19k Miles BMW 540I Japanese Import
Discussion
I have been lurking here for some time but never really had the motivation to post a new thread but I think that having just taken the keys to a BMW E39 540i saloon imported from Japan, I thought this might be useful to some people considering the same.
The company I used I came across from a member of the g wagen forum (I have a healthy obsession with Mercedes W463’s) who used them to import his G wagen. The chap he put me in touch dealt with me by email and was quick to respond and it sprouted from there. I agreed to register and send over a deposit which enabled me to be able to bid. My initial reason for singing up to the Japanese car auctions was to find a clean RHD G500 and after seeing a few go through it was obvious that these cars are sought after and their prices reflected this. So my attention turned to other models and one evening I registered what I thought was a relatively low offer on a BMW 540i which had a great score. When I woke up in the morning, to my surprise I found out that I had won the auction.
Once the invoice for the car, agent fees and auction fees had been covered the car was transported to the dock ready for shipping where some photos were taken before it was put on a ship.
I was lucky to find a space on the last ship of the year and the car was loaded on Christmas Eve in Tokyo and the long wait for the boat to be shipped to the U.K. began. Interestingly after the ship this car went on there was a severe shortage of ships to the point where the company had to stop bidding on cars since their 30,000 car parking spaces were all taken! Pretty much every day I would look at AIS to see how it was progressing. At the point when it was passing Somalia for a few days the AIS was switched off and no updates happened which I guess was a safety measure but made for some worrying thoughts!
Mid February the car arrived and I used a firm called ship my car to do the customs documents. I settled the duty and VAT on the car a couple of days before it arrived at Southampton. Next was to find an agent to seal with the shipping company. They promptly produced the bill for shipping as well as a couple of other costs to move the car in the yard and it was ready for someone to come and collect.
Rather than going down and collecting the car myself, I used a chap who moved a car for me previously during the first lockdown in March 2020. He was able to collect the car from the dock and bring it up to my local BMW specialist who I have used for the last 15 years or so. They were very accommodating and asked if I wanted to stay while doing the MOT and they showed me what they looked for and commented on how clean everything was.
After an advisory for the rear tyres cracking (they look like they are the originals and have no date stamps!) and a bushing the car had an MOT. It is booked back in for a month later for the garage to change the tyres and sort out the bushings for new and then the car will be ready for the road.
The paperwork has been sent to the DVLA and I shall just have to wait while they hopefully accept the paperwork I have sent and in return give me a v5 so I can make up the number plates. In the meantime I have started to remove the electronics that are useful over here in the U.K. and cleaning/feeding the leather seats.
After this is done then the next stage is to underseal the usual areas that attract the dreaded tin worm on these cars. This has absolutely no rust what so ever and seemingly has had an enthusiastic owner prior to me so I think I’ve been lucky.
I have removed the instrument cluster and sent it off to AKSpeedo in Stirling who converted the speedo to a U.K. spec and converted the digital display from kms to miles. He managed to turn this around in a day and only 2 days after removing, it was all back together, fitted and working perfectly.
Before:
After:
I plan on using dinitrol 77B since this gives a more or less clear wax seal and is not difficult to apply. Just waiting on an attachment for a compressor I have in the garage to enable me to do this. If people are interested then I will update here periodically when I have done anything.
The company I used I came across from a member of the g wagen forum (I have a healthy obsession with Mercedes W463’s) who used them to import his G wagen. The chap he put me in touch dealt with me by email and was quick to respond and it sprouted from there. I agreed to register and send over a deposit which enabled me to be able to bid. My initial reason for singing up to the Japanese car auctions was to find a clean RHD G500 and after seeing a few go through it was obvious that these cars are sought after and their prices reflected this. So my attention turned to other models and one evening I registered what I thought was a relatively low offer on a BMW 540i which had a great score. When I woke up in the morning, to my surprise I found out that I had won the auction.
Once the invoice for the car, agent fees and auction fees had been covered the car was transported to the dock ready for shipping where some photos were taken before it was put on a ship.
