Opinions on E39 530d?

[DaveVoorhis]

Just looked at this: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_popup.jsp?did=113313&pageid=1&originalid=&gid=nogroup&tid=7&start=3&distance=0&adcategory=cars&channel=DEALERPAGE&id=200836317964049

102K miles are on the clock, and it's reasonably well optioned. It ran and drove well and seems to be in excellent cosmetic shape, bar a teeny bite out of the driver's door upholstery like someone got careless with a sharp fingernail, and the '5' on the 530d badge is peeling off. Unfortunately, it has a tow hitch, and it's unknown what it was used on or for how many miles. The service book has a full set of dealership stamps -- most recent service (oil change only) was less than 1000 miles ago -- but no repair invoices or other history. The rear parking sensor seemed flaky, but the seller claimed everything worked and anything that didn't would be fixed -- as usual, of course... Asking price is £5995.

I'm kinda tempted, but a bit worried that it'll quickly gobble suspension parts, burn up the fuel pump & injectors, crack the radiator, and spew turbo innards through the cat before I've finished re-filling my wallet from the purchase hit.

Any thoughts?

[Omega]

Looks good especially as it's the facelifted version with Zenon lights.
The e39's are lighter on their suspension than the e34 but do suffer from front shimmy when the lower bushes wear. Radiator cracks are a posibility however the turbo letting go is a distinct possibility. It's what's stopped me getting a diesel.

£6k is strong money though. For that price money I'd get it inspected. RAC do one for a few hundred and would put your (well my if it were my money) mind at ease. Or take it to a friendly BM specialist for a once over.

If you ring BMW ( 08452460920 ) with the reg plate you can get all the BMW history they hold for the car on their system (for free). They even list stuff that isn't stamped in the service book - like the £3.5k short block swap on mine due to worn Nikasil bores that even the previous owner didn't know about.

[DaveVoorhis]

Thanks for the advice. I've decided against it, mainly after reading various expensive woes about turbos and injectors. An equivalent 530i is usually cheaper, and a 540i would be a lot more fun.