e39 540 or 530

[throwback]

I'm looking for a good long distance motor. What would the pros and cons of a e39 540 or 530 be? Maintenance periods, life left in motor etc. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[SecondSkynz]

540i

 

[rick540]

540i

 

[Sankekur]

540i

 

[DonovanPorter]

540i

 

[P1000]

To break this vicious cycle and start a real discussion - I'd say it is more a function of what you can find and in what condition. I find it a bit more difficult to get a 540i LCI (post-2001) in good condition than 530i/d's, I guess its because they have lost nearly all their market value and are still some of the best cars on the road, thus the owners don't want to sell. But if you can get either in pristine condition and plan on doing mostly highway driving, the 540i will probably give you the most pleasure.

 

[throwback]

Thanks, although I heard that 540 parts are quite limited in SA. Is this true? I'm coming from Ireland so don't have any experience of SA motor factors.

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And another question... for a slightly limited budget would a pre 2001 540 be advisable?

 

[zaleonardz]

Not true.

Most engine spares can be purchased for both the M60 and M62 easily, everything is available, and when they are not, dealers will have (or can get)

To date I have not battled to find any part..

In answer to your questiona bout the 01 540, depends on the car...

 

[Sith]

The 540 is definately the one to have, that motor will just give you so much more driving pleasure. However, if you should find a 530 minter, don't dismiss it, as it isn't a bad car. From my experience, parts are not limited in SA on either of these. The agents can always order if they don't have in stock, some items are available aftermarket, and there are a few knocking about in the junk yards. At this price level, always pick the best condition car, even if it is a tad more expensive. Good luck with your search

 

[P1000]

What is your budget? There is not really much of a price difference between the 540's and 530's, but 530's are all post-2001... I would suggest as late as possible model, simply because of the age.

 

[throwback]

My budget at the moment would be about R75k. Perhaps I'm shooting too high with my expectations for that amount although there does appear to be a number of them around.

http://www.junkmail.co.za/v-johanne...YCatQX0506QYRgnQX0001QYAdQXF41742QYEdQX201115

http://www.junkmail.co.za/v-johanne...QYCatQX0506QYRgnQX0001QYAdQXF7766QYEdQX201115

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http://www.junkmail.co.za/v-johanne...YCatQX0506QYRgnQX0001QYAdQXF38700QYEdQX201113

 

[P1000]

Wel, you might have to replace some rubber parts on the older models, but apart from that there is nothing wrong with them. The last one has low enough mileage.

Budget to replace front control arm bushes, transmission fluid, full service, most likely door seals, maybe the complete cooling system.

 

[throwback]

Ok I will keep that in mind when I do the prelim checks. Beemers in general have a problem with the door seals it would appear. I've had an e30 320 and e46 323ci and both drove me mad with the behind the ear whistle.

 

[rick540]

Things to look out for when buying a 540i

1) Has the PCV on the back of the manifold been replaced? (they go at about 175-200k km) cost R1400
2) Is the radiator and expansion tank new? ( A sore point on these cars, an all black expansion tank is a replacement and is safe) A fact of life with a 540, big engine stresses the cooling system and ALL of them have been through several radiators, it's normal and cooling parts are moderatley cheap
3) Are the O2 sensors good, they only last 160K Km and are damn expensive, about R3000 each Post 98 cars take four of them, pre 98 take two.
4) Does the engine idle smoothly and make almost no noise whilst idling? If not walk away immediately.
5) Almost all E39's will have dead pixels on the cluster, do not let this stop you from buying a car, affects even the best of them. a DIY fix
6) Zero warning lights and errors will indicate a good well looked after car, they complain very quickly if ignored.
7) if the car is a Steptronic take it for a good drive to make sure the transmission is behaving they last 250K Km max whilst the engine lasts forever
8) If the fuel consumption on the OBC is over 16L/100Km be suspect. It's a big engine but when driven normaly will return between 11 and 13L/100km
9) A full service history at a stealership in SA does not particularly mean the car has had the best service, so take it with a pinch of salt. There are some very good independant BMW service centres around.

For R75 k you can buy a 540i that sold for over half a million when it was new, there is probably no better bang for buck these days than a good clean E39 540i

Good luck hunting one down

 

[throwback]

Cheers I will be looking at cars next week so will fill you in as to how it turns out.

Have seen one car with slight body damage on rear quarter. Nothing significant looking but does the seller have to indicate code 3 when selling, if it were worse than expected?

 

[P1000]

3) Are the O2 sensors good, they only last 160K Km and are damn expensive, about R3000 each Post 98 cars take four of them, pre 98 take two.

or ~R550 if you know the american part no...

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http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=16563

Meh, price is back up to almost R600:

http://more.take2.co.za/moreusa-bosch-13477-oxygen-sensor-oe-type-fitment-b000gzek00.html

 

[throwback]

not sure about o2 sensors. how do you check?

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Oh and thanks for the links, very useful to know. Prices not too bad.