully sealed and unused.
All five seats have borne the test of time well and present as such, with the leather still rich in colour, the only notable wear to be seen is to the cushioning of the driver's seat, however this really doesn’t detract from the quality of the cabin.
Stowed neatly at the foot of the front passenger seat, we find the full and rather extensive BMW first aid kit which does appear to be fully sealed and unused.
All four interior door cards are in equally good shape, the cream leather free of major wear and the door furniture all appearing fresh and functioning as requested.
This quality is mirrored on the dashboard which is also remarkably clean for a car of this age, all of the switchgear housed within is of a similarly clean nature, with it all being reported to function correctly including the original radio and CD multi change entertainment system.
This quality is mirrored on the dashboard which is also remarkably clean for a car of this age, all of the switchgear housed within is of a similarly clean nature, with it all being reported to function correctly including the original radio and CD multi change entertainment system.
Effortlessly stylish and classy, the wood veneer trim that dots its way around the cabin is of a great standard, still with a brilliant shine and a distinct lack of wear to be seen on it.
At the rear we find an incredibly clean and neat boot area, with smart grey carpeting draping nearly every surface in there. Located here is something of a rarity these days, a full size spare alloy wheel, also in great order. We also find the CD multi change box stowed in the rear section as well.
At the rear we find an incredibly clean and neat boot area, with smart grey carpeting draping nearly every surface in there. Located here is something of a rarity these days, a full size spare alloy wheel, also in great order. We also find the CD multi change box stowed in the rear section as well.
The Exterior
- Smart and stylish navy blue paint work
- Bodywork is of a good clean standard
- Great quality BMW alloy wheels
A marvellous compliment to the cream upholstery, deep navy blue paintwork drapes its way over the curved, timeless lines of the 528.
Of brilliant standard, the paintwork presents well with just some minor indications of general wear exhibited on the exterior, however there is no question that from an aesthetic perspective, this is a truly excellent car.
Of brilliant standard, the paintwork presents well with just some minor indications of general wear exhibited on the exterior, however there is no question that from an aesthetic perspective, this is a truly excellent car.
The trim and brightwork installed on the 5 series are in great shape, with a few badges and trim pieces suspected to have been replaced in the car’s lifetime, these very much help to further set the car off when looking from the outside.
The glasswork and rather iconic headlights are also in great shape and mirror the high quality exhibited by the rest of the car’s parts.
The glasswork and rather iconic headlights are also in great shape and mirror the high quality exhibited by the rest of the car’s parts.
At ground level we are presented with a great set of four BMW alloy wheels, sat within good tyres, all of the wheels are in excellent clean shape. As previously mentioned in the listing, a full size fifth spare wheel sits neatly within the boot of the car.
The Mechanics
- Extensive rebuild of the gearbox commissioned August 2021
- Recent replacement of the rear discs and pads less than a month ago
- Silky six cylinder engine and automatic transmission
One of the of the primary reasons the 528 variant of the E39 wasso popular upon release was its sheer reliability and capability as a long distance cruiser and motorway car. Hence we see so many on the market today reporting incredibly high six figure mileage.
Thankfully, the example here hasn’t been put to the test as a high mileage hero, and so under the bonnet we find what could quite possibly be one of the cleanest engine bays seen on a car of this age, the centrepiece of which is an absolute gem in the form of BMW’s M52 straight six engine.
Being such a well maintained, regularly serviced example, the car fires into life immediately and with ease, a subtle engine note emitting from the exhausts at rear.
Being such a well maintained, regularly serviced example, the car fires into life immediately and with ease, a subtle engine note emitting from the exhausts at rear.
On the road the car is reported to provide a rather outstanding drive, smooth with plenty of power on tap at request. Being a 5 series, the ride is nothing but sublime, absolute peak comfort while on the go.
Interested parties will be pleased to know that this particular car was subject to an extensive specialist gearbox rebuild circa August 2021, and in the last month new rear brake discs and pads were fitted.
This combined with the Long MOT well into June 2023 help indicate that from a mechanical perspective, this car is unquestionably excellent.
This combined with the Long MOT well into June 2023 help indicate that from a mechanical perspective, this car is unquestionably excellent.
Summary
For one who wants a daily driver with an essence of uniqueness, look no further.
For one who wants a rather special modern classic, look no further. For one who is looking to make their way into an excellent quality BMW, look no further.
The E39 5 Series is undoubtedly a great car, pairing solid reliability with timeless styling, the model is definitely up there with the all time greats of BMWs.
For one who wants a rather special modern classic, look no further. For one who is looking to make their way into an excellent quality BMW, look no further.
The E39 5 Series is undoubtedly a great car, pairing solid reliability with timeless styling, the model is definitely up there with the all time greats of BMWs.
The example we see here really is ready to be enjoyed from minute one of ownership. With a recent gearbox rebuild, new rear brakes and a long MOT under its belt, this car wants for nothing and presents as such.
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