Kiethton's E39 540i
Discussion
So now, 2 years into ownership I thought it right to put up a little thread about the 540i especially as its just completed its first track session - looked a little out of place!
Got the car 2 years ago, on my 24th birthday so I was a little out of place, coming from a EP3 (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1305702), 924s and BMW 335i prior so a barge was a bit of a change. In need of a car fairly quickly I took a look round and this popped up, a bit of a bargain if I do say so!
Its a 2003 sport, purchased with 116k on the clock and 6 months after a £6k service at BMW courtesy of the previous owner meaning that all, well most, common issues had been addressed and all consumables were as new.
Inspection 2
Full cooling system
Full suspension refesh
4x conti SC's
Disc's & pads all-round
numerous other bits....
As it stood on purchase:
And after a little use:
And a clean...
All wasn't rosy, electrical gremlins frustrated for a while (alternator & hedgehog) but were eventually resolved, at considerable cost alongside an alternator....
And then a autobox rebuild....ouch!
Some minor imperfections were sorted alongside repair after somebody bumped it a little but all was well, they even did the bootlid and the tiny bubble on the rear arches plus stonechips at the same time and for nothing as they had the paint already! - likely absorbed into the quote.....
Beyond this its been perfect, although I really don't use it enough (commute on a motorbike/pedal bike to the City). Its now sitting at home after a run around silverstone with PH on Sunday.
Its not the best track weapon, fast-ish....but hard on components.....
but fun at the same time - thanks to trackside photographers for pic's!
It was still fairly good fun:
Video of my session before the memory card filled - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRHCBonFOgE
and from cars behind - ~23 seconds but best from about 9 minutes in, guess that's why I need tyres!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k33zSXZL6FY
So new PS3's are on order and due to be fitted on Saturday, although typically I've lost my locking nut....
Not much more is planned - Max kindly donated a slightly louder exhaust but nobody seems capable of fitting it, beyind that its just they tyres and a few little jobs - new power steering fluid reservoir cap and rocker cover gasket as its starting to weep, then on to the MOT next month!
Can't recommend these cars enough, can't think of anything better for the money...fun, if not the best, on track and even cracked 35mpg on my gentle drive home....(normally 18 - low 20's however...). Likely it'll only be changed when life dictates, or if the track day bug bites...
Got the car 2 years ago, on my 24th birthday so I was a little out of place, coming from a EP3 (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1305702), 924s and BMW 335i prior so a barge was a bit of a change. In need of a car fairly quickly I took a look round and this popped up, a bit of a bargain if I do say so!
Its a 2003 sport, purchased with 116k on the clock and 6 months after a £6k service at BMW courtesy of the previous owner meaning that all, well most, common issues had been addressed and all consumables were as new.
Inspection 2
Full cooling system
Full suspension refesh
4x conti SC's
Disc's & pads all-round
numerous other bits....
As it stood on purchase:
And after a little use:
And a clean...
All wasn't rosy, electrical gremlins frustrated for a while (alternator & hedgehog) but were eventually resolved, at considerable cost alongside an alternator....
And then a autobox rebuild....ouch!
Some minor imperfections were sorted alongside repair after somebody bumped it a little but all was well, they even did the bootlid and the tiny bubble on the rear arches plus stonechips at the same time and for nothing as they had the paint already! - likely absorbed into the quote.....
Beyond this its been perfect, although I really don't use it enough (commute on a motorbike/pedal bike to the City). Its now sitting at home after a run around silverstone with PH on Sunday.
Its not the best track weapon, fast-ish....but hard on components.....
but fun at the same time - thanks to trackside photographers for pic's!
It was still fairly good fun:
Video of my session before the memory card filled - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRHCBonFOgE
and from cars behind - ~23 seconds but best from about 9 minutes in, guess that's why I need tyres!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k33zSXZL6FY
So new PS3's are on order and due to be fitted on Saturday, although typically I've lost my locking nut....
Not much more is planned - Max kindly donated a slightly louder exhaust but nobody seems capable of fitting it, beyind that its just they tyres and a few little jobs - new power steering fluid reservoir cap and rocker cover gasket as its starting to weep, then on to the MOT next month!
Can't recommend these cars enough, can't think of anything better for the money...fun, if not the best, on track and even cracked 35mpg on my gentle drive home....(normally 18 - low 20's however...). Likely it'll only be changed when life dictates, or if the track day bug bites...
|http://thumbsnap.com/Tp9WPLQ3[/url]
kiethton said:
Auto was fine but definaty a press and wait a second for the change, no DCT box!
There were also a few times when it did it automatically (even though I was in manual mode) but only normally at the top of the rev range
Not sure on the Saab, was on Lithuanian plates though
So yours is a manual? Many 540 is for town driving and long journeys so auto suits perfectly.There were also a few times when it did it automatically (even though I was in manual mode) but only normally at the top of the rev range
Not sure on the Saab, was on Lithuanian plates though
I also have a EP3 Premier edition - great minds!
johnwilliams77 said:
kiethton said:
Auto was fine but definaty a press and wait a second for the change, no DCT box!
There were also a few times when it did it automatically (even though I was in manual mode) but only normally at the top of the rev range
Not sure on the Saab, was on Lithuanian plates though
So yours is a manual? Many 540 is for town driving and long journeys so auto suits perfectly.There were also a few times when it did it automatically (even though I was in manual mode) but only normally at the top of the rev range
Not sure on the Saab, was on Lithuanian plates though
I also have a EP3 Premier edition - great minds!
Max M4X WW said:
Actually looks pretty good on track! Makes me want another, sort of fancy a Facelift SE as per the poster above but you can't beat the looks of a Sport..
Someone must be able to fit the exhaust?? Its only a cut and weld job!
I've been to about 8 different places, nowhere will do it!Someone must be able to fit the exhaust?? Its only a cut and weld job!
They've either said they'll only fit their own parts or a like for like or for the others it's a machine not working to bend/the box in the boot has been cut at an angle
Was also reviewing the track footage and am trying to wonder why it's the outside rear (under load) that was spinning up and not the other, can't work it out?
Edited by kiethton on Tuesday 13th October 21:28
kiethton said:
Was also reviewing the track footage and am trying to wonder why it's the outside rear (under load) that was spinning up and not the other, can't work it out?
I was thinking the same! Guess its just the tyre under a lot of stress?kiethton said:
The car is pretty long-geared though
Very! 2nd was also good above 4000rpm 
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