Google Review : "In the end I came away with a car that's just perfect for me. I will be keeping a keen eye on the cars they have in the future."
Colour : Titanium Silver Metallic, 354
Interior : Navy Blue with Navy Blue Interior F6DL and with High Quality Vavona Wood Trim
Wheels: 7J x 15 Alloy Star-Spoke, 7spoke styling 83
London ULEZ Compliant
This is largely a one owner car having been purchased new at Cooper BMW Reading on 14th October 2002 and retaining 3 Keys, full as new handbook set in the original wallet and with full service history.
The first and only change of owner was on the 27th March 2018 when it was acquired by the local garage owner who had latterly serviced the vehicle and who knew what a straight and unmolested example of the E39 it was. Mileage at that point was only 45000 miles and it has risen to only 52,000 miles since.
Note : there has never been a single MOT advisory on this car.
The presentation of this car is superb, with bodywork and paint condition reflecting the same fastidious maintenance contributing to the flawless MOT record.
With manual gearbox and such comprehensive history the price reflects both rarity and condition.
Also, very unusually for an iconic modern classic it comes with the added benefit of being ULEZ compliant!
As recently as June 2019 the car had a full health check at North Oxford BMW along with a driver air-bag safety recall.
The BMW Health Check revealed absolutely no issues, leaks or advisories and with suspension all fine, brake pads at only 10-20% worn, all matching tyres with 6mm tread etc.
This is a particularly good example.
Introduction
Trying to pick faults with the BMW 5-Series is a largely thankless task. If pushed to name a car that approached automotive perfection, most industry observers would nominate the BMW E39 5-Series to top most executive wish lists. The fact that there really is not a great deal to objectively criticise has led to high residuals, though for some it may seem the predictable choice, preferring something a little more individual such as the Audi A6. Still, if you want the best, here it is (though we can also tempt you with a stunning A6 from the period as well should you prefer).
History
It's hard to believe that in one form or another the BMW 5-Series has been with us for nearly half a century. Those with longer memories will remember the early versions with 'interesting' handling. As the years passed, the 5 Series grew larger and more assured. Constant development from the Munich company ensured that the car was never anywhere but at the top of its class. The introduction of the fifth-generation E39 5-Series in April 1996 dealt the opposition a hammer blow, whilst a series of revisions in late 2000 saw BMW move the game on yet again. The 5-Series formula has been easy to trace throughout its history. Take a well-proportioned saloon body, with a range of chiefly straight-six cylinder engines directing power to the rear wheels and fit with a cabin that few can rival for quality and ergonomic excellence. Bolster with advertising proclaiming perfect weight distribution, call it the Ultimate Driving Machine and you have a recipe for success. Of course, it does not hurt if the car actually lives up to these promises.
The E39 5-Series range received a thorough makeover in September 2000. The 520i's 2.0-litre engine was consigned to the history books, replaced by a 2.2-litre unit that developed 170bhp, an identical output to the previous 523i which, unsurprisingly, was also replaced. Its successor, the 525i, is the example we see here built in 2002 and powered by a 2.5-litre unit developing 192bhp, only 1bhp less than the previous 528i which was retired in 2000. BMW also made a number of cosmetic changes for the 2001 model year. Body-coloured rubbing strips, round fog lights and a redesigned front spoiler, the headlights were now of the fashionable clear lens variety and the indicator lamps became round. To help some of the M5 magic trickle down through the rest of the range, that model's wider chrome grille surround were found on all variants. The effect was very subtle but clearly adhered to the BMW family look.
What You Get
There are not too many surprises with a 5-Series. You know it is going to be beautifully built, great to drive, understated and well equipped. This example has ice cold air-conditioning, front and rear park distance control and the very involving and rare manual gearbox.
On the Road
With super smooth 2.5 litre straight six engine and that manual gearbox, the variant on offer here provides performance that betters many rivals so called performance models of the era, with rest to sixty occupying around eight seconds on the way to a maximum of 148mph. An E39 5-Series is one of the most straightforward and attractive propositions around. If you want the best, you have to pay for it. Anything else from the time seems a little underdeveloped. Anything else from today a little unnecessary.
Please email us for more details.
Year 2002
Mileage 53K
Bodystyle Saloon
Engine 2494 cc
Power 190 bhp
Transmission Manual
Drivetrain Rear wheels
Fuel Petrol
Doors 4
Seats 4
Emissions 213 g/km
Fuel Consumption (urban) 22 MPG
Fuel Consumption (extra urban) 41 MPG
Fuel Consumption (combined) 31 MPG
Insurance Group 31
0 - 60 7.8 seconds
Top Speed 145 MPH
Classic Modern Cars Ltd
E.
Car Storage : colin@classicmoderncars.co.uk
| Car Sales : john@classicmoderncars.co.uk
M. +44(0)794 1157 627
TERMS
CONTACT
Built by Chertstone
