BMW 5er-Reihe E39 523i, 170 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (1995–2000)

Research for this car

• Generation guide BMW 5 Series E39 (1995-2004): known problems and buying guide

  Long-lived if serviced, but check the cooling, oil use, V8 timing chain and automatic gearbox before you buy.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Oil use and leaks (six-cylinder petrol): ask how often the oil is topped up. Look for oil at the oil filter housing, the valve cover and the oil pan, and for heavy smoke under the bonnet. Bad result: oil at the filter housing, or use above the normal 1 litre per 3,000-5,000 km.
2. Cooling: with the engine cold, check the expansion tank cap, the hoses and the bottom corners of the radiator for wet spots. Bad result: wet joints, a weeping radiator, or a temperature gauge that climbs.
3. Automatic gearbox (diesel GM box): ask for fluid-change records. A change every 100,000-125,000 km is the norm. Drive in D and check the shifts. Bad result: no records, or late and harsh shifts.
4. VANOS (M52): read the fault memory with a scanner and look for solenoid codes. Bad result: codes for the VANOS solenoids. A scanner is needed.
5. DISA intake flap (M52TÜ, M54): after switching off, listen for a hiss. On the road, check for jerky acceleration and lost power. Bad result: a hiss after shutdown, or a jerky, weak car.
6. Touring rear air suspension: check that the car sits level at the back. Ask for records of the air bellows and compressor. Bad result: a low rear end, or no records on a high-mileage car. Touring only.
7. Rust: check the sills, jacking points, spare-wheel well, Touring tailgate and bonnet edge. Use a thickness gauge if you can. Lift the carpet under the driver. Bad result: rot in the sills or floor, or damp under the carpet.
8. Front end and steering: lift the car and check the control arms, tie rods and bushes for play. Check the power steering pump and hoses for wet fluid. Bad result: play, knocks, or wet hoses.
9. Electrics and display: test every switch, lever, light and the rear wiper. Check the instrument display for dead pixels. Bad result: a dead light or wiper, an ignition that glitches or stops the car starting, or dead pixels.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions