Lot Ended
Description
Exceptionally clean and tidy; 12 service stamps, the last only
100 miles ago; heated seats; ULEZ compliant; legendary E39 build quality; a fine
sporting saloon from the era of ‘peak BMW’
Every now and again, a
car comes along that simply wipes the floor with everything else in its
class. No matter how hard they tried, main rivals Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar
just couldn't get anywhere near the BMW E39’s unique breadth of talents.
Performance; handling; refinement; build quality; driver involvement: you name
it and the E39 5 Series trounced its rivals in all departments, winning every
group test going with monotonous regularity.
It even looked great, the muscular Joji
Nagashima styling being a beacon of understated elegance compared to the clumsy
mishmash of the ‘Bangle-butt’ E60 that finally replaced it.
Epitomising BMW's marketing
slogan, ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’, the E39 remained in production from
1995 – 2003 and still has a cult following today, there being few cars of
any era that can match the
sheer range of its abilities.
This particular E39 is the mid-range 525i SE
model which is powered by the creamy smooth 2,494cc straight-six M54 engine with
double-VANOS variable valve timing to give a broad spread of torque. Producing
192bhp and 245Nm, mated to 5-speed Steptronic transmission, it could launch the
car to 60mph in around 8 seconds with a top speed of 144mph.
Finished in Cosmos Black with a
matching black interior, the SE trim includes: Turbine 16” alloys; chrome window
surrounds; Montana leather seats and door card inserts; heated front seats;
walnut wood trim; multi-function steering wheel; heated front seats; dual zone
climate control; six CD changer; parking sensors; Xenon headlights and headlamp
washers.
The V5C states five former keepers
(HPI showing that the third kept it for 19 years, 2002 - 2021), our vendor
acquiring the car in January 2024.
Used as its makers intended, it has covered
142,509 miles with a good service history comprising 12 stamps in the book, the
last only 100 miles ago by Cotswold BMW of Hereford in October last year (see
photos).
In
February 2024 it had another £1,350 spend at Cotswold BMW to cure an oil leak
that had been an advisory on the 2023 MOT, a new coolant thermostat, expansion
tank and fan frame being fitted at the same time. There are also invoices for
two new tyres and an air con recharge in June 2024. It has an MOT until August
2026 with no advisories recorded.
As you can see in the photos, this pampered E39
is in particularly good condition for its year/mileage and has been starting
instantly and driving very nicely as we have moved it around on site, with no
warning lights and that wonderful E39 ride quality. It is ULEZ compliant so can
be driven into London and other low-emission zones without incurring any
fees.
If you
have never owned an E39 before, you really should put one on your shopping list.
Hailing from the era of ‘peak BMW’, they are every bit as good as the
contemporary road tests said they were. Compared to soulless modern cars, they
have analogue character in spades and use better quality materials than most of
today's cars – later BMWs included…
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907
– james.dennison@brightwells.com