2003 540i M-Sport hits 100k

**zM3** · 11-28-2022, 12:06 AM

E39_540i_100k.jpg

My 2003 540i/6 M-Sport reached 100k on the way back from Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh. I bought the car in 2011 with 36k on the clock. The original owner replaced the battery, tires, filters/fluids, but no repairs were needed as far as I know. Here's a list of what the car has needed in 100k in order of replacement:

Lower timing chain tensioner (preventative)
Power steering hoses and reservoir
Starter
Blower motor resistor
Thermostat
Front tension struts
Seat twist repair (both front seats recline cable)
Oil filter housing mount
Radiator

Maintenance:
Battery (1), tires (1 set), fluids/filters, brake pads/rotors, wiper blades, drivebelts

Only mod was deleting the CDV. The headlight adjusters have failed, the passenger seat height adjustment needs the cable repair, the differential pinion seal is leaking a bit, and there are some missing pixels, but nothing else currently needs repair that I know of. Everything else is original. Thought this might be useful/interesting for someone. The car still drives amazingly well.

**sleuth255** · 11-28-2022, 10:32 AM

Wow. Nice low-mileage find that you're trying to keep that way! That's a real unicorn you've got as well. IIRC only about 6K 6sp M-Sports were ever exported to N. America. Its too hard not to drive these things tho... Trying to not drive mine in the winter this year and its going to be a bleak time until March for me...

**zM3** · 11-28-2022, 01:19 PM

Thanks Sleuth255. There were actually only 1190 540i 6 speed manual M-Sports exported to the US/Canada. I wrote a post on here several years ago with the breakdown by color. I don't drive mine in the winter unless there's no snow or salt on the roads.