Bought my first BMW Tonight! 540i/6 sport

[drawdy10]

1998
122,000 miles
$6,600
BBS Style 40 wheels wrapped in Brand New Kumho Ecsta AST's
Black Metallic with Gray Interior and the Bad Ass Mobile Phone in the Console
needs right rear window regulator, front sway bar linkages, a new cluster display, cup holders, and a new paint job since there is a good amount of chips in the front and some scratches on the trunk. Has it's fair share of dings and has silly carbon fiber decals on the door handles which is bubbling and faded, how do I get this off cleanly?

Rides amazing and has tons of power, full service history, maintained at every recommended interval with all regular repair being completed. Brand New windshield. Just put a new clutch and flywheel in at 120,000 miles as well so I can see this car lasting a very long time.

Will post pictures when I take them, just got the car 2 hours ago.

Any Suggestions for mods or if you want to tell me if I got screwed, got a great deal that'd be sweet.

[trkraus]

congrats on the car!
maybe update the headlights and tail lights if they're still oem, thats the first mod I would do besides the maintenance
seems like a good deal if it was well maintained, although that stuff you gotta fix might bring the cost up a bunch

[FP5241]

Congrats!
Time to update that cars list. ;)

I say get her up to spec, then start the mods once all the little things are out the way.. ;)

[ViolinARC]

CONGRATS...nice y/m. Can't wait to see pix...

[Dat Aus]

congrats, first mod should definitely be post update lights. post pics

[easymoney]

Congrats and enjoy your "new" ride. Ensure that your cooling system is up to date and this is a must.

[Aintfirsturlast]

I bought my 99' 540i 6 at 112000 miles last year for a little above that price and in the l0000 or so miles which included a cross country drive( 3600 at high speed) I have spent about as much on upgrades as I did for the car, and most of that was getting thecar back to spec. If you're car has vanos that is prone to failure around your mileage and can cost anywhere from 2k to 4k if you don't know how. My car developed a horrible squeek from both sides if the front at 118k and there is way too much play in my cars front and rear ends so I am replacing everything front and rear except springs and sway bars that cost about 2200$ in parts from eactuning.com (lowest price by far). Again these are costs just to make the car spec again. When I first bought mine I did the lights and wheels too because I didn't really know anything except that I wanted a cool looking BMW. A year later I also think that your money would be much better spent on engine and suspension. Oh and btw I forgot to mention that the radiator cracked as soon as I got it off of the sales lot! They put in a new one free , but those too don't last long as they are made of plastic. I know this is a long reply and I could go on, but I thought I ight give you an idea of what you may be in for. Whatever the case I love my car and plan to get another 123k out of it so good luck and you won't regret purchasing that car as long as you take care of it...

[dgz32]

1998
122,000 miles
$6,600
BBS Style 40 wheels wrapped in Brand New Kumho Ecsta AST's
Black Metallic with Gray Interior and the Bad Ass Mobile Phone in the Console
needs right rear window regulator, front sway bar linkages, a new cluster display, cup holders, and a new paint job since there is a good amount of chips in the front and some scratches on the trunk. Has it's fair share of dings and has silly carbon fiber decals on the door handles which is bubbling and faded, how do I get this off cleanly?

Rides amazing and has tons of power, full service history, maintained at every recommended interval with all regular repair being completed. Brand New windshield. Just put a new clutch and flywheel in at 120,000 miles as well so I can see this car lasting a very long time.

Will post pictures when I take them, just got the car 2 hours ago.

Any Suggestions for mods or if you want to tell me if I got screwed, got a great deal that'd be sweet.


I think you got a deal, but it does sounds like she needs some lovings. Nice that you got the new clutch, flywheel, and tires, too. Those alone saved you big money. I personally would hold off on the mods until you bring the car up to a mechanical baseline. Unless you're upgrading maintenance parts, of course.

End links, cup holders, and rear window regulator are all very straightforward fixes. Check EAC Tuning for these parts. Additionally, you might be able to score a deal on ebay for the regulator. User LanceM also sells a repair kit, as well. If you do replace the regulator, I would still install the repair kit as it reinforces the very weak metal of the crappy regulator.

Definitely give the entire cooling system a very hard look. At 120k, there are undoubtedly some things that have already been replaced. Still, even if the entire system was overhauled earlier in it's life, you're due for another complete replacement in 10-20k miles.

You did good getting the manual tranny over an auto, too. So less potential issues, there. Many folks (including myself) have installed a ZHP shift knob along with a SSK (short-shift-kit), a 545 shifter works fantastic here and is inexpensive, and replace transmission fluids. I use Royal Purple, but any recommended synthetic will be better than the "lifetime fill" if it's never been changed.

Re the paint, I've been amazed at the talent some folks here have to bring a car's finish back to life. You may want to check into the Car Detailing section to see what can be done. Dings, a good PDR guy can address those, np.

Other than that, keep this forum near-and-dear to your heart and you will learn much about these cars. The DIY subforum is a very necessary place to spend some time sifting through, as well.

