Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: duggs on 12 November 2012, 16:25:23
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Further to my recent post, I'm kind of leaning towards the 530 Sport now, circa 2000 -2003
Heck knows why really because my 3.0 Elite is running beautifully.....Fancy a bit of a change I guess !
Any views or advice please.
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Great engines, but I've never been a fan of the interior.
Swirl flaps apparently are an issue, DIY work maybe an issue as I bet most go to dealers. So bet forums are just full of modifications :(
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Am I right to say that the swirl flaps are only on the diesels ?
Personally I'd only go for the petrol engine.
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Am I right to say that the swirl flaps are only on the diesels ?
Personally I'd only go for the petrol engine.
Sorry yes, I thought you were after the diesel.
Oil for those is steep, mate has 330 petrol, around 50 quids worth of oil required for a DIY change :o
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http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/5-series-e39-1996/?section=bad (http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/5-series-e39-1996/?section=bad)
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Great engines, but I've never been a fan of the interior.
Swirl flaps apparently are an issue, DIY work maybe an issue as I bet most go to dealers. So bet forums are just full of modifications :(
The Rover forums, their cars never see dealers (obviously), but they only want to talk about modifications. Full of chavs. I try to get in there to offer help for those with mechanical issues, but hard when the threads get pushed down so they can all have group wanks over undercar lighting/"Lexus" rear lights/LEDs/Bucket seats/Max Power stickers/100,000MW amps/M3 mirrors etc.
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Great engines, but I've never been a fan of the interior.
Swirl flaps apparently are an issue, DIY work maybe an issue as I bet most go to dealers. So bet forums are just full of modifications :(
The Rover forums, their cars never see dealers (obviously), but they only want to talk about modifications. Full of chavs. I try to get in there to offer help for those with mechanical issues, but hard when the threads get pushed down so they can all have group wanks over undercar lighting/"Lexus" rear lights/LEDs/Bucket seats/Max Power stickers/100,000MW amps/M3 mirrors etc.
The BMW forums seem to be OK in the main, nowhere near as much knowledge as OOF has for it's subject matter but not full of Chavs like the other forums either.
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Am I right to say that the swirl flaps are only on the diesels ?
Personally I'd only go for the petrol engine.
Sorry yes, I thought you were after the diesel.
Oil for those is steep, mate has 330 petrol, around 50 quids worth of oil required for a DIY change :o
Unless it's an M engine or you're keeping up the dealer warranty.. I'd be throwing Vx fully synth in it :-X
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Very nice car to drive, lots of comfort and lots of power, parts can be very expensive though (scary expensive) but if you play nice with it should be fine. Its only when u thrash the life out of them that they give problems!!
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Thank you for all your input..Reading with great interest.
It would be VX oil for me also..
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You could get an E39, or an E60 dependant on your budget, an E60 will probably be an SE variant though.
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Budget is low at this time unfortunately.
JUST not sure whether to concentrate looking for the 330 or 530
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Budget is low at this time unfortunately.
JUST not sure whether to concentrate looking for the 330 or 530
PM me with budget and other details, and I'll keep an eye on my travels :y.
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Further to my recent post, I'm kind of leaning towards the 530 Sport now, circa 2000 -2003
Heck knows why really because my 3.0 Elite is running beautifully.....Fancy a bit of a change I guess !
Any views or advice please.
Interesting.
I changed from a 3.0 Elite MFL Omega Saloon to an e39 535i Saloon over a year ago.
A few notes;
The Omega is more Comfortable, much more 'wafty'. The e39 is much more planted and capable in the bends but doesn't feel like an executive saloon with the M-Sport suspension. That said, the ride is definitely acceptable.
The throttle pedal takes some getting used to, but that can be said of any BMW.
With Auto's, the e39 Transmission is infinitely better than the Omega, providing smoother power delivery and better economy. It likes to keep hold of it's 'learn' though, so if you potter around most of the time (as I do) and occasionally stamp on the loud pedal, it can take a second or two to decide that you REALLY want 1st gear! Same to be said if you generally floor-it everywhere, it will delay upshifts when taking it steady.
Servicing costs are very similar - My V8 swallows more oil and much more coolant than the Omega, but twice a year and once a year respectively, not a major issue. Has been running on Vx oil and Coolant since I've had it, no issues. Brake pads and discs are similar in cost. Suspension components on mine are expensive, but they are all aluminium. Not sure how the Straight6 fares.
Boot size is comparable (cavernous) but annoyingly with the e39 there are no split-fold rear seats. You get a solid bulkhead with the exception of very few cars....... Obviously an estate wont have this problem.
NO RUST EVER with a e39 unless it has been accident damaged and repaired. If there is rust on an e39, it has been badly repaired and should be avoided.
Apart from the pixel issue with the on board computers (both in the centre console and the dash clocks) electrics seem to be quite robust. Both units can be fixed by a well-known company for a LOT less than online quotes. Problems reported with the later cars and their more complicated centre consoles, but chances are that issue would have been fixed on a car which has reached 10 years old.
That's all I can think of for now, but if there is anything you are particularly interested in, just ask and I'll give you my honest view. :y