Here are pics of my facelift model - most 2000 models will be prefacelift; mine was originally bought in December.
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17928

Can't remember the cosmetic differences off the top of my head - but I think the lights were different - front and back. I don't think the pre-facelift rear ones had LED strips for the brake lights.

Edit - a very brief search on carzone makes me think that the pre-facelift models had separate front indicators rather than the integrated ones in my car.

Front:
Old front lights New front lights

Rear:
Old rear lights New front lights

That might be a bad example though, it's ages since I did the research.


The more important thing is any differences in the engine. The 525 replaced the 523 (both 2.5 litre engines), and the 520 was changed from a 2.0 to a 2.2. I don't know if that tied in exactly with the facelift.

 

Wayne,
Are we looking at another E46 to E39 convert!!
Group buy of E39's....add your name to the list!!
1. Mrs Crilly
2. Superted
3. ???

 

Also the 528 was replaced with the 530i.

The Round centred m-sport steering wheel and wide screen sat nav are signs of the facelift. But both can be fitted as upgrades easily enough.

There was also a subtle change to the bonnet/grills. Don't know what the change was, it just looks better.

M tech 2 suspension also came with the facelift. You could get the measuring tape out if you want.

Best way is to get the chassis number and fone up BMW and check the original spec list.

Thought you were for buying a 7 series? Whats all this nonsense with tiny little executive saloons?

Couple of pics of my facelifted 2002 530i MSport

 

another noticeable difference is that the pre-facelift steering wheel feels like it was taken from a double decker bus

 

Thanks for the info lads, very helpful

@Dave yep stick me down for the group buy

@John I actually wanted an m5 but there's feck all for sale down here and the vrt still massive so think I can rule that out at the moment.

@Alan the car I've seen seems to be a facelift alrite but with the older steering wheel, not like yours or Johns

 

I've an older steering wheel, and have no problems with it whatsoever. I've since added the MFSW buttons.

 

id say he was talking about this one

 

No was talking about the one Alan and Eoin have


Car is 01' btw

 

Pre-facelift there was a 528i Sport available for a short while (no more than about 6 months) with the full body kit but there was also a sport pack (small s) available on the pre-facelift e39 with a slightly more subtle bodykit. A couple of the sellers photo's, below, of mine when I bought it earlier this year.

http://www.bmwcarclubireland.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=230&pos=1
http://www.bmwcarclubireland.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=230&pos=0

Spec between pre and post facelift was pretty much the same (Sport and sport pack had 17" alloys, sport seats, clear lenses, anthracite roof lining, dechromed, boot lip spoiler, m-tech wheel and gear knob) except for the angel eyes lights and the more aggresive looking bodykit on the post facelift cars.

 

this is the wheel im talking about

it feels weird driving with it when i switch back from the facelift.

if your looking at a facelift one with non facelift parts, is it a very late model?
late 03 models sometimes seem to have a mix of pre and post facelift parts

 

Yep, that's the one I have in mine - find it fine to use.

 

For the 2001 model year (Cars made from september 2000), BMW updated the E39 with newer, clear-lens tail, side marker, and headlights which first displayed the now-popular "angel eyes." Rear tail lights were changed to "wave-guide" LEDs (Hella, the OEM, refers to these lights as "CELIS"), while the side and rear turn signals were changed from amber lenses to clear. The black trim was now painted to match the body color, and the front bumper now featured rounded fog lights. Internally many changes were made to electronics; items such as window regulators and the air conditioning were updated. The 528i was replaced by the 530i which had a new 170 kW (228 hp) M54B30 3.0 L inline-6. A new entry-level 525i was introduced featuring a 143 kW (192 hp) M54B25 2.5 L I6 and a slightly lower price. The available navigation system was changed to a wide screen version. The front grill was also changed to a new, more pronounced design.

there You go bro