Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 49

Thread: 2003 Alpine white e39 540i Mtech

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i

    2003 Alpine white e39 540i Mtech

    Hello Everyone, new member here just picked up a 2003 Alpine white e39 540i with Mtech yesterday. It definitely needs some work. The car has 73,000 miles, (can’t really tell because of dash pixels) This is my first bmw, 3rd car I’ve ever owned, I’m a little nervous about how much I might have to spend to bring this car back to perfect running condition. If there is anyone who knows a lot about these cars, maybe has done a restoration of their own and could reach out to me I’d love to talk and would appreciate any information/ knowledge.

    Thank you,
    Will

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Cullowhee North Carolina
    Posts
    1,496
    My Cars
    1999 323i/5 2002 540i/6
    Well I've been around the block a time or two, ask any questions you have here. Plenty of people here have much much more knowledge then I do and are willing to help.

    Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    mitten
    Posts
    3,760
    My Cars
    525it,02 525it,73 2002
    $$ A lot, congrats. I find it's best not to keep track of what you spend.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i
    Is there a way to send PMs ?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Cullowhee North Carolina
    Posts
    1,496
    My Cars
    1999 323i/5 2002 540i/6
    Yes, you can't receive them right now for some reason. I tried.

    Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    mitten
    Posts
    3,760
    My Cars
    525it,02 525it,73 2002
    Quote Originally Posted by seagreen323i View Post
    Yes, you can't receive them right now for some reason. I tried.

    Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
    He be too new. I think you need twenty five posts.

    Don't hesitate to ask a question.

    Oh and post some pictures of it.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i
    I was trying to post pictures but I couldn’t figure out how on my phone. Do I need to be on a computer?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i
    I couldn’t figure out how to post pictures. Do I need to be on a computer?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Cullowhee North Carolina
    Posts
    1,496
    My Cars
    1999 323i/5 2002 540i/6
    I think you have to have 5 posts to do pics.

    I'll throw a few links to get you started.

    Common diy fixes:
    https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app

    E39 FAQ:
    https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app

    Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i
    Thank you SeaGreen ill look into it. Check engine light came on right when i got home with the car yesterday, so im trying to get a friend with a scanner to come check it out for me

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    1,249
    My Cars
    03 525it/5, 1967 GTO
    Nice looking M sport. Very clean. If you have access to an older laptop and can download a copy of INPA from Mikes easy tools and start running diagnostics on your own. Cheap K + DCAN cable from the bay should get you started.
    “She’s the last of the V8’s, she sucks nitro...phase 4 heads, twin overhead cams...600 horsepower through the wheels, she’s meanness put to music...”

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i
    I was able to get it scanned, the codes are P0491 and P0492.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Cullowhee North Carolina
    Posts
    1,496
    My Cars
    1999 323i/5 2002 540i/6
    Those are secondary air pump codes, think smog pump.

    Basically it pushes fresh air into the exhaust upon startup to warm up the cats earlier.

    There are about 3 things it could be.

    Step 1 is to confirm the pump is working. Do you hear what sounds like the sound of a wurring electric motor from the passenger side front bumper? It's located basically behind the fog light. If so then the pump is working, if not then the pump isn't.

    The pump will only run for around 30 seconds when the car is dead cold.

    Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
    Last edited by seagreen323i; 01-17-2023 at 09:02 AM.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    962
    My Cars
    '03 530i/5sp Sport
    numero uno problem with the secondary AIR system is the vacuum line that goes from the control solenoid to the air injection control valve. Heat cycling makes it brittle and it breaks. Also the rubber fittings at the intake manifold deteriorate over time. Since you have both banks impacted, this is a likely culprit. Here's a good vid that explains how this system works and what the various parts look like:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT9OgD7tWgU

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    96
    My Cars
    03 540, 03 M5, 99 540iT
    Very Nice!
    At that mileage, you shouldn't have too much to do.
    Start saving...
    Cooling system will be at the top of the list at the mileage.
    The ENTIRE cooling system.

    Get the car up to 55.
    Does it shake slightly?
    Signs that your front end will need attention soon.
    Until you do a front end refresh, don't drive at 55...

