19k Miles BMW 540I Japanese Import
Discussion
trails said:
DVLA turnaround certainly sounds better than the crazy delays recently reported.
I've brought an import now, so interesting to see how long the process takes
Yes it is much better than before. I imported a car from Spain in 2020 and it took from March to August for them to deal with the application!I've brought an import now, so interesting to see how long the process takes
What have you bought?
Lotusgone said:
Kudos for the great buy and bearing the bid/importation process. Thanks also for demonstrating that the km-miles change can be straightforward, I'll be searching the websites later.
You'll probably know this already, but from my experience of having an E39 540 as a second car, it eats electricity just sitting there.
It was quite simple really. Just need to be careful not to snap any of the brittle plastics. You'll probably know this already, but from my experience of having an E39 540 as a second car, it eats electricity just sitting there.
The first thing I did was fit a ctek indicator to the battery and plug it in to bring the battery back up to full condition after its lengthy trip on the ship. The indicators are great and work on a traffic light system which makes it easy to see whether it needs a charge at a glance.
Incredible to think that some E39's will have racked that mileage up in 6 months.
Less than a 1000 miles a year. There must be a story behind it? It would seem more understandable on an M5.
I've just done the job you're doing on my new car although I went with Bilthamber Dynax UC and S50.
It seemed to go on thinner and clearer than the Lanoguard. I don't know how the two products compare though.
Less than a 1000 miles a year. There must be a story behind it? It would seem more understandable on an M5.
I've just done the job you're doing on my new car although I went with Bilthamber Dynax UC and S50.
It seemed to go on thinner and clearer than the Lanoguard. I don't know how the two products compare though.
ChocolateFrog said:
Incredible to think that some E39's will have racked that mileage up in 6 months.
Less than a 1000 miles a year. There must be a story behind it? It would seem more understandable on an M5.
I've just done the job you're doing on my new car although I went with Bilthamber Dynax UC and S50.
It seemed to go on thinner and clearer than the Lanoguard. I don't know how the two products compare though.
It’s just one of those cars that was used regularly but sparingly I believe. Certainly the condition is almost like new. Less than a 1000 miles a year. There must be a story behind it? It would seem more understandable on an M5.
I've just done the job you're doing on my new car although I went with Bilthamber Dynax UC and S50.
It seemed to go on thinner and clearer than the Lanoguard. I don't know how the two products compare though.
Edited by Somerset Jim on Monday 28th March 13:29
Sorted out another rear wheel arch by removing the lining and spraying a load of 77B. Once again, the inside was spotless just like the others. Just one left to go.
Also took the time to work on the headlights to remove the crazing and dull effect the sun has had over the years.
Also took a moment to clean the engine bay which has made a bit of difference.
Yesterday the DVLA wrote to me with the V5 so I set about ordering the new number plates which duly arrived today. Although there is still some work to be done I had to take it out for a spin up onto the hills for a trip down memory lane.
Topped it up with some super unleaded and now it’s tucked away back in the garage ready for the last remaining wheel arch. Just as I was pulling into the garage the heavens opened with a flurry of snow!
Also took the time to work on the headlights to remove the crazing and dull effect the sun has had over the years.
Also took a moment to clean the engine bay which has made a bit of difference.
Yesterday the DVLA wrote to me with the V5 so I set about ordering the new number plates which duly arrived today. Although there is still some work to be done I had to take it out for a spin up onto the hills for a trip down memory lane.
Topped it up with some super unleaded and now it’s tucked away back in the garage ready for the last remaining wheel arch. Just as I was pulling into the garage the heavens opened with a flurry of snow!
Edited by Somerset Jim on Thursday 31st March 17:20
Somerset Jim said:
Sorted out another rear wheel arch by removing the lining and spraying a load of 77B. Once again, the inside was spotless just like the others. Just one left to go.
Also took the time to work on the headlights to remove the crazing and dull effect the sun has had over the years.
Also took a moment to clean the engine bay which has made a bit of difference.
Yesterday the DVLA wrote to me with the V5 so I set about ordering the new number plates which duly arrived today. Although there is still some work to be done I had to take it out for a spin up onto the hills for a trip down memory lane.
Topped it up with some super unleaded and now it’s tucked away back in the garage ready for the last remaining wheel arch. Just as I was pulling into the garage the heavens opened with a flurry of snow!
It's a fantastic looking car Jim and will soon be properly sorted Also took the time to work on the headlights to remove the crazing and dull effect the sun has had over the years.
Also took a moment to clean the engine bay which has made a bit of difference.
