Verdict
A
BHP
231 bhp
0–60
7.1 s
Top speed
155 mph
MPG
23 mpg (US)
Used
$3,200-$13,000
Strengths
- Reference exec saloon balance
- Inline-six soundtrack
- Touring estate
Weaknesses
- Cooling plastics fail
- Bush wear
- Rust on UK cars
Notable tech
- E39 platform
- Saloon and Touring bodies
- M5 above (E39 M5 covered separately)
- M52/M54 inline-six petrol
- M51/M57 inline-six diesel
- 5MT, 6MT, 5-speed Steptronic
Common issues
- M52 cooling system plastics
- Suspension thrust arm bushes
- Steering rack leaks
Engine derivatives
US-spec trims and engines offered across E39's life. Click any two rows to compare them side-by-side.
520i 2.0 / 2.2
BHP170
Torque210 Nm
0–608.6 s
Top142 mph
MPG (US)23 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 5AT
523i 2.5
BHP170
Torque245 Nm
0–608.0 s
Top146 mph
MPG (US)23 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 5AT
525i 2.5
BHP192
Torque245 Nm
0–607.5 s
Top148 mph
MPG (US)23 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 5AT
528i 2.8
BHP193
Torque280 Nm
0–607.5 s
Top149 mph
MPG (US)23 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 5AT
530i 3.0
BHP231
Torque300 Nm
0–607.1 s
Top155 mph
MPG (US)23 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 5AT
540i 4.4 V8
BHP286
Torque440 Nm
0–606.2 s
Top155 mph
MPG (US)19 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox6MT / 5AT
525d / 530d / 535d
BHP218
Torque500 Nm
0–607.6 s
Top149 mph
MPG (US)33 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 5AT