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[duggs]

Not quite an Omega but equal to one ?     

[acope]

Now thats one nice lookin` motor car...

[jonny2112]

Indeed it is 

[duggs]

I REALLY enjoyed my time with the Omega (3.0 Elite) but I have to say that the new ride is a completely different experience in everyway. Build quality, handling, power, everything basically...I really wouldn't have believed it.  She's still got the original exhaust, Ex Factory stainless steel through out which still looks spotless.  Guess that's why they were so expensive to buy new.

That said, I suspect cost of running the above may well be an experience also....and not necessarily in a good way ?

She's just had a new dose of 5/30 Fully synthetic Vauxhall oil and she seems most happy...so I haven't completely left VX.

[tunnie]

I like that very much, lots more examples of those around in decent condition compared to Omegas now.

Don't suppose you'd like to share how much it was and mileage? 

[duggs]

No problem Tunnie....Picked her up 4 weeks ago for £2800.00 on 107k.
Full electric, even with built in Satnav, maps of which are now 2012/2013 addition
courtesy of a file sharing site. Even the head rest and leg extensions on the seat
are electric...how lazy is that ?
In just about every way, an M5 with the exception of the 5 litre V8.
The straight 6, 231Bhp is enough for me though.

[tunnie]

Very nice, shows how much more they are though, drop the first 2 and thats price for an Omega of same age/spec.

Do like them though, drove 535 V8 few years back. Quite liked it, but made me realise how big the Omega is.

Be good to see how you get on with running costs

[cem_devecioglu]

Nice car Duggs..  I like Bimmers .. 2 weeks ago one of my friends bought a 750 V12..
 
And I made the mistake of driving it.. wish I had not
 
after that whatever I drive is meaningless..    although those cars are relatively cheap to buy,
 
fuel and consumables for that car requires a really good income..
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[duggs]

THAT'S a good point Tunnie. They are proper "drivers" cars BUT do feel quite a bit smaller than the Omega inside, ESPECIALLY in the back.
That said, in my case inside, she's all black, including the head lining, so whilst it appears and feels more sporty, it certainly feels a bit "enclosed" also.

So far I've needed tyres, 2 x 265's on the rear and 1 x 235's on the front. which set me back £ 250.00     With me supplying the oil and filter my indy charged me £25.00 for the oil change.

Insurance CURRENTLY works out about £120.00 a year more expensive BUT I'll be "Go Comparing" when it comes up in May.   

[Johnny English]

Congrats for family's new addition, matey !    Would you mind uploading some photo of the engine bay? It's whispered that there is no enough place in the engine bay and the cooling of last cylinder closest to driver is often insufficient then causes head gasket issues. Straight six. If I recall the sight of engine bay of Omega straight six hm can't see too much room for it, indeed.Is Bimmer's nose longer than Miggi's? I'm sure though that engineers of BMW are not idiots and know well what they do and why. Where do you get as useful infos on BMW as on Miggy from here? I just was surfing a wee bit and looked after BMW related chat or forum but found almost nothing...there are some results but none of them such informative and fast as the OOF.

[duggs]

There are a couple of good sites for BMW "assistance", both of which I've joined.

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/

http://www.bmwforums.info/

Because the 5 series E39 1996-2003 was made for several engines, from a 2 litre through to the V8 M5, in fairness I think the 3.0 has plenty of room under the hood to be honest, certainly
more that the 3.0 Omega. Can't comment about the over heating thing though as have no experiance of it other than to say it doesn't crop up on the forums especially.

Like all cars, you pay your money and take your chance but it's pretty well recognised within the press and BMW community that the E39 engine and 1996-2003 5 series was pretty much the best car BMW ever produced and so far I can see why. The combination of appearance, engines and handling is something i've never experianced in a car before.....Hell...I even enjoy going to work now, just for the 20 miles round trip alone.

[Johnny English]

Then good luck with bimmer matey !   

