New E39 Owner Coming (My Son)

[dannyzabolotny]

I mean, I did just drive a pretty beat 540i/6 almost 400 miles right after buying it broken with no service records, so there's definitely something to be said for their durability. Once you remove the automatic transmission from the equation, a 540i's only real weaknesses are the cooling system and chain guides. Sure there are suspension bits that fail, but those don't stop you from driving the car in most cases.

[geargrinder]

Once you remove the automatic transmission from the equation, a 540i's only real weaknesses are the cooling system and chain guides.

And the throttle body and the water cooled alternator.

I mean that's just leaving it to "things that might crap out and strand you" #BTDT #axemehowIknow.

The other crappy things like valley pan and CCV and general oil-oozing-gasketry and vac leaks and VANOS seals... all that you can in fact stumble home on... probably...

#hehhehilovecrappingonE39s

[Ajcanadian]

Whaaat? Wow. Here in NJ I was paying $150 a month on my 530 and it only increased. Mind you I was also 23 when it started.

That's crazy. I got a heart attack when I got a quote for my M3 on my name $90 monthly

[waters17]

The lowest "progressive" rates I could find for my son (his own policy) on any car was about $450/month. -I think it was ~$800 for the 540i. I'm convinced that Michigan doesn't want people to drive.

[dannyzabolotny]

The lowest "progressive" rates I could find for my son (his own policy) on any car was about $450/month. -I think it was ~$800 for the 540i. I'm convinced that Michigan doesn't want people to drive.

Michigan also has that idiotic no-fault law which makes everybody's insurance way higher. That, combined with registration that's based on a car's MSRP (WHEN NEW!), salt that destroys all cars, and general crappy weather make me think that people who continue living in Michigan are masochists through and through.

[waters17]

Michigan also has that idiotic no-fault law which makes everybody's insurance way higher. That, combined with registration that's based on a car's MSRP (WHEN NEW!), salt that destroys all cars, and general crappy weather make me think that people who continue living in Michigan are masochists through and through.

LOL! It's so true. You also have to renew your plates on your birthday, so happy birthday, here's your $240 registration fee. Thankfully we'll be moving back to Illinois soon for a different kind of masochism.

[geargrinder]

Michigan also has that idiotic no-fault law which makes everybody's insurance way higher. That, combined with registration that's based on a car's MSRP (WHEN NEW!), salt that destroys all cars, and general crappy weather make me think that people who continue living in Michigan are masochists through and through.

We've got that dumb 'based on MSRP new' crap too for the excise taxes. Makes for ridiculous stuff like paying same taxes per year for a 20yr old car w/ 180k miles worth $3k on the street as you pay for a 10yr old car w/ 50k on it that's still worth $10k, just because the older one was $$$ BITD.

[spngr311]

That unit won't fit right being a combination E39 and E53 unit. It will stick out at the bottom edge. I have heard good things about the xtron android units. Should give them a look. Not every 15-16 year old kid will dump his 540i into a ditch, I didn't! (knock on wood). Just beware that these things are fast, and young people don't understand how fast these are until you're in the ditch or sideways into a patch of trees. Would recommend some driving instruction on how to properly drive the car quickly on a closed track. Maybe a track day is in your guys' future.

I installed the Xtron unit a year ago and I have been happy with it. It works fine and fits pretty well.

[Thrifty S50]

Your Kid is Lucky. My dad was into Chevy's and I ended up with a 88' Chevrolet Caprice Brougham. Black on Blue Carpet. Legit had fuzzy dice hanging from the window.

Car is clean, +1 on staying away from the Chinese Head units, Looking to replace my OEM unit as well and many have already warned me about the ebay specials.

Question, Who takes over this account when you seed gets the car?

[Ajcanadian]

Here in Ohio you don't have to deal with any of that. And if you live in the country there's a lot of good roads.

[Grim Reaper]

Cool project and one that demands respect as that car can whip up triple digits easily.

Track time or autocrosses will help alleviate the desire to do it on the street.

Look forward to updates on where you take this with mods to make it your own.

[e39jams]

I saw this craigslist ad a couple of months ago, and it was definitely an enticing choice with all the maintenance done. You could tell from the ad that the seller knew what he was talking about and appeared to be representing the car honestly. Ultimately the mismatched interior pieces were what kept me from considering it. The car looks good though, and for a first car it's definitely very cool.

As others have said, the headlights should polish up fine. If it still has its factory xenon lights, they really are very good. Look up "floppy e39 headlights" for instructions on fixing the self-leveling function with $20 worth of parts (if previous owner has not yet fixed).

As for stereo, I like the stock look, but I understand the desire for better functionality in the dash. If sound quality is the concern, you can keep the stock head-unit and add an amp to the trunk to drive all the speakers in the car. Replace the factory speakers with some aftermarket 5.25" component speakers, mount the passive crossovers above the rear driver side wheel in the trunk behind the carpet. I had a similar set up in my last e39 and it sounded MUCH better than stock.

[bf21]

Just got back from the 400 mile trip, flew to Boston, threw some old Florida plates from an old 911 I bought a few years ago and just drove. Car was better than represented. Drove great with a couple niggling issues that my son will explain in another thread as he will be wrenching on it mostly. Already has great, but cloudy headlights, I thought they were pre-facelift ones from the ad so I am sure he can buff them up nice.

Nice seller, great car and a nice road trip with the son.

[usera]

Made the 400 mile trip in the rain without any issues. Like most 200K e39s, 5/7 window switches didn't work and the pixels are really bad, but the car was better than represented and drove great. We can do a full looksee in the engine bay to sort out anything that need attention, from the quick roadside PPI I did, all I feel is immediate is a chatty PS pump with a bad leak.

My son will be posting the couple niggling issues as this is his car and I will banish myself back to Rennlist where the engines are in the correct place! I told him that auto forums are a must if he wants to be able to maintain the car without going broke.

[bostonaudi]

I always tell people I'm gonna get an E39 for my kid (when I have one and they're old enough to drive). They'll spend so much money on gas and maintenance that they won't have money for drugs and booze, haha.

If the goal is a vehicle bad on gas get the kid a used pickup truck, at least then you have a useful vehicle - can send them to Lowe’s for stuff, tow, go 4 wheeling, etc.

[dannyzabolotny]

If the goal is a vehicle bad on gas get the kid a used pickup truck, at least then you have a useful vehicle - can send them to Lowe’s for stuff, tow, go 4 wheeling, etc.

Or a 540it... hauls tons of stuff and is way cooler than a pickup truck.

[nicw]

Did u guys get insurance quote for a 15 yr old driving a sport sedan w/a 4.0 V8 motor?

My 16 yr old's coverage for driving my 528i cost me another $1600 / yr.

I'm 17 and pay $1400/yr(on my parents plan) for my 03' 540i/6