Models · BMW
BMW 5 Series E39 buying guide
The E39 5 Series was built from 1995 to 2003 as a saloon and, from late 1996, a Touring, with straight-six and V8 petrol engines and four- and six-cylinder diesels. The September 2000 facelift brought the M54 petrol sixes and the 520d and 525d.
The versions
- Straight-six petrols: 520i, 523i and 528i (M52, 150PS to 193PS) to 2000, then 520i, 525i and 530i (M54, 170PS to 231PS)
- V8 petrols: 535i (M62, 235PS, then 245PS) and 540i (M62, 286PS)
- Diesels: 525tds (M51, 143PS), 530d (M57, 184PS, then 193PS), and from 2000 the 520d (M47, 136PS) and 525d (M57, 163PS)
- Saloon and Touring, rear-wheel drive, with self-levelling rear air suspension on the Touring
- 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual on the 540i, or 4-speed or 5-speed automatic
What to check on a E39 5 Series
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
The cooling system
What to look for: With the engine cold, check the coolant level. Look for crusty residue or damp around the water pump at the front of the engine, the radiator and the hoses. On the drive, the temperature needle should rise to the middle and stay there, including in traffic.
Why it matters: The cooling system is the thing most likely to go wrong on an E39 and accounts for a large share of workshop visits. On the M52 and M54 petrol sixes, head gasket failure is the main concern, usually after overheating. A renewed cooling system with invoices is a good sign.
Rattles from the VANOS units (petrols)
What to look for: Listen at the front of the engine at idle and as the revs rise and fall. A rattle from the top front of the engine is the thing to note. Also note uneven running.
Why it matters: The VANOS variable valve timing units can rattle with wear, and specialists can rebuild them. Uneven running is usually down to air leaks in the induction and breather pipes, or failing ignition coils.
Oil leaks on the V8s
What to look for: On a 535i or 540i, look with a torch down into the V between the cylinder banks and underneath the engine for wet oil.
Why it matters: The V8s can leak oil within the V of the engine, and oil leaks in general are common on E39s at this age. Regular oil and filter changes also keep the timing chain healthy.
Also in the full guide
- Diesel swirl flaps
- Wheel wobble and clunks
- Touring rear air springs
- Rust in the sills and jacking points
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the E39 5 Series
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
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General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with BMW.