E39 is a looker, I would love to have one but I wouldnt have the time for it.

Consider where you live, in Metro Manila there are a number of BMW shops (European Motors, Europlus, Bimmer Monkeys, Sportline, and etc).

The smaller engine with a manual will be presumably easier to maintain and parts for basic things are plentiful. The only item I had to wait for in mine was a side mirror glass piece. The rest of the things like alternators and etc are fine. Come to think of it not much has been changed in 60k kms.

I would check if it leaks oil since that is a syndrome of some BMWs.