2000 540i Sport Project

[illirep]

Haven't posted in a while. Family and working for a startup doesn't leave much room for hobbies!

No longer have my titanium silver ZHP. Sold to another member here, made a friend in the process.

Still have my e30 M3. Will update that thread once I get it back from the body shop.

My newest project is an e39. The car was purchased from the original owner in West Palm Beach, a retired CEO of a major publishing company, that used it as a weekend toy.

Details:

2000 BMW 540i
Titanium Silver
Black Leather Interior
Sport Package
Premium Package
Cold Weather
8,920 miles (yes you read that correctly)
6 speed manual

Backstory:

I have been passively searching for 2003 540i sport with manual transmission for several years now. I have gotten very close to hitting the lottery on a 1 owner with 50k miles that was over serviced and under priced. Long story short, my deposit was received a few minutes after another buyer and I was s.o.l. I was holding out for another 2003 when I saw this one. I figured I'd likely never have another opportunity to buy a virtually brand new e39, and pulled the trigger on this car. I paid a pretty premium, but not quite the asking price that you see below. This car is mechanically the same as a 2003, just lacking some of the cosmetic enhancements, which can all be aded to the car via retrofit packages, if I feel so inclined to modify such a virgin beast!

[illirep]

hold for service history

[illirep]

hold for updates / pics 2

[fredo]

Congrats ! Man, less than 9,000 miles. :drool

[TheFinanceGuy]

WOW. That looks fantastic! I'll be interested to hear how you like the 540. I had a 99 540 and found it too large for my every day commuting needs. Maybe I'm still too young to appreciate the size and awesomeness of the E39.

That really is LOW mileage.

How is the cluster? The lights tend to burn out, but, I'm guessing with 9k miles, they haven't had a chance to burn out. :fistpump

[san]

Awesome find... Do post more pics...


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[illirep]

Thanks guys. The e39s certainly feel larger than the e46s, but with the sport suspension, they certainly know how to 'throw their weight around'.

The cluster was just replaced at dealer by prior owner for close to $1k! Not sure how a car that was never driven can have burnt out cluster, must be a major design flaw....Also don't know how BMW can justify charging a customer $1k for something they should frankly do under good will. But at least I don't have to worry about it.

The car was serviced about a dozen times, due to time, not mileage. I still plan on having my tech do a thorough fluid flush and replenishment throughout to be on safe side. He will also check out cooling system due to age. Don't suspect the car really 'needs' anything however.

Should be here this Friday!


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[QC_ZHP]

Those miles are unreal, nice find. I love 540i's...they sound so good.

[KevinC]

The cluster was just replaced at dealer by prior owner for close to $1k! Not sure how a car that was never driven can have burnt out cluster, must be a major design flaw...

It's a ribbon cable issue, about 99% of all E39's suffer from the problem eventually and have to be repaired/replaced. the fix is only about $150, many companies and Ebay dudes do it for about that price. Only the dealership would replace the entire thing at that crazy price.

That car is beautiful!

[az3579]

the fix is only about $150, many companies and Ebay dudes do it for about that price. Only the dealership would replace the entire thing at that crazy price.

That car is beautiful!

That's because dealerships don't believe it "fix it", they believe in "replace it".

[BMWCurves]

That's because dealerships don't believe it "fix it", they believe in "replace it".

Which is great...if you're not the one footing the bill. Otherwise, I'd prefer "fix it."

Congrats on the new (to you) 540i! I love my father's 1998 6-speed. It was the best car growing up, every single spot in the car is comfortable. Tons of low-down, lazy torque. Heavy but adept in the corners. My father's in the market for another E39 540i just in a newer year, lower mileage example because he loves that car so much.

[illirep]

I sure hope that Camry doesn't have any oil leaks!

[ELCID86]

Congrats!


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[danewilson77]

Awesome

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[illirep]

This exact car with these wheels is what initially opened my eyes to non-2003 540i sport.

Alpine white in all of it's beauty!

These are my all time favorite BMW wheels! They came on the 2003 540i sports and the 2001 740i sports (different fitment). Most of what I'm finding on eBay is the latter e38 fitment unfortunately.

2173321734


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[Vas]

Congrats. And low low miles. Nice

[ecrabb]

8,000 miles?!?!?! Drool. The E39 is so gorgeous. Congrats on an awesome car.

SC

[danewilson77]

Congrats. And low low miles. Nice
+1

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[illirep]

217752177621777


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[KevinC]

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

[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.


http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/animaljam/images/d/d2/Challenge-accepted.png/revision/latest?cb=20140928111255

[danewilson77]

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/animaljam/images/d/d2/Challenge-accepted.png/revision/latest?cb=20140928111255
:rofl....

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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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