E39 540i - Questions

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Having wrestled with myself for several months now I have committed to buying one of these beauts. I have done a lot of reading on the web regarding problems that these cars are know to have. Some of the articles are slightly contradictory in my view......

The one I have made the deal for is a '98 pre Vanos model. It is a low mileage unit in pristine condition inside and out. It has a full dealer service history. Last service saw all belts replaced along with the radiator / reservoir as a precautionary action. I have spoken to the dealership service manager and confirmed that the car was brought in running perfectly and the owner insisted that these items be replaced. Clearly he had read some of the same articles i have regarding the radiator issues on these cars.

The spec on this car is top end. All the bells and whistles fitted.

Only obvious issue is the dreaded pixel problem affecting total km's, trip km's and clock in the instrument panel.

Given the rest of the cars condition, I am of the view that this must be repaired to ensure that this beauty is in absolutely pristine nick.

So, the questions;

a) where can the pixel issue be attended to in Cape Town? What cost? (I have hears figures of up to R6k)

b) open road fuel consumption in real world conditions? (this is merely for interest sake. I will be commuting on the open highway around 100k's a day so expect to achieve best figures for this car but am NOT expecting 7litres / 100km:roflol

c) this is not the "sport pack" model but I would like to fit original 17" or 18" BMW rims but not sure which styles would fit with correct offsets etc.

d) the steering wheel feels like it belongs on a yacht:roflol: so I would like to change this to the 3 spoke "Sports" steering wheel.....but the costs seem prohibitive and would love some advice here.

Once I pick her up (in 3 weeks after i return from a business trip) I will be driving back to Durban and then straight to the detailing genius who has looked after my X3....

Then I will post pics :rollsmile:

 

[Yuben]

Thread title edited. Think U referring to the E39:coolShake:

 

[Yuben]

Awesome car. I used to average around 9.4L/100on between JHB and DBN with a full load.

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Awesome car. I used to average around 9.4L/100on between JHB and DBN with a full load.

Yuben was this achieved at 120km/h?

Thanks

 

[pi328]

a) where can the pixel issue be attended to in Cape Town? What cost? (I have hears figures of up to R6k)

Combined Electronics in Plattekloof, 021 930 3549. Should be in the region of 3k, but give them a call and get a proper quote. And yes, I think they're way expensive, but it's still cheaper than a new cluster.

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

a) where can the pixel issue be attended to in Cape Town? What cost? (I have hears figures of up to R6k)

Combined Electronics in Plattekloof, 021 930 3549. Should be in the region of 3k, but give them a call and get a proper quote. And yes, I think they're way expensive, but it's still cheaper than a new cluster.

That sounds a lot better:rollsmile:

 

[rodga]

You will need an offset of 20. That's the oem offset. You could go lower still. But keep in mind all other oem bmw wheels have a smaller centre bore of 72mm the e39 has a centre bore of 74mm. So if you planning to go oem wheels other than from an e39, you will need to have the wheels machined to fit. You can also run hub adapters/spacers.

I think the e39 sport wheel is slightly larger in diameter than the more common 3 Series one. But it's only a few mm so wont really make a difference. Either way they seem to be pricey when they do pop up in the classifieds.

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[WIDEOPN-X5]

The Style 32 rims in 17 or 18 inch (with different widths front/rear) would be first prize.:rollsmile:

But

I believe these are like hens teeth

 

[RAArmstrong]

The E46 wheel won't work. Preface lift E39s have a single stage airbag. Whereas the E46 wheel uses a dual stage airbag so as far as I'm aware, they're not compatible

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[Yuben]

Awesome car. I used to average around 9.4L/100on between JHB and DBN with a full load.

Yuben was this achieved at 120km/h?

Thanks

Between 120 and 160 at times:rollsmile:

 

[nirvash]

these cars are pretty good on the open road, just not good in stop start/town driving, then you'l see around 14L/100kms,

should be under 10L open road anywhere between 120-160+-

great great great cars

 

[ChefDJ]

Awesome cars.

Fit style 42's and be done with it.

 

[VivP]

Only obvious issue is the dreaded pixel problem affecting total km's, trip km's and clock in the instrument panel.

Given the rest of the cars condition, I am of the view that this must be repaired to ensure that this beauty is in absolutely pristine nick.

So, the questions;

a) where can the pixel issue be attended to in Cape Town? What cost? (I have hears figures of up to R6k)

See my post below - I also have a '98 E39 540 :=): - give me a shout if you want more info. Oh, I am in PE.

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=70547

Cheers.

---

The Style 32 rims in 17 or 18 inch (with different widths front/rear) would be first prize.:rollsmile:

But

I believe these are like hens teeth

I have the Style 32 on my 540, with 8 in front (235/45/17) and 9 at the rear (255/40/17). It looks good, but - getting a decent set of tyres in MATCHING tread design is difficult, or extremely costly.

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Have my heart set on those 32's or perhaps the 37's... split sizes

 

[ChefDJ]

Pff. You want 37's? We all do. Get in line! :roflol:

You won't find unless you import.

Here are 42's:

 

[VictorMike]

b) 9 to 10l /100km
c) Wheels for this car are the absolutely the hardest thing to find. The problem is the unique offset and bore. No other car (except the e38 I think) had the same wheel specifications, so if you want wheels, you cant just get 'them off another model BMW. And when something is rare, its also expensive.

 

[rodga]

b) 9 to 10l /100km
c) Wheels for this car are the absolutely the hardest thing to find. The problem is the unique offset and bore. No other car (except the e38 I think) had the same wheel specifications, so if you want wheels, you cant just get 'them off another model BMW. And when something is rare, its also expensive.

the bore is the big problem - the e39 is the only series that has the 74.1mm bore
Offset is similar to most 5, 6 and 7 series

 

[VictorMike]

the bore is the big problem - the e39 is the only series that has the 74.1mm bore
Offset is similar to most 5, 6 and 7 series

I beg to differ! E39 offset is 20mm, everything else is 30mm+. If you try fit a normal rim to an e39, the wheels are going to be all the way inside the arch.

 

[VivP]

the bore is the big problem - the e39 is the only series that has the 74.1mm bore
Offset is similar to most 5, 6 and 7 series

I beg to differ! E39 offset is 20mm, everything else is 30mm+. If you try fit a normal rim to an e39, the wheels are going to be all the way inside the arch.

I think this link will let you know what rims can fit which BMW ...

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Okay so step one underway. The pixel issue is being sorted.

Had a good look online for rims and steering wheels. Both are frighteningly expensive:skit:

Any advice would be welcome re the steering wheel because the large diameter thin rim is going to be a bit difficult to live with:=):