The BMW e39 5 Series Touring: an Owner's Guide

Taking you through the finer points of this great car
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:08 Brand Familiarity
1:45 "Modern" Features
3:01 You Are in Control
4:12 The Designers Cared
5:05 Under the Bonnet
5:28 German Cupholders
6:00 Design Aesthetics
6:39 Vehicle Safety
7:46 Iconic Indicators
9:00 Alpha Males
9:41 A Comfy Headrest
10:17 Which One to Buy
11:19 Handling & Transmissions
13:02 Get the Sport!
14:00 Find a Good One
14:51 Wagon Pros and Cons
15:29 The Right Size of Car
16:09 Hear the Straight 6 Roar
16:41 In Conclusion

[@Fastrider1979]

Been driving e39 sedan’s for over 15 years mostly 540’s 6sp with a few 528 and 530. Best one I owned was 03 M// Sport with over 200k but automatic, still regret selling it. After trading in my last one for a brand new car which was a big mistake it took me over a year to find a worthy replacement 02 540i M// sport 6sp 70k that I enjoy more than anything else as daily driver. Now that I’m in my 40’s I finally get those guys I used to criticize for driving old school cars, now I’m heading down the same path. Just sitting inside it in my garage gets me excited and emotional and brings back lots of memories that’s priceless

[@ericgutierrez812]

Let me buy it! I'm on the hunt for one here in L.A.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

​@@ericgutierrez812You obviously missed everything what he said in that comment.
/woooshhhh

[@luckyhack78]

y drive E39 car over 16 years , the first 13 years the same E39 525tds, up to 630000km, the second e39 525tds touring, now 530d touring , if you have to compare this car with the new cars today.... E39 is a really good car !!

[@ackroyd11]

Thanks for the review, just what im looking for. Finding out the minor details really help.

[@drifzyy]

This vid is nostalgic for me because of the car

[@chrisstrazzulla8962]

Thanks for the inspiring video. I own a 99 528iT 5-speed manual sport wagon w/ black/black. I also have an 03 530i sedan . They are fantastic driving cars. Happy Holidays!

[@the_flat_earth_warriorz]

Me 2

[@philbLeprechaun]

Great video. well thought out. its the combination of small things and the styling plus handling which make it. The tourings don't get enough attention.

[@ivorton23]

I miss my E39. I need to get another one

[@the_flat_earth_warriorz]

E39 wagon blk on blk 5 speed stick ...would love to put a m3 6spd

[@E39540iAT]

Great explanation of why Tourings could be considered the best of the E39s. Your post facelift wagon with 6 cylinders in blue is beautiful and there's a good argument it's the best of the best. Some say it has better steering than the 540 and you also get to avoid the timing chain guide vanos rebuild fun! Personally these are so enjoyable to drive the rebuild was well worth the time and cost of the parts.

[@drewdavis239]

Weird. A 2003 without dsc. Asc instead? We went to dsc in 99/2000 in the u.s.

[@bag2963]

Hello, great car mate. I really like sedans, but I might consider E39 wagon just to camp in it, because when I get a car I want to travel, so what do you think about this car for travelling across country(I'm from Georgia, small country) and camping in it occasionally?

[@Jerram89]

Good choice. Lots of space, good to drive, simple enough mechanically.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Howdy. Please consider BMW clearance when deciding to leave the tarmac. It's a excellent driver in town or on motorway, but as soon as you off road it starts scraping everything with its belly. I never take mine on dirt tracks, this car was not designed for that. ⛔

[@bag2963]

@@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040 yes thanks

[@halfdecentfarmer7802]

Hey mate, did you buy this recently? I remember a car exactly like this on Carsales a couple of months ago.

[@Jerram89]

Yeah I owned it, did the video and then sold it to a guy on the Gold Coast

[@mntccd]

I saw this. Should have bought it! How much did it go for if you don’t mind me asking?
What a sublime spec, just perfect 👌🏼

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

​@@Jerram89So bizzare. Singing songs of praise to it whilst secretly concocting to sell it. 🤔

[@Jerram89]

@@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040 It’s a car, not my wife.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

@@Jerram89 Exactly my point!

[@Kryojenix]

If you're really keen on updated modern features in a near-OEM look, I find the Avant4 head-units from Avin USA look the part and integrate with OEM GPS antenna and onboard controls. You do lose to cool servo-opening cassette player, though.
I can't vouch for it personally, I bought one years ago ... but it's still in its box. I'm like that, sadly.
Edit: if the _new owner_ is really keen, that is ...

[@stitch2k1]

Wanna sell it? I need one for my wagon

[@davidparkin9017]

Modern headrests are garbage compared to the E39. The inline 3.0M54 6 cylinder is a great blend of fuel economy and power. Do your maintenance and enjoy your car.

[@Dino_Dad.]

Nice review, nice car. But I can't get a scomo nephew out of my head, sorry dude

[@Jerram89]

Tbh normally people tell me I look like Dan Andrews

[@emidiojoao9333]

... It's my car damn!!! 🤬🤬🤣🤣🤣👌✌️🇵🇹🇲🇿😎

[@HollaOn34Pimp]

Too bad its too dark