Question about e39 (new here :D )

[brumi]

Hello, you probably get this question a lot.
I would like to know wich car is better to buy from e39 models
i have in option
523i from 1999 (i dont know if its double vanos) 142.000 km
525i from 1997 (its kinda old so i think its simple vanos) 130.000 km
520i one from 1996 (125.000 km) and othere from 1998 (175.000 km)

its gonna be my first bmw so i'm kinda scared that i'll make the wrong choice.

i would like to know wich is better ( fuel consumption, performance, relaibility,easyer to mend and easyer to modify at the engine )
for example i would defenetly have the 523i if that engine could be modified to 192 hp as the 525i without spending to much money

please i might be a newbie but i really dont want to buy the wrong car

[devon.818]

well the car you want, the 523i(1999) has a base of 175bhp...so to get it to 192 would not be all that difficult.

you can chip it, free up existing HP and give you more HP/torque.
Intake/exhaust help it inhale exhale.
headers.

all that should add ATLEAST 25-30. as far as cost, you can shop around and get medium range parts or go all out for best quality, such as Bora exhausts.
hope i helped

[brumi]

but the chip wont it increase the consumption ?

[devon.818]

the intake will help mpg, as will the exhaust.
remember, cold air is denser=better burn(simplified).
helping the engine inhale exhale will both bump up mpg and performance.


but with the chip i'm pretty sure it only comes into play when you are in higher RPMS.
the chip frees up power that the factory ecu is "hiding". so if you are redlining your call all day long and driving it to its maximum performance level everyday...then NO none of these mods will help or hinder your mpg, you would be the one screwing that up.

if you drive the car normally your gas millage will likely increase a good amount(with mods i listed in former). you want a performance machine and you want power, so i suspect you will have it WOT on your on-ramps, stop lights, etc. and you will very much enjoy it.

as for city driving, commuting, keep that heavy foot undercontrol and your mpg's will not be affected.


discalimer: most companies mention that their performance products increase mpg when used in NORMAL driving applications.

hope i helped.

[brumi]

thx u did
1 more question
as i know from 1999 they started to make double vanos at 523i
but if i go and see the car how can i tell the difference coz i dont want to be scammed ...
here in my country its very likely to get scammed .
+ what sould i check before buying the car?

[devon.818]

what country?
i think you could use the VIN number to figure that out, but not exactly sure.
do you plan on having a mechanic look over the car first? should only be about 100$
he could tell you for certain about the double vanos, but if you do some searching you could find the VIN number that indicates the double vanos(possibly even call dealership and ask)

as for checking if its solid;
-look for rust
-overspray from repairs(indicates accidnet and repair)
-tool marks
-push on all four corners, shouldn't wobble
-let it idle for a while, make sure it doesn't over heat
-drive it, see how it feels, listen to it.
-get under the car and look around.

-bring a friend, second non-biased opinion will HELP you tons

the engine should be a M52TU, and that should be on the engine somewhere, or car.

[brumi]

dont laugh )
romania )

the part with the mechanic is not and option they'll do more harm then good to the car.
last time i took a bmw my uncles car to the service at a bmw dealearship they didnt fix the engine they made it worse ... so worse that we had to complet oil every 100km.
then somehow we repaired it at home.

thx for the heads up i wouldhave forgotten to check all for parts to see if its wobble

[devon.818]

GL,
romania? i hear they have some beautiful women there....just a side note lol

[brumi]

women yea, cars not ) thats the problem

[brumi]

hi,
I kinda got mixed up when i checked the car,
the owner didn't know if its the double vanos engine or the simple one

and the only codes he provided me with were these
BMW INDIVIDUAL FACELIFT DD31/523i-170CP - MOTOR 2494 cm³ prod 1999

that DD31 ? what is that
it has a M52 engine but when i searcht id i didnt find the code for that M52TU

i didn't buy it yett coz i wasn't sure , if ur not sure better wait it out

and its kinda cheap compared to othere 523i with double vanos engine.

what do you guys say is it or is it not the M52TU I'm screwed if not

[devon.818]

Re: How do I know if I have a single or double vanos?

i found this, i hope it helps.
if you still need help i can call a friend who knows some stuff. let me know