Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: SMD on 22 August 2015, 13:54:17
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Omegas really are rare now (mint ones anyway) and I'm starting to look at these. Plenty about (not too many 540s though). Cost slightly more than Omega to buy and possibly run but insurance for a V8 is cheaper than an Irmscher Omega.
What do we think about them? TheBoys opinion is not welcome ;D
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I say 'go for it'
The E39 is a fine looking car unlike the later Bangle abortions.
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Save me looking it up, which one is E39. I get lost with their poxy model numbers.
The last decent beemers were the 3 and 5 series around in 1990
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The v8 4.4l from around 10-15yrs ago is known for being quite incontinent. This can lead to head issues if you let the coolant get low.
The viscous is unreliable, pointless and shite - but that goes for all beemer engines.
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Why is omega insurance dearer than that bmw ??? Never understood why , and going from a 3.0 to a 2.6 cost me more also :(
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Why is omega insurance dearer than that bmw ??? Never understood why , and going from a 3.0 to a 2.6 cost me more also :(
It will have been calculated from historical claims. This obviously not only varies for each make and model but also by insurance underwriter.
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This one has 125k on the clock. I agree opti, its a fine looking car.
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This one has 125k on the clock. I agree opti, its a fine looking car.
Don't worry about TB. He is a Vauxhall man through and through.
I believe his favourite Vauxhall of all time is the Frontera. :)
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I thought it was the Nova. Both fine cars :y
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I thought he was a Rover man,
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http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/four-reasons-why-you-need-to-buy-a-bmw-e39-540i-right-n-1659284463
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I read that this morning Stevo.
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They are a nice classic shape , would have thought all the leaks been sorted by now but easy to check :)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-5-Series-540i-4-4-Automatic-Black-/252043280051?hash=item3aaef33eb3
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They are a nice classic shape , would have thought all the leaks been sorted by now but easy to check :)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-5-Series-540i-4-4-Automatic-Black-/252043280051?hash=item3aaef33eb3
That's been chaved up to shit. Nasty. It's 96 car with shed loads of stuff bolted on.
But one that's not been screwed around with are nice looking cars. Driven 3.5V8 one. Very smooth, silent running, not too bad on fuel either.
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That looks rough :-[. You can find much better examples.
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The v8 4.4l from around 10-15yrs ago is known for being quite incontinent. This can lead to head issues if you let the coolant get low.
*Cough*HBV*Cough* who said that :D ;D
The viscous sounds freakin' awesome - but that goes for all beemer engines.
Fixed that for ya 8)
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Whats the viscous?
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Fan coupling is fluid rather than belt or electric...
Don't try it at bome, but you can hold the fan stationary whilst the engine is running when cold.
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Are they chain driven?
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Yup ;)
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Ah, its that shape one. My bro had one brand new in 1998, in a particularly gay gold colour. He only had it a few months, replaced it with something a bit quicker.
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I like that shape 5 series but to me its just another car the same age as the Omega which will need just as much maintenance work.
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I like that shape 5 series but to me its just another car the same age as the Omega which will need just as much maintenance work.
And will probably cost more. But the Omega has no V8 option ;) To be honest, I'd rather have a mint 3.2 but they really are thin on the ground and I have been looking for 10 months
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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508216239426?engine-size-cars=3l_to_3-9l&model=5_series&radius=1500&page=1&postcode=ox107ny&make=bmw&channel=cars&search-target=usedcars&sort=atcustom&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&logcode=p (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508216239426?engine-size-cars=3l_to_3-9l&model=5_series&radius=1500&page=1&postcode=ox107ny&make=bmw&channel=cars&search-target=usedcars&sort=atcustom&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&logcode=p)
More nice examples about, than Omegas that's for sure.
But there is a premium to pay for than :(
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There is a premium all right. I have found a 540 Sport that I will be looking at after the Bank Holiday. Its in Imola Red with 18" wheels and black leather. Not perfect, will need a bit of TLC.
The 6cyl models have a steering rack and supposedly handle better (or at least provide better feedback and response) than the V8 which has a steering box. But the noise and grunt should make up for that
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Nice looking motor but it's a BMW. It'll never appear in my stable in the foreseeable future. ::)
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Quite a nice car imo, but I would much rather have one of these. Absolutely gorgeous. 8)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E38-740i-Biarritz-Blue-with-Cream-leather-/161792268896?hash=item25ab921a60#ht_509wt_1275
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Quite a nice car imo, but I would much rather have one of these. Absolutely gorgeous. 8)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E38-740i-Biarritz-Blue-with-Cream-leather-/161792268896?hash=item25ab921a60#ht_509wt_1275
I think that if I were ever able to bring myself to own a BMW (not likely unless I suffer a heavy blow to the head!) then it would be a 7 series.
