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Thread: 2002 540iT Purchase

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    02 540iT 03 530i

    2002 540iT Purchase

    My 2 year search is over.......my main criteria were super LOW MILAGE and Dealer maintained:

    This one has the following:

    2002 540iT
    premium pkg
    cold weather pkg
    comfort seats
    navigation
    heated steering wheel/seats
    H-K Premium DSP sound
    Xenon
    sunscreens
    ski bag
    2 master keys



    history......the first 7 years it was driven about 1200 miles PER YEAR in the
    Hamptons (a garaged Summer car)
    the last 3-4 months about 6,700 miles total

    total milage....15,100

    BMW Dealer(Southampton) maintained with oil/filter changes about every 2-3000 miles BY BOTH OWNERS documented in BMW Dealer repair system


    Sterling Grey/Black


    For you 540iT owners, what am I missing?? (I did not want the Sports Pkg/seats, maybe 25 years ago, but not now)....I think it has all the options, right?


    advice from 540iT owners appreciated

    It will compliment my 2003 530ia Silver very well.
    Last edited by rmsretire; 07-24-2009 at 06:40 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    535xiT, 325iT, '07 L322
    congrats!

    How did you find it? I just saw this one pop up -
    http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...r_id=265509551
    -- is that yours???

    anyway, re: all options, may I suggest you not worry about it. All dealers and most private sellers say the cars are fully loaded ("power everything?")... does your car have park distance sensors? hmm, integrated phone? cd changer? rear side airbags?

    and continuing to nitpick, along the lines of did it come with all accy's, does it have the official bmw flashlight? tow ring and all other tools? all floor mats? all fasteners around the engine bottom cover? all four plastic jack pads?

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    02 540iT 03 530i
    Quote Originally Posted by cpatstone View Post
    congrats!

    How did you find it? I just saw this one pop up -
    http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...r_id=265509551
    -- is that yours???

    anyway, re: all options, may I suggest you not worry about it. All dealers and most private sellers say the cars are fully loaded ("power everything?")... does your car have park distance sensors? hmm, integrated phone? cd changer? rear side airbags?

    and continuing to nitpick, along the lines of did it come with all accy's, does it have the official bmw flashlight? tow ring and all other tools? all floor mats? all fasteners around the engine bottom cover? all four plastic jack pads?




    sensors ? no
    integrated phone yes....but of course it's analoge, is there a use for this,now?
    cd changer? yes
    rear side airbags yes
    flashlight? yes
    tow ring/tools? yes
    mats? yes
    fasteners?......what do I look for? pictures?
    jack pads?


    That link was shut down but I saw the autotrader placement last night, no pictures....the car was just bought at auction Thurs, and I called first thing this morning.

    Has anybody bought from Advantage Certified Auto Group located in Manassas Park, VA ? They seem to only deal in top-condition BMWs.


    Has anybody dealt with Southampton BMW?


    Thanks in advance
    Last edited by rmsretire; 10-19-2009 at 01:13 AM. Reason: add info

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    1997 540I
    Got a pic of it. CD Changer should be in the trunk, left hand side.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by ktmdrz400 View Post
    Got a pic of it. CD Changer should be in the trunk, left hand side.

    no pics yet

    but speaking of pics....what are these plastic jack pads suppose to look like?
    and the fasteners spoken of earlier.

    I assume these are not options, but should be on the car?

  6. #6
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    99528it 02525it 04325it
    How much?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by easymoney View Post
    How much?



    on the high end of the scale, with the condition and miles. I hesitate to say, since the deal is done when I actually see it next week. But my deposit is down.


    peace of mind costs something for a non-DIY kinda guy, hence the long search time.

  8. #8
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    OK, just curious I know it's gonna be up there.

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    i think the asking price was $25k, which is either really expensive for an '02 or really cheap for a $65k car with 15,000 miles. Either way, there are precious few (presumably) mint 540iTs with 15k miles out there. Sounds like the right car met the right buyer.

    OP - don't worry about the other things listed. stupid little plastic things, all of which can be replaced for the cost of two tanks of gas. Also, I'm sure we'd love to see pix of the car when you get it. Welcome to Club E39!

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by cpatstone View Post
    i think the asking price was $25k, which is either really expensive for an '02 or really cheap for a $65k car with 15,000 miles. Either way, there are precious few (presumably) mint 540iTs with 15k miles out there. Sounds like the right car met the right buyer.

    OP - don't worry about the other things listed. stupid little plastic things, all of which can be replaced for the cost of two tanks of gas. Also, I'm sure we'd love to see pix of the car when you get it. Welcome to Club E39!


    precious few is right, I had many near misses, and some, "just not right" moments.


    and my appointment for the official tatoo is already booked

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Low mileage is more of a novelty than an advantage. I've seen low mileage cars take FAR more maintenance than moderately driven cars.

