Time to put her down :(

[fmzip]

Well, I think it's time to put her down. Just hit 230K glorious miles.

Blew out the waterpump, overheated it. Compression test shows an issue with cylinders 4&5. Definitely something I'm not going to tackle. My indy quoted me $2800 to do the head or $4400 for another engine with 83K and a one year warranty.

Think it's time to part her out

A few pics from about 4 years ago when I had the nose repainted. What a great car for the past 12 years...






Awhile back, I put in M5 seats, swapped the wood trim for black and installed a Eurodash to gain much needed legroom! Added a 545 short shifter too and a Z4 rear view mirror



Custom wrapped Wheel


Freshly detailed engine bay:




Swapped my Halogen projectors out for Hella EVO-X HID's, Morimoto 35W ballasts and CBiI's, great mod for sure! While the Hella's were open, changed the lenses to clear corners:



Recently added an OEM front and rear M5 bumpers. Modified the front with functional air ducts to the brakes. Added Sliimbone's fog delete's for an upcoming mod, stealth mini fogs lights with Cree LED's (stay tuned). Had the whole nose resprayed, waiting on wax:





Added Schmeidmann's shadow chrome grilles:




Rear M5 bumper, Magnaflow 14815 muffler, CF wrapped diffuser & LED marker lights




Got rid of the elephant ears a long time ago, opted for replica autofold M5 mirrors



And the body shots, nothing like fresh black paint!

[cnsorial]

Man, this thing is way too pretty to part out. I'd see if you can replace the motor with a refreshed used one


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[fmzip]

Thanks bud...Pics are a bit old, she's a bit tired looking now in comparison to what you see

[dohalloran]

That car IS gorgeous. Funny that these pics are at the cemetery. Although you say the pics are 4 yrs old, it does look like a difficult car to lay to rest.

[Dking078]

Those wheels though

[nikh23]

i hate to be that guy but if you decide to list it for parts, where will you be posting it?

[Akash3230]

Lmk if you want to sell it. Might buy it


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[XAlt]

Find a cheaperr mechanic worth his salt.

Any reasonable place would get the job done for a third of your indy's price.

[ltpickles]

Is this a 540? Beautiful car by the way , love the wheels and color

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[dannyzabolotny]

M54B30's are a dime a dozen nowadays, you could easily score an engine with half the miles for like a grand. I say fix it. If you enjoyed the car then it's a worthy expense. There's not much out there that you can buy for E39 money that'll give you the same satisfaction as a well-sorted E39.

[Leonator134]

M54B30's are a dime a dozen nowadays, you could easily score an engine with half the miles for like a grand. I say fix it. If you enjoyed the car then it's a worthy expense. There's not much out there that you can buy for E39 money that'll give you the same satisfaction as a well-sorted E39.

This is true and I agree with it.




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[fmzip]

It's a 530.

I drove a 2013 Audi S4 today. Man has technology advanced since I had a new 2003 A4. Car was perfect!

Drove a 2013 535....OMG, it's a 7 series. Sooooo bloated.

I understand dollars for dollars, the E39 is money well spent. Just feeling it may be time to move on. Needs paint on the nose again, it likely needs everything replaced that I already replaced second time around. I will likely part it, my two sets of wheels are worth more than book value or what i could get for it the way she stands

[freethrowdunk]

[dannyzabolotny]

Eh, I don't really see the appeal in new technology, the E39 is about as tech-heavy as I'd want a car to be. Modern BMWs and Audis have too many damn screens everywhere and they're all overly computerized. Plus everything has turbos and awful electronic steering now, ew. Seems like the only place you can get a relatively simple NA V8 + RWD + manual car is with a Corvette/Challenger/Mustang/Camaro— the Germans have almost completely given up on NA V8's and manuals.

[frknvgn]

Eh, I don't really see the appeal in new technology, the E39 is about as tech-heavy as I'd want a car to be. Modern BMWs and Audis have too many damn screens everywhere and they're all overly computerized. Plus everything has turbos and awful electronic steering now, ew. Seems like the only place you can get a relatively simple NA V8 + RWD + manual car is with a Corvette/Challenger/Mustang/Camaro— the Germans have almost completely given up on NA V8's and manuals.

^ This. I want to drive a car, not operate​ it.

[toybreaker]

Lmk if you want to sell it. Might buy it


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I might be interested too.... I am in New England as well...

- - - Updated - - -

sell the wheels, I'll bring a set and take the rest.....

[auaq]

Me.

Reads thread title.
Instantly thinks of a poor kitty passed away.
Reads Op's post.
Realizes it is true.
RIP 2001-2017 M54.
"She was the puurrrr-fect companion."

[blackknight530i]

If you do part it out and those side mirrors are OE M5 mirrors, I'd be interested since they are already painted Black Sapphire, right?

[itsbrokeagain]

Third dibs if you want to sell, have a friend looking for a clean e39...

[fmzip]

I'm definitely selling it, or parting it out. The car is jet black, replica M5 mirrors, M5 front seats, eurodash. New clutch and all tranny seals, rear main seal, oil pan gasket done at 175K, Hella EVO biXenon projectors, 18" Style 42's custom steering wheel and the list goes on......


Had OEM M5 mirrors but they stopped working eventually. The replicas just work perfectly, like the glass better too

[jp5Touring]

I hate to see it go but understand. 230k nice run.

[nikh23]

i'd be interested in some of the body panels and arm rest if you do go the parting route

[fmzip]

I have the euro sliding arm rest...


Would you travel up from NYC?

[Jason5driver]

I still can't believe it.
Regardless, I would still try to fix the engine, because of the amount of time and effort put into this car.
I know this car through the years.
It is too nice to part IMO.

[dannyzabolotny]

I'm definitely selling it, or parting it out. The car is jet black, replica M5 mirrors, M5 front seats, eurodash. New clutch and all tranny seals, rear main seal, oil pan gasket done at 175K, Hella EVO biXenon projectors, 18" Style 42's custom steering wheel and the list goes on......

Had OEM M5 mirrors but they stopped working eventually. The replicas just work perfectly, like the glass better too

Where'd you get the replicas from? I'm thinking about eventually putting M5 mirrors on my 540it and I was originally planning on getting used ones, but if the replicas are better then I might as well get those... I know every single M5 (and X5) that I've seen with the power folding mirrors had awful noises from the gears.