1997 540i Reliability?

[cardude1827]

I’m looking to get my first car soon and found a 1997 540i on my local Craigslist for $600.. has a blown head gasket. To people who know about BMWs, is that worth it? My dad is a mechanic so he and I would be able to work on it. Any other issues it may have? I am unaware of the miles. Thanks for any info

[White94RX]

Run like hell from that car. There's nothing more expensive than a cheap BMW.

[MauiM3Mania]

Moved to the model specific discussion area.

[f355spider]

Run like hell from that car. There's nothing more expensive than a cheap BMW.

Sage advice.

[edjack]

Fer shure!

OTOH, you may wish to consider this to be a bonding experience with your daddy.

At this price, you will pour many thousands of bucks into it.

If you live in the Rust Belt, it's not a prudent project car.

[southsouth]

timing chain rails, valve cover gaskets, timing chain cover gaskets, sparkplugs, MAF, oxygen sensors x2, camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, all control arms and suspension and tierods, powersteering pump, slave cyclinder, radiator, radiator hoses, waterpump, valley pan gasket, knock sensors

97 540i bought in 2016 for 2k with 130k miles. that's what I had to replace over time. all in all, with upgrades and other things I spent 10k with car cost included over the last 4 years. 1k of which were speaker upgrades, and 1k for m parallels.

If you can do it yourself, its fine. The only thing that left me stranded was the coolant hoses going on me, and the waterpump.

[cardude1827]

Thanks for all the info, I was considering maybe swapping a replacement motor into it if the motor in it was no good. Here is a photo of it if anyone wants to see it


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[cardude1827]

Wanted to give an update.. looks like the guy listed it wrong originally as a 540i but now it says 528i... does that make it any better in terms of fixing it / getting it repaired? Sorry about posting this wrong guys.


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[rlordjr]

If its not rusty and the electrics are good and it doesn't leak that could be a fun project for you both. Mileage on an auto is an issue. If it is a manual much better

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[riverdadd]

did u get mileage yet?? I have a 99 528, that my daughter drives, once sorted, it has been a good car. how long has it sat? any rust?? if the orig owner doesn't know what model the car is, maybe he doesn't know what a blown head gasket is.... ( have your dad verify gasket condition)

plan on sourcing a engine and swapping.

[TiagE39]

A headgasket job and reassembly is very doable on a iron-block '97 528. Speaking from personal repair experience. You can overheat those for days and a freshly machined crack-free head will bring it back to life. Although it's a big job for a novice, if your dad know's what he's doing it's much much more doable than the V8.

Do note this is not the case for later 528's with the TU engine (Build 9/98 and later), those are all-aluminum and can't withstand getting hot without needing much more major work. Would not buy if that's the case.

[lucas999]

Hood looks strangely misaligned up near the A-pillars

[Santaclaus4]

Hood looks strangely misaligned up near the A-pillars

I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. Now it stands out big time.

[cardude1827]

Hood looks strangely misaligned up near the A-pillars

I didn’t notice that before either.. thanks for pointing that out. Here’s a photo so you can see the hood better


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[Santaclaus4]

Door handle doesn't match. I'd walk away from the car. Walk fast...

[cardude1827]

Door handle doesn't match. I'd walk away from the car. Walk fast...

I think I will.. thanks a lot!


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[lucas999]

Door handle doesn't match. I'd walk away from the car. Walk fast...

Agreed.

Luckily there's no shortage of old E39s laying about, just need to weed through a bit to find a good one (four years later, I've realized maybe mine wasn't the best, but I love it). Definitely look for anything with a 5/6MT.

[CSMBlack-540i]

Door handle doesn't match. I'd walk away from the car. Walk fast...

FYI, Old OEM handles came as steel which has a tendency to break after 20 years especially during the winter when doors freeze. New handles from dealer are composite plastic in primer grey.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/51218245461/

Clearly current owner is not an enthusiast like many on this forum.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

In the second picture, the headlight lens looks like it's popped out of the housing or something.

[cardude1827]

FYI, Old OEM handles came as steel which has a tendency to break after 20 years especially during the winter when doors freeze. New handles from dealer are composite plastic in primer grey.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/51218245461/

Clearly current owner is not an enthusiast like many on this forum.

Thanks for the info.. I’m still sketched out by the hood as the others have pointed out. I think I will mood elsewhere. Really liking this forum so far


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[philly98540]

If they can't even get the blatant obvious things good, I bet there is 20 more+ WTF's hidden on that car. Keep looking for a better one.

[E39 Newbie]

Yes, that car's been in an accident and the repairs were half-a$$ed. Move on. There's no shortage of E39s. Yet...