[x25dt]

Nice motor

[cam2502]

Very nice mate. Had a couple of 3 series but never a 5. Could well be a future replacement for the MV6 

[omega3000]

Yes must agree its a nice looking car you have there 

[duggs]

Thank you for your comments.....as mentioned, so far I'm amazed with this little 50th Birthday pressie that I've got myself.

In my opinion, shape wise, I think this series was the last shape before BMW kinda lost their way and went all "modern".

Now a days it's pretty hard to tell any of the BMW's apart.

[VXL V6]

Looks great 
Personally I like the E60 shape, after that though I agree with you that they have lost there way.
 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Straight six, the only truly great engine BMW have ever done 

[albitz]

Or Vauxhall for that matter.

[duggs]

Why is a straight 6 better than a V6 then ?

[Andy B]

Why is a straight 6 better than a V6 then ?

I think Albitz is referring to the fact that if it was a Vx straight 6, then it'd be a Senator 

[albitz]

Correct.

[henryd]

I had an E39 3.0d in the workshop yesterday,5 speed manual and bloody quick too,nice car

[tunnie]

Guy at work just took delivery of 61 plate 530d GT, must say that 3.0 diesel is a peach of an engine, smooth, can't tell its a diesel. It shifted as well with 5 people in 

[henryd]

Guy at work just took delivery of 61 plate 530d GT, must say that 3.0 diesel is a peach of an engine, smooth, can't tell its a diesel. It shifted as well with 5 people in 

Even my v6 Signum oiler is very quiet,sounds like a petrol v6 from inside cabin,nice growl from the exhaust's too

[TheBoy]

Guy at work just took delivery of 61 plate 530d GT, must say that 3.0 diesel is a peach of an engine, smooth, can't tell its a diesel. It shifted as well with 5 people in 

My neighbour reckons his Jag is quicker than the A7 3.0tdi he had when the Jag was being straightened. Though up to 125, I reckon the Omega is quicker.  The Omega certainly doesn't go sideways as easily either...

[tunnie]

Guy at work just took delivery of 61 plate 530d GT, must say that 3.0 diesel is a peach of an engine, smooth, can't tell its a diesel. It shifted as well with 5 people in 

My neighbour reckons his Jag is quicker than the A7 3.0tdi he had when the Jag was being straightened. Though up to 125, I reckon the Omega is quicker.  The Omega certainly doesn't go sideways as easily either...

2.7 or the newer 3.0? Reviews say it should have got 3.6/8 or what ever it is V8 diesel that went in Rangie. Been a 150mph diesel saloon!

While i'd love that, even 3.0 Beemer diesel. It's the cost, need at least 10k for either.

[henryd]

Guy at work just took delivery of 61 plate 530d GT, must say that 3.0 diesel is a peach of an engine, smooth, can't tell its a diesel. It shifted as well with 5 people in 

My neighbour reckons his Jag is quicker than the A7 3.0tdi he had when the Jag was being straightened. Though up to 125, I reckon the Omega is quicker.  The Omega certainly doesn't go sideways as easily either...

2.7 or the newe

r 3.0? Reviews say it should have got 3.6/8 or what ever it is V8 diesel that went in Rangie. Been a 150mph diesel saloon!

While i'd love that, even 3.0 Beemer diesel. It's the cost, need at least 10k for either.

Xf 3.0 diesel is a 150mph car already isn't it? ,how much quicker you need 

[duggs]

I'm still absolutely loving this car BUT the Omega was cavenous in the back compared with the 530. How the hell I shoe horned my aged parents and a child in the back I'll never know !

So far I've had the radiator replaced, under warantee, the wasser pumpen was changed JUST before I got her and in true "Omega" style, she's had 3 oil changes since December.

1 just before I got her as the rocket gaskets needed changing, another "because I wanted to" and a 3rd last week because ermmmmmm the "oil filter housing gasket" had disinterated, peeing
oil over the entire left hand side of the engine. Had a tensioner and pulley done at the same time. Ho hum !   Least I still hold the Autobahnstormers car...BM's like VX oil...just as well as it turns out.

All the things above are kinda expected though...common on the E39 at the 100k mark..least they've been done now.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Yes, and like E class Merc's they are lovely cars, and if ever I give up on the miggy or they give up on me, I will go for one or the other.  A German car for sure.

