I've never seen 540 equiped like this before

[BMW540san]

https://www.streetsideclassics.com/vehicles/5717-atl/1997-bmw-540i

https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/wbade5324vbv90628

It's early build so that may be the reason but still: Sport seats with manual adjustment but it has M Sport suspension (at least according to VIN decoder).
It would make sense if this was European car build but this must be very rare in US. I know that some US basic 525 models got the manual adjustment seats but again this is really weird setup. Maybe it was ordered this way.
I would not mind Sport seats with manual adjustment, less weight and less things to go wrong.

[Yonkers320is]

I am surprised at the 17k price tag.

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[BMW540san]

I am surprised at the 17k price tag.

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Don't get me started on that. They can't spend $30 to replace BMW badge yet they're asking ridicilous price. But it does seem they smoke some good stuff.
On the other hand I should grab it, sell it on BAT and make some money. Because buyers there also smoke some good stuff.

[Yonkers320is]

On BaT probably could ask 30k.

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[Yonkers320is]

https://www.streetsideclassics.com/vehicles/5717-atl/1997-bmw-540i

https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/wbade5324vbv90628

It's early build so that may be the reason but still: Sport seats with manual adjustment but it has M Sport suspension (at least according to VIN decoder).
It would make sense if this was European car build but this must be very rare in US. I know that some US basic 525 models got the manual adjustment seats but again this is really weird setup. Maybe it was ordered this way.
I would not mind Sport seats with manual adjustment, less weight and less things to go wrong.I wish I could find manual seats for my 528. No sunroof, sport suspension, 5 speeds. Electric seats are heavy as fck

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[BMW540san]

On BaT probably could ask 30k.

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LOL, probably.

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I wish I could find manual seats for my 528. No sunroof, sport suspension, 5 speeds. Electric seats are heavy as fck

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Man, we have the very same goals. I achieved sport suspension and 5 speed but I'd love manual seats and no sunroof.

[MotorMouth93]

That car would go for MAYBE 10k on BaT. 17k is insane.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

For craps sakes! $17 grand, they can’t even throw a new badge on the trunk lid, and polish the headlight lenses???

[Nfs021]

Drugs are bad, mkay...

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[DennisCooper]

Hi,

I'm going to have to see what kind of shipping deals I can get so that I can send you guys manual Sport seats aren't I ! I just sold my excellent condition black leather manual Sport seats for around the equivalent of $135 USD! A set of fantastic condition black E38 Sport Contours came up that also had a full overhaul/treatment by a well known UK leather re-trim specialist and I snapped them up!

The non electric seats do make sense from the point of view if no one else drives the car, in the 15 years I've had my Touring, I didn't feel the need to get electric seats as those similarly would never be adjusted! Mine also had no sunroof (Ex Police Spec) and it's now a 5 speed manual too!

I'll do some quote finding and let you guys know how much it'd cost to ship seats over

Cheers, Dennis!

[Dking078]

As I recall it was a rather rare (seldom selected) option Pre-99 when sport seats really hit the us market.

This is one of the odd situation before "sport package" was officially introduced. We had these quazy cars.

Bluebee/Qsilver probably has the old docs to post up, or just search em.

[BMW540san]

Hi,

I'm going to have to see what kind of shipping deals I can get so that I can send you guys manual Sport seats aren't I ! I just sold my excellent condition black leather manual Sport seats for around the equivalent of $135 USD! A set of fantastic condition black E38 Sport Contours came up that also had a full overhaul/treatment by a well known UK leather re-trim specialist and I snapped them up!

The non electric seats do make sense from the point of view if no one else drives the car, in the 15 years I've had my Touring, I didn't feel the need to get electric seats as those similarly would never be adjusted! Mine also had no sunroof (Ex Police Spec) and it's now a 5 speed manual too!

I'll do some quote finding and let you guys know how much it'd cost to ship seats over

Cheers, Dennis!
Hi Dennis,
I don't think you should waste your time. Electric seats are 70 lbs each and cost a fortune to just move them from coast to coast here in US. I have fedex account and have checked various options and it's easily $300+ for shipping.
I'll assume that manual seats are probably around 45 lbs and considering how bulky they are I can easily see $500+ shipping.
Actually, I just did quick check with Schmiedmann who I had stuff shipped from before to US and they have very reasonable rates. They show $475 for 2 E90 manual seats shipped to TN, USA.

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As I recall it was a rather rare (seldom selected) option Pre-99 when sport seats really hit the us market.

This is one of the odd situation before "sport package" was officially introduced. We had these quazy cars.

Bluebee/Qsilver probably has the old docs to post up, or just search em.
I think you're probably right. I know it's not everyone cup of tea but I'd love to have E39 with no Sunroof and manual adjustment Sport Seats.

[blarf]

I think you're probably right. I know it's not everyone cup of tea but I'd love to have E39 with no Sunroof and manual adjustment Sport Seats.

I wouldn't mind a slicktop 540 either but they're hard enough to find with sunroofs. My E46 was optioned strangely. Whoever ordered it opted for auto climate control, power seats, and the full sport package. But they opted out of a sunroof, CD player (it had the tape player instead), and BC turn signal stalk. I like not having a sunroof in the E46 but damn if it doesn't leak more in the rain than the 540.

[balidawg]

Still has the analog cell phone in the armrest. “Can you near me now?” Ha!

[Qsilver7]

All 540i/6 e39s imported to the US market were “dedicated” sport models (1997-2003)...meaning that they have the sport suspension. So this car is not “odd” at all...just a basic 1997 540i/6 with optional manual sport seats. :)

The shadowline exterior trim didn’t appear until 1998 model year...so that’s why it has chrome trim.


http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/New%20E39%20Sport%20Pkg%20for%201998.jpg

The 1997 model year could be ordered with manual sport seats...electric sport seats didn’t become standard on the manual 540i/6 until the 1998 model year...and were still optional on the 1998 540i sport pkg w/auto tranny.


https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=685562&d=1613333000

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=685563&d=1613333012


And the 3 spoke Sport Steering wheel was part of the sport pkg until the 1999 model year:


https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=685564&d=1613333912

[BMW540san]

Thank you guys for chiming in. We can never learn too much about E39, the last great BMW 4 door sedan.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

I would trade off these electric sport seats for them manual sports if it gets rid of a lot of fat, lighten up the car a bit.