540i stigma, don't believe everything you hear.

[Tomk1966]

Seems to be a lot of negative as far as the durability of the 540i. 188,765 as of last weekend. Tires, oil changes, brakes. General maintenance only folks, and yes, I am a mechanic. I bought it with 155k. Also have a 530i (2003), one year newer than that "lemon 540", with 247k, same serious issues with that one as well! Lol! Great cars! Don't believe the haters! E39, best cars ever built. (And that is coming from a guy who has opened many muscular mopars! Can't go back now!

[StRaNgEdAyS]

My M62 (non vanos) has just passed 188200miles and the engine still ticks over almost silently... No ticks or rattles, and it didn't have the best service history before I owned it. The only real dramas has been the auto dying (perfect excuse for a manual swap) and one rear spring sagging (hello coilovers).
Even if they decide to write it off after a minor altercation with a street sign and an oily wet road I'll be buying another.

Absinthe makes the tart grow fonder.

[Bullwinkle628]

I agree....i bought my 2003 e39 540i M-tech w/6spd manual, with 126000 on it ( well maintained by PO) andit is great!! Had to replace the vcg , but just regular maintenance i can do myself at DIY days with bmw cca or at home ☺ i have 151000 on it now and runs very well, a blast to drive , and some people think its new..lol

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[Bullwinkle628]

I did put in a new window regulator, new fan blower , and four o2 sensors in addition to regular maintenance.

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[nicw]

Just hit 160k in my 2003 540i/6. PO took great care of it, I've only had to replace coil pack #4, which was easy.

[dannyzabolotny]

I'm at 187,000 in my 2000 540it. These cars are a lot more robust than people give them credit for. I recently replaced the driveshaft and am in the process of overhauling the suspension, but that's because I beat on the car pretty hard.

[f355spider]

I've had some of the "classic" failures like the valley pan gasket (90k miles)...which is expensive when paying a tech. Also had less common failure like rear main seal at 80k miles...that was $1k to fix. Also had a radiator fail at 55k miles....just out of warranty. But since 100k, just normal maintenance and replacements (alternator, fuel pump, etc). At 260k the timing chain guides failed. Had them replaced, along with the chains and vanos rebuilt. Just passed 265k miles and nothing but smiles.

[OldGringo]

Lovely cars. My 1998 540 is a pre-VANOS and is over 207,000 miles. Bought 12 years ago on ebay for $16k with 80,000 miles. Replaced auto transmission once, and lots of small stuff. Remus muffler is a big plus, recovered drivers seat, replaced original analog cell phone with BMW updated unit. Got an M5 front 'cause a young lady ran into me last year and the after market kit was lots cheaper than replacement BMW stuff.
Overall, biggest headache has been the sunroof, can't work on it myself, can't even get new parts for it. Scared to try and use it any more.
Best car I have ever owned. Can't understand how a new car could ever be an improvement, unless it was orbital.