I was lucky to find a space on the last ship of the year and the car was loaded on Christmas Eve in Tokyo and the long wait for the boat to be shipped to the U.K. began. Interestingly after the ship this car went on there was a severe shortage of ships to the point where the company had to stop bidding on cars since their 30,000 car parking spaces were all taken! Pretty much every day I would look at AIS to see how it was progressing. At the point when it was passing Somalia for a few days the AIS was switched off and no updates happened which I guess was a safety measure but made for some worrying thoughts!
Mid February the car arrived and I used a firm called ship my car to do the customs documents. I settled the duty and VAT on the car a couple of days before it arrived at Southampton. Next was to find an agent to seal with the shipping company. They promptly produced the bill for shipping as well as a couple of other costs to move the car in the yard and it was ready for someone to come and collect.
Rather than going down and collecting the car myself, I used a chap who moved a car for me previously during the first lockdown in March 2020. He was able to collect the car from the dock and bring it up to my local BMW specialist who I have used for the last 15 years or so. They were very accommodating and asked if I wanted to stay while doing the MOT and they showed me what they looked for and commented on how clean everything was.
After an advisory for the rear tyres cracking (they look like they are the originals and have no date stamps!) and a bushing the car had an MOT. It is booked back in for a month later for the garage to change the tyres and sort out the bushings for new and then the car will be ready for the road.
The paperwork has been sent to the DVLA and I shall just have to wait while they hopefully accept the paperwork I have sent and in return give me a v5 so I can make up the number plates. In the meantime I have started to remove the electronics that are useful over here in the U.K. and cleaning/feeding the leather seats.
After this is done then the next stage is to underseal the usual areas that attract the dreaded tin worm on these cars. This has absolutely no rust what so ever and seemingly has had an enthusiastic owner prior to me so I think I’ve been lucky.
I have removed the instrument cluster and sent it off to AKSpeedo in Stirling who converted the speedo to a U.K. spec and converted the digital display from kms to miles. He managed to turn this around in a day and only 2 days after removing, it was all back together, fitted and working perfectly.
Before:
After:
I plan on using dinitrol 77B since this gives a more or less clear wax seal and is not difficult to apply. Just waiting on an attachment for a compressor I have in the garage to enable me to do this. If people are interested then I will update here periodically when I have done anything.
Thanks everyone for the lovely warm welcome.
The m badges are coming off. I have already removed 4 from random places. There’s one on the gear lever surround identical to the one on the boot (go figure) and the one on the boot of course. I will have likely removed about 100hp by the time they’re all off 😂
Thanks for the heads up on the fuel tank and protecting that. It’s best to get as much done now before it gets covered in crud on the roads. I have some low level drive on ramps which will be christened by this car shortly I hope.
For the moment the plan is only to use it during the summer months and sorn it from the end of October through April like I do with others.
The m badges are coming off. I have already removed 4 from random places. There’s one on the gear lever surround identical to the one on the boot (go figure) and the one on the boot of course. I will have likely removed about 100hp by the time they’re all off 😂
Thanks for the heads up on the fuel tank and protecting that. It’s best to get as much done now before it gets covered in crud on the roads. I have some low level drive on ramps which will be christened by this car shortly I hope.
For the moment the plan is only to use it during the summer months and sorn it from the end of October through April like I do with others.
d_a_n1979 said:
Looks a fantastic car & project Jim 
You've already commented on my previous project thread for my Jap import E39 Touring, feel free to drop me a line any time if you've any questions re the Jap import E39 side of things
I'd also highly recommend joining the BMW 5 forums too
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/
Thanks Dan. I shall take a look over there and will best you in mind if anything crops up. Looks like this is a great community. You've already commented on my previous project thread for my Jap import E39 Touring, feel free to drop me a line any time if you've any questions re the Jap import E39 side of things
I'd also highly recommend joining the BMW 5 forums too
https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/
trails said:
Looks lovely, M badges are bit itchy teeth for me though, what’s that one on the boot doing over there? 