Yesterday the DVLA wrote to me with the V5 so I set about ordering the new number plates which duly arrived today. Although there is still some work to be done I had to take it out for a spin up onto the hills for a trip down memory lane.
Topped it up with some super unleaded and now it’s tucked away back in the garage ready for the last remaining wheel arch. Just as I was pulling into the garage the heavens opened with a flurry of snow!
Edited by Somerset Jim on Thursday 31st March 17:20
By way of an update, I took the car out to get some milk which ended up turning into an evening drive since the sunset was so good just before Easter. The car was obviously feeling left out and wanted some more attention so decided to throw an engine management light. After reading the codes it was showing code P1160 which after some searching was likely to be a MAF sensor. Auto doc was the place that had an OEM brand (Bosch) so I ordered one ready for when we returned.
Having done the school run and with daughter no 1 off to gymnastics I had daughter no 2 and said that if we could fix the car then we would take it to the park. With a focused 5 year old by my side I knew we had about 5 seconds to get the job done and to my astonishment it was a very simple job to change.
We then plugged the OBD reader back in and reset the codes and took it for a run to a park a few miles away and touching wood, all seems to be good again for now. It is going into the specialist garage on Wednesday for some suspension bushings to make it perfect and then its just a case of enjoying it.
The gratuitous photos from the sunset were worth it though… I do like the lines of these cars and somehow the square plates go well with it:
Having done the school run and with daughter no 1 off to gymnastics I had daughter no 2 and said that if we could fix the car then we would take it to the park. With a focused 5 year old by my side I knew we had about 5 seconds to get the job done and to my astonishment it was a very simple job to change.
We then plugged the OBD reader back in and reset the codes and took it for a run to a park a few miles away and touching wood, all seems to be good again for now. It is going into the specialist garage on Wednesday for some suspension bushings to make it perfect and then its just a case of enjoying it.
The gratuitous photos from the sunset were worth it though… I do like the lines of these cars and somehow the square plates go well with it:
Speedgelb said:
Enjoyed reading this, and really like the car!
It's all the better for having the M badge off
Thanks. I have taken 5 of those badges off with one left to go!It's all the better for having the M badge off
It went into the garage today for some suspension bushings and it was lovely to take the long way home and give it a decent run again… any excuse!
Missed this first time round - what a great result that is, it looks properly mint and I’m glad it’s found another owner who will fastidiously look after it! I’ve always admired these and they’ve aged really well. Agree that the square plates really suit it too!
I have to ask (and feel free to ignore) but what ballpark figure are you talking for purchase + shipping?
I. do. not. need. an. E39!
I have to ask (and feel free to ignore) but what ballpark figure are you talking for purchase + shipping?
I. do. not. need. an. E39!
My pal has a similar era 7 series with the same engine (albeit with more miles on)
Check the timing chain tensioner. His car ate it and chewed up loads of stuff. Engine rebuild and all sorts and no end of problems since.
In fact I'm not sure BMW ever created a bombproof V8. I6 are more their forte
Check the timing chain tensioner. His car ate it and chewed up loads of stuff. Engine rebuild and all sorts and no end of problems since.
In fact I'm not sure BMW ever created a bombproof V8. I6 are more their forte
Ambleton said:
My pal has a similar era 7 series with the same engine (albeit with more miles on)
Check the timing chain tensioner. His car ate it and chewed up loads of stuff. Engine rebuild and all sorts and no end of problems since.
In fact I'm not sure BMW ever created a bombproof V8. I6 are more their forte
Thanks for the heads up. The tell tale sign for this usually is a rattle in the chain as you can hear it slap against the guides when the tensioner becomes slack. No sign of this gladly but I shall be keeping an ear out for any changes in the tick over noise for sure!Check the timing chain tensioner. His car ate it and chewed up loads of stuff. Engine rebuild and all sorts and no end of problems since.
In fact I'm not sure BMW ever created a bombproof V8. I6 are more their forte
Yesterday the DVLA wrote to me with the V5 so I set about ordering the new number plates which duly arrived today. Although there is still some work to be done I had to take it out for a spin up onto the hills for a trip down memory lane.
What a lovely car, looks great. Correct me if I'm wrong but that looks like thr top of Wrangway Wellington? Not to far away from me, I will keep my eye out for you.
DevonLad said:
What a lovely car, looks great. Correct me if I'm wrong but that looks like thr top of Wrangway Wellington? Not to far away from me, I will keep my eye out for you.
Thanks. Yes you are right, that is wrangway direction on the side of the Blackdowns. The spine road along the top there is a great road for a 30 minute blast around here. Where are you based?Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff