540i Motorsport - What to look out for???

[Polisiehond]

Hi guys, I'm now looking at a 540i Manual with a "M" badge on it...it is a manual and has a "M" gearshift (6 speed) as well.
I'm not sure to go for it or not...here are the details:
230 000km
1997
M5 Mags, tow-bar
Some body trim..."Schnitzer" or something
R80 000 cash only

Is there anything specific I should be looking out for? Car is clean enough outside and very clean inside. Looked after well.
I understand from Mbouwer that the manual is VERY heavy on fuel, but hey, I'm NOT gonna drive in any kind of a way to save fuel anyway. Also what is the Cons (if any) and pro's of the VANOS motor?

Thanks so much!

 

[veridico]

Is it an e39? As far as I know, the 540i only came out in manual in 2001 or 2002, did the previous owner do a manual conversion? The motorsport should have a full body kit anyway? Do you have any pictures?

 

[Polisiehond]

Is it an e39? As far as I know, the 540i only came out in manual in 2001 or 2002, did the previous owner do a manual conversion? The motorsport should have a full body kit anyway? Do you have any pictures?

I don't have any pics, but will try to take some asap. Will also chat to the owner but probably only over the weekend. I will drive it and also get a reading from Dynotech in Bloemfontein. I you can fill me in on any info in the meantime, it will help. It really looks like the car came out with the manual. It has a body kit: boot/front spoiler, skirts, shadow-line windows...and that is about all I can remember.

 

[clutchplate]

The manual 540's come with the bmw aerodynamic kit, with little flares under the front bumper, almost like the previous 540 E34 bumpers..

if its a 97 model, it doesn't have Vanos. which is a good thing when it comes to money repairing the car, also this means it uses the cheaper aircooled alternator, instead of the really expensive water cooled alternator..

If it really has a 6speed and it looks clean, I would buy it right away... 80K is a good price.

post some pics of it, we can tell you if its the real kit or not

would love to see this car man

 

[Polisiehond]

The manual 540's come with the bmw aerodynamic kit, with little flares under the front bumper, almost like the previous 540 E34 bumpers..

if its a 97 model, it doesn't have Vanos. which is a good thing when it comes to money repairing the car, also this means it uses the cheaper aircooled alternator, instead of the really expensive water cooled alternator..

If it really has a 6speed and it looks clean, I would buy it right away... 80K is a good price.

post some pics of it, we can tell you if its the real kit or not

would love to see this car man

Thanks clutch!
It has the little "flares" in front! Hope it is the real thing. I will have to jump on this one then!
I am R30K short, so waiting for mfc to get back to me. I will keep you posted and will try to take some pics after work in stead of the weekend.

---

The manual 540's come with the bmw aerodynamic kit, with little flares under the front bumper, almost like the previous 540 E34 bumpers..

if its a 97 model, it doesn't have Vanos. which is a good thing when it comes to money repairing the car, also this means it uses the cheaper aircooled alternator, instead of the really expensive water cooled alternator..

If it really has a 6speed and it looks clean, I would buy it right away... 80K is a good price.

post some pics of it, we can tell you if its the real kit or not

would love to see this car man

Thanks clutch!
It has the little "flares" in front! Hope it is the real thing. I will have to jump on this one then!
I am R30K short, so waiting for mfc to get back to me. I will keep you posted and will try to take some pics after work in stead of the weekend.

Ok, I saw now that it is in fact a 1998 model. Spoke to the owner now, he said there is a lot of attention for the car. He refuses to trade my Ford Ranger!!! Shit, I need to loose this bakkie and soon, otherwise I will miss out on this deal. He said it is a M for sure.

 

[clutchplate]

schweet dude ! I would really jump on it hey !! those things are RARE too. if its a 98 model it could be vanos, but could also be non vanos.. they did the update engine in september of 1998, maybe get the vin number off the license disk and we can check it...

cool man .. excited to see pics.. hehe

 

[Polisiehond]

schweet dude ! I would really jump on it hey !! those things are RARE too. if its a 98 model it could be vanos, but could also be non vanos.. they did the update engine in september of 1998, maybe get the vin number off the license disk and we can check it...

cool man .. excited to see pics.. hehe

Ja will send them asap. Still need to install my camera on new pc...
On startup it sounds a bit...mmmmm...."tapetty"...a bit rough. Mbouwer went there with me, but he thinks its nothing. I would not trust his mechanical knowledge though...hehehe. Owner said there is no insurance, so no cash no drive...don't want me to get a hardon and leave the road or...the country!
Bakkie on Autotrader and on auction next week. MFC should play along.
Will keep you posted and will send pics soon. oh, I don't see a tab to insert or attach pictures???

 

[andrewbuch]

schweet dude ! I would really jump on it hey !! those things are RARE too. if its a 98 model it could be vanos, but could also be non vanos.. they did the update engine in september of 1998, maybe get the vin number off the license disk and we can check it...

cool man .. excited to see pics.. hehe

Ja will send them asap. Still need to install my camera on new pc...
On startup it sounds a bit...mmmmm...."tapetty"...a bit rough. Mbouwer went there with me, but he thinks its nothing. I would not trust his mechanical knowledge though...hehehe. Owner said there is no insurance, so no cash no drive...don't want me to get a hardon and leave the road or...the country!
Bakkie on Autotrader and on auction next week. MFC should play along.
Will keep you posted and will send pics soon. oh, I don't see a tab to insert or attach pictures???

