540i experts

[Md750]

i'm currently looking for a 97-00 540i 6spd. what should i look for and be aware of when i find one...ie: fixes, services, brakes, etc? i know with every bmw, service records are very important, but i want to look for the things only owners know about. i've done some research here that i should be looking for ones where the radiator has been replaced already.

what's a realistic price range should i be looking at? i've seen some on ebay for almost $20k+ for a 1999 /w a million miles...i'm not paying that much for one. if anyone know a better place to look, besides ebay, let me know.

TIA

[M-Theory]

My uncle has been trying to sell and auto 98 with sport pack. for 23k. So I would expect to see them that high. He had transmission problems with it too. I can't remember anything else right at this moment. I just thought I'd share the price.

[Md750]

thanks Chris,

when did he have the trans problems...mileage wise anyway?

i would love to hear what the 6spd owners can add...

[M-Theory]

Only drove a six speed a few times. We didn't have any problems with it but it didn't break 10k before we dumped it. My uncles 540 had the transmission problems at like 80k. I also remember him having some other problem with it. I think it was astetical, but I'm not sure. Sorry.
Chris

[M-Theory]

Here are some links that I searched for. I'm really bad at searching, but it supposedly is a great tool. Anyway here are the links that I found that seem to have some valid info and links.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=152283&highlight=e39+540i+problems

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=101571&highlight=e39+540i+problems

[Md750]

okay just to satisfy my own curiousity, is $31k a good price for a 99 540i 6spd /w 62k miles? it's at a dealership here and i seen the inside and it is clean as hell, but i didn't really want to pay that much for a 4yr old car. is that around the price i should expect for a 6spd?

tia

[hexhead]

Just in-case... I suggest you try all three of these sites for car resale prices:

http://www.kbb.com

http://www2.nadaguides.com

http://www.edmunds.com

[M-Theory]

To be honest, I am not that sure. I myself have never purchased a used 540i. If you want to I think that you could most likely find a BMW enthusiast, or someone who has just taken care of the car, and buy it person to person cheaper. The bonus to buying at a dealership is that you can get the CPO warranty. I am also pretty sure that if you do buy person to person you can purchase the warranty seperately, though. The more and more I think about it, the more that price sounds decent. It's a dealer and it's a 6spd 540i, which is pretty rare. Let a few more people post their opinions on the price.

[Md750]

thanks guys, but it will also heavily depend on what they give me for my trade in anyway. i'll also take it up to carmax to get a price from them

[Md750]

oh i almost forgot, since i'm getting it from a non-bmw dealer how can i check to see if the service was kept up on it? i haven't even test drove the thing yet...i think that should be the first step...i'll try to do that friday

[M-Theory]

Does it come with a warranty from the dealer you are buying it from?

[Md750]

they say it comes with a warranty, but it's not a bmw warranty like i would want

[Md750]

okay, i test drove the car today and i know i want a 540i...maybe not this one, but i want one for sure. the place wants $28,500 for it (1999/61k miles). here's some things i noticed:

-when i pressed the DSC button, it look like a warning light of some sort came on the dash board...what does this mean?
-the passenger side rear window motor is not working...at all
-the film on the wheels are cracking. not the actual rim, but the thin coat of whatever is over them is coming off on most of the wheels
-a few dimming pixels on the dash...not a big deal at all
-cracked fog light
-the remote on the key is a little faulty...is that replaceable?
-it does have the angel eyes with xenon projection lights. how mush is this mod to do if i find another w/o the angel eyes?
-and last but certainly not least...they don't have the service records

any advice would be greatly appreciated. i have seen a few elsewhere for cheaper, but i would have to travel a bit to purchase. oh, and if anyone know approx. how much it would be to get it certified by bmw, let me know.

thanks

[mikemaster]

Yes, the traction control light on the dash lets you know that you just turned DSC off.

Have them fix the window first if you buy this one.