[Del Boy]

Guy at work just took delivery of 61 plate 530d GT, must say that 3.0 diesel is a peach of an engine, smooth, can't tell its a diesel. It shifted as well with 5 people in 

My neighbour reckons his Jag is quicker than the A7 3.0tdi he had when the Jag was being straightened. Though up to 125, I reckon the Omega is quicker.  The Omega certainly doesn't go sideways as easily either...

There's more than one 3.0 TDI for the A7, a 204 BHP model or a 242 BHP model, I suspect he had the lower powered one, dependant on which XF diesel he has.

[Del Boy]

Oh and a lovely E39 by the way  . Still I believe the best shape 5 Series made, and better than my F10 .

[henryd]

Oh and a lovely E39 by the way  . Still I believe the best shape 5 Series made, and better than my F10 .

+1,lovely cars

[Broomies Mate]

Excellent choice Duggs.

I have a V8 model, but in the lesser SE spec which means it looks a little dated in comparison to your lovely Sport.

To be honest, the increase in performance of the 535i over the 530i is not worth the extra running costs, so you have the best engine in the best spec'd body.  Due to it being a BMW, even the V8 'growl' is missing - It is far too civilised! 

I guess the ONLY advantage I have over you is that when I lift the bonnet, people really do stare - It's a very nice engine bay, almost pretty.

To answer an above query, the e39 engine bay is massive, swallows the M62 V8 with ease and with the plastic engine cover removed, pretty much everything is accessible..... even better, the Oil Filter on mine is housed just behind the N/S headlamp.  If it weren't for draining the old oil, you wouldn't even need a jack.

Compared to the Omega, the thing I found the MOST surprising was just how much better the '5er handles.  I'm no road-warrior, but I feel so much more confident pushing into bends and knowing the car will have no issues.  The traction control system is infinitely better too.

I do consider the Omega more comfortable, BUT I have the most basic of leather option on mine and as I understand, the 'Comfort' package available on these is in another class.

Oh, Black Headlining and Posts - Very rare! 

[duggs]

Well after nearly 3 months of ownership I'd concur completely. The sport has everything that the M5 has apart from the 5 litre engine. Setup, suspension wise, is the same and the handling is amazing, although as mentioned, not as comfortable as the Omega. Build quality though, they are worlds apart in favour of the BMW.

Also, the adaptive gearbox/engine performance ability is a lot quicker to work out your driving requirements.....a sedate cruiser one min and completely and utterly bonkers the next although at a price..fuel wise. Currently averaging 23mpg for a combo of sedate and bonkers, just can't help myself on occasions as she's so incredibly quick...running with VX oil as well !

The black Headlining and Posts are a nice touch also, goes well with black leather.

BMW's DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is pretty incredible also. I've "tested" it out on a few occasions and it seems impossible to go out of control with it. Switch it off and that's a whole new suicidal story !

[Broomies Mate]

16.7MPG here, but that is mainly short journeys (sub 5 miles) and all in town.

[duggs]

It DOES seem strange that the "extra" 500cc and another couple of cylinders on the 535 only produced an extra 14 BHP over the 3 litre. Ho Hum !

[Del Boy]

It DOES seem strange that the "extra" 500cc and another couple of cylinders on the 535 only produced an extra 14 BHP over the 3 litre. Ho Hum !

At the time the 535i came out though, the biggest 6 Cylinder they had was the 528i, with 193 BHP, the 530i was an updated engine for the facelift in 2000  . The 3.5 V8 and 4.4 V8 were old engines by the time production finished. The E65 7 Series for example which came out in 2001 had a newer 3.6 engine with 272 BHP, and a 4.4 with 333 BHP  .

[duggs]

Gotcha.  And the modern 3.0 is way more than my 231bhp now. Seems that they might know what they're doing with their engines.

[fastandy36]

think them beemers were built more for handling and less for comfort.. I reckon you'd be stiffer after a long drive in that bad boy, than you would in the Omega, (which my wife thinks cruises like a stena liner ...!)