Would you mind sharing the company you used? Ta
Provide cars was who I used. There are lots out there and even some who will take care of doing the paperwork back here in the U.K. so it’s worth looking around. Would you mind sharing the company you used? Ta
https://providecars.co.jp/
e28525e said:
Lovely. My second car was an E39 540iT and it was epic. Almost as good as my M5. Brilliant cars.
Thanks. I’m itching to get out and put some miles on it. I used to have a 525d manual which was sadly written off by a lady texting and not looking where she was going until it was too late. It was a great drive (until then of course!)
On another subject, I am considering changing the hifi/screen to something more modern. Does anyone know if the unit below would be plug and play or would it involve some wiring?
https://audiotechdirect.com/pba-bm3153b-7-android-...
I want to avoid any sort of wiring because the car is in such good order.
d_a_n1979 said:
Does you E39 have DSP or similar Jim?
There could be a BM54 amp in the boot that any head unit you fit, needs to be connected to, which involves a specific loom & wiring etc
I wanted to avoid all that in my previous touring, so opted for the Grom Audio BT3 Bluetooth kit, which works with the OEM steering wheel controls & head unit faultlessly. Full Bluetooth hands free & A2DP music playback
It worked brilliantly
I have seen the Grom unit but think that given the modern units look so similar to the original units, I’d like to opt for one of those. If I could change the on board computer to show across the whole screen without part of the non working sat nav showing at the side, then I would keep the original unit. There could be a BM54 amp in the boot that any head unit you fit, needs to be connected to, which involves a specific loom & wiring etc
I wanted to avoid all that in my previous touring, so opted for the Grom Audio BT3 Bluetooth kit, which works with the OEM steering wheel controls & head unit faultlessly. Full Bluetooth hands free & A2DP music playback
It worked brilliantly
Is there a way that the existing radio can be opened up so that the frequencies cover more than just radio 2? If not then this is another reason to change.
Prohibiting said:
Very nice. I used to own the estate version and it’s one of the few cars I genuinely regret selling. Mine wasn’t as nice as this but it was still tidy. Are you going to do anything to the exhaust to release more of that lovely V8 noise?
At the moment I don’t because we have 5 V8’s including an AMG, but never say never!d_a_n1979 said:
You can access the hidden menu in the cluster Jim, set the country to Canada and that'll open up more frequencies
But without swapping the BM54 amp for a UK spec one; then all you get are the limited frequencies unfortunately
Re aftermarket head units; be very careful with ones that say they fit both the E39 and the E53 X5; they have difference faceplates and the E39 is flatter with more sharper corners; the X5 one is rounder; so they don't actually fit properly at all
It is these guys that are recommended by a few folk on the BMW 5 forums: https://audiotechdirect.com/oem-style-units/bmw/
Think that's the link you posted on the first page; but if you register and ask on the 5 forums, those that have used them will be able to let you know which specific head unit they used
Will get something sorted on the 5 forum in that case. It seems to be a bit of a mine field!But without swapping the BM54 amp for a UK spec one; then all you get are the limited frequencies unfortunately
Re aftermarket head units; be very careful with ones that say they fit both the E39 and the E53 X5; they have difference faceplates and the E39 is flatter with more sharper corners; the X5 one is rounder; so they don't actually fit properly at all
It is these guys that are recommended by a few folk on the BMW 5 forums: https://audiotechdirect.com/oem-style-units/bmw/
Think that's the link you posted on the first page; but if you register and ask on the 5 forums, those that have used them will be able to let you know which specific head unit they used
meb90 said:
Great looking car OP, enjoying the work so far.
19,000 miles is crazy! Its never been used!
It honestly feels and smells like a new car inside. I had to start it and move it from one side of the drive to the other. The engine sounds and feels very refined. 19,000 miles is crazy! Its never been used!
Managed to clean and feed the rear seats. They aren’t that dirty and feel fine however they seem to be taking up the leather balm quicker than other cars have previously so I’m guessing the dry climate in Japan has taken effect.
