2000 540i Sport Project

[illirep]

Ha, thanks, I guess....lol


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[BCS_ZHP]

Bill, food for thought, ultra hard to find a nice set but the M5 wheels fit perfectly fine too. Had M5s on my e39 wagon, the look was boss. Bruce

[illirep]

Bruce. Will consider. That was a beautiful touring you had!

Is there anything mechanically that you can think of needing attention due to age, despite the mileage? I want to have my mechanic go through it but would like some guidance ahead of time. I know you had a few of these.


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[BCS_ZHP]

Valley pan gasket under the intake manifold is the Achilles heel, gets a slight coolant leak and hard to diagnose, especially if it leaks at the rear, you'll never see it.

Engine mounts are fluid filled, if you crank the engine too fast/hard, the driver's side engine mount will rip, the upper radiator hose mount may snap due to the torque. A restraining strap bolted to the inner fender prevents this.

Rubber isolation mounts on the remote oil filter, replace those as they're likely hard by now, an inexpensive fix.

External timing chain tensioners, one per side, $40-50 each, cheap insurance to keep the timing gear tight, and only takes 5 mins per side to replace.

VCGs, they leak, driver's side is easy, passenger side will have you cussing. Use blue painters tape to hold the gasket in place and then pull it out just before you bolt it down.

Cooling system same as e46, too much plastic, replace preventively when you think it's needed.

Otherwise, a very durable V8. Steering is recirculating ball on V8s so a bit more numb than e46s. Add coilovers and tighten up that feel, it's amazing, toss a 4K car into a corner and it responds close to a ZHP.

[az3579]

That's like a sore schlong, you can't beat it.

[danewilson77]

....

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[Alikessu]

Congrats


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[BMWCurves]

Valley pan gasket under the intake manifold is the Achilles heel, gets a slight coolant leak and hard to diagnose, especially if it leaks at the rear, you'll never see it.

Engine mounts are fluid filled, if you crank the engine too fast/hard, the driver's side engine mount will rip, the upper radiator hose mount may snap due to the torque. A restraining strap bolted to the inner fender prevents this.

Rubber isolation mounts on the remote oil filter, replace those as they're likely hard by now, an inexpensive fix.

External timing chain tensioners, one per side, $40-50 each, cheap insurance to keep the timing gear tight, and only takes 5 mins per side to replace.

VCGs, they leak, driver's side is easy, passenger side will have you cussing. Use blue painters tape to hold the gasket in place and then pull it out just before you bolt it down.

Cooling system same as e46, too much plastic, replace preventively when you think it's needed.

Otherwise, a very durable V8. Steering is recirculating ball on V8s so a bit more numb than e46s. Add coilovers and tighten up that feel, it's amazing, toss a 4K car into a corner and it responds close to a ZHP.

The cooling system on my father's 540i failed like clockwork every 6 years. The culprit? The plastic radiator inlet. Speaking of which...his car is coming up on 18 years old...

[illirep]

Thanks Bruce, for the comprehensive list. Will relay to my tech as I don't think he sees many e39's anymore.


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