Now 6mths since I jumped from the fine responses and total reliability of my old Alfa 156 to this bus of a BMW so an update seems appropriate....
...except there is really nothing to report which is quite a success when this car was such an unknown quantity to me (both the actual car and the whole running an older BMW concept).
It's settled down to swallowing loads of gear with great ease and covering my longer runs with the same ease. Fuel consumption still in the range nearer to 40-45mpg then the Alfa's 50mpg.
Nothing has faulted and it's totally free of the little quirks many owners overlook on older cars.
It's interesting to look back to when this car was new costing some £33,000 12yrs ago. Back then I was happily running a used Xantia TD and this BMW would have been totally out of the question.
After these months with it I guess the standout thing for me is the engine. I remember years ago when I was running 4cyl diesels seeing folks post about the supreme smoothness of these BMW 6cyl diesels and thinking yeah big deal.. it's still a diesel. When I was a bit younger I was lucky enough to spend time on boats with twin 6cyl turbodiesels and there was always this lovely feeling of fuss free power delivered by a muted thrum from a slightly disconnected place... this BMW has a similar feel.
I am constantly amazed by the thought that's gone into the BMW's systems given its design age of 20+yrs ago. Only today I had to reach for the handbook as clearing a frosted screen on the drive appeared to show the wipers had lost speed 1 but of course it was the programming that reduces low speed to intermittent when the car is at rest to stop them juddering across the screen. Very thoughtful.
As an aside though next door but one has made me just a little envious by buying an Alfa 159 2.4Ti diesel. Thankfully it's in my least favourite colour for an Alfa and not an estate so I don't feel totally gutted.
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Tut, was es auf dem Zinn sagt.
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I'm pleased all has gone well, as a vehicle like that is always a bit of a gamble... But I guess that just like business is a matter of risk and reward, you accepted the risk and seem to have been well rewarded.
I should have written a post on the C250 estate I've now had for 8 months, but there is nothing much to report about that either.
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I must admit I had to Google translate that Runfer to find it means "I waft, I carry".
Glad to hear your MB is OK too Paul. Anyway never mind the car how about the image... is it successfully conveying that subtle management edge and authority... but without excess that can alienate?
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I'm not aware that it has alienated anyone... The few comments I've had about the car have all come from people who are already driving a Mercedes and either seem pleased that I have joined their 'team' or have genuine questions about my particular model.
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110,000 on my E250, so far so good.
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I've only got mine for 24,000, just over 8,000 on the clock now.
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Mate at work has just purchased £900 worth of 1.8 Focus - its an 03 I think, but only 90K on it. Popped out at lunchtime in it. Very quiet and no squeaks or rattles - think he's done OK but time will tell.
Its got a tough act to follow as a replacement for his 96 accord which gave no grief over 6 years and 80K, but deemed BER by clutch failure (and he never serviced it in that time)
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>>>I've only got mine for 24,000,
Is that a 2yr lease then Paul? assuming so not long before the what next discussions.
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The E39 is an old school BMW. Built like a tank, good to drive, and relatively simple.
A stark contrast to what they build today.
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Yes, a 2yr lease. I guess I'll need to make some decisions about September next year. On the one hand the Company will be more than twice the size it was when I got the C250, so perhaps the budget should be a lot more. On the other hand, hopefully I will have more people to delegate to and won't have to go to so many meetings in the future and feel less need for an 'executive' car! Place your bets now...
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BMW 5-Series E39 - 2002 525D Tourer - 6mth report. - Runfer D'Hills
