540 or not 540

[katit]

Hi!

I'm in a market for 540 6sp BMW.

I came across one today 97'

It has over 120k miles on it.

What should I expect from this car? Is this year (97') have this nicasil problem?

Seller said that clutch and brakes were just replaced.

I welcome any opinions on this...

P.S. I do like and know to work on cars. (but not to often :D )

[540Greg]

You don't have to worry about the nikasil problem with a '97. BMW stopped using it in '95. This looks like a great deal on a super car:
My car (http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=162067959&dealer_id=&car_year=1999&make=BMW&distance=25&max_price=&model=540I&advcd_on=n&end_year=1999&min_price=&certified=n&address=95129&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1999&color=&cardist=0)
Greg S.

[katit]

Can anybody tell me what do I need expect from this car?

Price is kind of low - 12k.. :cool:

[marinakorp]

Can anybody tell me what do I need expect from this car?

Price is kind of low - 12k.. :cool:

Expect lote of grins on your face when you nail the accelerator!

HAve a Prepurchase Inspection completed.

Things do go on these cars

get the VIN # and run a car fax... and go to the dealer to get a printout of the services performed.. sit with them and have them explain the cryptic codes they use


The radiator tends to go on these, as well as the ABS unit, MAF sensor and the CPS sonsor... all told = 3k to fix... still sounds like a hell of a deal... 12k

[NightWalker]

Some people warn against buying BMW 540, 1997'. They say that year's cars have lots of problems. Is that right?

[shragon]

Some people warn against buying BMW 540, 1997'. They say that year's cars have lots of problems. Is that right?
from what i heard, if it's a 97 model with a 1996 production date, to shy away. how true it is, i have no idea.

[myred318i]

I was just going over my list o' stuff that I've done to my car in the last 9 mos.

I bought a '95 540 w/ 128K miles. My car was in pretty good shape, relatively I guess, and here has been my experience.

Breathe deep, and slap leather :eek:

This car is not for the faint of heart, or cash strapped. When something needs replaced or repaired it will cost you. I try to do as much as I can DIY, but often time constraints can get in the way.

Life-to-date maintenance (a whole 9 mos.) $3713.14 :(

Items:
Brake Pads - $75+/- (I need new rotors so add $300 +/-) DIY
Change differential fluid - $62 (had shop do it, no mess in my garage)
Winter Tires - $720 , optional expense sort of I needed new tires, now I need new summer tires (and wheels! :redspot ) add $1600 MINIMUM
Springs changed - $430+/- This was definitely optional, but I had the stock springs and the lowered springs made the ride awful, and wore out the insides of my tires too badly. (see tires above)
Power seat memory module - $350 - Had shop do it, used parts (new module is >$500 at the $tealer)
Driveshaft/tranny mounts/engine mounts - $1450 OUCH!!
Fuel Pump & filter - $588 (just day before yesterday) Car won't go without fuel getting to the engine!

Really, the only "optional" expense I had was springs. The shocks had been replaced shortly before I bought the car. Bilstein Sports. I HATE them. I REALLY HATE them, but can't justify replacements yet.

The engine had been replaced to Alusil, so no worry there. The tranny seems to be solid.

In spite of all that, the car is a HAMMER. Once you feel the motor pull like a freight train, it's addicting.

I've spent more than I planned, still want to spend another $1600 on wheels/tires :eyecrazy:

I just figure it's the price of admission, but the car drives way better than anything I could've bought for the same money spent, and I can haul ass with 4 people comfortably.

[myred318i]

Expect lote of grins on your face when you nail the accelerator!

HAve a Prepurchase Inspection completed.

Things do go on these cars

get the VIN # and run a car fax... and go to the dealer to get a printout of the services performed.. sit with them and have them explain the cryptic codes they use


The radiator tends to go on these, as well as the ABS unit, MAF sensor and the CPS sonsor... all told = 3k to fix... still sounds like a hell of a deal... 12k


Oh yeah, to marinakorp's point... the previous owner had replaced the radiator and power sterring hoses too.

[katit]

Driveshaft/tranny mounts/engine mounts - $1450 OUCH!!


Reason? This is also DIY, and from what I researched so far shouldn't be needed unless "your mechanic told you to do so"

But people say that I will need to replace almost whole suspension (about 1200 in parts)

[myred318i]

Reason? This is also DIY, and from what I researched so far shouldn't be needed unless "your mechanic told you to do so"

But people say that I will need to replace almost whole suspension (about 1200 in parts)


Oops, that also included Guibo (flex disc). OK, I could definitely feel a pronounced vibration on takeoff between 15-25 mph. The flex disc was cracked needed replacement, the u-joint at the rear of drive shaft was "dry" causing it to bind. The tranny mounts were shot, and the left motor mount was shot. I saw them with my own eyes. As long as we're replacing the left motor mount, get the right one too.

As far as DIY.... if you have a lift in your garage, OK. Although even then it wouldn't be my idea of easy. If you don't have a lift I wouldn't even consider it, unless your much smaller than me, very dexterous, and a third arm. You have to have a jack under to engine to change mounts, and even my mechanic said it was a TOTAL bitch to change.

It was important to change all at the same time. If you have a defective component at any of those points it will cause extra stresses at the other points, which could cause them to fail. Did it once and right the first time.

[myred318i]

Damn, I knew I forgot something.... suspension.

Previous owner replaced thrust arm bushings with the 750i part. As far as the rest of the suspension, everything on my car is in pretty good shape.

[katit]

I got it!

129k miles 540 6sp

[Chazz]

Well lets see it!