RE: SOTW: BMW 540i Touring
Discussion
TORQ said:
Related, This would be the ultimate, an E39 M5 Touring. Only found out about it as the guy lives a few hundred meters from me! Incredible project. Think the airbag deletion answer is in there somewhere. Terrible photo sorry.
Build thread here:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=...
Thanks for that! That certainly is a great project and one I had considered myself, but having seen what he went through, I think I'll swerve that plan! Build thread here:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=...
It looks like he kept the airbags and accumulators, but uprated them to 'sport' spec, which is probably not a bad idea!
I for one is certainly extremely happy with my 540i Touring 1997. It been mine for 2 years and just passed 100k miles a few weeks ago and goes beautifully.
It also just passed it's MOT today, at least after having a new license plate and the headlights adjusted
Mine doesn't have the air rear suspension and judging by the problems they can cause I cannot say I miss it. Since I don't have a tow hook either they are not really needed.
Apart from that it pretty much has everything you could need (but I seem to remember that Retset had some more things ) and I have added Xenons AE and sport steering wheel recently. Next week it's going in for the much needed Muffler Delete, otherwise they are so quiet you have no chance to hear what kind of engine it's got!
The only niggles have been very minor: occasionally the rear window hatch pops open by itself, the on board computer screen seems to have died a few weeks ago.
None a major problem and I'm sure I can source a replacement screen from eBay. May upgrade to a wide screen...
Maybe I've been lucky but this one has never had any shimmies at all. Currently it Might benefit from a set of front shocks as the current ones are decidedly spongy, but since I don't treat it as a racer at all it is not a huge concern, nor do we do many miles. 12k over 2 years, which is also why fuel consumption is not a major concern.
Most importantly, every drive brings a smile to my face and it always makes me feel like it's a complete bargain for what it can do. Sure, if there was a Major breakdown of some kind (like engine or gearbox) then you'd have to call it a day and move on, but there is no particular reason why that should happen for a long time yet.
This one has now reached the stage where there is No more depreciation to be had so arguably the money thus saved can be re-invested for the odd repairs and still end up with cheap ownership. At least that's how my man maths works
It also just passed it's MOT today, at least after having a new license plate and the headlights adjusted
Mine doesn't have the air rear suspension and judging by the problems they can cause I cannot say I miss it. Since I don't have a tow hook either they are not really needed.
Apart from that it pretty much has everything you could need (but I seem to remember that Retset had some more things
) and I have added Xenons AE and sport steering wheel recently. Next week it's going in for the much needed Muffler Delete, otherwise they are so quiet you have no chance to hear what kind of engine it's got!The only niggles have been very minor: occasionally the rear window hatch pops open by itself, the on board computer screen seems to have died a few weeks ago.
None a major problem and I'm sure I can source a replacement screen from eBay. May upgrade to a wide screen...
Maybe I've been lucky but this one has never had any shimmies at all. Currently it Might benefit from a set of front shocks as the current ones are decidedly spongy, but since I don't treat it as a racer at all it is not a huge concern, nor do we do many miles. 12k over 2 years, which is also why fuel consumption is not a major concern.
Most importantly, every drive brings a smile to my face and it always makes me feel like it's a complete bargain for what it can do. Sure, if there was a Major breakdown of some kind (like engine or gearbox) then you'd have to call it a day and move on, but there is no particular reason why that should happen for a long time yet.
This one has now reached the stage where there is No more depreciation to be had so arguably the money thus saved can be re-invested for the odd repairs and still end up with cheap ownership. At least that's how my man maths works
BL Fanboy said:
pSyCoSiS said:
Indeed so.
The E39 is probably the best-built 5 Series ever. I love them. You can do a long journey in it, without taking a break and arrive refreshed at the other end.
How does this work? Having 40 winks on a stationary sofa usually refreshes me not driving a long way in a car. Maybe its a shut-i drive.The E39 is probably the best-built 5 Series ever. I love them. You can do a long journey in it, without taking a break and arrive refreshed at the other end.
You can do long journeys and not feel tired at the other end.
Agent Orange said:
Yep agree. Find me a 2002/2003 530D Sport Touring with <30K miles on it and I'll bite your hand off and replace my 2002 530i Touring.
