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How does the E39 BMW 5 series do in the winter/snow?

17 messages,  Last post on Jan 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM

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#1 of 17
How does the E39 BMW 5 series do in the winter/snow? by stephenabelson
Jan 27, 2008 (7:54 am)
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I am thinking about getting a e39 525i, I live in Minnesota, does anyone have an e39 and live in a wintery place? How does it perform? The car has traction control, right?
Do you just put snow tires or all season tires and it works well? Or is there a lot of slipping around?
 
Should I just spend more money now and get the newer 525xi?
 
Can anyone compare the two?
#2 of 17
Re: How does the E39 BMW 5 series do in the winter/snow? [stephenabelson] by roadburner
Jan 27, 2008 (8:21 am)
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Replying to: stephenabelson (Jan 27, 2008 7:54 am)

Several of us on this board have/had E39s and the consensus is that fitting true winter tires to all four wheels makes the cars more than capable of handling the wintry stuff.
 
Should I just spend more money now and get the newer 525xi?
 
Well, having run an E39 for several years, I would go with the older car. And I'd definitely have a good indie shop or BMW dealer inspect the car prior to purchase.. If the thought of high repair costs scare you, stick the money you would have spent on the E60 into a money market account for future repairs. I'd budget $80/month for all repair and maintenance costs- including tires. I really think that you'll come out ahead in the long run. There's nothing wrong with the 525xi, but I prefer the E39. That said, drive them both, crunch the numbers, and buy the car that pleases YOU.
#3 of 17
Re: How does the E39 BMW 5 series do in the winter/snow? [stephenabelson] by shipo
Jan 27, 2008 (9:08 am)
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Replying to: stephenabelson (Jan 27, 2008 7:54 am)

I found that my E39 530i SP was a horrendously diabolical beast in the snow with its OEM summer performance tires, however, with the addition of a good set of winter tires, the car was transformed into a pussycat.
 
As roadburner stated, I'd stick with the E39.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo
#4 of 17
Re: How does the E39 BMW 5 series do in the winter/snow? [roadburner] by stephenabelson
Jan 27, 2008 (9:35 am)
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Replying to: roadburner (Jan 27, 2008 8:21 am)

thank you for your response. when you say $80 dollars a month in maintence, are you referring to gas and oil, or other problems? how often do you take your car into the shop for things other than maintence? do you have other reliability issues with the car? or as long as you do the service stuff, oil changes, fluid changes is everything working fine?
 
if i buy this car, or any car i am wanting it to go at least 200,000 miles. do you think that's doable in the e39?
#5 of 17
Re: How does the E39 BMW 5 series do in the winter/snow? [stephenabelson] by shipo
Jan 27, 2008 (9:41 am)
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Replying to: stephenabelson (Jan 27, 2008 9:35 am)

"if i buy this car, or any car i am wanting it to go at least 200,000 miles. do you think that's doable in the e39?"
 
Easily, especially if it has a manual transmission.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo
#6 of 17
Re: How does the E39 BMW 5 series do in the winter/snow? [stephenabelson] by 530ir1150r
Jan 27, 2008 (10:19 am)
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Replying to: stephenabelson (Jan 27, 2008 9:35 am)

With my experiences, including tires, but not gas, budget $150 per month. I put snow tires on this winter for the first time and I feel like it made a big difference. I plan to keep my E39 to way past 200k miles.
#7 of 17
Re: How does the E39 BMW 5 series do in the winter/snow? [530ir1150r] by stephenabelson
Jan 27, 2008 (12:43 pm)
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Replying to: 530ir1150r (Jan 27, 2008 10:19 am)

what are you spending 80-150 dollars a month on though? i can't imagine having that much maintence per month on a car. i am currently driving a toyota, and rarely are there are maintence issues at all. is the car in the shop all the time? like every month? or what are you spending that money on?
#8 of 17
525xi????????? by s550iwish
Jan 27, 2008 (2:57 pm)
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Your concerned about buying a used car? I wouldnt. Even if it has low mileage i wouldnt recommend it because its used. Just buy a new 528xi.
 
-S550IWISH
#9 of 17
Re: 525xi????????? [s550iwish] by stephenabelson
Jan 27, 2008 (3:29 pm)
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Replying to: s550iwish (Jan 27, 2008 2:57 pm)

hey,
well i would love to buy a brand new bmw 5 series. i don't have that kind of income or funds to do so. i should be able to buy a nice used car though and not have to pay 150 dollars a month in maintence stuff. i can't even imagine spending that much on a car every month. i guess i need to stick with toyota products and upgrade to a lexus. maybe a lexus gs300.
#10 of 17
Re: How does the E39 BMW 5 series do in the winter/snow? [stephenabelson] by 530ir1150r
Jan 27, 2008 (5:30 pm)
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Replying to: stephenabelson (Jan 27, 2008 12:43 pm)

Maintenance the last 2 years has been $1500-$2000 a year. I put on at least 25k miles a year. The car has never been in the shop and has over 108k miles. Three or four oil changes ($300), a set of tires ($700) and $500-$1000 for everything else. Maybe a better way to estimate yearly maintenance expenses for an unknown E39 is 10 cents per mile.

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