E39 540....

[ters]

I had a very tempting offer on Monday. My Bantam is up for sale/swop on Gum. Guy with an E39 540 would like to know if I want to swop? I do not know any specs on the car (auto/manual, mileage etc.) I wanted to run it past you guys before I get to carried away....:idea:





From what I could search, they seem rock solid. Should I go for it, or pass?


Ters.

 

[Henry330i]

You've come to the right place. There are real boffins over here. Try giving more info. Kms service history. Auto or manual.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[RAArmstrong]

First thing would be to find more info out on the car... Mileage, Maintenance history (if not maintained this could become very expensive)... The wheels are God Awfull though :fencelook:

The E39's are fantastic cars and it does seem to be in overall good nick, but find out some more about the car first :thumbs:

IF by some miracle its a 6 Speed Manual... You have a rather rare car being offered to you...

 

[ChefDJ]

Those wheels on that car :yuck:

Otherwise brilliant cars raise::inlove:

 

[RAArmstrong]

:+1:

 

[ters]

Thank you for responding! I will gather all relevant information about the car, and post for evaluation :rollsmile:

Some of you may think it's crazy to swop a BMW for a Bantam....but this is not just any trokkie, 18" mags with lowered suspension is a looker. I think the most attractive is the low fuel consumption, 13.7km/liter! http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/northern-pretoria/2006-ford-bantam/1001080503150910017565709

I'm starting to hold thumbs all checks out OK on the 40....

Ters.

 

[zaleonardz]

If the car is maintained, then its a no brainer.

If it starts up, smokes worse then I do, gearbox is clunky, and there is a pidgeon in cylinder 3, then walk away.

The E39 is about the most solid 5 series ever built, but if it has been neglected, it can cost you a fortune to restore.

There are some issues with the car, such as the auto box, oil pumps unscrewing themselves causing motor failure, that sort of thing, but preventative maintenence list really is not that big.

If the car is clean, buy it, if its a rat, walk away...

 

[zaleonardz]

And come on... aww you must rethink your add... I have a spare piano that we could trade...

 

[S1NGH 001]

If the car is maintained, then its a no brainer.

If it starts up, smokes worse then I do, gearbox is clunky, and there is a pidgeon in cylinder 3, then walk away.

The E39 is about the most solid 5 series ever built, but if it has been neglected, it can cost you a fortune to restore.

There are some issues with the car, such as the auto box, oil pumps unscrewing themselves causing motor failure, that sort of thing, but preventative maintenence list really is not that big.

If the car is clean, buy it, if its a rat, walk away...

Couldn't have said it better :thumbs:

 

[ters]

And come on... aww you must rethink your add... I have a spare piano that we could trade...

:roflol: Len, I have been offered goats, engagement rings, fork lifts and piano's on previous deals!! ('58 Ford, Jeep Grand, Audi A6....)

Sorry sir, no "Rock me Amadeus's" for me :rollsmile: Thank you for your previous reply!

Ters.

 

[Peter@AEW]

The motor is prone to chewing timing chain guides once it has reached 200K.
The timing chain guides become brittle and can separate from their backing.

Total cost to renew timing chain guides will be in the order of R9000 labour&parts inclusive.

Fuel consumption is in the order of 15L/100Km if you drive it conservatively and if you are a hoonigan then budget for 18-20L/100Km.

The M62 has resolved the oil pump bolts issue and very few if any have reported oil pump bolts coming adrift as they changed the fasteners.

If the car smokes on start up it could well be that the diaphragm on the rear of the inlet manifold has ruptured and roughly R1700 will resolve it.

Transmission oil coolers are known to get blocked and cook the automatic transmission giving hard shifts or retaining gears.
Transmission oil cooler is roughly R4000 and ATF long life roughly R2000 so you may wish to budget for that as well.

In closing I would take someone with me who knows these cars very well for a second opinion.

 

[RAArmstrong]

So he should take you then? :fencelook:

 

[ters]

So he should take you then? :fencelook:

I also read that as an "offer-to-scrutinize"..... :fencelook:

May I bother you Alexander?

Ters.

 

[zaleonardz]

We all know Peter can be bought for the average price of a manni/petti

 

[Andy1GP]

The motor is prone to chewing timing chain guides once it has reached 200K.
The timing chain guides become brittle and can separate from their backing.

Total cost to renew timing chain guides will be in the order of R9000 labour&parts inclusive.

Fuel consumption is in the order of 15L/100Km if you drive it conservatively and if you are a hoonigan then budget for 18-20L/100Km.

The M62 has resolved the oil pump bolts issue and very few if any have reported oil pump bolts coming adrift as they changed the fasteners.

If the car smokes on start up it could well be that the diaphragm on the rear of the inlet manifold has ruptured and roughly R1700 will resolve it.

Transmission oil coolers are known to get blocked and cook the automatic transmission giving hard shifts or retaining gears.
Transmission oil cooler is roughly R4000 and ATF long life roughly R2000 so you may wish to budget for that as well.

In closing I would take someone with me who knows these cars very well for a second opinion.

The Master has spoken.