As far as wheels, if you plan to keep the stock ones, this is an issue. If you plan on upgrading to other wheels, then no big deal, but maybe a bargaining point.

Pixel problem, a lot of e39 owners have been getting these replaced by BMWNA, but it is on a case by case basis and they possibly would not pay for yours. ?????

Fog light-You probably could fix that for cheap

What's wrong with the remote?

Angel eyes with xenons are big bucks, over $1k, halogen angel eyes can be had though for $400-600

Service records not really necesary if you get it inspected at the dealer. Also, they may be able to provide you with the records.

Lastly, I wouldn't pay more than $26.5k for that kind of mileage. I was going to sell my 540 a couple of months ago, 97, 6 speed, 57k miles, and would have only gotten 23k for it on private sale. Do some research and good luck in your search. They are great cars!

:drink1:

[Md750]

thanks Mike. i was thinking along those same lines as for the price, but i'm finding some 2000 as low as $25k, but they higher mileage. i'll most definitely try to get them down on the price, but i doubt they're going to move tho. thanks again.

[Md750]

Originally posted by mikemaster
Have them fix the window first if you buy this one.


oh, they said they would fix that...like it's not a big deal that my window doesn't work:confused:

but what's extra confusing to me is that they are acting like it's in mint condition cause they vacuumed the car and wiped down the dash:rolleyes:

[RSR]

740newb, I am not an expert but I have owned my 97 E39 6spd for 3 years. Outside of normal wear items ie; exhaust, bearings and minor electrical components, these cars if they are maintained according to the schedules that they alert you to, are rock solid.
I now have 112K on my car and I drive it the way it is supposed to be driven, with enthusiasim. The only way I change cars is for a M5.

[rph74]

Pixels can be replaced-look at vdorepair.com

Window actuator is a common problem-have them fix it.

Make sure trunk actuator works, that is a very common problem, though very easy to fix.

Check out www.540i6.com for another list of common problems

I just bought my 540ia sport automatic 1 month ago for $18,800- it has 121k on the odo, but a new motor 40k/2years ago. The guy spent 13k for the new motor when the radiator blew and he overheated.

[kpytoi9]

i got an 00 540i auto and i bought it for 33.5k with 30k miles on it. As far as records, you can call any BMW dealer and give them the vin number and they will tell you what kind of work has been done and where it has been done. Its also a good way to make sure that the miles are not rolled back

[Greco540]

Actually for the pixel problem, you can contact Leonora Vlaovich @ BMWNA leonora.vlaovich@bmwna.com and get it done for approx. 1 hour of labour. BMWNA will pay for the part. Take advantage of it while it lasts..

[Md750]

guys, i have to say that i REALLY appreciate all the advice...this place is great! i'll keep you guys posted on what i do and if i find another one...i have i few ppl in line, but i need to sell my car first as well

[Md750]

okay guys, i think i may have my eye this 2001 540i-6 /w navi for $36,500. do you guys think that's about right on the price? 2001 540i-6 owners, should i be particular cautious of anything...ex: bad radiator, engine block, leaky door seals etc.

[mikemaster]

Depends on the mileage.....

[Md750]

i don't remember the exact mileage...but it's in the low-mid 50's. but why does the mileage matter...known problems at a certain mileage?

[mikemaster]

Yes radiators are likely to go between 45 to 80k miles. I would inspect the valve covers for leaks as well. My radiator went at 52k, and valve covers were seeping by 45k.

[Md750]

how far are you from havertown, pa? that's actually where the car is and i'm in md. if you're not too far away from there, i would REALLY appreciate you going to check it out for me.

[Silent Bob]

damn that's a lot to ask of someone you don't know, better buy the guy dinner at least...

[mikemaster]

If I was closer, I'd be glad to check it out for you. You might want to ask in the Mid-Atlantic regional forum.

[Md750]

hey Mike...i appreciate the thought man. i still need to sell my car, so i have at least a week before i need to make a decision