Tell the owner that he can drive it & you will go with

 

[clutchplate]

bummer about the insurance :/

but cool man ! maybe ask if you could take it to a dealer and get the codes read if your worried about something being wrong.. also a bargaining chip for the price hehe

in the edit box click on the picture icon nexto the bullet icons... then u can insert a url for the image
everyone on the forum mostly uses photobucket for their pics..

 

[mbouwer]

LOL!! Ja policedog !!! I'm still "new in the game" haha!!

For the record - Polisiehond is my brother from another mother lol! been chums for nearly 17 years now! Glad to have you back in Bloem FLUZIE!! :hammerhead:

Ja yus I must say.... I would have probably gone for this one. It has Schnitzer body kit. very nice inside as well. Needs MINOR touch up and a nice buff and then.. GWAPM!! GWAPM!! imp:

Ok.. Boet, Clutchy is also saying what I'm saying - have the CODES CHECKED!! Chuck jou SKype van vanoggend pappa!:slap:

Yus man.. I'm MOERSE excited for you Hond!! :thumbsup:

---

Hey man!!! Seems like BLoem is a new "540 HOTSPOT" !! WhoohoooHOOOO!!!!!:clap:

 

[Polisiehond]

Ok, my bakkie just sold and I got the money. However I will not be going for the 540i M Schnitzer...I spoke to the mechanic that worked on it. He said that the chip in it is acting up and the car was at BMW many times and they could not fix the problem...I also think that the milage is too high.
Found a beauty in Pta though. Will fly up next week to view and buy.
If anybody wants in on the 540i Manual, here is the detail:
Dawie Breedt - 0514481111
Will keep you posted.
Oh here's some pics of it as well.

 

[clutchplate]

damn dude lol, if the guy can give me 30 days +-, then I will buy it gladly
it looks quite sweet... would love to see the interior... btw, bmw garage technicians are textbook morons most of the time, as in, click and drewl style. so yea.

I bet you its still a sweet deal...

 

[Polisiehond]

So be it. I have doubts, so it will not be mine. I'm going for a cheaper year model R25K, lower milage 70000 less, and in better shape...I feel better about this one.

---

So be it. I have doubts, so it will not be mine. I'm going for a cheaper year model R25K, lower milage 70000 less, and in better shape...I feel better about this one.

18" wheels though...ouch. What is the best tire option and how do I work out the proper tire pressure?

 

[clutchplate]

jislike, holy crap, 25K for an E39 ? which model and year is this ?
18inch not sure, I'm using the stock 540i 16inch, I pump 2.3 in front and 2.6 in rear. if you look on the drivers side door jam, there will be a sticker there with the indicated tyre pressures

btw, what did they say exactly is wrong with the 540 ?

 

[Polisiehond]

jislike, holy crap, 25K for an E39 ? which model and year is this ?
18inch not sure, I'm using the stock 540i 16inch, I pump 2.3 in front and 2.6 in rear. if you look on the drivers side door jam, there will be a sticker there with the indicated tyre pressures

btw, what did they say exactly is wrong with the 540 ?

No no! It is r25K less than the first one I was asking about. R65K cash. It is a '98 with 150000km on the clock.
The mechanic said that the chip in it is totally bust and it keeps on breaking the car, that is why it was at BMW for weeks on end. If I go with the M one, I wont have an extra cent for anything...nothing!
I will rather go with the cheaper one and be able to save for tyres and what not every month.

 

[clutchplate]

aah ! ok cool man, yeah that makes sense ... much better idea I guess. btw, its an auto 540i now right ?
FIRST THING you must do when you get it is service the gearbox.. because 150K is when you should do it...
new oil/filter..

hope u come right bru

 

[Polisiehond]

aah ! ok cool man, yeah that makes sense ... much better idea I guess. btw, its an auto 540i now right ?
FIRST THING you must do when you get it is service the gearbox.. because 150K is when you should do it...
new oil/filter..

hope u come right bru

Thanks man!
I'm now looking at another option....Mbouwer is checking the car out tomorow in CT. Its a '99 with tv and unfortunately tan leather:bawling:
Thing is, he had the engine replaced at around 80000km due to a malfunctioning thermostat:clap: and got the motor under warrenty and there is 161000 on the clock. FSH by bmw and so on. For R70K I think it might be even a better deal. If the coocked motor was replaced, should I be looking at anything else becuase of it?
Cheers!

 

[clutchplate]

gearbox oil lol.
and obviously when u get it check condition of belts and coolant pipes.. also make sure DSC works. KAK expensive to fix.

 

[Polisiehond]

gearbox oil lol.
and obviously when u get it check condition of belts and coolant pipes.. also make sure DSC works. KAK expensive to fix.

Thanks so much! Marius is checking the car out at 10h00, so I want to tell him about this before he goes. What is the DSC and how will he check it. Otherwise PM me your number and I will get Marius to call you if he is not sure.
Thanks

 

[andrewbuch]

DSC is the traction control

To test, go to empty field, try throw the car into a slide & see if electronics kick in to intervene