Mine's a auto ZF steptronic. I did the paddle shift off a e46 M3. Wow great find, you'll have to post up some pic's.
I know of mine,Dannys someone from Guam I think maybe Puerto Rico had one. He toasted his motor and planned S62 conversion.
Another member in Chicago "Speedy6" IIRC had one with a satin clear coat finish done to it.
Thats about all I know of. I would think a couple more for sure but no one has said anything about seeing one.
Im driving mine to The Vintage since I'm still looking for a roundie 2002. Your going to that,right ?
I've been looking over production #s compiled by other forum members /and myself / I cant take credit for all the #s but can confirm much is accurate from my own research, and have found the red as many already know is one of the rarest colors for all Tourings made. Just using est #s by actual known production #s high est would be 1360ish at 10% taking in consideration if BMW made red ones of the total production run of all cars @ 13,601ish. Highly unlikely its that high because of popular colors like silver/black being made in larger quantities. The model year of 2003 182 US production cars, no red and 75 of those are silver est of 60%. No red produced in 2002, and 2003, knock off another large run of both the 540iT, the 525iT and the 528iT (3514 total cars). Even if you take the 10% est only 1360ish is a low number, but know that is a high figure est, but still, a low production run total.
Actually using 5% is more realistic for getting closer to actual figures. Eliminating the 2002, 2003, that leaves 10085 total produced. Known production runs total all years, all iT touring @10%is 13601ish. 10% est leaving 1360ish, then take into account no 2002, 2003, red cars and one can see how quickly the #s drop. 5% is a good est @ 500ish red cars produced, It's not an exact figure but honestly feel its pretty close + or -. Bottom line its a very scarce color, IM sure I can get closer to actual #s, there were not many made. Top choice IMO, from research on my own and using others figures I feel 500ish is close, but also feel the 5% may be too high of an an est because of color runs, black silver, honestly feel 2-3% is a better est or 272ish+ to 350ish cars maybe in red. IMO don't want to jump the gun to quickly gut feeling because of all my research its probably closer to 1%, all data points in that direction. Will update as I get more information.
Taking into consideration of Danny`s 540iT we all drool over I've been looking for one for years and NEVER have seen one for sale. It got me thinking of how rare is that color for a 540iT years ago, so I hunted literally daily. Knowing there are none produced in 2002, 2003, leaving a production run of just three years or 1744ish (with/Canadian cars) total made. 10% est, (high) = 175ish in red, again silver/black higher quantities, think 5% is a better figure = 87 cars, and again think that is high, closer to 1% realistic = 17 cars (EST) is why those of us who want one cant find a 540iT Japonrot Touring...
Summary of E39 Wagon Sales in U.S.
E39 BMW 540iT
1999: 879
2000: 447
2001: 406
2002: 370
2003: 261
5-year total for 540iT: 2,363
E39 BMW 528iT
1999: 4,068
2000: 1,712
2001: -0-
2002: -0-
2003: -0-
5-year total for 528iT: 5,780
E39 BMW 525iT
1999: -0-
2000: 359
2001: 2,216
2002: 1,696
2003: 1,187
5-year total for 525iT: 5,458
5-year total for all E39 Wagons: 13,601
Last edited by SCRSUVS; 03-28-2018 at 09:37 PM.
WOW, good information nice work. I wonder if we email BMW archives and see if they would give us any kind of numbers.
They will give you build dates,export dates and original color of classic older 2002's.
DennisCooper from Europe says one of the reasons their are so few red touring's is because red was used as a hwy safety vehicle color.
Police would use red vehicle's to help stranded or broke down people. So it just wasn't popular.
E39 BMW 525iT
1999: -0-
2000: 359
2001: 2,216
2002: 1,696
2003: 1,187
I think 80% were black the rest were TiSilver!
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Ed
________________________________________________
-2002 540iT Sport-
Previous Bimmers. - 2000 540iA Sport | 2000 540i6 Sport | 2000 M5 | 2000 740i customized | 2000 323Ci | [Bikes 2012 f800GS | 2014 R1200GS]
Current Stable - 2011 VW Touareg TDi | 2016 Mazda 3 Hatch | 2019 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi 4x4 Big Horn Off-Road
Keep on modding and fixing!..
Yeah, Japan Red is a delightfully rare color on an E39 Touring, especially on a 540it. Every other E39 touring in Japan Red is a 525it, never seen another 540it in that color scheme.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
Rarer than you think...I love #s, rare colors, low production runs, one of a kind cars, E39 Wagons, IM pretty sure your 540iT Japanrot Touring is one of less than 25, and think that is honestly too high. IM getting closer to actual #s difficult as I want confirmation of exact figures and everything is pointing you have a very, very rare color combo for a 540iT...
you're welcome !! can't wait to see the interior swap and your headlight-fun-day project
I hadn't planned on doing IMSA at Mid-Ohio. I haven't been a spectator at a race there forever it seems. Keep me posted as it gets closer...maybe at the very least we could meet up for some grub...
"two wrongs don't make a right...only three lefts do...."
'79 Euro 635csi - gone and regretting it...
