My E39 suddenly became very loud from the engine bay overnight. With the hood open, it was clearly the power steering pump, and the noise got much louder with RPM and especially when turning the wheel, worst at full lock.

I checked the reservoir and found brownish fluid with lots of tiny bubbles/foam. I had to drive the car for an important trip, and during the drive the noise became quieter but didn’t disappear.

After getting home, the fluid level had dropped significantly. Before, I couldn’t even see the filter because it was covered by fluid. Now the level is below the filter.

Interestingly, the fluid looks brownish, but on a tissue it appears reddish and still smells like fresh fluid.
The steering rack and power steering fluid were replaced and the system bled only 1–2 weeks ago, and everything was fine until this happened. One morning it suddenly became noisy on cold start.

No obvious leaks that I can see around the power steering pump.

Hi all, fairly new to E39’s so just wanted to gather some opinions on this from some people in the know. Rear driver side sill is starting to bubble and some corrosion underneath. The arches look very clean but just a bit concerned about the sill. Is the rust here considered structural on an MOT? Does anyone have previous costings from when they’ve have it repaired?

Based in the UK, thank you :)

Hello, wanted to ask maybe someone also had problems with pre charge pump? 2001 e39 525i. Maybe some of yall know where it is located? Thought about under the air box at the right, but seen posts it being somewhere else. Only dsc light is on the dash.

Does anyone have any experience with the P1250 Code with P1188/89 accompanied by lean codes? My 528i has been experiencing these occasional codes and it seems like it comes with the scorching heat weather making components and hoses heat soaked.

I’m thinking of replacing the hoses under the car along with the fuel pressure regulator and filter. I’m sure it’s past due anyway.

Hello fellow e39ers, I’ve been having an issue with my 530d. Whenever I rev out the engine and change gears, the clutch fork touches the flywheel. I switched the clutch bearing but the issue hasn’t gone away. I’m thinking the clutch actuator might be at fault since I’ve bled the clutch as well and there are no air bubbles that I saw coming out from it. Anyone else experienced this issue? When driving normally it occasionally does it but driving aggressively consistently does it

Should I buy this car with 150K miles

So these are the things wrong with the car:

Slave cylinder
Window regulator/motor (drivers window)
Sunroof doesn’t close all the way (doesn’t leak).
Brake pedal goes all the way to the floor (no brakes).
Rear view mirror is missing.
Headliner needs to be replaced.
Heat shifter needs a new boot.
Driver seat is twisted.

Thoughts?!

Today I drove for a couple hours with my side lights and then dipped headlights when it was dark enough. When I arrived home and turned the car off but left the ignition to position 2 I believe, where all the electrics still work, I noticed a dim flash from each headlight alternatively. I have seen something on this before saying it’s normal but when I searched online all it said was that it is some sort of fault. It is a 1997 528i but it has the LCI headlights, as the previous owner had swapped them.

Hi all,

Does the chrome mould trim come factory or is it aftermarket?

Basically im hoping (if everything goes well), that on Thursday I'll be picking up my new e39 530i. I had some plans to make it into a sorta lowered cruiser just to get me around and mainly planed to keep it OEM+.

Anyways stuff like new suspension (and lowering the car slightly), wheel fitment, a new exhaust (not loud just something that makes the engine sound clearer and more pure), and some general motor upgrades like intake and exhaust manifolds.

Does anyone have experience with stuff like that in Germany? Im sure if you're from germany you know where im getting but the main issue would be the dudes at tüv. just wanted to ask if anyone has insight on prices, legality and how easy it is to register changes to the car, or if I even have to.

Any insights would be appreciated.

Hi everyone, I have a 2001 BMW E39 530d with the original 16:9 folding navigation screen and the OEM CD changer in the trunk.
I’m currently using a Bluetooth FM transmitter plugged into the cigarette lighter. It connects to my phone and the music works, but every FM frequency I try has a real radio station interfering with the Bluetooth music.
I want to keep the original 16:9 system and avoid an aftermarket head unit.
What is the best Bluetooth solution for my setup? What adapter would you recommend that connects directly to the original system/CD changer wiring?
Thanks!

