2000 540i Good Buy or NO

[flyboiz08]

hello everyone im in the market for a used car and my search has led me to find a 2 choices a 2000 540i and a 2000 740iL both with almost 100,000 miles on the car. im trying to figure out which one of these cars would be the better buy. can any of you guys help and list a couple things that may (probably) go wrong upwards of 100k

thanks in advance

heres the link for the car if you like

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=26317728&listingRecNum=0&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26alMdId%3D20502%26mkId%3D2 0005%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D20502%26rd%3D75%26crSrt Flds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId%26zc%3D28557%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dpric e%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26alMkId%3D20005%26rpp%3D50%26fe edSegId%3D28705&aff=national

[cruz 540i]

540 is lighter = better power to weight ratio. So, faster, better mpg's and better looking...not as roomie if you need space. Your asking in an e39 section so i bet is most everyone here will say 5er. Alpine white is what i beleive to be bmws best color for an e39. i would never buy an auto e39 but again thats me. You have to drive it everyday...but if you can drive a stick i would hold out for a 5406.....just my 2 cents

as far as what will fail on the car. Read up a bit, this is a good place to start
http://edgemotorworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=55
i read this before i bought my e39. There is alot of info on the web and a bunch even on this board. The search button is a very handy tool.

As far as a better buy for mantinance...cars break you drive them hard they break, you baby them maybe the dont break as fast maybe they do..I drive the piss out for my car everyday...Stuff breaks and i fix it.... it really depends on sevrice records of each car. Get a PPI done see what the pro think...

good luck

[jgladun]

I have 2 E38 740iL, and E39 540i - 6 speed sport.
I would always go with E39, it is much smaller, and then I drive it I don't feel like I drive a ship! :D...

It is all depends what you are looking for in the car..
if you are looking for a soft comfortable luxury ride and not planning to make any 90 degree turns at 50mph, then I would go with 740IL, plus you can dance in the back sit it has so much room there...

In terms of replacing at 100K you have a lot to do, and it is all depends on if anything ever was replaced already...
Things to consider:
1. Intake manifold gaskets(usually lasts for 100K)
2. water pump and all hoses ( I guess every 60K or so)
3. upper timing chain cover gaskets (cause of pretty bad oil leak from each side)
4. vale cover gaskets(100K perfect time)
5. spark plugs (scheduled maintenance)
6. MAF sensor (maybe last for 150K or more)
7. maybe some ignition coils (misfire, would trigger engine light)
8. power steering houses (always leak)
9. possible power steering pump (soon or later, might work till 150k)
10. radiator and expansion tank(every 80K or so)
11. possible catalytic converters (once in a lifetime, unless engine has issues)
12. possible drive shaft (all depends who and how drove it)
13. upper control arm (from suspension, shimmy steering wheel at 50 -55 mph)
14. window regulators will eventually fail if still work, sunroof


I didn't want to scary you, but those things to be aware of :)

[flyboiz08]

PPI im sorry to sound like a newb but ??????

[rrcompton]

Your in the Carolinas and VA...we like them BIG BODIES!!

Get the 7 series if you like to chill and cruise w/ your boys. Get the 5 if you want it sporty w/ you and your girl up front and some of your 5'5" friends in the back. LOL

The backseat of the 5 is pretty damn small.


PPI im sorry to sound like a newb but ??????

pre purchase inspection....

[jgladun]

I could not see on the picture, but pay attention to the trim around windows and rims size.
If the trim is chrome, then it is not a sport version, if the trim is black then you got sport version with M-sport suspension (with 17 inch rims).
You might know all that already, just my 2 cents :) .. And as many of people in here I would go with 6 speed.

Good luck

[flyboiz08]

hey jagladun do you have the prices on each of the repairs you listed just to get a estimate

[rrcompton]

Maybe $1K-3K depending on what parts etc.

Suspension can push it up a lot, I dont know what you want to do.

[flyboiz08]

so your saying 1 to 3k for each repair

[rrcompton]

NO....not $1-$3K for each repair, total BUT it depends on what parts you buy (aftermarket vs OEM) and if youre going to do the repairs if needed or take it to the dealer / indie.

That cost can easily go over $3K, it depends what needs replacing and what doesnt. Its hard to say......

[flyboiz08]

ok thanks for all of your input its really helpful would these repairs be the same on both the 740 and the 540 or would these be more specific to the 540

[02540ico]

Looks like a PO painted the trim or added the shadowline trim, its def not a sport model.

[1st Time Five]

For their asking price you can find a much better machine, my money is that they got this from wholesale for around 4K or less.... ask me how I know

There are plenty of fully loaded facelifted (HID Lights, Celis Tails) 5'ers out there, hell just a while ago I had my 540iA for sale, with Nav, HID, 2 sets of wheels and a drivetrain warranty that expired in 2012 0r 275K miles and I could not give it away at 6000.00, and to top it off the BMW dealer wanted to give my $3,000.00 on trade for a new BMW X6, and I bought it for 10,000.00 about 6 months ago.