For a while in the 1990s, the BMW ‘E39’ 5-Series was regarded by most of the motoring media as the best car in the world. Sure, it wasn’t the ‘best’ in the same way as a Rolls-Royce or Ferrari, but for doing what it was supposed to do and fulfilling a design brief, the E39 was as good as they got.
As a mid-size executive car, it ticked all the boxes. It was comfortable, refined, beautifully made and absolutely terrific to drive thanks to BMW’s incredible new chassis, developed for the model. It was introduced in 1995 and the awards came thick and fast, and for a while the E39 was unstoppable.
The range was made even more desirable in late 1996 with the debut of the ‘Touring’ estate model, which offered those incomparable BMW dynamics and handsome lines with the added value of Volvo-like load carrying ability.
Unsurprisingly, the E39 was the UK’s best-selling executive car for most of its life. In 2001, it was given a facelift for the new model year, bringing in clear front indicator lenses and some interior enhancements, as well as the addition of the “M54” evolution of BMW’s six-cylinder engines, which were cleaner and more efficient, as well as more powerful, than their predecessors.
An added bonus of this is that the later M54 engines meet Euro 4 emissions standards, meaning they are ULEZ compliant. So what we have here is a well-equipped modern classic automatic BMW that you can happily use inside the ULEZ zone. It’s a lovely thing.
Currently in the hands of its fifth owner, the 520i has been his regular work transport for the past two years after he bought it from a friend in 2019.
A change in work plans that sees him now covering a much higher mileage than in the past two years means the BMW is now getting very little use – the owner decided it was too good to subject to over 1,000 miles a week of hard use, so he has got a Honda Accord for the day-to-day and would prefer something a bit older as a toy. Indeed – if you have a good 1990s car he’d consider buying it!
Prior to his ownership the car belonged to a good friend, who acquired it in early 2018 from another mutual friend who had owned it since 2015, so a lot of its more recent history is known.
It lived in Surrey for most of its life prior to that, with two long-term owners who clearly maintained it.
Included in the sale are a few bills relating to the BMW’s maintenance, including bills for full services in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The car has since had a further oil service, carried out by the current keeper.
There’s also a BMW ownership wallet, containing a service book with a few stamps in it, an original owners handbook, dealer directory and a few other bits of old paperwork that help build up a story of a car that has been well looked-after.
Finished in striking Topaz Blue, an unusual and bright colour for a Touring, the 520i is in terrific condition considering that it has never been painted.
There are a couple of minor glitches. There’s a small scuff on the rear bumper that happened during the vendor’s ownership, which was a side effect of someone else’s careless parking and reluctance to leave a note. There’s also a mark on the same bumper from loading and a very tiny bubble under the paint on the very bottom edge of the driver’s front door.
Critically, though, the car is incredibly solid with no visible corrosion and the seller reports that the underside is in much the same condition, having recently inspected the car on a ramp.
There’s some minor damage to the driver’s side door mirror, where the black plastic trim surround is damaged, while the passenger side mirror feels a little loose, but is perfectly functional.
There are no notable dents or marks, but there are a few small stone chips on the bonnet and front bumper – nothing of great importance. There’s also a small chip on the windscreen, but this doesn’t affect the driver’s view.
It’s fitted with BMW’s 16-inch ‘Turbine’ alloys, which run fairly high profile tyres and give an excellent ride, while good quality Continental rubber is fitted all round, with plenty of decent tread.
For an entry-level BMW, the cabin is extremely inviting – the original owner obviously went a bit wild with the options list even if the sales executive failed to talk him into upgrading to an SE model.
The seats are finished in smart tan leather, which is in excellent order other than for a small amount of sun damage to one of the rearmost head restraints. There’s also a mark on the load bay carpet in the boot and the stitching on the map pockets is loose, but apart from that there are no issue of any note.
Everything works other than some of the LCDs in the radio display and the power-folding mirrors, which only tuck in on the driver’s side (it’s the one you need…). The heated seats are perfect – and absolutely brilliant – and it’s an exceptionally comfortable and ergonomically laid out car.
The vendor also reports that the airbag light sometimes comes on, but wiggling the wires under the driver’s seat is normally enough to make it go out again.
Under the bonnet, the E39 come with BMW’s 2,171cc M54 six-cylinder engine, which develops 170bhp. It’s by no means a rocket ship, but it’s a fairly lively unit nonetheless and gives the BMW exceptional cruising comfort. At 70mph it sits at just over 2,300rpm, making it an exceptionally pleasant place to be.
All of the fluids are clean and at the correct levels and the car has been regularly serviced.
When the current owner acquired the car, it had a gearbox fault. As a result, he sourced a replacement ZF5HP19 gearbox from an accident damaged 520i saloon that had only covered 53,000 miles. The transmission was fitted by the vendor himself, so there are no bills to document this. However, the ‘box has covered fewer miles than the car and is in excellent order, assuaging one of the concerns any buyer might have about buying an M54 auto.
It drives superbly, with no clonks or rattles and terrific steering, while the ride is superb.
Good E39s are getting rarer and rarer, especially Tourings. Their ability to swallow the miles and be terrific drivers’ cars means that many of them have been run into the ground, which is no surprise when you consider the newest examples are now 18 years old – such as this one.
This is a lovely example, completely original, and it’s a terrific and usable modern classic, ideal for the family, and made all the more appealing by being exempt from ULEZ charges – if you live in outer London, it’s one of the few cool and retro modern classics you can still enjoy.
If you live anywhere else in the country, all of the above still applies, but you’ll be able to enjoy its terrific roadholding and cruising ability a lot more freely. Whichever way you look at it, it’s a great example of a car that’s only ever going to go one way in terms of value if you look after it.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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NO RESERVE! - 2003 BMW E39 520i Touring
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