Faults:

- 2 parking distance sensors needed changing (£100 each).

- Stabilizer in front suspension (£60).

- Passenger seat heating does not work.

General Comments:

I was very surprised that this would be the best car I have ever had. I have driven 60000 kilometers with this car since I acquired it, other than servicing it has needed little or no maintenance.

The performance is adequate, the comfort is good, the consumption not too high, and the face-lift E39 5-series still looks fairly fresh.

Faults:

Camshaft sensor fault after 1 year causing car to cut out intermittently. Part was only 80 euro, but position required 2.5 hours labour to repair at 100 euro per hour.

General Comments:

Outside of the premium brands (Aston, Ferrari et al) this really is the ultimate driving machine. The straight six provides a sweet purr on acceleration and the car is a solid in the drive as the day I bought it.

Agreed that the 5 (E39) is common on the roads, but I did buy the model fitted with the M kit and is an elegant machine. I would only change this car to buy the E 60.

Consumption is poor in city driving (21mpg)..but wouldn't put me off it. Open road driving is 45+mpg.

Faults:

Things went wrong since I have had the car:

Shadow line trim started to corroded on both rear doors. Car was under warranty, and was replaced no charge.

Had a flood in the rear floor. Took 3 days for BMW to figure it out that it was the weather barrier on the door that came loose, which took me 5 minutes to figure out. Fixed under warranty.

Radio had a weak reception, bulletin was out to replace the head unit, covered under warranty.

When I got the car, the 12v power outlet was dead, they fixed it under warranty.

One of the Key fobs went dead, car was under warranty and they replace one of the keys.

Cup-holders, well, lets just say are as good as not having one at all and just using the dash top. Any turns will cause the drink to fall out, or its too small to fit anything. Ummm shot of espresso would fit...

Audio system, on a non-dsp vehicle, let just say, is very weak, shame for a vehicle of this class. But the system is very easily up graded, if you have some experience with mobile audio.

I am a DIY type of guy. Actually when I do work on the car, it a pleasure since the E39 is put together so well. Thank God it was still covered when I first got the car. I think if you maintain this car, it will last a long time. Plus it was the last model with no i-Drive. It's a keeper.

General Comments:

Drive like no other. Once you have driven one of these fine automobiles and you can afford it, you will not get anything else. It is definitely worth it. I happen to be a car guy as well, so it not just a statement making vehicle. Roomy, good power, great handling, looks timeless, and is a respectable machine. I know why the 5 series was the benchmark all others tried to compete with. Now only if they can get that cup holder to work on turns?

Faults:

Not a great deal. Wheel balancing down to a fine art. Two months of steering wheel shimmy/shudder eventually sorted by local hunter road force balance. Highly recommended.

General Comments:

A very comfortable and capable executive car.

Great interior space and good luggage room. Effortless cruiser. Steptronic auto works very well. Changes are imperceptible usually.

Feels very solid and well built. Main dealers and independent specialists have been first rate.

Performance and acceleration is adequate. This is the 2.2 170 bhp version replacing the 2.0 litre. The unit is always smooth and never harsh, even up to the red line.