Auto box will probably drop after 450,000 – this seems to be their limit before being rebuilt and these can be done for £450-500 by a specialist.
Is that based on fact or just opinion?
My 535i (e39 too) ran to 120k perfectly, and then the autobox just went into emergency mode No warning whatsoever.
Had it on the computer (codes said solenoids), the local Specialist reckoned on £900 to take it apart to really work out what was wrong… Wasn’t worth doing, so I ebay’d it as spares/repairs.
Engine, body, interior and all electrics were absolutely perfect. Apparently, according to my Specialist, lots of the early e39’s had warranty autobox’s within the first few years, done at a service with owners unaware.