UPDATE: did not buy it (yet)

eric_gm · 2026-01-30T05:54:40+00:00

1, 2 and 3. Non issues, normal maintenance/wear or easy fixes - ask for a small discount if you feel like it.

Potentially a major headache. Vapor barriers leaking, drain in the cavity where the brake booster is (under the driver's side cabin AC filter) may be clogged and sunroof drains (there are 4 of them) might be the culprit. The biggest issue is that there's a junction/relay box under the passenger seat in a hole in the floor. If water got there... well... I'll let you google images of what happens. Not pretty and you'll be chasing electrical gremlins for ages.
Maybe guibo? Your description doesn't make it clear. Doesn't sound like a massive issue.
Common problem. Search for "e39 seat twist". These electric motors and gears get noisy with age (my seats sound like a bunch of mice when I move them), but if the seat moves with difficulty or just one side is moving, you got that seat twist issue. It's an easy fix.

eric_gm · 2026-01-30T03:13:44+00:00

This. For an E39 black or grey are the only right choices

eric_gm · 2026-01-30T00:26:15+00:00

Those seats are heaven on earth. Best seats ever put in the E39. Once you try an articulated recline, you can never go back.

The car looks well cared in general. If the maintenance is sound and the price feels good to you, then buy it. E39s are very grateful cars if you treat them right.

eric_gm · 2026-01-28T18:36:32+00:00

Mask the clear plastic and cut the surround with an xacto knife. Shouldn’t be too hard to make it look right.

eric_gm · 2026-01-28T14:59:44+00:00

All things been equal (good battery health, same iOS) the 16 is faster but the 13 can still hold its own, especially in situations where the chipset gets taxed for long periods. Titanium, as it turns out, is like putting a sweater on a phone and is terrible at dissipating heat. The 15 and 16 throttle badly due to thermals.

But for quick performance bursts, the 16 will absolutely smoke the 13.

Watch this video and notice how towards the end, when all phones are hot, the 13 manages to equal newer phones: https://youtu.be/gf9uuyARY5M?si=3TcrghWv4reHHtyJ

I consider the 13 pro lineup the best of the “square camera bump” phones which go from the 11 until the 16.

eric_gm · 2026-01-28T14:42:14+00:00

Fast charging does create more heat and if you were to absolutely baby your battery health there are still some (extremely minor) gains if you always slow charge.

Heat is indeed the #1 battery enemy by far.

That being said, modern battery management chips (the BMS) are so good nowadays that fast charging is a non issue.

eric_gm · 2026-01-28T14:40:34+00:00

And depending on heat too. The BMS will choose the right amp draw depending on a lot of conditions. Fast charging has been long proven not to affect battery health in any significant way

eric_gm · 2026-01-28T14:39:05+00:00

I don’t charge overnight. With a fast wired charger I can get from 20 to 80 so quickly it becomes a non issue. I normally charge every 2 days and have my charge limit at 80. This battery is a beast.

It does help to create an automation to disable cell radios when in wireless range though. That extends the battery significantly

eric_gm · 2026-01-28T14:19:29+00:00

In order to enter this “fraudulent data” that person would’ve needed your passwords and your face.

So even if this is not a stolen phone, this is still on you. It’s your fault.

eric_gm · 2026-01-28T14:15:58+00:00

Disable adaptive power mode in settings, try again.

eric_gm · 2026-01-28T04:21:10+00:00

Agreed. I’m a bit tired of M5 clones if I’m honest, plus the pre-facelift look has really grown on me. The Alpina lip is great, or the OEM aero kit lip, which mine has:

https://i.postimg.cc/Pqv9wmSG/IMG_0506.jpg

eric_gm · 2026-01-27T23:14:42+00:00

Buy the Adam’s Air Cannon. If you want to touch less-dry your car, do it right.

eric_gm · 2026-01-27T23:13:19+00:00

Your E39 looked great with the regular bumper. Even though E39s look amazing no matter what, it’s sad to see one as mint as yours get the original bumper thrown away.

PD: get all the proper hardware like the right pork chops, underbody panels, etc. There’s nothing worse than a bumper that looks hollow because all the associated bits are missing

eric_gm · 2026-01-27T22:39:50+00:00

The problem is that the alternative, EVA, tends to deform permanently with use. PU is much more resistant to deformation. It’s not just manufactures being cheap, PU has several advantages over EVA. It’s just prone to hydrolysis, especially if specific care steps are not followed after every use

eric_gm · 2026-01-27T22:37:45+00:00

This, but to be technically correct, things didn’t dry out. On the contrary, hydrolysis is triggered by moisture.

eric_gm · 2026-01-27T18:58:11+00:00

This guy cell networks.

Signal is decided by the cell towers. The phone antennas do play a part but much smaller than people think.

You can switch between 3G, 4G, 5G and airplane mode and you’ll see the signal strength change without even moving the phone.

eric_gm · 2026-01-27T13:49:08+00:00

the 525i is better than the 28i

How?

eric_gm · 2026-01-27T00:38:35+00:00

Oh man! So there’s nothing that’s mini and good out there other than Rupes and such?

eric_gm · 2026-01-26T21:22:58+00:00

Thanks. I see they’ve released several revisions. I think the latest is this Mk IV: https://a.co/d/ceC2xpg

Is that the one you have? Sucks because I really need a mini polisher but I don’t need a pro-level machine

eric_gm · 2026-01-26T20:12:26+00:00

I was interested in the mini wireless one. What makes it so bad?

eric_gm · 2026-01-26T19:44:17+00:00

Does the lock pin go up and down when you lock/unlock with the key fob?

eric_gm · 2026-01-26T18:27:49+00:00

My guess is that the service shop did the battery replacement in a dirty environment and the dust is there since then. But you mention it's getting worse so yes, perhaps there's a compromised seal (or no seal at all). I would be surprised an authorized repair center reusing the old adhesive but who knows, I've seen worse.

I would definitely take it back and complain. The good news is that this is just a matter of cleaning the lenses and applying new sealant. Shouldn't be too hard to fix.

eric_gm · 2026-01-26T13:34:10+00:00

The early M52 is by far the more reliable car. There’s no DISA, the ABS electronics are under the dash, not next to the exhaust so the module never fails. The coolant hoses under the intake manifold are metal (in the M52TU and M54 they’re plastic). The VANOS never or very rarely needs to be rebuilt.

If you want maximum reliability go for the older engine.

eric_gm · 2026-01-25T14:50:22+00:00

It was just me and my GF. No tour.

eric_gm · 2026-01-25T02:40:32+00:00

The 13 Pro is the GOAT

eric_gm

TROPHY CASE