Wouldn't touch an E60 but do like the F10 Tourings.
Snap. But a petrol please. Love mine.Wouldn't touch an E60 but do like the F10 Tourings.
Btw, 4 pot diesels are still wibbly in these cars. I was in an F10 520D yesterday - drove nicely, but you could feel the diesel vibration clearly, and stop/starting really made the car vibrate. Yuk.
Targarama said:
Snap. But a petrol please. Love mine.
Btw, 4 pot diesels are still wibbly in these cars. I was in an F10 520D yesterday - drove nicely, but you could feel the diesel vibration clearly, and stop/starting really made the car vibrate. Yuk.
Thankfully the E39 only ever came with 6 cylinder diesel engines here in the UK (not sure if the continent got a 4-pot diesel engine)Btw, 4 pot diesels are still wibbly in these cars. I was in an F10 520D yesterday - drove nicely, but you could feel the diesel vibration clearly, and stop/starting really made the car vibrate. Yuk.
But a 5 Series is better suited to a sweet six-pot or burbly V8.
Had a 535 v8 saloon of the same year was a better handling and smoother drive than my current e60 535d, but reverse went at about 120k. Started by not going into reverse straight away but would go in if you went in and out of gear a few time but eventually gave up the ghost altogether. After a bit of web searching that type of auto box was prone to it and its was caused by a ring on the reverse drum clutch ( or something like that ) not being strong enough for the job but apparently rectified on 2001 onwards cars. After being quoted over 2k fitted for a recon gbox sold it for spares or repairs otherwise probably still have it now
pSyCoSiS said:
Thankfully the E39 only ever came with 6 cylinder diesel engines here in the UK (not sure if the continent got a 4-pot diesel engine)
But a 5 Series is better suited to a sweet six-pot or burbly V8.
Yep, They did a 520d in LHD. But a 5 Series is better suited to a sweet six-pot or burbly V8.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DM71...
actually its alright if you have a tanker in tow and someone picking up the fuel bill 
I have one, bought 2 years ago at low price trade sale, it had two previous careful owners and I have covered the risk elements with maintenence plans via a good indie.
Never had a BMW before and bought one to try it, for the money it is remarkable, £47k or so V8 touring for all in, buy and sort out for less than 10% and fsh.
It is a better car now with the care, an effortless mile eater, obc shows over 27mpg from mixed driving but mostly fairly quick motorways.
The car is now immaculate, fully equipped and ageless in most peoples perception.
They are expensive and complex cars, buying one of that age is high risk and advert lacks sense.
However, until you have owned and driven one, its not realistic to knock the E39, you may have problems to solve or not but you are enjoying? a very expensive car for peanuts. I have other performance cars and am an old man, hence it old man metallic green, I have great respect for the car.
Suspension of rear end (SLS), autobox failure and timing chain guide failures are risks, but if you intend the car to be a keeper then sort the issue out before breakage causes the scrapping crisis.
Never had a BMW before and bought one to try it, for the money it is remarkable, £47k or so V8 touring for all in, buy and sort out for less than 10% and fsh.
It is a better car now with the care, an effortless mile eater, obc shows over 27mpg from mixed driving but mostly fairly quick motorways.
The car is now immaculate, fully equipped and ageless in most peoples perception.
They are expensive and complex cars, buying one of that age is high risk and advert lacks sense.
However, until you have owned and driven one, its not realistic to knock the E39, you may have problems to solve or not but you are enjoying? a very expensive car for peanuts. I have other performance cars and am an old man, hence it old man metallic green, I have great respect for the car.
Suspension of rear end (SLS), autobox failure and timing chain guide failures are risks, but if you intend the car to be a keeper then sort the issue out before breakage causes the scrapping crisis.
Edited by urquattro on Friday 9th November 22:17
Edited by urquattro on Friday 9th November 22:38
You need to be careful with the rear suspension geometry on the Tourings. We were left stranded one Sunday afternoon about 300 miles from home because both rear tyres had worn through to the metal and deflated (although we had had a BMW Dealer service done on the car about 3 weeks earlier!). You can tell when it needs checking because there is a vibration through the accelerator and steering wheel at ca. 70 mph.
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