And a couple of photos of the Japanese stickers which presumably relate to taxes and permits in Tokyo. It’s certainly in very different surroundings in rural Somerset!
Max M4X WW said:
Looks great!
You probably know anyway but the rear 'diffuser' should be black. It looks odd to me in Silver but maybe they were going for the M5 look.
Thanks. You probably know anyway but the rear 'diffuser' should be black. It looks odd to me in Silver but maybe they were going for the M5 look.
Yes, I have found a couple on eBay but before I start changing anything I’ll do the under seal and use it a bit.
Had some time this afternoon and having booted the garage Queen out for what will be a few days I made a start on stripping on of the wheel arches, removing and cleaning the rear wheel. It was not an easy job as Dan says, but I managed to somehow get the lining out without breaking the liner (thank god). To my astonishment for a 21 year old car, it was like new under there. Having given it a clean it will have the dehumidifier on it for a while to dry everything thoroughly and I may come back out to try and remove the plastic liner under the doors.
The correct attachment for my compressor arrived today while doing the above so as soon as this is ready then I’ll be able to apply the seal.
I also spoke to the DVLA today and they inform me that they are working to a 2 week time scale at present which is much faster than the indicated 6 weeks. My previous experience was of a car during 2020 which took almost 4 months! I will believe 2 weeks when I see the documents.
The correct attachment for my compressor arrived today while doing the above so as soon as this is ready then I’ll be able to apply the seal.
I also spoke to the DVLA today and they inform me that they are working to a 2 week time scale at present which is much faster than the indicated 6 weeks. My previous experience was of a car during 2020 which took almost 4 months! I will believe 2 weeks when I see the documents.
Well it’s been a while and mostly because I have been busy with work and waiting on bits and pieces removed the arch liner a few days ago. Before doing so I thought it prudent to speak to BMW to double check availability of a replacement liner in case this disintegrated when removing. Luckily it came off with very little damage and will be reusable again. I had bought some 5 litres of dinitrol 77B for a previous project which was unused due to needing a compressor. So for this project I bought the compressor and the appropriate bits and used a while litre on this one wheel arch! As can be seen from the photos, it is definitely covered and should last for some time. I think some fine tuning is in need for the next arch.
I spoke to the DVLA last week and they have confirmed that the papers have been processed and the new registration which will be fitted as soon as I have the V5.
The car is going into Grants of Wellington whom are excellent guys I trust with all of my previous and present BMW’s. Hopefully I can take it out for its first proper drive later in the week all being well. Then on to the other 2 wheel arches.
I spoke to the DVLA last week and they have confirmed that the papers have been processed and the new registration which will be fitted as soon as I have the V5.
The car is going into Grants of Wellington whom are excellent guys I trust with all of my previous and present BMW’s. Hopefully I can take it out for its first proper drive later in the week all being well. Then on to the other 2 wheel arches.
Well it’s been a while and mostly because I have been busy with work and waiting on bits and pieces removed the arch liner a few days ago. Before doing so I thought it prudent to speak to BMW to double check availability of a replacement liner in case this disintegrated when removing. Luckily it came off with very little damage and will be reusable again. I had bought some 5 litres of dinitrol 77B for a previous project which was unused due to needing a compressor. So for this project I bought the compressor and the appropriate bits and used a while litre on this one wheel arch! As can be seen from the photos, it is definitely covered and should last for some time. I think some fine tuning is in need for the next arch.
I spoke to the DVLA last week and they have confirmed that the papers have been processed and the new registration which will be fitted as soon as I have the V5.
The car is going into Grants of Wellington whom are excellent guys I trust with all of my previous and present BMW’s. Hopefully I can take it out for its first proper drive later in the week all being well. Then on to the other 2 wheel arches.
I spoke to the DVLA last week and they have confirmed that the papers have been processed and the new registration which will be fitted as soon as I have the V5.
The car is going into Grants of Wellington whom are excellent guys I trust with all of my previous and present BMW’s. Hopefully I can take it out for its first proper drive later in the week all being well. Then on to the other 2 wheel arches.
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.
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
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