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These have lots of appeal,
V8, rear drive, auto, parts about the same cost as the omega, fuel consumption about the same, only down side (COCK) :D
Estate very rare :(
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They are lovely cars. RWD, handle much better than an Omega. Autobox is slicker, downshifts better. Service costs via dealer are the limiting factor. But there are numerous independents around.
It is a shame that some people miss out on an excellent driving experience because they are more concerned about "what others would think if they drove a BMW". ::)
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I find badge snobbery (inverted ?) from VX drivers quite amusing. :D ;D
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I owned one for a couple of years. Admittedly, the 3.5 V8, but I was very underwhelmed by it's 'speed' I know the 4.4 V8 is much, much better though.. Very small inside, yet quite comfy. Power delivery was smooth throughout the rev-range, unlike the Omega V6. Handling is exceptionally good in any V8 guise due to uprated suspension over the straight 6 models (to handle the extra weight). The Steering Box was not an issue for me, I had several Omega's before, then the BMW and then an Omega after........ We drive sensibly on roads, you see! No folding rear seats proves a problem (on saloon models), suspension items are massively expensive (and only use OEM), and the 5 Series Forum is as lively as a 518i.
Here a link to a few pics of my 1997 535i SE.
http://s70.photobucket.com/user/rossinbristol22/slideshow/BMW%20535i
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Nothing to do with what others think... It's what I think ;)
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Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas! :-\ Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega
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Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas! :-\ Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega
I think most "modern" cars do... Seems that they really have become a consumable item :'(
I really don't know what I will replace my Omega with so until I do I will spend the money and keep it going!!
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Aren't modern cars galvanised to prevent this (or at least keep it at bay for 10-15 years?). With the E39, it appears they rust really badly around the sills (amongst other places) and you need to take the covers off to see the true extent. Not really possible to do during a viewing
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Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas! :-\ Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega
If your that worried about rust how about something like a aluminium Jag XJ / XJR or something :y
Have noticed an unusual amount of BMW 3 series around the 2002 age have a lot of rust mainly around the front wings with some being completely rotten away :o ... It ain't called the ultimate driving machine for nothing ;D
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Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas! :-\ Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega
If your that worried about rust how about something like a aluminium Jag XJ / XJR or something :y
Have noticed an unusual amount of BMW 3 series around the 2002 age have a lot of rust mainly around the front wings with some being completely rotten away :o ... It ain't called the ultimate driving machine for nothing ;D
Nice idea, but bad examples to choose, Jaguar being one of the few companies to perfect an aluminium car that rusts.* It affected a lot of x350's, XK's of the same era and even seems to be creeping onto some x351's ???
*OK, so strictly speaking its bimetallic corrosion caused by steel rivets in the aluminium body/chassis. But still british inovation at its finest ;-).
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It is a shame that some people miss out on an excellent driving experience because they are more concerned about "what others would think if they drove a BMW". ::)
I drive loads of them, fear not, I know exactly what I'm not missing out on ;)
Beemers aren't (often) bad cars, but not what I'll call great cars either. Certainly not good enough to justify the price premium (new or 2nd hand).
As to what others think, well, I drive an Omega FFS ;D
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Problem with these is they rust worse than Omegas! :-\ Maybe I should save up for the E60 as ugly as they are or wait for a mint Omega
I like the E60, the more I look at the exterior the more i've grown to like it. I never thought I'd say it... I'd only buy the diesel 3.0 :o the petrol models, by all accounts, do not easily take to an LPG conversion.
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I drive loads of them, fear not, I know exactly what I'm not missing out on ;)
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You're driving the wrong ones then. ;)
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It is a shame that some people miss out on an excellent driving experience because they are more concerned about "what others would think if they drove a BMW". ::)
I drive loads of them, fear not, I know exactly what I'm not missing out on ;)
Beemers aren't (often) bad cars, but not what I'll call great cars either. Certainly not good enough to justify the price premium (new or 2nd hand).
So what of a E39 vintage would cost less and handle better and justify the price as you claim? Would be interested to hear. I agree that modern BMWs have their issues. For me, the main issue is that they are mass produced rep mobiles. A Ford Mondeo is more exclusive than a 5 series.
I do lust after a M3.
(http://cdn.gmotors.co.uk/news/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2014-BMW-M4-saloon-10.jpg)