Description
Description:
Presented for sale is my 1998 BMW 523i SE, a superb example of the iconic E39 generation. Powered by the M52 2. 5L inline-six engine paired with an automatic transmission.
The car was originally supplied to BMW Park Lane, specifically the BMW International and Specialist Sales division (BMW ISSD), which specialises in diplomatic, corporate, VIP and Armed Forces clients. The car then spent the next 20 years of its life in London being serviced by a mixture of main dealers in the area, before moving up North in c. 2019 where it has lived ever since.
Full Service History:
17 BMW main dealer service stamps
1 BMW specialist service
2 services from independent garages
Comes with a folder full of receipts and invoices
MOT until May 2026
Condition:
The car is mechanically and electronically spot-on. This example is completely rust free, with no signs of rust under the arches, on the sills or underneath; it is evident, in combination with the London-centric service history, that she has been garaged her entire life.
This is a completely original, unmodified example — just as it left the factory in Germany.
The car has had £1. 5k spent on it in the past 10, 000 miles including front and rear suspension, brake pads, thermostat, tyres, rocker cover gasket and battery, thus ensuring that she has had all of the important preventative maintenance done and is ready to be enjoyed by the next owner.
Exterior:
The paint is generally in good condition, with a few minor marks commensurate with age. On the O/ S/ R door there is a reverse dent which could be fixed, which I have endeavoured to show in the last image. Further, there is a scuff on the lower front bumper, and there is a scratch on the rear left passenger door. Both could be polished out.
Interior:
This example has the cream leather interior which, again, one can tell has been meticulously maintained over its life as all of the trim and leather is in flawless condition. Notably, the rear seats show no signs of wear whatsoever, the cream headlining is in perfect condition with no sagging, and there is no evident fading to any of the interior trim - a miracle for a car of this age!
All of the buttons and switches work as expected and are not faded and - for those experienced in the ownership of BMWs of this vintage - the original cupholders still work!
Features & Extras:
Cruise control
Heated front seats
Ice-cold air conditioning
6-disc CD changer in the boot
2 original BMW keys
V5C logbook present
Ownership & Mileage:
140, 000 miles
5 previous owners
I purchased the car from an E39 enthusiast for the sole purpose of driving it 1, 000 miles to LeMans (which it performed without a hitch) and unfortunately I do not have the space to keep the car going forwards.
Viewings can be arranged in Manchester or Warrington. No group viewings or test drives without valid insurance. I have a V check from when I purchased the car which I am more than happy to share on request and shows the car is HPI clear.
