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Message: <blockquote data-quote="bigkeeko" data-source="post: 810735" data-attributes="member: 13366">1996-2003 E39 5 series.V8s not worth the extra. 2.8 and newer 3.0 is as far as you need to go. Build date from 2001 shown on engine compartment label on top of front wheelarch. I`ve personally had use of a 528 se and it was a quick car. 193 hp here though in the UK.Check for Repaired accident damage. Some Dodgy door seals.Uneven rear tyre wear and clonks from the rear can be caused by worn rear suspension bushes. Reports of repeated thermostat problems blowing radiators on older E39s. Service light indicator can easily be re-set, so a paid invoice is the only guarantee of a recent service. General Warning about Automatic Transmissions: Many BMWs have "sealed for life" automatic transmissions. Regardless of whether you have a full BMW service history, the dealer will never change the auto fluid. Many of these boxes are failing around the 120-150k mark.A good independent or automatic transmission specialist can and will change the fluid for you (and any good BMW independents will recommend this anyway). This is commonplace in the US and means the 'box should last the life of the car rather than being the cause of it being written off. General advice is ensure the fluid is flushed out every 60k or more preferably at each Inspection II. However, one specialist says autoboxes do not take well to being drained and having their ATF replaced.  Good cars at the end of the day. Hope this doesnt put you off. Theyre good cars.</blockquote>