Ok Newbie Here, Looking For Tips/Advice...Flame Away!!

[redneckwonder]

Hey all,
It looks like my summer job next year could involve the real estate market...so therefore I decided to sell my 69 cutlass muscle car and get something a little more "classy"... so I have decided on a 97 model 540/6 or 528i... basically I need a car that is around $13K or less, prefer it be nice too, after all I need the customers to be comfortable and relaxed in the car, not listening to exhaust or feeling every bump...what kind of miles should i be worried about, maintenance, persistent problems etc. EDUCATE ME!!!
THANKS!!!

[windnsea00]

Miles are not as important as good maitnence records and low amount of owners...I personally buy from private sellers only so you can get a feel for the person and how he/she treats their car. It's always a good idea to have the car inspected at a trusted auto place to make sure it's in good condition unless you feel confident you can inspect it thoroughly. It's not a bad idea to stay away from the first model year run as with any manfacturer that year can tend to have more issues. When I get a used BMW I like to change all the fluids/filters (synthetic engine oil/tranny fluid/diff fluid/flush brake fluid/coolant and anything else that could need attention) and any maitnence related items for cheap insurance like fuel filter, 02 sensor, etc. With a car the age your looking at such things as shocks/springs/mounts/bushings can be expected to need attention if not already replaced since you want to keep that road feel BMW's are known for. Personally I would go 540i over the 528i due to more power and a 6-spd tranny :) The 528i isn't bad though, especially with a stick, which is more resonable with your price range. As with any more luxurious cars you can get the little things to go out over time like pixels in the displays and various electronics throughout the vehicle but overall the E39 (`97-`03) 5-series was a well built car widely used around the world. Good luck and feel free to ask anything else.

[therzdae]

mm ill trade u my E36 for your muscle car, straight up.

[redneckwonder]

mm ill trade u my E36 for your muscle car, straight up.

pics?? haha, I need something with four doors, and roomy...im ignorant when you all talk about E this E that, 235 694 643 528 540 etc etc lol...:eyecrazy

[Red Herring]

pics?? haha, I need something with four doors, and roomy...im ignorant when you all talk about E this E that, 235 694 643 528 540 etc etc lol...:eyecrazy
e36 etc is just body style. e36 is like 92-99 3 series or something close to that. e30 are older, e46 are newer, but those are just 3 series. The 5's are (I think) e34 corresponding to e36, e39 corresponding to e46, and the newest being the e60. For the numbers on the car the first number gives you the series of the car, the lower numbers being the smaller cars, 5's and 7's are both bigger cars than the 3 series. Generally the next two numbers tell you the size of the engine with a few exceptions. Hence your 528 is a 5 series with a 2.8 liter motor, and the 540 is 5 series with a 4.0 liter. IS and such are two door whereas I or IL and the like are four. You can get 3 series in two door and four door but 5 and seven only come in four. Hope that helps a bit.

Coming from a muscle car, you'll probably like the 540's power much more than the 528, but it will cost you more. I have no idea how much 97 540's or 528's go for these days.

[windnsea00]

For the US...E36 were the 3-series sold from `92-`98 and M3's were still produced into `99. E46 3-series came out in `99-`05, M3's are still being produced for `06. E34 is the 5-series that was sold `89-`95 then the E39 5-series was sold from `97-`03. There's obviously more models but those are common ones you will hear. The 540i from the E39 era is actually 4.4 liters not 4.0. BMW will not always go exactly by the engine size for the name of the car but it gives you a general idea.

[NY550i]

I got a 540i for sale.

1997 Automatic with 90,000 miles for $13,000

[SpecM]

-Hmmm... cheepest e39 540/6 ive seen is about $18'g.

[Red Herring]

. The 540i from the E39 era is actually 4.4 liters not 4.0. BMW will not always go exactly by the engine size for the name of the car but it gives you a general idea.
wow, I didn't know that. how about a 740? is that 4.4 too? same engine?

[redneckwonder]

ALRIGHT!! Now thats some good info for someone like me:alright

No bullshit, just straight up facts... NY540, you got more pictures, details, etc.?? I am LOOKING right now, but it all depends how fast things move...

kbb is really making the avg 97 540 with 100,000 go for around 12,500 believe it or not:eyecrazy That is why I feel like I could make a stretch and get into one, but I don't know...I just hear too much awful stuff about the 7-series, I need something as dependable as possible. Absolutely beautiful cars though!

[NY550i]

ALRIGHT!! Now thats some good info for someone like me:alright
No bullshit, just straight up facts... NY540, you got more pictures, details, etc.?? I am LOOKING right now, but it all depends how fast things move...
kbb is really making the avg 97 540 with 100,000 go for around 12,500 believe it or not:eyecrazy That is why I feel like I could make a stretch and get into one, but I don't know...I just hear too much awful stuff about the 7-series, I need something as dependable as possible. Absolutely beautiful cars though!

Whats your e-mail addy?

I'll e-mail you pictures.
$13,000 isnt firm,its a feeler...i had a few people look at the car so far but no word yet,i might be dropping the price a few hundred.
I might try ebay...

Its going to be kind of hard selling the car locally considering winter is coming up and the gas prices are ridicalous.

[redneckwonder]

ya sure, email me at mcarr@purdue.edu

[windnsea00]

wow, I didn't know that. how about a 740? is that 4.4 too? same engine?
Yes the e38 740i used the same 4.4 liter in `96 and up. The first year `95 E38 was a 4.0 liter. Or you could also get the 5.4 liter V12 in the 750i :) BTW, for redneckwonder, I would stay clear of the 7-series if you want a very reliable ride...they are no doubt nice cars but you will pay for having the most luxurious model BMW.

[Red Herring]

`95 E38 was a 4.0 liter. .
so i suppose they added the extra .4 because it was obdII? And the extra .2 on the m3?

[windnsea00]

so i suppose they added the extra .4 because it was obdII? And the extra .2 on the m3?
Exactly, OBDII eats up power unfortunately...when the M52 (328i/528i) swaps are done into E30's and converted OBD1, that there gives them a great boost in power!