Ghost1198
11-03-2019, 09:28 PM
I am looking for some advice. I used to do my own work on my old E34 530 , small stuff water pump fan clutch, valve cover gaskets and so forth, I am purchasing a e39 540 I have seen the only 2 yes only two for sale in the whole country. Lots of BMW here just all small engines (gas it's twice as much as the US).
**Disclaimer I understand that what ever you would do in my place might not be the same decision I take and if so I also understand is the car ends up being a lemon all responsibility lays on me and no one else. At the end of the day I will be making the final decision I am only looking for someone’s point of view.**
So I am looking at this 2 E39 540 and there seems to be something wrong with the both of them, this is what I would expect from a 20 year old car.
Green has a very hard to press throttle and acceleration seems low maybe due to the throttle being so tough.
Grey According to the owner when driving on long trips uphill the car will be stuck in one gear, then by turning the off and back on the issue is solved. I drove the car and it really feels fine, very responsive and shifts just fine.
By the way hate a green car but I don’t want to be bias based con car color alone
1998 540 Oxford Green. 83k miles $4576.00
Car recently painted.
M5 bumper
Projector Headlights
Hella Tail lights
a/c works
basic stereo and interior
Ok black greenish leather
Recently Done tune up Sparkplugs and coils and air filter and oil change.
Very clean engine seems like newish belts and cooling hoses
Broken or Maintenance Needed parts
bad rear window right side
Might need new tires in a good 6 months tops
Bad Rear Sun Shade Curtain
Bad Trunk and Hood Struts
Bad or soon to need replacement tie rod end and Control Arm and Ball joint
Small Oil Leaks current or old one
Low acceleration and Hard to press Throttle
Possible ABS light according to owner on long trips
Only one key available seems not the original with really hard buttons
**Show Stopper**
Really hard accelerator or stuck and the car feels heavy sort of the way my old E34 530 felt like it could use a bit more power. When hit hard the throttle the car did go but might have something wrong.
2000 Grey 540 100k miles $4237.00
Premium Stereo with phone
Instrument Cluster silver rings
Read doors window shades (broken)
Electric mirrors
Xenon headlights
Old build in Cel Phone
Tires look relatively new
Solenoid in exhaust to go Straight pipe to silencer
2 keys
Belts and hoses look ok
Broken or maintenance Needed.
Seems like a few oil leaks might need valve cover gasket soon
Bad or soon to need replacement tie rod end and Control Arm and Ball joint
Possible bad or soon to be replaced shocks
Chrome trim seems aged.
Sunroof might have issues maintenance or not closing properly every time. Didn’t let me try it out (rainy season)
Dead pixels on dashboard
Aged ac buttons
A/C works.
**Show Stopper****
According to owners dad (owner not in the country, this is the reason for selling) when driving for over a couple hours heavy traffic on hills and turns transmission will go into any one gear and will not shift gears any longer. After turning the car off and on issue will be resolved.
I drove the car and for about 20 minutes in traffic car shifts perfectly fine I didn’t not notice any issues.
**Disclaimer I understand that what ever you would do in my place might not be the same decision I take and if so I also understand is the car ends up being a lemon all responsibility lays on me and no one else. At the end of the day I will be making the final decision I am only looking for someone’s point of view.**
So I am looking at this 2 E39 540 and there seems to be something wrong with the both of them, this is what I would expect from a 20 year old car.
Green has a very hard to press throttle and acceleration seems low maybe due to the throttle being so tough.
Grey According to the owner when driving on long trips uphill the car will be stuck in one gear, then by turning the off and back on the issue is solved. I drove the car and it really feels fine, very responsive and shifts just fine.
By the way hate a green car but I don’t want to be bias based con car color alone
1998 540 Oxford Green. 83k miles $4576.00
Car recently painted.
M5 bumper
Projector Headlights
Hella Tail lights
a/c works
basic stereo and interior
Ok black greenish leather
Recently Done tune up Sparkplugs and coils and air filter and oil change.
Very clean engine seems like newish belts and cooling hoses
Broken or Maintenance Needed parts
bad rear window right side
Might need new tires in a good 6 months tops
Bad Rear Sun Shade Curtain
Bad Trunk and Hood Struts
Bad or soon to need replacement tie rod end and Control Arm and Ball joint
Small Oil Leaks current or old one
Low acceleration and Hard to press Throttle
Possible ABS light according to owner on long trips
Only one key available seems not the original with really hard buttons
**Show Stopper**
Really hard accelerator or stuck and the car feels heavy sort of the way my old E34 530 felt like it could use a bit more power. When hit hard the throttle the car did go but might have something wrong.
2000 Grey 540 100k miles $4237.00
Premium Stereo with phone
Instrument Cluster silver rings
Read doors window shades (broken)
Electric mirrors
Xenon headlights
Old build in Cel Phone
Tires look relatively new
Solenoid in exhaust to go Straight pipe to silencer
2 keys
Belts and hoses look ok
Broken or maintenance Needed.
Seems like a few oil leaks might need valve cover gasket soon
Bad or soon to need replacement tie rod end and Control Arm and Ball joint
Possible bad or soon to be replaced shocks
Chrome trim seems aged.
Sunroof might have issues maintenance or not closing properly every time. Didn’t let me try it out (rainy season)
Dead pixels on dashboard
Aged ac buttons
A/C works.
**Show Stopper****
According to owners dad (owner not in the country, this is the reason for selling) when driving for over a couple hours heavy traffic on hills and turns transmission will go into any one gear and will not shift gears any longer. After turning the car off and on issue will be resolved.
I drove the car and for about 20 minutes in traffic car shifts perfectly fine I didn’t not notice any issues.