    Congrats on the find!!!
    "If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti"

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by jnyost View Post
    Low mileage is more of a novelty than an advantage. I've seen low mileage cars take FAR more maintenance than moderately driven cars.

    Congrats on the find!!!


    E39's in general? or all types of cars/trucks?

    what type of maintenance are you refering to on these low milage 540i's that I should be aware of ? I have a 530i and have been proactive after reading this forum on it.

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    Too much crap
    I am the high bidder on a 540iT right now. Hope it pans out!
    Originally posted by pup "yeah. stick to pedophilia, racism, misogyny, homosexuality, the disabled and the poor"
    Originally posted by
    Aindriu "It is made to be a crusing machine. Top down, cruise control on at Autobahn speeds, bit of classy music and an attractive woman in the passenger seat with the IQ of a peanut."

  14. #14
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    pics please!

  15. #15
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    WE Have Pictures !!!!



    anything suspect?
    Attached Images Attached Images

  16. #16
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    and more pictures
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  17. #17
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  18. #18
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    Touring crew!
    looks good. did you drive it home or have it shipped?

    As for what it should need, I would say everything rubber you should try to replace, change the oil once a month for a few months, change out the tranny and diff. fluid, brake fluid. That's all I can think of for now.
    "Now remember stay in school kids."

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by red5spdtouring View Post
    Touring crew!
    looks good. did you drive it home or have it shipped?

    As for what it should need, I would say everything rubber you should try to replace, change the oil once a month for a few months, change out the tranny and diff. fluid, brake fluid. That's all I can think of for now.


    From the maintenance records, the oil changes were at 4800 miles...... then 9 months later at 6500 miles then 12 months later at 7700 miles and 12 months later at 8400 miles, then 9 months later at 10000 miles, then now before I drive it home.

    I plan to drive it 200 miles and stop at a BMW Dealer for a oil change/filter and complete check-out before continuing on home. Then drop it again when I get home.

    Still a good idea to change it once a month when I get it home??


    What "Service Bulletins" or recalls was specific for these 2002 540i Tourings?

    my 2003 530i had several at the beginning....coils/tensioners/hose clamps, IIRC.
    Last edited by rmsretire; 07-27-2009 at 05:26 PM.

  20. #20
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    It should be good. Just with how little it was driven my only concern is how much condensation ended up in the oil and the rest of the fluids.
    "Now remember stay in school kids."

  21. #21
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by red5spdtouring View Post
    It should be good. Just with how little it was driven my only concern is how much condensation ended up in the oil and the rest of the fluids.


    The selling dealer also services BMW's and if they do not flush the brakes and coolant as part of their pre-sale,complete mechanical servicing, the BMW dealer I will see 200 miles down the road will. Along with any belts and hoses that look crystalized or cracked.


    RXP will take care of any carbon build-up or water in the gas. Two or three bottles, one per tank of gas, should clean out any carbon in the engine.

    I have been using it for 12-14 years on my 4Runners and 530i, and have never had a hydrocarbon detected during inspections, and they are very thorough here in Dallas County




    I'll ask one more question that has come up from the VIN Decoding the member here does....

    mine has "number 602: ON-BOARD MONITOR WITH TV"

    Is that BMW's way of saying I have NAV? if so, why do I also have "609: NAVIGATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL" ?

    Perplexing, unless they are talking about a monitor in the headrest, and I think the seller would have mentioned it by now.

    Thanks for the replies.
    Last edited by rmsretire; 07-27-2009 at 11:07 PM.

  22. #22
    Join Date
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    I do not know about that Vin code sorry. good times with it. I hope you love it.
    "Now remember stay in school kids."

  23. #23
    Join Date
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    02 540iT 03 530i
    I am back with my 540iT and it is perfect, in and out.

    Dealer experience was superb.

    Everything they said was absolutely correct.

    Averaged about 23mpg on my 1200 mile trek back home.



    Beautiful car......and did I say, FAST/Quick/agile??


    Wipe the grin off my face, and put me to bed.

    and more pictures to follow
    Last edited by rmsretire; 08-03-2009 at 12:48 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
    Touring: Sterling Grey/Black as of 04-2017 65K miles
    build date: 2-4-2002
    Sedan: Titanium Silver/Gray as of 04-2017 1.2K miles
    build date: 1-2003

  24. #24
    Join Date
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    2000 BMW M5 - Silver
    congrats !!

    i wish my M5 was a wagon

  25. #25
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    Beautiful car, congrats!

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