BMW 5-Series

Is this the world’s best second-hand car? Widely acclaimed when it made its debut 11 years ago, BMW’s E39 5-Series has grown old gracefully.

Replaced in 2003, it’s still a classy model, with a range of petrol and diesel engines, plus four-door and Touring estate bodies. There’s even the 400bhp M5 – the daddy of fast saloons.

How much?
For only £2,000, you can get an early 1996 N-reg 520i with well over 100,000 miles. Spend £5,000, and there’s a choice of better condition high-milers in low specs. A 1999 T-reg 530d diesel is more, with a sub-100,000-mile car closer to £7,000. SE or Sport specs, autos and estates add £1,000 to the price.

For a quality model, spend more than £10,000; pay £15,000 and you can cherry-pick the best 02 and 03-platers. Low-mile 530i and 540i saloons and the 525d and 530d four-door and Touring can cost £17,000, but the M5 is a further £5,000.

Running costs
There are three basic levels of main dealer check-up on the 5-Series: Oil service, Inspection I and Inspection II. Intervals are monitored by an on-board ‘traffic light’ system, and will normally be at 10,000 miles or once a year. You pay about £220 for an oil service at a franchise. Inspection I is around £300 and Inspection II £400 – all include parts and labour.

Yet don’t ignore the many reputable independent brand specialists, whose prices should at least match those of the dealers. Fuel economy on all but the performance petrol models averages more than 25mpg, and if driven sedately, wear and tear on both tyres and brakes can be kept to a minimum. A catalytic converter costs more than £1,500.

What to look for
Legendary build quality makes the 5-Series a top choice, but as with any big exec, repairs can be costly if things go wrong. A full service his­tory is vital to ensure that the coolant has been changed at least every three years.

Early models had issues with radi­ators, water pumps and premature bore wear. Radiators and thermostats can play up if the fan cuts in soon after start-up. Water pump failure – possibly a design fault – can occur on older cars. It even affects low-milers, so check whether it’s been replaced.

Checklist
Clutch: if you’re considering a manual model, look out for clutch wear. Juddering when pulling away is a tell-tale sign. Knock £400 off the price for a new clutch.

Engines: overheating, even for only short periods, can seriously damage
a 5-Series powerplant. Always check coolant levels, and look for oil deposits in the tank.

Dashboard: make sure the digital displays are visible and that all warning lights come on and then go off on start-up. Ill-fitting trim could also signal previous difficulties.

Gearbox: a leak in the oil cooler under the radiator can damage the gearbox. So with the engine off and cold, feel under the radiator for traces of oil. A repair will cost £300.

Alternatives
An obvious candidate is Mercedes’ E-Class (from 1995 to 2003), which offers a comfortable cabin and a massive estate. But it’s not as involving to drive as the 5-Series, and pre-1999 diesels can be noisy. Audi’s A6 is the other contender. Built from 1997 to 2004, it blends superb quality and understated looks, but is let down by inferior petrol engines and comfort.