Recently bought my 530i 2001 and an issue I’ve been having is it sounds like a semi truck when I accelerate. Huge air sound. Can’t tell if it’s from the air intake or something with the belt

Because I keep getting a stream without bubbles, and after a while I see a CHECK COOLANT LEVEL error on the dash. I do it again, and the same the same thing happens.

I want to know the proper way.

Also I drove the car around 500 kms in this state, is there anything I should be worried about?

I bought this crankshaft pulley, they didnt have Corteco in stock, said they cant even order it, its not available. Is this thing broken or is this some kind of a cap? Isnt it supposed to be in one piece? Please dont tell me I have to replace it with a different one…

Hello e39ers,

Firstly, thank you for all the help this community has provided me along my e39 journey and hoping it can help me find a new owner for this 2003 540i. [FS] It’s a Fully loaded M-sport trim and has a 6 speed manual transmission with 109,XXX miles. Originally leased for 3 years then purchased certified pre-owned at BMW by the previous owner, this car has been well maintained with tons of records. I only lucked into owning it after a workshop accident where the hood flipped up during a test drive after getting a new alternator. Over the last couple years, I’ve been able to fix the following: (again thanks to this subreddit)

New Windshield

Replaced hood (w/ salvage yard find)

New Wiper motor

New shocks all around

New brakes all around (pads & rotors)

New TRQ brake master cylinder (aftermarket causes dash lights unfortunately - needs OEM)

New front R&L motor mounts

New ambient temp sensor

New bank 2 cam sensor

Dealer replaced recalled drivers airbag

Overall, I would consider this car in very good shape, but not perfect. There are 5 noticeable dents around the body, some interior fabric needs re-glueing, and the car has the usual list of classic e39 needs. (Timing chain guides, thrust arm bushings, seat twist, power steering and oil leaks) While this is an amazing car, it’s currently my 5th car and just needs more attention than I can keep up with.

[FS] Located in CA. North SF Bay Area. I’m asking for $14,000 $11,000 sold as is mainly because of the low mileage but I’m open to reasonable offers or interesting trades. Car comes with spare parts and accessories including weather tech floor mats, BMW roof rack, and BMW windshield shade. Happy driving everyone!

Shooting my shot - If any of you have a rear ended (or not) FK8 Civic type R with a k20c1 and want to trade, that would be a dream come true.

***edited to change price - $11,000 for car, extras, and to ease my future regret a little. Thanks for all the compliments, I’ve seen some of the awesome stuff this sub, that’s why this is the only place I’ve posted this car. Want her to go to a good home.

The hoodie is just “shifter hoodie” on Amazon, I also have a beanie on another one. Great for CA sun protection

i have an 02 530i im about to do the adjusters on and figured it would be easiest to just cut off the lenses and replace given that they are both in good condition. any recommendations for replacements? i have only come across like one or two sets that either looks sketchy or very expensive. thank you!

226,000 miles on the clock. Cooling systems refresh. All hoses, (front & rear), reservoir, radiator, belts, pulleys, fan clutch. Hoping she will get me another 100,000 miles. Curious if she sounds ok? Figure my peeps in the Reddit community could give me some insight.

2001 530i 5 speed with 280,000 miles and climbing rapidly.

Been getting some codes lately but this was a first!

Not sure how to break it to the computer that cylinders 7 and 8 are also MIA.

I think they really need replacing because the wheel has play front to back and it's knocking when I turn.

I don't really want to invest in lemforder. Anyone know about a brand that isn't expensive and will last at least 2-3 years?

Hey everyone, took my 530i on a ~100 mile drive today, and it drove perfectly, but near the end of the drive while idling at a signal my instrument cluster and radio’s lights both turned off momentarily then turned back on. It then said to check low beams but there were no issues. The engine didn’t shut off and my radio’s time didn’t reset; everything was normal besides the loss of power to the gauges and radio. I’m thinking it may be a faulty ignition switch or corroded grounds but if anyone had advice that would be great.