'89 gsxr-750 - former traffic knife
'97 528i sedan - holding on strong...(just sold after 16 years of ownership - sad day)
'03 Euro 525it - something about a famous dolphin.....
'06 Mercury Grand Marquis (don't ask....it gets the job done....)
'84 Specialized Allez - full Campagnolo Super Record
'99-ish Cannondale CAAD4
"Stinky" - Kona Stinky Five
'86 528e
2008 E70 X5 3.0
hey JP...since you are coding those tails....what would you need to do to add the euro rear fogs ??? switch for the dashboard, add'l bulbs in proper spots, and coding ?? just tossing stuff out there to see what sticks...
"two wrongs don't make a right...only three lefts do...."
'79 Euro 635csi - gone and regretting it...
'89 gsxr-750 - former traffic knife
'97 528i sedan - holding on strong...(just sold after 16 years of ownership - sad day)
'03 Euro 525it - something about a famous dolphin.....
'06 Mercury Grand Marquis (don't ask....it gets the job done....)
'84 Specialized Allez - full Campagnolo Super Record
'99-ish Cannondale CAAD4
"Stinky" - Kona Stinky Five
'86 528e
2008 E70 X5 3.0
Cool! I was curious and once I gave the car a good going over I will post up some pics. It is a really clean base to start. :-)
Yes, I am going but it'll be in my friend's E28 535. We decided it would be most fun to take one car.
Very interesting! Narrowing the numbers down for US imported and manual would really take that down. Thanks for the info!
I have only seen the one 540iAT here but no others. Hmmmm....
Wade
This 540iT Japan Red just sold, looked very clean, and the price was dirt cheap. No indication what if anything has been done over the years is the down side, (168K) but sure looks good for the price. The seller had no idea how rare this color is but new buyer probably did? Maybe, maybe not. Not sure if all the pics will still show in ad I should have saved all of the interior pictures as well, car looked very good overall. No sport pkg, w/tan interior. Couldn't believe when I saw it on line, literally was stunned, called first thing this morning after staying up all night planning on making it mine, no questions asked, just going to buy it. Kept looking the pictures over and over all night, a Unicorn staring me straight in the face.
Was excited especially after all the research I have done on how rare this color actually is. One of three actually have seen for confirmation of being produced, the others are spectulation cars and have not been able to confirm actual #s but it is few! Have narrowed it down to probably ten cars...missing this one bummed me out, especially being so close to owning it. Hope the new owner is a forum member and will be able to track its new history with us, its a keeper.
new red red.jpgred side.jpgNew red 540i.jpgred 540i motor.jpgred 540i side view.jpg
Last edited by SCRSUVS; 04-14-2018 at 08:49 PM.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
Figured this one would get your attention, 2002, shocked when I first saw it, kept checking to make sure it was a real offering, IM am so bummed, keeping fingers crossed the sale falls apart IM top of the list if he dosent take it. California buyer put a deposit, supposed to pick up this Thur...friggin rarer than hens teeth...so close to actually buying it...
Makes me wonder how much my 540it would fetch on BaT lol... high mileage but 1 of 7 rare color. Not that I'd ever sell it, I enjoy the rarity of it a lot.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
Jp5, are all of those you know of the 540iTs, not the 525, or 528s? Thing that puzzled me this one just sold is a 2002 and in all of my research points to no red cars made in 2002, and 2003. Frustrating as I like actual #s, no red cars made those years confused me. 100% positive none in 2003, now have to double check the 2002 model year to make sure my #s are accurate. Getting accurate #s has been a real challenge, still its rare in Japan Red. My research continues on the one that got away...
That 2001 Topaz Blue (not as rare as red, but surprisingly close) in BaT auction sold for $14500 (no fee inc in that #) a few days ago, lower miles, so guesstimating probably $14500 - $16500 with BaT letting buyers know difficult to find an authentic Japan Red car. Honestly IMO think the red adds $$$ valve and at today's $#s feel its pretty close to what a sale could be expected. To buyers knowing they will probably not find another could drive the price a bit higher. Serious doubt much if any less, people are getting use to higher mileage cars in excellent condition.
Sold $14500
Blue 540i sold 14500.jpg Break down of 2003 M Sport 540iT colors...Canadian cars not inc...
75 Titanium Silver39 Gray
36 Black
40 Sterling Gray24 Black
15 Gray
1 Beige
23 Black Sapphire10 Beige
10 Black
3 Gray
17 Black 210 Black
4 Gray
3 Beige
15 Alpine White11 Beige
2 Gray
2 Black
8 Slate Green5 Gray
2 Beige
1 Black
4 Topaz Blue2 Black
1 Gray
1 Beige
Last edited by SCRSUVS; 04-15-2018 at 09:44 AM.
Looking good!
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Man that looks good... makes me want to swap my interior already. I have all the parts, just been busy with other cars.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
Thanks,still much to do.
Thanks, I was amazed at how much it changed the look of the car. It really updates the look I think. Will be end of next week to try and finish it.
The tan interior is really bright in the alpine white car,like really bright.
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