[duggs]

So far so good.  The sports seats rather mould around the driver. Although mine are fully electric, including the leg extensions and even the head rest, I have no adjustment to tighten or soften the back support but so far all is well. As you mention though, haven't been on a long journey as yet...time will tell.

[OmegaAnglesey]

Very nice, would consider one my self my neighbour has a "X" 535i Sport in black and does look good but does have a drug dealer / mafia type look to it which I'm not too fond of  apart from that nice and looks much better in silver

[duggs]

6 months in, still performing brilliantly on Vauxhall Oil !

Got the yearly insurance and break down cover for less than £300, which I consider a victory and amazingly for me, stumped up a full years TAX in one go, £280.

Apart from the radiator, which was changed under warrantee, AMAZINGLY EVERYTHING still works the way it did when the car left Bavaria in 2001.

During a 120 mile round trip she returned 37.8 mpg, incredible for a 3 litre petrol but the journey WAS rather "slow paced".

[duggs]

Well that's a first for me.  Passed the MOT first time with NO advisories.  I feel almost disappointed.

MPG on average, town and dual carriageway driving is pretty constant at 28 MPG BUT I do doodle around town.

Journey to Cardiff and back, over 550 miles came out at 36 mpg....not bad for a petrol.

STILL the best car I've ever owned and tis a privilege to drive her every day...Heck...even work becomes exciting.

[ZacVegas]

I'm looking at a 51 reg 530 today, I think they're great looking cars

[Shackeng]

Very nice, shows how much more they are though, drop the first 2 and thats price for an Omega of same age/spec.

Do like them though, drove 535 V8 few years back. Quite liked it, but made me realise how big the Omega is.

Be good to see how you get on with running costs

Exactly, far too small inside IMHO.

[cem_devecioglu]

530 is a good match for many requirements except it has no manual option.. although can be converted by a manual 528 tranny..

[Broomies Mate]

530 is a good match for many requirements except it has no manual option.. although can be converted by a manual 528 tranny..

Oh yes it does! 

[duggs]

@ZacVegas.

Let us know how you get on !


@Cem.

In the UK we certainly have 530's that have manual as standard although certainly not as common as Auto's.
That said, in Sports mode in the BMW 530 Sport the autobox is totally mental....Bloody good fun though.

[cem_devecioglu]

530 is a good match for many requirements except it has no manual option.. although can be converted by a manual 528 tranny..

Oh yes it does! 

none here.. not even one..

only few 540 with manual option and rare as hens teeth..
 

[cem_devecioglu]

@ZacVegas.

Let us know how you get on !


@Cem.

In the UK we certainly have 530's that have manual as standard although certainly not as common as Auto's.
That said, in Sports mode in the BMW 530 Sport the autobox is totally mental....Bloody good fun though.

nope.. although the tranny is ZF its no where near manual..

[Broomies Mate]

530 is a good match for many requirements except it has no manual option.. although can be converted by a manual 528 tranny..

Oh yes it does! 

none here.. not even one..

only few 540 with manual option and rare as hens teeth..

Here, Manual is preferable (for some reason) so plenty on offer!

The ZF Box (which I have in mine) is pretty tidy.  Not a manual, but much better than the GM box in the Mig.

[cem_devecioglu]

530 is a good match for many requirements except it has no manual option.. although can be converted by a manual 528 tranny..

Oh yes it does! 

none here.. not even one..

only few 540 with manual option and rare as hens teeth..

Here, Manual is preferable (for some reason) so plenty on offer!

The ZF Box (which I have in mine) is pretty tidy.  Not a manual, but much better than the GM box in the Mig.

an auto is a slushbox even zf.. and manual migs have getrag..

[duggs]

Not sure about that Cem.   In "manual" Sports mode.....the autobox takes your head off....although it empties your pockets in terms of fuel.

[cem_devecioglu]

some numbers

0-60
530 manual 6.8
530 auto     7.5
525 manual 7.3
525 auto     8.0

clearly auto ruins 500 cc engine volume..