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Thread: Tips for my first E39 540i

  1. #1
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    Tips for my first E39 540i

    Hello all!

    I am looking to get into a 2003 540i and seemed to have found one in the Bay Area. Haven't looked at the Carfax yet, but it seems to be accident free and well maintained by some car history reports I have seen. No idea on VANOS or timing chain so will ask more details about that.
    I'm still reading the forums on common issues with the E39. Is there anything I should check and be aware of before purchasing the vehicle.

    It is currently at a used dealer lot with 125k miles, manual. Just from what I see in the pictures, it seems like the front bumper has some damage under the fog light. Rear bumper seems a bit off as well too? No headunit as well - it looks like it was removed

    Not sure if I can link the ad, but dealer is asking $7500.

    Thanks in advance for the tips!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
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    Oregon/Ukraine
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    4,881
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    E39 M-Sport F30 M-Sport
    Keep an eye out for leaks, your probably gonna experience some power steering and oil leaks. Most commonly and th first thing I repaired on my 540i was the timing cover Gasket which can be a PITA. However, while your in there you also have the opportunity to do a lot of preventative maintenance like seals and VCGs. Good luck!
    E39 WhatsApp Chat Gruppe

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    San Jose, CA
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    11,537
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    1997 BMW 540i 6 speed
    Start here: http://www.540i6.com/probsfixes.html

    Get a pre-purchase inspection from a BMW specialist: www.bimrs.org http://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files.

    Asking price is a little high, IMHO.
    Last edited by edjack; 07-23-2017 at 08:18 PM.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

  4. #4
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    Thanks for the links! Yes I was considering a PPI as well to from a BMW specialist shop as well too.

    I think the asking is a bit high as well too so definitely going to negotiate on that. Going to stop by and take a look sometime this week.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
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    Redwood City, CA
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    89
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    '92 325ic, '03 540i/6
    I bought one a few months ago for that exact price. I think it's about right if it's clean. Mine runs great, but the water pump did start leaking. I replaced the whole cooling system. I also have a small valve cover gasket leak.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
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    01 750il, E38/9 Parts
    Unless there is paperwork showing that timing chain guides have been done, $7500 seems quite steep, especially with some body damage, missing parts, etc. Sounds like a $3-4k Craigslist car

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    --- 750il Maintenance/Restoration Thread --- E38/9 Parts Cars --- YouTube Channel ---



  7. #7
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    are slow
    Quote Originally Posted by ColtonBH View Post
    Unless there is paperwork showing that timing chain guides have been done, $7500 seems quite steep, especially with some body damage, missing parts, etc. Sounds like a $3-4k Craigslist car

    Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
    It's a 2003, pay the tax.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    01 750il, E38/9 Parts
    Quote Originally Posted by XAlt View Post
    It's a 2003, pay the tax.
    Missed that. Nvm, it's a $10k car. You're getting a steal.

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    --- 750il Maintenance/Restoration Thread --- E38/9 Parts Cars --- YouTube Channel ---



  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2017
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    Houston
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    03' 540i, 05' 545i
    Quote Originally Posted by ColtonBH View Post
    Missed that. Nvm, it's a $10k car. You're getting a steal.

    Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
    Is this due to the fact that its a manual? Or is it because its an 03?

  10. #10
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    01 750il, E38/9 Parts
    Quote Originally Posted by bimmer7410 View Post
    Is this due to the fact that its a manual? Or is it because its an 03?
    It's because I'm a sarcastic ass. The $3-4k is what it could be sold for, given that it was an 01 or 02. For whatever reason, 03 E39 add at least a grand or two to the pricetag, despite almost no difference to the prior years. The 03 540i M-sport I understand being priced higher, it's decked out in M gear, and was a car unique to that year, but the rest aren't any different.

    Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
    --- 750il Maintenance/Restoration Thread --- E38/9 Parts Cars --- YouTube Channel ---



  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Houston
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    My Cars
    03' 540i, 05' 545i
    Quote Originally Posted by ColtonBH View Post
    It's because I'm a sarcastic ass. The $3-4k is what it could be sold for, given that it was an 01 or 02. For whatever reason, 03 E39 add at least a grand or two to the pricetag, despite almost no difference to the prior years. The 03 540i M-sport I understand being priced higher, it's decked out in M gear, and was a car unique to that year, but the rest aren't any different.

    Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
    Gotcha. Conveying sarcasm thru text is often an issue. Good to know I can jack my price up if I ever decide to sell LOL

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Irmo SC
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    158
    My Cars
    1999 540i, 2000 540i
    If you really like the car and want it bad, buy it. First, have it inspected for major issues and accidents, compare with the going market price and take it home. I bought mine and didn't really care if I paid a few hundred more than what others believe was a fair market price. I wanted it and it was in good shape so I bought it. Have money aside to spend on it. It will need money thrown at it, sometimes at an alarming rate. These are old cars and just about everything is worn out. If you want it as a dd best make sure all the big issues have been taken are of. Whatever the asking price, add to that what you ARE going to spend for guides, vanos and cooling "repairs". This is a must since all of these are a matter of when, not if. A dd you say, then you better be quick with the wrench. These are great cars and in my opinion and that of many others, the best in their class. Like real estate, they are not making more of it. Grab a decent one while you can and fix it good. One more thing, they are not difficult to work on and if you do your own work it will save you a ton of money. I've had mine for a year now and have spent a bit of money tying loose ends, no regrets! Good Luck!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Washington, IL
    Posts
    1,238
    My Cars
    2003 540i6
    Unless the car was refreshed recently, you're going to have to put a ton of money into it sooner or later. I paid the M-Tax for my 03 and spent $9k. I bought it a year and a half ago with 113k miles on it, and and I've already spent and additional $10k in refresh parts. -no labor either, that's all DIY work.

    Here's a list of what I did to the car in the first year. I've done more refreshing since then.
    2003 540i/6

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    NYC
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    2003 BMW 530i
    i spent about 3500 in my first 1.5 years on top of the purchase price of my car which included service records back to 2006. Granted nearly 2k of that was suspension refresh (bc coils + all 4 control arms and new hardware) and tires and with my DIY everything. still have my vanos seals and vcg parts sitting around, just haven't gotten around to doing it. point is be prepared to spend an extra couple grand if you don't have records in order to get it to dependable shape. If the 7500 is too much for you to budget an additional 1-2k, skip it and find a 2001-2002 for 4-5k and use the extra money to perform some maintenance. I use my car daily and need it to start every day and being proactive with maintenance has allowed that to happen

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