All I want to add is that you can always easily sell a bakkie in SA. As you are clearly aware of. Next time you speak to the 540i owner ask him how much interest he has received. That will answer a lot of questions.

Unless you know for sure the car is in fantastic condition it will surely cost you a small fortune to keep running in good nic. If the fuel consumption and odd high maintenance bill doesn't scare you, you will enjoy the car very very much. When well kept they are lekker smooth power cruisers that guarantees a smile everytime.

 

[ters]

The Master has spoken.

All I want to add is that you can always easily sell a bakkie in SA. As you are clearly aware of. Next time you speak to the 540i owner ask him how much interest he has received. That will answer a lot of questions.

Unless you know for sure the car is in fantastic condition it will surely cost you a small fortune to keep running in good nic. If the fuel consumption and odd high maintenance bill doesn't scare you, you will enjoy the car very very much. When well kept they are lekker smooth power cruisers that guarantees a smile everytime.

The replies I have received is exactly what I was looking for, objective and informative. I am aware of the possible high maintenance cost the 540 would have, and honestly this is the main reason the car is not home already.... The only reason I want to let the trokkie go, it is depreciating in value. I would rather have a vehicle that appreciates, gets used, and gives pleasure when driven.

Approximately 5 years ago the company I worked for 15 years was liquidated. I had 10 cars at that stage, of which I had to sell 4 to stay alive....'55 Chevy V8, Jetta 2 16V, Alfa Romeo GTV and Golf 1 with 2.0 16V. I still only have 6 now, of which 3 is increasing in value: '72 Ford Capri V8, '73 Chevy Firenza V8 and '62 Chevy C10. My BMW, wife's Getz and Bantam is depreciating.

I am a car nut (like 99.5% of members), and enjoy the attention I get from fellow road users, meaning they envy, and would like to own one too. Therewith lies what I think of as an "investment".

The other options I have is selling the Bantam, purchase a mk1 Cortina (Peace sign for 30/35k) or Nissan 280 ZX, or any Valiant which I am sure will gain value even when standing for weeks . I am not talking 300/400k vehicles.

Maybe I am wrong in thinking the 540 will appreciate value (as mentioned it is going to cost a pretty penny to keep condition)?

More of your objective opinions will be appreciated raise:.

Ters.

 

[Andy1GP]

The Master has spoken.

All I want to add is that you can always easily sell a bakkie in SA. As you are clearly aware of. Next time you speak to the 540i owner ask him how much interest he has received. That will answer a lot of questions.

Unless you know for sure the car is in fantastic condition it will surely cost you a small fortune to keep running in good nic. If the fuel consumption and odd high maintenance bill doesn't scare you, you will enjoy the car very very much. When well kept they are lekker smooth power cruisers that guarantees a smile everytime.

The replies I have received is exactly what I was looking for, objective and informative. I am aware of the possible high maintenance cost the 540 would have, and honestly this is the main reason the car is not home already.... The only reason I want to let the trokkie go, it is depreciating in value. I would rather have a vehicle that appreciates, gets used, and gives pleasure when driven.

Approximately 5 years ago the company I worked for 15 years was liquidated. I had 10 cars at that stage, of which I had to sell 4 to stay alive....'55 Chevy V8, Jetta 2 16V, Alfa Romeo GTV and Golf 1 with 2.0 16V. I still only have 6 now, of which 3 is increasing in value: '72 Ford Capri V8, '73 Chevy Firenza V8 and '62 Chevy C10. My BMW, wife's Getz and Bantam is depreciating.

I am a car nut (like 99.5% of members), and enjoy the attention I get from fellow road users, meaning they envy, and would like to own one too. Therewith lies what I think of as an "investment".

The other options I have is selling the Bantam, purchase a mk1 Cortina (Peace sign for 30/35k) or Nissan 280 ZX, or any Valiant which I am sure will gain value even when standing for weeks . I am not talking 300/400k vehicles.

Maybe I am wrong in thinking the 540 will appreciate value (as mentioned it is going to cost a pretty penny to keep condition)?

More of your objective opinions will be appreciated raise:.

Ters.

Appreciating BMW's are few and far between but it sounds like you know the game already. M models of yester year are usually a good place to start looking. Or if you're lucky to get something like the recent 1M or legendary CSL but like you said we're not looking at those.

If this 540 is a 6spd manual then you have a pretty good bet it won't depreciate. If it's an auto I'd recommend waiting for something else.

 

[GeorgeL]

Hey bud, just thought as a proud owner of an E39 540 would give my 5 cents here.

The E39 as mentioned is propably one of the most solid cars BMW has ever produced. The 540 has HUGE power and an absolute dream to drive on the road and for what you pay you get a lot as these cars comes full house.

My personal opinion, if she's in good nick and you can control your foot it's a no brainer!!

:joy:

 

[ters]

My Bantam is sold! Guys, I have changed my mind on the 540...not going to take it. :fencelook: I am looking at a Porsche 928, LHD manual. Lot of car for reasonable amount of money. I believe they have some "investment" value, and will gain value, although not as much as any M or 911....

I will post pics of the black on black beauty I have in mind, once she's mine.... (if permitted in the allocated section?)

Ters.

ps. Any interest in the 540? I will gladly forward the owners details.