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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Just Purchased a 2003 E39 540i Sport Six Speed Manual
- Thread starter venterj
- Start date
venterj
Member
Arrived at Southbroom on the South Coast of KZN on Friday having fought off torrential rain 
from Pietermaritzburg onwards.
As usual the 540 didn't skip a beat and even in heavy rain the car felt well planted. I was very happy with the consumption, the best I've ever gotten 8.6 kms/100 kms and managed to get here on one tank, 746 kms later and even though the fuel light was on I am possitive I could have hit 800. :rollsmile:
One issue I do need to address though, the passenger front seat is not working at all, all motors seem to have stopped working simultaneously any advice? :yuck:
from Pietermaritzburg onwards. As usual the 540 didn't skip a beat and even in heavy rain the car felt well planted. I was very happy with the consumption, the best I've ever gotten 8.6 kms/100 kms and managed to get here on one tank, 746 kms later and even though the fuel light was on I am possitive I could have hit 800. :rollsmile:
One issue I do need to address though, the passenger front seat is not working at all, all motors seem to have stopped working simultaneously any advice? :yuck:
Gregmeister
Member
venterj said:Arrived at Southbroom on the South Coast of KZN on Friday having fought off torrential rain
As usual the 540 didn't skip a beat and even in heavy rain the car felt well planted. I was very happy with the consumption, the best I've ever gotten 8.6 kms/100 kms and managed to get here on one tank, 746 kms later and even though the fuel light was on I am possitive I could have hit 800. :rollsmile:
One issue I do need to address though, the passenger front seat is not working at all, all motors seem to have stopped working simultaneously any advice? :yuck:
Impressive figures there Johann, as always :thumbs:
Philip Foglar
///Member
That is very very impressive fuel consumption - now I really want a 540i M more than ever! :inlove:
KNUCKLEbuster
New member
I really really want a 540iM Manual 6speed !
Philip Foglar
///Member
Didn't Steve, Clownshoe sort this out recently with his E39 M5? Clownshoe's E39 M5 restoration... :thumbs:
Nic_s
///Member
venterj said:Fuse sorted and the seat is working, but I have a new challenge, the back of the seat, only seems to recline on the left side the right remains stationary.
I take it there are two motors, can anyone advise how to repair or replace the motor.
See this link: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=29110
I believe the E34 and E39 are quite similar.
venterj
Member
Nic_s said:venterj said:Fuse sorted and the seat is working, but I have a new challenge, the back of the seat, only seems to recline on the left side the right remains stationary.
I take it there are two motors, can anyone advise how to repair or replace the motor.
See this link: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=29110
I believe the E34 and E39 are quite similar.
Thank you Philip and Nic for the links will try and let you know.
:ty:
venterj
Member
Hi Guys
It’s been a while, firstly big thanks :ty: to Shiraaz from Cape Town for organisng a stunning BMW Day at the Glen, it was definitely well worth attending.
Shiraaz I take my hat off to you for being so passionate about BMW that you have created a wonderful medium through SA Beemer to help celebrate our fantasm with all things BMW in South Africa. And for staging wonderful events where we can all get together and share our enthusiasm for the Blue and White Roundel. :bravo:
Good luck with the BMW event in Cape Town on the 23 March, and keep us posted on the Durban event.
Since the event I’ve had to shelve out a vault of cash to get the old 540 back into shape, but this is to expected every now and then, as normal wear and tear means that parts needs to be replaced, especially considering that the car is now ten years old. In fact the car celebrates its ten birthday today, so it is fitting that some attention was showered upon her. :inlove:
So what needed replacing……………..well initially I thought it would only be the control arm bushes but was not completed surprised to be informed that the tie rod ends and centre drag link needed replacing as well. I’ve been taking the car to Ross Duncan as he had been servicing the vehicle since the motor plan ended. I’d asked him to quote on the bushes as we both agreed that they needed replacing…….the usual symptoms, a shimmy developing at around 80 kms. I think Ross does wonderful work and is a renowned independent specialist, but I also think that he has too much work, this sort of thing happens.
To cut a long story short, I took the car to Hoosain ex-Tune Tech, he came very highly recommended by Yusuf, who explained that he was fairly young but referred to him as a little genius. My first encounter with Hoosain was two weeks ago when my airbag little would not go out after I needed a jump start. Every since I go the vehicle in January 2012, every time I clean the car and this would normally be over a two day period the battery would go flat. Turns out that I had the wrong size battery with an output of 66 AMPs, instead of 90 AMPs, so I replaced the battery. Hoosain reset the system and voila, no more airbag light.
I collected the vehicle this afternoon, and so far so good everything seems in order, I also asked Hoosain to get my brake linings reconditioned, so that is next on the to do list.
I still need to get the cables that adjust the passenger backrest sorted, but that will have to wait and there are one or two interior items that need attention but this is part and parcel of driving a car that is older than ten years. But I would not have it any other way, I bought the car for R100k and for that amount of money what were my options in terms of a new vehicle, virtually none. For the most part this car in a short space of a year has brought me tremendous joy, whether I am driving it or being asked by those in the know how I managed to get a manual.
As far as I am concerned, still of the best Bavarian Metal produced. :rollsmile:
It’s been a while, firstly big thanks :ty: to Shiraaz from Cape Town for organisng a stunning BMW Day at the Glen, it was definitely well worth attending.
Shiraaz I take my hat off to you for being so passionate about BMW that you have created a wonderful medium through SA Beemer to help celebrate our fantasm with all things BMW in South Africa. And for staging wonderful events where we can all get together and share our enthusiasm for the Blue and White Roundel. :bravo:
Good luck with the BMW event in Cape Town on the 23 March, and keep us posted on the Durban event.
Since the event I’ve had to shelve out a vault of cash to get the old 540 back into shape, but this is to expected every now and then, as normal wear and tear means that parts needs to be replaced, especially considering that the car is now ten years old. In fact the car celebrates its ten birthday today, so it is fitting that some attention was showered upon her. :inlove:
So what needed replacing……………..well initially I thought it would only be the control arm bushes but was not completed surprised to be informed that the tie rod ends and centre drag link needed replacing as well. I’ve been taking the car to Ross Duncan as he had been servicing the vehicle since the motor plan ended. I’d asked him to quote on the bushes as we both agreed that they needed replacing…….the usual symptoms, a shimmy developing at around 80 kms. I think Ross does wonderful work and is a renowned independent specialist, but I also think that he has too much work, this sort of thing happens.
To cut a long story short, I took the car to Hoosain ex-Tune Tech, he came very highly recommended by Yusuf, who explained that he was fairly young but referred to him as a little genius. My first encounter with Hoosain was two weeks ago when my airbag little would not go out after I needed a jump start. Every since I go the vehicle in January 2012, every time I clean the car and this would normally be over a two day period the battery would go flat. Turns out that I had the wrong size battery with an output of 66 AMPs, instead of 90 AMPs, so I replaced the battery. Hoosain reset the system and voila, no more airbag light.
I collected the vehicle this afternoon, and so far so good everything seems in order, I also asked Hoosain to get my brake linings reconditioned, so that is next on the to do list.
I still need to get the cables that adjust the passenger backrest sorted, but that will have to wait and there are one or two interior items that need attention but this is part and parcel of driving a car that is older than ten years. But I would not have it any other way, I bought the car for R100k and for that amount of money what were my options in terms of a new vehicle, virtually none. For the most part this car in a short space of a year has brought me tremendous joy, whether I am driving it or being asked by those in the know how I managed to get a manual.
As far as I am concerned, still of the best Bavarian Metal produced. :rollsmile:
