2003 540i 6-Speed at 200,000 Miles

[SimiBMW]

Passed 200k miles recently and thought about selling my all-time favorite car which I have owned from day 1. Just could not do it. I am prepared to spend up to $3k to postion her for another 100k miles. Everything is running fine, but engine is "noisy" and sounds tired. With that budget, what would be the key itmes to focus on? I have done cooling system twice, valve cover gasket twice, valley pan, timing chain guides as the major itmes. Thank you!

[RuskiE39]

Wow, that's impressive.

Maybe you can let her go for a younger (mileage wise) e39? Unless you have sentimental value to her.

[ojomo]

whoa, owned since new? i would keep it

[mxchris727]

Passed 200k miles recently and thought about selling my all-time favorite car which I have owned from day 1. Just could not do it. I am prepared to spend up to $3k to postion her for another 100k miles. Everything is running fine, but engine is "noisy" and sounds tired. With that budget, what would be the key itmes to focus on? I have done cooling system twice, valve cover gasket twice, valley pan, timing chain guides as the major itmes. Thank you!

Noisy? I bet you it is just the pulleys. That M62 should last past 350K miles easily.

[edjack]

Noisy engine? VANOS overhaul: Go here: www.beisansystems.com

[ninetyseven1]

Noisy? I bet you it is just the pulleys. That M62 should last past 350K miles easily.

+1 on that. I would agree these engines should be good for 350k to 400k miles easily. I doubt your engine is anywhere near tired at only 200k miles.

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These engines are noisy anyway, they all have a ticking, deisel sound to them for the most part. Ever heard a small block chevy or a Ford V8 with roller rockers? Sounds like a sewing machine.

[ViolinARC]

I just rolled 190k+ and intend to keep her running well since BMW claims these are "million mile" engines...gonna keep mine til then. Congrats and welcome to decision time...

[larrym3711]

Some ideas include Vanos seals, if not done already (is there a diesel sound from the engine?), pulleys as EdJack suggested, ( remove the belts and run the engine for a minute or so and see if it is a lot quieter....if so, find the noisy one and replace it....including the tensioners if not already done ). While there is controversy regarding fluid changes, I would do ALL fluids as a good preventive maintenance plan. When were suspension updates done ? If you have over 100,000 on the major suspension parts , you need to refresh them...that includes rotors and pads. Other parts that can cause major problems include motor mounts and transmission mounts. Not paying attention to these can cause major under hood failures including major cooling components. If under hood filters are old and not replaced recently, that needs service too. Finally, if your battery and charging system has not been checked , go to Autozone or equivalent for a free test of both.

larrym3711
2001 540iA Sport

[240sxguy]

No reason to cut it loose at 200k, it's not worth much. I'll roll 190k by the end of next week for sure and be well past 200 by the end of the year. I love this car and enjoy ever minute I spend in it.

[RuskiE39]

I just rolled 190k+ and intend to keep her running well since BMW claims these are "million mile" engines...gonna keep mine til then. Congrats and welcome to decision time...

No kidding?

[minicoop900]

my car just hit 304k today, did a overhaul but didnt replace pistons or cams or anything, just seals and guides at 270k

[auaq]

Describe "Noisy". Have you thought that your radio is probably too loud? Perhaps turn the volume down a little bit?

No, seriously, describe the noise you're talking about. It may be a simple thing like the belts/pulleys. Perhaps the vanos need a little refresh.

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I noticed that you just recently joined the forum to tell us that you're departing ways from your 540i? Simply because of noise? That seems silly.

[Cyrix2k]

Welcome to the club. It sounds like you've addressed a lot of the big ticket items already... keep her rolling. I'm at 219k and counting myself.

[SmoothE39]

She should be good for awhile longer..I just landed on 246k, and not a noise to speak of..and great MPG still.

[larrym3711]

Indeed you have done all the big ticket items and it sounds like the remaining noises are likely simplistic (belts, pulleys, etc). As I indicated in a previous post, if you don't know where the noise is coming from , remove the belts and start it up for a minute or so. If much quieter , find the offending rotating part and replace it. My 540 is just stupidly quiet with virtually no rotating mechanical noises....just lots of air flow from the mechanical fan. Don't forget, the electrical cooling fan can be a very noisy source too.

larrym3711
2001 540iA Sport

[carlova789]

I just rolled 190k+ and intend to keep her running well since BMW claims these are "million mile" engines...gonna keep mine til then. Congrats and welcome to decision time...

Better start driving a lot more to reach it!

[HlyDvlz1989]

my 2000 540 just passed 207k and still going strong!

[plmadding01e39]

There are a number of you guys with loads of miles on your 540. When did you bite the bullet and deal with the timing chain guides? I'm thinking the answer is around 150k to 175k. Question two is; What was the condition of your timing chain guides when you replaced them? Did they appear to be very worn or nearing destruction? Or were they actually pretty decent.

Thanks,

Preston

[Rallim]

Why would you want a car with unknown and sketchy history when you know the history of your car perfectly? Worst case the chain guides go again. I don't think I've seen any other catastrophic engine failure worse then that on a 540 past that in my time on here.

[DHoang]

Having owned a 30 yr old BMW in the past that logged in excess of 200k-300k miles, I can tell you that it's rarely motor issues that will cause you to part ways with your beloved down the road. It's mostly everything else other than the motor that will test you. fluid leakage in areas that are very difficult to get to, like rear main crank seal, cabin heater core leaks, transmission & drivetrain whine, electrical gremlins, etc... did me in. Plus, as you age in life, so does your taste in cars and other worldly possessions, and thus what you currently covet in that car becomes less of a love affair, and more of a pain to keep it roadworthy.

So do what you can to keep the car in tip top shape, but you do run into the risk of getting tired of the same old car, regardless of how well it's kept.

[Poppye39]

I have 302,597 miles on my E39 it still runs great.