Congrats, and post up pics ASAP!
|dg

[RJLupin]

Congrats on the buy .. welcome to the forums:wiggle

care to explain the style 40 wheels .. never seen/heard of them before :help

[MATT0404]

Congrats! Enjoy your new car.

[E39Convert]

Congrats on the 540i6, you'll love it!
There is an entire thread on replacing the instrument cluster through BMW. I got mine replaced for cost of labor, they covered parts. You're on your own with the MID if it has the same problem. Just take the attitude that BMWNA is doing this as a courtesy, not a requirement and you'll get much further than some others.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83256

Goo-Gone will take the decals off, just be sure to hand wash the car right afterward.

+1 for replacing the fluids and cooling system check
+1 for the SSK and ZHP shifter (doing mine now!)

[drawdy10]

Congrats!
Time to update that cars list. ;)

I say get her up to spec, then start the mods once all the little things are out the way.. ;)

got er' done! ;) thanks

Thanks for the tips on EACtuning.com I just ordered the sway bar end links and the cup holders from them tonight.

[MontanaRob]

your 98 will not have VANOS so no issues there. The 98 was a sweet year.

There is a "glue off" product that might remove the decals. Maybe a hair dryer to loosen it up

Might want to change the "lifetime" tranny and diff fluids.

Make SURE you change the engine mounts next time a mechanic is down in that area ESPECIALLY if you replace the rediator. Many radiators are broken by the engine torque pulling the top hose and plastic neck off due to worn out engine mounts.

[JWis]

congrats on the purchase, i bough my 98 540i with 160,000 for a little under what you paid. hope you love the car, definately have the power youll need for anything

[jhstealth]

awsome price for that, congrats on the pickup you will really love it.

[dpbdc]

Congrats on the new 5!

[fastone27]

Congrats on the new purchase. Sounds like you have a few things to do on it . One of witch you said was the right rear window regulator. I just had to change mine out last night. Was'nt to bad at all to replace. Just one bolt that secures the top window track in place was a little tricky! Also do shop around for price. Dealer prices are rediculous! i bought mine off of e-bay it good quality.

[KevKaos]

I think you got a decent deal, but what the hell do I know? :D Just to give you another comparison, I bought my 98 540 automatic back in Feb 09 and it was pretty much a cream puff. The asking price was $11,800, but I got it for a bit less since my Brother in Law is a salesman on the used lot and I got it from him. It had 96k miles and is now getting ready to flip 100k this month.

Much like an earlier poster, we set out trying to update as much as we possibly could (especially fluid wise). New syth fluid for the crankcase and diff, new filter and syth fluid for the trans. New Akebono ceramic pads to keep the dust down and new front OEM rotors to play it safe. Upgraded to SS braided brake lines cause it seemed like the right thing to do. K&N filter was is highly controversial around here. Cleaned the MAF and the ICV. Had a shimmy at 55-60mph so $300 later I have new control arms with non-fluid filled bushings and the shimmy is gone. New tires all around which a lot of used cars need. Replaced my shocks all around with Bilstein HD's because I got a great deal on them more than realizing that I needed them (which it seems I did). There was no rebound on most of the shocks when pressed in, but you (I) couldn't tell by driving it. Also like the previous poster, I also had a radiator failure very early on, but unlike him, I had to pay for it. Plan of swapping out the whole radiator system before long.

Anyway, I am getting long winded and probably pissing people off. My point is that it is wise to fix all the stuff that has a history of failing at this point in the cars life and then doing all the pretty stuff. I have done the lights all around, but I did depo's to save cash. i will replace them later when the extra cash is available.

When I go to the local BMWCCA meets, guys ask me if i have done any mods. I just laugh because I have probably done at least $2k in mods and maint overhauls that no one can readily see, but I have some piece of mind. I finally have her to a point where i don't "HAVE" to sink money into her on a regular basis and I can start to do the fun stuff.

If you have read this far, look into joining the BMWCCA and whatever chapter is close to you. I know in my area, my local dealer gives us a decent discount. I use that when buying parts that are difficult to get elsewhere. That's only one reason for joining, there are many more IMHO.

[jamfool]

your 98 will not have VANOS so no issues there. The 98 was a sweet year.


Vanos was introduced in 09/98, so it might be the case.

[drawdy10]

Yeah, so it is the 4.4L V8 vvt, does vvt mean it has vanos?

[MontanaRob]

Vanos was introduced in 09/98, so it might be the case.

9/98 mfg date would be a 99 model year. So it depends on how you say it. Mine is a 9/97 mfg date but a 98 model year. VANOS started in the 99 model year as far as I know


Yeah, so it is the 4.4L V8 vvt, does vvt mean it has vanos?

probably means vanos variable timing

[e39dream]

got er' done! ;) thanks

Thanks for the tips on EACtuning.com I just ordered the sway bar end links and the cup holders from them tonight.

Welcome to the wonderful world of e39 ownership! Thanks for the order as well, let me know if you need any assistance with the car in the future.

Mark

[dinanmite530i]

vvt=variable valve timing, yes?

[gjVah]

Congrats on the purchase :) What's going on with the pics.

[Cyrix2k]

vvt=variable valve timing, yes?
yes.