    The more you nose around the forums, the more you will learn about your ultimate driving machine.
    Keep in mind, not all the things that go wrong with these cars will go wrong with yours.
    Forums are a place where people come to learn how to fix problems.

    You have many years of driving enjoyment with that car.
    Congratulations!

    Tom

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    560
    My Cars
    02 525,01 X5,99 323IC
    Your on a steep learning curve starting out with one of these cars. But it can be done. Start devouring YouTube. So many vids there that cover every subject. You will get some great, invaluable advice here. But.....there are so many issues that these cars have, especially at 20yrs old. You have 2 choices on doing work on the car. Either learn how to do it yourself, or pay a shop. A shop will soon put you upside down in the car, very quickly. Example-even though the car has "low" miles, it is 20 yrs old and we don't know how it has been taken care of. I will get push back here, but those timing guides/chains are probably original. Time/heat are not kind to the guides. So, a shop will charge $3-5K to do that job correctly. And, you haven't dealt with cooling system, brakes, suspension, transmission. If your up for it, applause! If once you really evaluate the car and decide that you want to move to something a little less maintenance heavy, there are many here who would buy that car from you(me included). Please try to not "rat rod" it, and keep it true to it's original design. But, it's your car and you can do what you want.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    690
    My Cars
    '02 540i/6
    Absolutely beautiful version.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i
    I have every intention on keeping the car oem. My first car was a 2000 Jeep Wrangler that I ended up spending $7000 fixing at a shop. Then I moved to a 2014 Audi S4, realized i wouldn't be able to afford the repairs if anything broke, so I moved to this 540 hoping that the $15,000 price difference from the S4 would be enough to repair anything wrong and have a solid daily driver. Im also hoping that ill be able to learn a little more and do some work myself. Unfortunately im the only carguy in my family so i didnt grow up wrenching or anything so im starting from scratch.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Cullowhee North Carolina
    Posts
    1,496
    My Cars
    1999 323i/5 2002 540i/6
    I started working on the 540 as my first real project, it's pretty far from stock but everybody has their likings. Mine wasn't as extraordinary of an example as yours is so I didn't feel bad. In my defense everything is reversible if I ever decide to go back.

    Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i
    I bought the 540 from the second owner, 75 year old man who owned it since 2013 with 30k miles. First 10 years were spent in Nevada and then it moved to New York in 2013. clean carfax, no accidents, and it seems like the second owner took pretty good care of the car. Got some maintenance receipts, most recent repairs being evap purge valve, parastatic battery drain, and airbag clockspring.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    350
    My Cars
    Bmw 540i 2002 5HP-24
    As a first thing i would look over the cooling system. If that hasn’t been done yet. I just bought every single hose, overflow bottle, rad, sensors u name it.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    96
    My Cars
    03 540, 03 M5, 99 540iT
    Can I ask the purchase price?
    Just interested in your starting point.
    Considering the mileage, and the appearance, $10k is not an unreasonable price.

    Avoid the shops.
    Start your tool collection now on what you'll save by DIY.
    As you can see by the response here, help is close and willing.

    More pics would be cool.

    T

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2003 540i
    Hey everyone, so I’ve figured out that I need new valve cover gaskets pretty bad, I’m bringing it to a shop tomorrow for new tires. Should I have them do valve cover gaskets too or is that something I can save $500 and do myself?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 2003 e39 540i MTech sitting high after new shocks.
    By patrm99 in forum 1996 - 2003 (E39)
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 08-09-2022, 09:57 PM
  2. E39 Alpine White E39 M5 OE+
    By Blaqk20 in forum 5 series & 6 series
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 04-30-2013, 06:14 PM
  3. wtb e39 2001-2003 alpine white
    By dgarcia09 in forum 5 series & 6 series
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 02-18-2012, 12:22 PM
  4. E39 FS: 2003 Alpine White/Tan 525i Sport Pkg.
    By pat656 in forum 5 series & 6 series
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 05-14-2011, 08:26 PM
  5. Please post pics of your Alpine White E39 540i
    By Joey Link in forum 1996 - 2003 (E39)
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 05-25-2006, 09:34 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •