BMW 5 Series (E39) Service Manual: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 - 2 Volume Set

Just received these books. I have wanted them for a long time because I do own an E-39 . From skimming through, there is a lot of information. I am a DIY and hope this has all the answers I do need. Shipping was prompt giving all the locked down.

Even if you just do basic repairs or routine service to your car, the Bentley manuals are the only real game in town. They are copied directly from BMW original manuals and are very detailed. When I first got my 528, one of the cup holders failed in the back seat. The manual showed me an easy way to remove them. I also chose to replace the center arm rest and trying to figure that out without the manual would have been impossible. With the manual it was a 10 minutes affair. These two items paid for the cost of the manuals and the manuals add to the value of my car when and if I sell it.Only downside is some major maintenance issues require the use of BMW Special Service Tools and they can be found at Richmond BMW (along with great prices on parts) at 800-237-0130A must-have item if you own a screwdriver!UPDATE: Richmond no longer sells wholesale to the public. My PS reservoir return line just leaked ATF fluid on my alternator, resulting in a nice "burning plastic smell" as the alternator heated up. I ordered a BOSCH re-man alternator from [...] for $200 and, with my manuals, got the car all back in tip-top shape. These manuals are a must have. Last year I replaced all the belts and idler-tensioners along with water pump and hoses when I did my radiator. Total cost: $400. That same service would have run about $2500 at a dealer.

Bentley's BMW Service Manuals are arguably the best ones on the market and I have bought several over the years. I am slightly disappointed with this set though, which is why the 4 stars instead of the usual 5.My main issue is that there seems to be a lot missing or not matching the car. Granted, the E39 is really complex and had several variations, but even some of the basic stuff is way off. For example, I needed to remove the center console. The instructions are very detailed and clear - if you have a manual transmission. The automatic transmission version is completely different and not even mentioned. Relatively easy to figure out on your own, but still seems oddly missing. As another example, the electrical diagram for the taillight wiring harnesses do not match my car. Not even close.These quibbles aside, this manual set is still an indispensable tool for anybody who services their own cars and it will easily pay for itself.

At only $50, I couldn't pass this up. Well written and extremely informative, you're hard pressed to find something as detailed as the Bentley manual. I would say it demystifies some of the hype surrounding the complication of working on these cars. Once you start going through this, you realize that the e39's are no more complicated then any other vehicle. Don't be intimidated. With the right tools and some common sense, this book will get you through 99% of the routine maintenance and common problems you'd pay to have the stealership to take care of.Only one grievance though: VANOS removal/installation for the M62tu motor ('99 onwards I believe, but don't quote me on the year) is not covered in the bentley works. The 6 cylinder motor has a VANOS removal/installation procedure included in the manual though. Check out Beisan for the M62tu Vanos procedure if you find yourself one of the unlucky individuals that has to replace the seals.

The Bentley manuals are incredibly comprehensive. This was well worth the purchase - I have already saved thousands of dollars by repairing/replacing items on my own rather than paying the ridiculous labor charges for simple repairs. One thing that is not really a complaint but more of a wish is that I own a 2002 525i, but most of the book seems to refer to the slightly earlier e39 models like the 528 and 540, but in many cases, there isn't much difference.If you want to keep your e39 for a while and save money and you're somewhat handy, getting these manuals is the bast way to do it.

Bentley manuals are a 'must have' for any BMW owner. Whether you are a DIY weekend mechanic, or just want to familiarize yourself better with your BMW, the Bentley is the BEST manual out there. Chilton's and the other ones are 'ok' but these are the best. I do all my own wrench work on my cars and between the forums and these books, it helps me get the job done. I also have the Bentley for my E36 M3, and it has helped me do work on the car for years. If anything, it gives you all the torque specs for basically every bolt on the car, which is invaluable for a detailed home mechanic like myself. If you own any older BMW's these books are a no-brainer.

I bought this manual when I decided it was time to start doing my own maintenance on my 5 series. My brake wear indicator came on showing that I was in need of brake pads and rotors, so having this book was invaluable when the time came to do the job. I had done some checking on dealer prices and found that a brake job can run anywhere from $800 - $1200. With the help of this manual, I did it myself for the cost of the parts and a few hours of work. The manual is rather expensive, but I saved about four times as much just on the brake job. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to work on their own cars.

The E39 manual is okay, but as I drive a 2003, it isn't specifically included. But it's still an E39. However, the book is better than nothing. You just have to be prepared to decipher what is applicable, and what is not regarding your particular model and year. Many of the photos are not recognizable.The real weak part is the electrical. Connection points not identified or just totally ignored in the index. Often the part is not where the book says it should be located. Perfect case in point: the engine electrical relay box beneath the pass.side air filter. The photo is not even close to the actual.As I said, it's just too broad of a subject I suppose to cover accurately.

I'm on my second e39 and fix most stuff myself, but find this of only limited useIt does tell you what BMW tools you need for each tricky job but who is going to buy BMW tools to change brake discs pads shoes?!The order / layout is counter intuitive - it will tell you how to change a disc before telling you how to change a pad.I does tell you minimum disc thickness, but on dis-assembly sequences and how to do stuff it isn't an easy readIt does tend to assume the reader is an idiot and was probably written by a lawyer who had just eaten a safety manualRather than by a mechanic who might be briefer e.g. (going from memory don't rely on this)Rear pad, disc shoe replacement - method:- Loosen wheel nuts (with car on flat surface)- slacken off handbrake cable at handbrake lever (Pozi 2 for trim, 11mm spanner & long socket for adjusters)- securely chock wheels and jack- remove wheel and remove caliper (17mm spanner)etc Instead it can be overly wordy and difficult to read in a cold garage. It has few insights regarding for instance hand brake shoe adjusters where a diagram to shoe what it looks like how it adjusts and how it might go in either way up and what to expect...Could do better for the money

There isn’t a Haynes manual for my E39 M5, so I needed the closest thing to it. That is a manual for a 540i. The only people who do these are Bentley. I got hold of a second hand copy of Volume 1, which is the mechanical part of the car, but it kept referring to electrical layouts and issues in Volume 2.I bit the bullet and bought both Volume 1 and Volume 2, brand new. money well spent - never regretted it once. Makes a Haynes manual seem a bit weak.

Great home-mechanic companion. An absolute million miles ahead of Haynes, but then you would expect this given the price. Another thing I'd expect, given the price, is M5 coverage. Being similar to the 540 in many respects, it seems a shame that such a premium offering couldn't add in a few extra pages to cover the differences that do exist.

The manual is exhaustive and as detailed as you’d ever want. My rating reflects that only one of the two volumes turned up. I complained to Amazon who told me my only option was to buy it again and then return the single volume. I’m still to receive my replacement. Express shipping at no charge would have been a nice touch by customer service but no such offer was forthcoming. Buy it, it’s great. Make sure you get both volumes.

This manual helped me through several repairs on my old e39 2002 540i m-sport, including: coolant pump, thermostat, heater blower, brakes, and more!