E39 540i questions
Discussion
Having looked at insurance prices, I am seriously considering purchasing a BMW E39 540i for around the £2k mark.
Is this a good idea?
Are they reliable? I will be buying one that has over 100k on it, and I will only buy one that has a FSH.
My other issue is that it will probably be an automatic, as there don't seem to be many manual ones about, and the ones that I can find are well over budget. Are the auto boxes any good? Will it let me have a bit of sideways fun should I want it?
Is there anything in particular that I should be looking for with these cars and engines?
Thanks for any replies
Is this a good idea?
Are they reliable? I will be buying one that has over 100k on it, and I will only buy one that has a FSH.
My other issue is that it will probably be an automatic, as there don't seem to be many manual ones about, and the ones that I can find are well over budget. Are the auto boxes any good? Will it let me have a bit of sideways fun should I want it?
Is there anything in particular that I should be looking for with these cars and engines?
Thanks for any replies
I have had a 1999 model for for years.It has never broke down or had anything done except normal servicing.Crap in winter and they get through rear tyres but thats down to driving style.Fuel is nnot great but once rolling they are very nippy,especially when the kickdown goes down two gears without the traction control on.They all have great spec,mine has the m tech option whic has the M5 interior,ie seats,gearknob,wheel.It has the M5 suspension and a LSD.All in all one of the best all rounders I have ever driven.They are quiet when cruising,and roar nicely when you floor it.Mine had 145000 miles on it when I bought it,and I am sure it would do it again.There are however a few rust bubbles starting to appear,on saying that,it is 13 years old and has been round the world 5 times.
It's a bit of an odd market at the moment. Personally I think that the later E39 540s have an over inflated price at this present moment in time, especially since I've been keeping an eye on them over the past few months and have seen a couple sell on Ebay for around £3 - £3.5k yet they're now sat in the classified section for £5k+.
On the other hand, the early E39 540s seem pretty cheap but you could end up buying a money pit if you're not careful. Check to see if the cooling system (radiator, header tank, top hose and water pump) have been replaced as these will fail at some point in the car's life. Make sure that the Auto box shifts smoothly between Park, Neutral & Drive and that Sport mode functions properly too. Make sure the manual element of the gearbox works properly as any shunting or hesitation could mean you'll end up spending more than you paid for the car on a gearbox refurb or replacement box.
I was going to get myself an E39 540i but a tidy E34 540i Manual popped up for sale for half the money so I bought that instead.
On the other hand, the early E39 540s seem pretty cheap but you could end up buying a money pit if you're not careful. Check to see if the cooling system (radiator, header tank, top hose and water pump) have been replaced as these will fail at some point in the car's life. Make sure that the Auto box shifts smoothly between Park, Neutral & Drive and that Sport mode functions properly too. Make sure the manual element of the gearbox works properly as any shunting or hesitation could mean you'll end up spending more than you paid for the car on a gearbox refurb or replacement box.
I was going to get myself an E39 540i but a tidy E34 540i Manual popped up for sale for half the money so I bought that instead.
As an alternative to the 540 is an A8 or A6 4.2 V8, no rear wheel drive fun, but certainly sure-footed, comfortable, decent specification, especially the A8, "relatively" cheap to run and of the expected Teutonic build quality. I was also looking at the 540/740 type motoring indulgence, so these might be worth considering.
I sold my 96 E39 540 for £2000 3 years back with 155k on the clock. You get what you pay for granted but ultimately I wouldn't go back to those days. I spent thousands on it (autobox failed at 130k) but despite best efforts it was long past its best.
Be careful what you pick up, particularly if you don't know what you're supposed to be looking at.
They're not all bad, and it's not just their age. My 98 B10 is up for sale at over four times what I sold my 96 for but the car is in a different league.
Either way, if you don't have a couple of grand spare to sort out issues then I'd look elsewhere.
Be careful what you pick up, particularly if you don't know what you're supposed to be looking at.
They're not all bad, and it's not just their age. My 98 B10 is up for sale at over four times what I sold my 96 for but the car is in a different league.
Either way, if you don't have a couple of grand spare to sort out issues then I'd look elsewhere.
SD1992 said:
Thanks for the replies - given what you have said I think I will just keep the Mondeo on the road for another year, and build up some capital so splash out on a better example next year.
Last question: Is there a massive difference between the 528i / 530i and the 540i?
I :heart: my 528I, utterly fantastic car and I can't believe you can pick them up for a couple of £k Last question: Is there a massive difference between the 528i / 530i and the 540i?
Yes, you'll have to replace a few bits but what can give you that level of Teutonic waftability for the money.
Huff said:
Against which, the 540 is a near-unparalleled mile-eater. Get in, relax, '..oh, are we there already..?' 32-33mpg not a problem on long runs, either.
Outer limits of plausibility. Vast majority of 540s are auto.Yours a rare manual, is it ?
Getting to 30 mpg needs major league pensioner mode,
slipstreaming lorries, nothing over 60 mph or 2K rpm etc.
Not really the way the machine is supposed to be
used, eh ?
dcb - no, not really. I usualy see 29-30mpg in my e34 540 auto on motorway runs at 0.85-0.9leptons and Hammerhead's E39 540 auto easily betters it by 10% - the vanos and drive by wire really makes an improvement.
Yes, drive it like you ought and 22-23 is on the cards; even so I've averaged 25 over 32000miles, and the E39 will better this.
Yes, drive it like you ought and 22-23 is on the cards; even so I've averaged 25 over 32000miles, and the E39 will better this.
dcb said:
Getting to 30 mpg needs major league pensioner mode,
slipstreaming lorries, nothing over 60 mph or 2K rpm etc.
Er, no it doesn't actually. True, you wont get it by stamping on the loud pedal & brakes all the time. For 30+ mpg figures, smooth inputs are all you require and keep to 70 on the motorway (which is all we're legally allowed to do anyway..)slipstreaming lorries, nothing over 60 mph or 2K rpm etc.
dcb said:
Not really the way the machine is supposed to be used, eh ?
Which is what, exactly? A 540 is no 'M'/lightweight sports projectile. Effortless means of transport, yes.
Edited by Hammerhead on Wednesday 6th April 10:14
I am also thinking about a 5 series going to look at a 535i this one
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
not had a bmw before so any advice would be appreciated
Cheers Rob
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
not had a bmw before so any advice would be appreciated
Cheers Rob
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